Austin Fire Museum The museum features Austin Fire Department artifacts dating as far back as the 1870s, including a Hook and Ladder No. 1 lantern, uniform pieces from the turn of the 20th century and memorabilia from Texas’ first African-American firefighters.[/caption]

1. Austin Fire Museum

The museum features Austin Fire Department artifacts dating as far back as the 1870s, including a Hook and Ladder No. 1 lantern, uniform pieces from the turn of the 20th century and memorabilia from Texas’ first African-American firefighters. 401 E. Fifth St. 512-974-3835 www.austinfiremuseum.org Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Mon.-Tue. Cost: free Exhibit: “History of Austin Fire Department”

Blanton Museum of Art The museum holds the largest public collection of art in Central Texas, including modern, contemporary, Latin American, Renaissance and Baroque-era works.[/caption]

2. Blanton Museum of Art

Located on The University of Texas campus and founded in 1963, the museum holds the largest public collection of art in Central Texas, including modern, contemporary, Latin American, Renaissance and Baroque-era works. 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 512-471-7324 www.blantonmuseum.org Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m., closed Monday Cost: free (age 12 and younger, UT faculty, staff and students with valid ID), $5 (ages 13-21 and students with valid college ID), $7 (age 65 and older), $9 (adults) Free: Thu. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., every third Thu. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Exhibits: Through May 15 “Come As You Are: Art of the 1990s” The exhibition showcases about 60 works in a range of media made between 1989 and 2001. June 19-Sept. 25 “Goya: Mad Reason” The exhibition explores Spanish artist Francisco Goya’s printmaking career. June 19-Jan. 22, 2017 “Xu Bing: Book from the Sky” Contemporary Chinese artist Xu Bing’s “Book from the Sky” exhibit is presented in its first full-scale installation in Texas.

The Bullock Texas State History Museum The history museum tells “the story of Texas” through exhibits such as archaeological displays of findings from throughout the state.[/caption]

3. The Bullock Texas State History Museum

The history museum tells “the story of Texas” through exhibits such as archaeological displays of findings from throughout the state. 1800 N. Congress Ave. 512-936-8746 www.thestoryoftexas.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. Cost: $8-$12 Free: first Sun. of every month Exhibits: March 12-July 24 “Our Global Kitchen” The exhibit explores humans’ relationship with food through artifacts, digital interactives and models. April 22-Sept. 18 “Journey into the Big Bend” People’s connections to Big Bend National Park are explored through the exhibit with displays of photography and personal artifacts as well as reflections from those who have inhabited, protected or explored the Big Bend ecosystem. Special family programs from noon-3 p.m. combine art creation, exploration stations and gallery activities.

Elisabet Ney Museum The museum houses works from the artist who sought political refuge from Germany in the 1860s when she moved to Austin.[/caption]

4. Elisabet Ney Museum

Set in the historic home and studio of German sculptor Elisabet Ney, the museum houses works from the artist who sought political refuge from Germany in the 1860s when she moved to Austin. The structure—known as “formosa,” or beautiful in Portuguese—sits on 2.5 acres in Hyde Park. 304 E. 44th St. 512-458-2255 www.austintexas.gov/elisabetney Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. and by appointment, closed Mon.-Tue. Cost: free (donations accepted) Upcoming event: May 21 Ney Day Taking place from noon-5 p.m., the event is a celebration of women in the arts. Mostly female musical groups perform, and artists partake in various activities, such as demonstrations and sculpting.

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center ESB-MACC is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation and promotion of the cultural arts of Mexican-Americans and other Latino cultures.[/caption]

5. The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center

ESB-MACC is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation and promotion of the cultural arts of Mexican-Americans and other Latino cultures. 600 River St. 512-974-3789 www.austintexas.gov/esbmacc Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free: Admission to ESB-MACC galleries and events is free except for some performances through the Latino Arts Residency. Exhibits: Through June 18 “Solo Mía” The exhibit deconstructs the possessive rhetoric that is used to talk about the female form through a series of portraits. “Petro-Poems” The exhibit explores the work of Venezuelan artist Mery Godigna Collet, who works with crude oil as a medium.

