Thea museum is fun. A quick walk-through, but it's really fun. So I do recommend it's not so big to…read moreactually take your time and read the plaques and take a lot of photos. Before you enter the museum here in this little gift shop so you are able to buy little interesting things if you wanted to. And then as you're going through the museum, you end up in another gift shop so you have two opportunities to buy weird objects. But we did enjoy it if we ever end up in Texas again we would honestly do it again

It is something to do when it's hot. The AC works except in the wax room. It smells awful!!!…read moreThey encourage you to take pics with King Kong which involves getting on knees and climbing up thru the hand. Well my dress had a dark brown wet stain on it as I stood up. Looked like poop -it wasn't but it sure looked like it. Bathroom out of order but they let me in and stain still there. So $25 for 2 to get in and I possibly ruined a brand new dress. Wasn't impressed at all by the place.

Very unique! If you are going to Austin, make arrangements for a tour. This house has been…read morefeatured in a lot of different books and magazines.

Keep Austin Weird is one of those phrases that is synonymous with Austin (in addition to barbecue)…read more There is so much interesting art here in Austin that you should consider looking into when visiting Austin, with Casa Neverlandia being one of them. Casa Neverlandia is a three story, colorful home located behind Goodwill Baptist Church, that was created by James Talbot, or as he referred to himself as "Talbot" when we met him for a private tour of his home. Casa Neverlandia originally started out as a one story home built in the early 1900's. Mr. Talbot purchased this home and started to transform it into what you see now in my photos and what you find online. According to Mr. Talbot, he grew up in a military family, traveling all around the world and living in some unusual places that includes a treehouse in Honduras. He has a college degree in architecture and has always been fascinated with building things, as you can see with his home today. To him, he builds this home for himself to reflect upon his spiritual side but also include some unique things for his physical needs, as he lives rather a green lifestyle. My husband and I, along with our little girl dog (yes Mr. Talbot allowed for us to bring our little dog with us) met Mr. Talbot outside of his home on a Sunday afternoon. We were lucky to be the only couple, as another couple was supposed to come but was told the date just didn't work with their schedule. Please note that it cost $15 per person for this tour and you can contact Mr. Talbot via phone or email to schedule a tour. At the front entrance of his home are numerous of doorbells, xylophones and bells. I believe there is over 40 of these things but Mr. Talbot says he can never have enough. He describes the mosaic tiles outside of the home, the snake, the outdoor patio seating area with the clouds element and so forth. Then inside, we see his living room with a beautiful and inviting fireplace and pit to help radiate heat for the first floor, indoor seating area that is meant to be an air alter with cool colors of green and a unique bookcase. We see some current artwork that he has for sale (no obligation to buy) that includes gorgeous hand beaded work and other things and then make our way to the small music room. Next, the kitchen has a lot of function to it more so than just design. Then we make our way up stairs. On the 2nd floor is a room that has a Thai like theme with the bamboo wall panels and red lacquered beams. This room has high ceilings and utilizes natural lighting since there is no lights in this room. Mr. Talbot says this is the room for parties and entertainment for guests. Then up one more floor is Mr. Talbot's room, which was featured on numerous of TV shows, magazines and books. From his bedroom, that has a safari theme to it, you can see a glimpse of downtown Austin. We were then lead to his bathroom where he is currently working on a bath tub with some kind of ocean wave like theme. Being that he has a background in architecture, he is able to create the structure of things the way he wants it. From his bedroom, we walk across a narrow plank bridge to his tree house or a tower. Climb a very narrow ladder and we are on the top of that tower and see great views of Austin. We eventually take a few narrow ladders down to the bottom, now in his backyard. From here, he takes us into his studio (built in the early 90's) and shows us what he is currently working on, which looks like a large clam shell. He uses soda cans that he has collected around Austin to decorate the shell. He also shows us this ocean like mural that will go with this clam shell. Then we eventually make our way outside. He tells us that he saves the rain water in large barrels, as he considers himself camping in his own home. He dresses up or down according to the weather and has a very low electric bill each month and water bill. Mr. Talbots has told us on the tour that he doesn't consider himself to be done with Case Neverlandia, as he is always building and changing things. And said that Casa Neverlandia may be different the next time we come back to Austin for another tour. Our tour lasted about 75 minutes, but we did make small talk with Mr. Talbot throughout. It was well worth our time to come out here and check out Casa Neverlandia and hope you will consider it too, especially if you are looking for something off the beaten path. You can see some of Mr. Talbot's artworks around Austin and a few other things in other states. Casa Neverlandia truly was a highlight of our visit to Austin and am so glad we were able to get a tour. Again as mentioned, it cost $15 per person for a tour and you can call Mr. Talbot at (512) 442-7613 or email him at talbot@talbotworld.com to inquire for a tour.

