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FREE Museums, Arts & Culture in Austin
Austin has a rich arts and culture scene and a lot of it is FREE. FREE museum days, outdoor galleries, public murals, live performances, cultural centers, and community arts programming make Austin one of the most creatively accessible cities in the country. This section covers FREE museums, FREE admission days, public art, galleries, cultural centers, and performing arts in Austin TX.
- Blanton Museum of Art
FREE general admission every Tuesday and Thursday, with extended hours on the Third Thursday of each month.
- Bullock Texas State History Museum
FREE exhibit admission the first Sunday of every month, plus standing FREE access for SNAP/WIC cardholders.
- Austin Community College Gallery
FREE rotating exhibitions of student and faculty work across multiple ACC campus gallery spaces.
- Austin Nature and Science Center
- Christian-Green Gallery
FREE contemporary art gallery at UT focused on the African diaspora. Open Wed–Fri noon–5pm, Sat 11am–2pm.
- The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
FREE admission every Thursday to Laguna Gloria's lakeside sculpture grounds and the downtown Jones Center. FREE parking at Laguna Gloria.
- Dougherty Arts Center — Julia C. Butridge Gallery
City-run gallery with rotating local artist exhibitions, always FREE.
- Elisabet Ney Museum
FREE city museum in the historic studio of sculptor Elisabet Ney. ⚠ Currently CLOSED for renovation (reopening expected around 2027) — check before visiting.
- Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
City-run cultural center with FREE art galleries and Mexican-American cultural programming.
- George Washington Carver Museum
FREE city-run museum in East Austin celebrating African American history, culture, and genealogy in Central Texas.
- Harry Ransom Center (UT Austin)
FREE admission year-round to rare books & manuscripts museum (Gutenberg Bible, first photograph) with rotating exhibitions.
- LBJ Presidential Library
FREE for UT students, kids 12 and under, military families, and SNAP/WIC/MAP recipients, plus 10 FREE days a year. Open daily 9am–5pm.
- Mexic-Arte Museum
FREE admission every Sunday, noon–5pm.
- Museums for All — Participating Museums
National directory of FREE or reduced-admission museum access for EBT cardholders — search the list to find which Austin museums participate.
- O. Henry Museum
FREE admission year-round. Open Wed–Sun noon–5pm.
- Texas State Cemetery
FREE historic cemetery and visitor center honoring notable Texans. Grounds open daily 8am–5pm; FREE self-guided, audio, and group tours.
- Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry
- Thinkery – Community Night
FREE Community Night every Wednesday 4–8pm at Austin's children's museum (admission by donation).
- UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum
FREE Family Day the second Sunday of every month, 11am–4pm.
- Visual Arts Center (UT Austin)
FREE university art center with rotating contemporary exhibitions. Open Tue–Sat noon–5pm.
- Zilker Botanical Garden
FREE on scheduled FREE Days (about 8 a year) and FREE anytime with an EBT/WIC/Medicaid card; FREE parking. Confirm current FREE Day dates before visiting.
- Texas State Capitol Building
FREE self-guided and docent-led tours of the 1888 capitol dome, legislative chambers, and surrounding grounds, open daily.
Hours and programs change often. Call ahead before you go. Know something that belongs here? Email freeinaustin@gmail.com.