The Harry Ransom Center The humanities research library and museum at UT at Austin provides insight into the creative process of writers and artists and a deeper understanding of literature, photography, film, art and the performing arts.[/caption]

6. The Harry Ransom Center

The humanities research library and museum at UT at Austin provides insight into the creative process of writers and artists and a deeper understanding of literature, photography, film, art and the performing arts. 300 W. 21st St. 512-471-8944 www.hrc.utexas.edu Hours: Mon.-Wed., Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. Free: donations support the Ransom Center’s exhibitions and public programs Exhibits: Through May 29. “Look Inside” The photography exhibit shows nearly 200 of the Ransom Center’s newest acquisitions of postwar to contemporary works. “Shakespeare in Print and Performance” The exhibit commemorates the enduring legacy, longevity and relevance of playwright William Shakespeare. Aug. 15-Jan. 1, 2017 “Elliott Erwitt: Home Around the World” The exhibit includes more than 200 of photographer Elliott Erwitt’s journalistic, commercial and artistic images. Erwitt has created some of the most celebrated photographs of the past century. 

LBJ Presidential Library Museum visitors can learn about the political and personal lives of President Lyndon B. Johnson and first lady Lady Bird Johnson and set foot in a replica of the Oval Office.[/caption]

7. LBJ Presidential Library

Museum visitors can learn about the political and personal lives of President Lyndon B. Johnson and first lady Lady Bird Johnson and set foot in a replica of the Oval Office. 2313 Red River St. 512-721-0200 www.lbjlibrary.org Hours: Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $3-$8 Free: May 30 (Memorial Day), July 4, Aug. 27 (President LBJ’s birthday), Sept. 18 (Austin Museum Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Jan. 16, 2017 (MLK Day), Feb. 20 (2017 presidents Day)

The O. Henry Museum Offering a glimpse into American short story writer William Sydney Porter’s Austin life, the museum is housed in Porter’s 19th-century home.[/caption]

8. The O. Henry Museum

Offering a glimpse into American short story writer William Sydney Porter’s Austin life, the museum is housed in Porter’s 19th-century home. 409 E. Fifth St. 512-472-1903 www.austintexas.gov/department/o-henry-museum Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Mon.-Tue. Cost: free Exhibits: Through May 31. “In Loving Memory: The Art of Victorian Mourning” This exhibit explores various Victorian death customs. Oct. 1-Oct. 31, 2017. “40th Anniversary of the O. Henry Museum Pun Off” The exhibit is a retrospective of the annual pun-off that gathers fans of wordplay to celebrate puns.

Susanna Dickinson Museum Preserving the home and legacy of Battle of the Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson, the museum celebrates Texas’ cultural heritage through programs and education resources.[/caption]

9. Susanna Dickinson Museum

Preserving the home and legacy of Battle of the Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson, the museum celebrates Texas’ cultural heritage through programs and education resources. 411 E. Fifth St. 512-798-3830 www.austintexas.gov/department/susanna-dickinson-museum Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Mon.-Tue. Cost: free Exhibits: April 30-Sept. 20. “Reconstructing the Feminine Form” The exhibit looks at the changing form of women from 1860-80.

Thinkery The community aims to promote a passion for lifelong learning and discovery through science-based family activities.[/caption]

10. Thinkery

The community aims to promote a passion for lifelong learning and discovery through science-based family activities. 1830 Simond Ave. 512-469-6200 www.thinkeryaustin.org Hours: Tue., Thu., Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wed. 4-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mon. Cost: varies by program Free*: Wed. 4-8 p.m. (donations accepted) *An open-door initiative is available for families who cannot afford admission. Guests who ask for help are admitted at no charge.

UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum The museum exhibits the work of Charles Umlauf and other contemporary sculptors in a natural setting.[/caption]

11. UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum

The museum exhibits the work of Charles Umlauf and other contemporary sculptors in a natural setting. Educational experiences aim to encourage the understanding and appreciation of sculpture. Weddings, private events, meetings and life celebrations may be held at the sculpture garden. 605 Robert E. Lee Road 512-445-5582 www.umlaufsculpture.org Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $5 (adults), $3 (seniors age 60 and older), $1 (students with valid ID) Free: members, children age 12 and younger, active military and their families Exhibits: April 22-Oct. 16. “Studio in the Museum: An Interactive Recreation of Charles Umlauf’s Studio” A celebration of the museum’s 25th anniversary, the exhibition provides a preview of Charles Umlauf’s studio. Free

This list is not comprehensive.