The Blanton Museum of Art is delightful way to spend a few hours in admiration of art. The Blanton…read moreMuseum of Art complex is divided into three main areas; namely; 1) ticketing office and gift shop, 2) the stand alone building and 3) the galleries. Important to note...entry into The Blanton Museum of Art is free on Tuesdays or as a member and discounted if you attend UT or a senior citizen. Getting a ticket gets you into the house and galleries was a pretty straightforward process. The first impression is the towering 3-story 12 "petals", which look like white lillies to me. They have hundreds of holes that cast a cool shadow beneath them. Fun fact: When it rains in the petals, water funnels to to an underground collection system. According the museum docent, the stained glass building was designed by Ellsworth Kelly is supposed to be a place of contemplation...similar to a church except different as she is an atheist. Similar remnants of churches are present...stained glass windows, a semi redwood cross at the center of the building (not fully formed but certainly the focal point of the room) and simple black and white paintings. The Blanton Museum of Art, founded in 1963, is a shared museum between Austin and the University of Austin. Their 22K+ art pieces include modern and contemporary American and Latin American artworks. In addition, they also feature Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, prints and drawings. Inside the galleries the staircase area is a work of art itself. The collections are breathtaking, contemplative and captivating. Such a fun way to spend the afternoon...

Blantons is great break from the sun, and a small taste of a variety of classical and contemporary…read moreart. The staff were super friendly. Griffin was a fantastic behind the desk guy. Samantha and Abby were nice docents. Each said hello, were welcoming, and shared their favorite pieces, and spoke competently about the art they were watching over. I got the opportunity to see various immersive works. Ellesworth Kelly has his own building of stained glass images, black and white tiles, and a male totem. My favorite work was in the modern section, but it looked like a classical piece. Pilgrims by Coronel. It looked like a bunch of guys in big hats collaged together - but it's just folks walking by each other. It was a good mix of various eras and modes of art. The light was warm, but not overpowering. And the A/C is working. In the middle of the summer, that last point is a must. As one of the Blue Star Museums, it sponsors a service member and up to 5 other folks entrance into the museum to see the exhibits. It's easily a great hideout from the heat and free for military during the summer. Recommend.

Such a cool place to take your kids! We loved it! We can't wait to come back sometime when we are…read morein Austin!

Employees are helpful and funny. We had a blast doing the scavenger hunt! What a date idea!read more

We had time for one museum while on our trip and so we picked Bullock Texas State History Museum…read more This was a great choice that we made and certainly something to explore. The History History and the contemporary history that is all laid out here is very well presented and in the contemporary part it felt like you were reading, observing and strolling from decade to decade. A wide range of topics and different vantage points of Texas is explored here which makes it very fascinating and was mind broadening as we progressed through the displays and artifacts. I didn't know a whole lot about Austin City Limits and all of the musicians and musical acts that played there which was very much a learning experience and perhaps one of my favorite sections of the museum. Definitely worth going to if you are in Austin and wanting to take in some history and culture that makes up the state and the city.

I visited the Bullock Texas State History Museum with my husband and parents on the first Sunday of…read morethe month which allows you free entry! The museum is an homage to Texas history and culture. The current special exhibit showcases Texas Festivals from highly decorated parade floats, pageant costumes, and competitive eating! This museum is great. It's also across the street from the Blanton Art Museum and a quick walk down to the Capitol Building so you can make a it a day of Austin must-sees especially if you're visiting for the first time.

This was a lot of fun! Read the instructions and follow the arrows if you can't figure out what to…read moredo. There was also employees walking around that could help when needed. I personally think this is better for teens to adults than little kids. You'll be taking lots of pictures!

Overall, I felt the price didn't justify the experience. I paid $72.20 for two adults, and the…read moremuseum was about the size of a small store. I would have been comfortable paying around $10 per person at most. The website claims the experience takes about one hour, but we walked through the entire facility in 10-15 minutes. It was very short-lived and left us disappointed. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend visiting at the current price.

A friend of mine was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend and he then committed suicide. Today my…read morefriend's family had a celebration of life ceremony for her. This celebration of life ceremony was a deeply moving and beautifully planned tribute to her life well-lived. The ceremony took place in UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum. The grounds are serene and peaceful with art sculptures sprinkled throughout the garden. UMLAUF is strategically hidden behind Zilker Park in Austin, TX. The garden was a perfect place for my friend's celebration of life. She would have loved the tree canopy, small ponds, and the bronze and stone works in the garden. My friends passing caused me to think about life, death and the dash in between the two. The commentary today came from her younger brother, two friends and her aunt. Their glowing remarks intertwined with snippets of humor helped to soften the moment. One of the comments from her brother is that you need to keep in touch with family and friends, tell them you love them and do not miss those very important moments. Those thoughts resonated with me. Sometimes in this microwaveable society, we do not make time to be intentional and spend uninterrupted time with family and friends. I committed today to be more intentional from this day forward. When my mom and sister passed, I was selected by our family to do the eulogy, which is one the hardest things you can possibly do in life. How can you capture one's life in 15-20 minutes? What topics are most salient to discuss? Inevitably, my mind drifted to gratitude. I am so grateful for my family who loves me unconditionally. I am grateful to all my friends and especially those friends who have been riding with me for 25+ years. "The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." Eleanor Roosevelt

