Everyone was very nice and helpful. The artwork was amazing. Plenty of parking and food spots for a…read morefamily outing.

'OMG girl, run! I'm afraid he's going to injure you!'…read more This was an explicit warning I received from fellow (and skilled) salsera Dej M. during one of MACC's Pura Salsa meetups. Some background information: The gracious Marion and Jason hold these dance socials the first Thursday night in the facility's auditorium. Counterintuitively, they get started early with a 6-7p beginner lesson and continue to blast the salsa jams until about 10p. Start early, end early, for the sake of the 8am weekday workforce. Thank you a thousand times for this, Marion. There are usually some very skilled partners at these dances, and one lead was able to safely lift my salsera friend and I (off the ground, though not simultaneously) without breaking a sweat, despite our misgivings. He had adequate upper body strength for that feat, fortunately. These meetups are worthy of more dancers than the typical 12-15 couples who are lucky enough to spread out on the auditorium's HUGE wooden floor, so bring on more people, Party People. Other events hosted by MACC have been a Day of the Dead community celebration, complete with a paint-your-own-sugar-skull crafts area, live latin band, theater dance performance, wacky altars for loved ones gone, and of course a giant paper mâché skull. They currently host flamenco, yoga, power spanish (feel the power!) and martial arts classes as well. I'm a fan.

Community service is a fundamental part of who I am...part of my DNA. It dates back to when I was…read morea child and my mom used to take care packages to people who were sick and shut in. My mother always said and I believe that "we are all blessed to be a blessing to others." I judged the National Arts Competition (Theme: Unity through Art) today at the George Washington Carver Museum in East Austin, evaluating entries for creativity, content, and artistic ability. We received submissions from students at Bertha Sadler Means Academy for Young Women Leaders, middle school grades 6 through 8. We have also received submissions from 4th & 5th graders at Lee Lewis Campbell Media & Performing Arts Elementary School. This museum honors community, memory, and lived experiences. The museum started as Austin's first public library in 1926, later becoming the "Colored Branch" library when moved to East Austin during segregation. Then it evolved into the first African American neighborhood museum in Texas, which gives it a deeper sense of purpose. The exhibits are both informative and deeply moving. The storytelling offers context that connects local history to broader national narratives. The museum is well maintained and located in a historic Black landmark in Austin. Staff are friendly and informed, and rotating exhibitions provide fresh experiences with the permanent collections. In addition, admission is free, making the Carver Museum accessible for everyone. If you value history and culture, it's a worthwhile visit that educates and encourages dialogue in a respectful setting.

Hidden Gem Happen…read moreto come here for Museum Day. Never heard of it and it's wasn't on my radar. What a nice little surprise. It's a quaint museum with only two exhibits. One on American Slavery and the other on a rotating schedule. Riley Holloway's What I Carry exhibits was currently being displayed. Surprisingly there's no George Washington Carver exhibit outside of the children's room. You'll spend 20 minutes tops here. If you are in the area and have time to kill stop in by. It's also free! 8/10 Paintings

So my plan was to originally visit for free because I heard they had an event on the weekend but…read moreThe Contemporary has TWO locations and it was free for the downtown museum only that day. This is Laguna Gloria, and it features sculptures all outdoors. We ended up paying since we were already there. BUT Laguna Gloria is FREE on Thursdays. Other days is $10 pp and if you didn't pay in advance online, they can take payment at the gift shop. Though, I'm not sure how they enforce it because it looks like you can just pass by the gift shop and enter the park. As a former art student, I just wasn't that impressed or intrigued by the art. You have to walk a ways away to visit the next sculpture. They provide a map at the gift shop, but since I'm not good at geographic directions, I just allowed my husband to plan the walking route for us. We got to see all the sculptures (there aren't a lot...15?) In total, we were probably there for less than an hour. I didn't understand some sculptures. I saw a lonely, abandoned light pole covered with spiderwebs and joked to my husband, "look at this artwork!" It turns out, it was actually art because there's a sign next to it introducing the art piece and everything. Awkward. Anyway...appreciated walking around the grounds. My favorite is the crying Miffy fountain, which is one of the first things you see when you enter the grounds. Street parking only (unless you are an art student or staff there).

Laguna Gloria is one of the most beautiful and inspiring locations in Austin. The combination of…read morehistoric architecture, waterfront views, sculpture gardens, and Mediterranean-style details makes it feel truly unique. As a brand and lifestyle photographer in Austin, I've photographed several sessions here and it consistently offers stunning, versatile backdrops. The natural light is especially soft and flattering, and there's so much variety throughout the property that clients can get multiple looks in one session. Beyond photography, it's also just a peaceful place to explore art, walk the grounds, or bring visitors. The atmosphere feels calm, creative, and timeless every time I visit. https://www.camilleadrianephotography.com

Went here for the first time in May during their Cinco De Mayo Margarita Month promotion. It was…read morepacked on a weekend and had a fun vibe. We got the discounted margaritas at the bar and I think they were only $7 each. We really liked them! It was hard to find a spot to stand let alone sit since it was so busy. Eventually we got a spot on a couch inside. A company was hosting a party with a buffet and when their event was up they offered the other guests to enjoy what was left of the buffet. We had chips, salsa, tacos, and tuna poke! It was so good! We will definitely come back to eat here. Fun random Saturday!

