The Austin area has a number of outstanding museums whether you are looking for art, history, interactive museums, or anything else! But visiting museums with your family can get expensive.
Blue Star Museums program provides free museum admission to active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve members. It is the result of a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, working in partnership with the Department of Defense and museums across the country!
The 2022 Blue Star Museums program began on May 21, 2022, on Armed Forces Day, and will culminate on September 5, 2022, on Labor Day. Below is a list of 9 wonderful Blue Star Museums in the Austin area that military personnel can take advantage of!
Blue Star Museums in Austin Area For 2022
Blanton Museum of Art
The University of Texas at Austin’s Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art (often known as the Blanton or the BMA) is one of the country’s major university art museums. Temporary exhibits, permanent collection galleries, storage, administrative offices, classes, a print study room, an auditorium, store, and café occupy 189,340 square feet.
Hours of Operation: Wed – Sat: 10 am – 5 pm | Sun: 1 pm – 5 pm | Mon & Tues: Closed
Located at: 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712, United States
Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Since 1928, the Austin Parks & Recreation Department has been the custodian of the city’s public lands. As a result, they safeguard parks and the urban forest. Trails are preserved, and they provide a range of sports, recreation, educational enrichment, artistic programs, cultural experiences, and natural and aquatic activities.
Timings: Mon – Fri: 8 am – 5 pm
Location: 200 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Bullock Texas State History Museum has welcomed over 9 million people from all around the world to learn about what makes Texas unique. They engage the largest possible audience to interpret the constantly changing Story of Texas via relevant educational experiences, which they opened in 2001 as the official history museum of the State of Texas.
When: Tues – Sun: 10 am – 5 pm | Mon & Tues: Closed
Where: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Deal Alert: Save Big on Austin area Museums and other Attractions with POGO Pass
The Standard South Central Texas Pogo Pass (San Antonio/Austin/Waco) provides admissions to 35 different entertainment venues in the San Antonio, Austin and Waco area.
Perfect for families, the Pogo Pass gives both adult and child pass-holders 50+ visits to some of the best things to do that San Antonio, Austin and Waco have to offer. The Pogo Pass nearly pays for itself with a visit to one or two venues alone!!!
Pass Features the following Attractions in Austin
- One visit to Wonder World Park
- One visit to Typhoon Texas Waterpark
- One Visit to the Thinkery Museum
- Two Texas Stars hockey games
- Two Austin Spurs basketball games
- One visit per month to Austin’s Park
- One visit to the Austin Aquarium
- Two visits to Quest ATX Wakeboard Park
- One visit to Pioneer Farms
- One visit to Monster Mini Golf
- One Visit per Quarter to D-Bat
- One Visit to Mt. Playmore
- Two visits to Rock Sports Arena
- Two visits to Pump It Up
- One visit to Neill-Cochran House Museum
Check out the POGO pass and SAVE Big on Austin Area Museums and other Attractions!
Blue Star Museums in Austin Area For 2022 – Continued
Landmarks Public Art Program
Public art has the power to evoke strong emotions, pique interest, and ignite the imagination in unexpected ways. The public art collection at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the most recognizable elements of the main campus, molding impressions and providing a unique backdrop for unforgettable encounters.
Hours of Operation: Tues – Sat: 10 am – 5 pm | Sun & Mon: Closed
Located at: The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, United States
LBJ Presidential Library
The LBJ Presidential Library, also known as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, is the presidential library and museum of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. The LBJ Library has 45 million pages of historical records, including President Lyndon B. Johnson’s papers as well as those of his close allies and others.
When: Sun – Sat: 9 am – 5 pm
Where: 2313 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705, United States
Mexic-Arte Museum
Artists Sylvia Orozco, Sam Coronado, and Pio Pulido created Mexic-Arte Museum in the Arts Warehouse in downtown Austin in 1984. The amazing history of the Mexic-Arte Museum has positioned it as one of the region’s most important art institutions. The museum’s facilities, scope, and resources will all be considerably expanded during the next few years.
Timings: Mon – Thurs: 10 am – 6 pm | Fri & Sat: 10 am – 5 pm | Sun:
Location: 419 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Neill-Cochran House Museum
They manage one of the city’s oldest historic mansions (1856), which includes Austin’s sole preserved slave quarters, just a few minutes’ walk from the UT-Austin campus. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Texas owns the Neill-Cochran House Museum.
Hours of Operation: Wed-Sat: 11 am – 4 pm | Mon & Tues: Closed
Located at: 2310 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705, United States
The Williamson Museum
The Williamson Museum is a non-profit organization founded in 1997 to collect, conserve, and exhibit things related to Williamson County’s rich culture and legacy. Through creative exhibitions, tours, and outreach, they provide free and entertaining hands-on educational activities to the public, including the annual Pioneer Day at Old Settlers Park.
When: Wed-Sat: 12 pm – 5 pm | Sat: 10 am – 5 pm | Sun – Tues: Closed
Where: 716 S Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626, United States
Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum
Temple’s historic Santa Fe Depot is home to the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. The permanent displays focus on railroad operations and travel, with a focus on the Santa Fe Railway. A variety of shifting temporary exhibits, as well as teaching activities and special events, are all held at the museum.
Timings: Tues – Sat: 10 am – 4 pm | Sun & Mon: Closed
Location: 315 W Avenue B, Temple, TX 76501, United States
So which Austin museum do you plan to visit at as part of the Blue Star Museums program? Let us know in the comments section below.
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