We loved our visit. I didn't know anything about the art before coming here but was very pleasantly…read moresurprised. I'm drawn to classically influenced, figurative sculpture, rather than highly abstract contemporary styles. Umlauf's work was precisely that -- it focused on the human form primarily and touched upon themes of religion, war, love, beauty. There were some pieces that took my breath away, particularly the refugee mother and baby pieces. The garden itself is small (you'll likely spend an hour here, at most) but very pleasant to stroll around. The trees were bare when we visited but I can see it being even lovelier in spring/summer. Very reasonable admission fee ($8 per adult). Children 0-4 are free. Super friendly staff. The woman working the front desk was very kind to us and made our family feel so welcome (we brought our two small children). Small parking area but it wasn't crowded when we came (despite it being a weekend afternoon). If you're visiting Austin and you like classical and figurative sculptural work, make sure you add this spot to your itinerary.

This was very cool, the former teen wanted to come here for their birthday. Every floor had a…read moredifferent theme with 4 floors in general. Dinosaurs and other long dead creatures. Texas history, Texas wildlife and a telescope. Then 4th floor was a special exhibit on bats with games, video, statues and more. It was informative and fun. The kids there had a scavenger hunt as well. Lots of interaction and facts. Worth a visit.

Every 4th Sunday of the month is FREE (sponsored by HEB) which is always nice. We actually…read moreaccidentally showed up on that day. Personally, I think I'd prefer to pay ($10 per adult, 4 and under are free) and have it be a little less crowded. The building is small, the hallways narrow, the elevator slow. I wasn't sure what to expect but I'd advise you to keep your expectations low. The museum is a bit dated, the building is old, and some of the exhibits felt antiquated. There is a certain charm to that. Plus, you can see everything in one short visit. They did make it ADA accessible -- there's a separate entrance for wheelchairs and strollers. There's a wheelchair ramp available for the inaccessible areas (like the paleontology exhibit). For strollers, I'd recommend just leaving it upstairs and holding your kid. The exhibits are small so you won't be there for long. Gift shop had a nice selection of cute gifts/souvenirs. Easy parking in the San Jacinto garage next door. Cost us $6 or something like that. While the woman's restroom had a diaper changing station, I don't think the men's did. I noticed a dad going in to change his son's diaper (he verbally noted it to the mom) and walked right back out. If they want to be accommodating to families, this might be an upgrade worth making. FYI: they're card only, no cash.

This was a fun interactive time, that went by really quick…read more There is minimal staff here, 2 at the register and 1 person at the bar. I loved the drink while you art concept and definitely got a drink, which was a good amount of tasty and strong. By far we all loved the first lighting art display the best. The kiddos loved running through it, the changing lights and the music. The other exhibits were less interactive. We enjoyed them as adults, however, the kiddos passed through most of them without interest. The selection was good, but we craved more once we got to the end. I was able to make my drink last the entire time we were there. That being said, the adult prices were fair, however I would not charge children under 12. Overall we had a great time escaping the Texas heat. So if you're looking for a nice adult escape I recommend this thoughtful art space.

Very cool art gallery full of fun and interesting exhibits! They were interactive and immersive…read morewhile maintaining a calm atmosphere. I liked the Submergence exhibit since it had many pretty glowing lights that hung from the ceiling. Great for pictures and videos. Some other exhibits were engaging with movements too. It really involves your various senses with multiple sounds, sights, and things you can touch. You can view at your own pace and no one rushes you. It took us around 2-3 hours to go through everything. There's a wide selection of different installations, so I feel like it's worth the $25 value. There is also a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy. Book your tickets in advance as they have limited spots per time slot so it is not cramped. There's a kiosk near the entrance to check in and then they will help you get started at the front desk. Lots of free parking in front of the building. What a unique and chill place to bring the family. They really are spaces filled with wonder. They do rotate out the exhibits periodically, so there's always more to see. Overall a great experience and I look forward to coming back to see new installations!

I was in Austin just for one day and was able to visit for about an hour or so. It was a quick, but…read moreimpactful visit. I really enjoyed it. The museum is set up in very accessible way and not overwhelming. Since my time was limited I began with the top floor (Oval Office) and worked my way down. It was like stepping back in time. I also loved Lady Bird's office, as well. The main hall with each US President's photo was minimalistic, but majestic enrobed in Travertine. The museum is a must-see for anyone interested in Presidential history or a walk down cultural memory lane. All The Way With LBJ!

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.