The best arts & culture spots in Austin

12 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Arts & Culture · 12 places · showing the latest additions first

Museum of the Weird

Arts & Culture

If your week needs a shot of delightful oddity, Museum of the Weird delivers with shrunken heads, the fabled Fiji mermaid, Bigfoot lore,…

412 E 6th St

If your week needs a shot of delightful oddity, Museum of the Weird delivers with shrunken heads, the fabled Fiji mermaid, Bigfoot lore, and a photo op with a giant gorilla, all wrapped in classic dime museum vibes that make Austin, well, Austin.

From the Austin newsletter, August 3, 2026

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If cabin fever hits this week, let them roam an immersive indoor world where imagination does the heavy lifting. Play Street Museum - Round…

3021 I-35 #210 (Round Rock)

If cabin fever hits this week, let them roam an immersive indoor world where imagination does the heavy lifting.

From the Round Rock newsletter, August 6, 2026

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Exhibits, IMAX films & educational experiences aim to tell & interpret the story of Texas.

1800 Congress Ave.

Exhibits, IMAX films & educational experiences aim to tell & interpret the story of Texas.

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Contemporary museum dedicated to promoting Texas-based artists, plus regular events.

700 Congress Ave

Contemporary museum dedicated to promoting Texas-based artists, plus regular events.

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Exhibits include a Texas Pterosaur skeleton hung from the ceiling & a giant blue cut topaz jewel.

2400 Trinity St

Exhibits include a Texas Pterosaur skeleton hung from the ceiling & a giant blue cut topaz jewel.

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Mexic-Arte Museum

Arts & Culture

Venue spotlighting Mexican & Latino art & host of an annual Day of the Dead festival & parade.

419 Congress Ave

Venue spotlighting Mexican & Latino art & host of an annual Day of the Dead festival & parade.

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Blanton Museum of Art

Arts & Culture

Renaissance to 20th-century American paintings, Latin American art, plus Greek & Roman sculptures.

200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Renaissance to 20th-century American paintings, Latin American art, plus Greek & Roman sculptures.

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Thinkery

Arts & Culture

Interactive kids' museum with science exhibits, art, indoor & outdoor play spaces & story time.

1830 Simond Ave

Interactive kids' museum with science exhibits, art, indoor & outdoor play spaces & story time.

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Exhibition of Charles Umlauf's works with an outdoor collection of touchable bronze sculptures.

605 Azie Morton Rd

Exhibition of Charles Umlauf's works with an outdoor collection of touchable bronze sculptures.

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Museum filled with perspective-changing rooms, optical illusions, and mind-boggling installations.

11010 Domain Dr #100

Museum filled with perspective-changing rooms, optical illusions, and mind-boggling installations.

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Museum at Camp Mabry with a large collection of military vehicles, plus exhibits on Texas conflicts.

3038 W 35th St

Museum at Camp Mabry with a large collection of military vehicles, plus exhibits on Texas conflicts.

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Fuzz Lab Craft Store

Arts & Culture

Custom-design rugs and decor on your own at this workshop where you can also create whipped-cream clay designs.

6406 N Interstate Hwy 35 STE 1801

Custom-design rugs and decor on your own at this workshop where you can also create whipped-cream clay designs.

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