Super chill rooftop in the aloft hotel on Congress…read more Food: N/A Service: 3 Atmosphere: 4 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: no walk-in only Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Liked the casual relaxed vibe in a rooftop so didn't have to be fancy - Mix of ages - Plenty of seating - Cute white lights hanging - Could go full party drink mode or relax with a few - Have water jugs out so you can fill your own Midlights: - Order at bar line can be long and not many working behind it but then saw waiter coming around when was seated - Drinks just ok--there more for vibes Lowlights: - Didn't get to try the tacos since we were off to have a meal after

Loved this experience. This place has definitely been around for awhile and I can see why. Got…read morethere early to scope out the location and upon entering you provide your name and they provide a paper to give upon entering the show room. There was a group on the patio area where you can order tacos, I did not partake. Then the bar area inside. You can take drinks into the showroom as well. Scoped out the venue which was bigger than anticipated and really enjoyed the fish tank TVs. So fun! The show was entertaining and up to date with references all relevant to the current times. Everyone on stage was great and their chemistry can be seen. The audience was laughing 99% of the time and the show went back fast! I'd totally go back for a local Austin night out with good laughs.

Esther Follies is an Austin staple!…read more They've been performing for 50 years, providing amazing entertainment for all guests attending their shows. They do a mix of comedy, magic, music , and just overall great entrainment for their shows. It's mainly themed around local and world politics + the LGBTQ community. Tickets are approximately $40. The show is about 90 minutes, with a 5 min break halfway through. They have a bar on site, and a taqueria that's connected to their building as well. Highly recommend the taqueria, it's authentic and delicious! Absolutely recommend for locals, visitors, and those who just want to enjoy a great show in the best city in the country!

I absolutely love this library (Lyndon B. Johnson). I visited once before relocating to Austin and…read morenow that I live within walking distance, I often take family and friends who come to visit. It's an important museum that houses millions of photos, videos, documents, etc. with regard to the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, LBJ's presidency, and so on. There are exhibits displaying information on Medicare and its beginnings. The Oval Office replica is pretty cool to see. So many things to check out including, you guessed it, a gift shop! This is a "not to be missed" museum.

I gave this Presidential Library only 3 stars because I was only able to visit 2/3's of the museum…read more Apparently, they are renovating one of the floors. When we arrived and paid our admission fee, we immediately were met with 2 hosts that kind of went over and explained everything you would be seeing. The funniest part is when an elderly white lady tried to explain to me their new traveling exhibit. It was a hip hop exhibit and she was explaining how interesting it was. She was like 70 and I am sure she is bumping Biggie and 2 Pac on her way to work. The 1st floor was just the presidential Limo, some campaign exhibits, a gift shop and the hip hop exhibit. When I think about LBJ, I am pretty sure Hip Hop is far from the top of the list of things associated with him. However, as a kid from the hip hop generation it was cool to see Run DMC's Adidas, Slick Rick's Kangol and other artists out fits. The 10th floor (I think it was the 10th) had a replica Oval Office, lots of gifts given to LBJ during his presidency and other exhibits as well. I enjoy going to the different Presidential Libraries and Museums and this one is pretty nice but nothing that will wow you.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is an absolute must see! From the moment you walk in,…read moreyou're immersed in the rich story of Texas from its early days to modern times. The exhibits are interactive, engaging, and thoughtfully curated, making history come alive for visitors of all ages. There is a paid parking garage available, but parking is free after 5:00 for movie showings. Highlights include the detailed artifacts, hands-on displays, and the impressive theater experiences that really bring Texas history to life. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer questions and guide you through the exhibits. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a fun and educational outing, this museum is a must-see. I left feeling inspired and with a deeper appreciation for my home state of Texas! I have attended numerous movie screenings at the IMAX theater on site. Most recently the EPiC Elvis Presley in Concert. The seats are comfortable and it was easy to purchase tickets from the box office and they have a bar and concessions. Was a very comfortable place to watch a film.

The museum is beautiful with a very rich presentation of Texas history. I truly enjoyed the…read moreexperience and found myself deeply intrigued by the complexity of the state's past. The exhibits highlighting Texas under Mexican rule, the revolution, land certificates, and the formation of the Republic of Texas were especially fascinating. You really get a sense of how law, governance, and political interests shaped the path of the state. That said, the visit also prompted some critical reflection. History is not just about what is displayed, but also what is absent. During my visit, another guest mentioned that a prior exhibit featuring Black culture from that historical period had been present in 2024 but was no longer there. I cannot independently confirm this, but it certainly sparked important thoughts about how historical narratives are curated and evolve over time especially in light of the current political climate. As a PhD student in public administration and policy, I view spaces like this as starting points for deeper inquiry rather than definitive accounts. Despite any perceived gaps, the museum offers an engaging and visually impressive exploration of Texas history that is well worth visiting. I left with plenty to think about and even more to research on my own.

Child and stroller friendly. We love coming here and checking the store. There's so many fun…read moregoodies to purchase. They also have amazing chocolate at the gift shop. My kiddo and I like to have a bar before venturing into the museum. The restroom are super clean. The staff is friendly and nice. It's a great place and it's mostly quiet. They also have a children's art area. F

I like the exhibit a lot. It has beautiful painting. However, It's a little pricey to go on the…read moreweekends . The Charles Butt exhibit was nice.