Top 5 Museums to Visit on Austin Museum Day ~ Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Austin Museum Partnership is proud to host the 15th annual Austin Museum Day - a free, community-wide rediscovery of Austin museums. On Sunday, September 23, take the entire family out on the town to enjoy local exhibits and activities at nearly 40 participating institutions!

Along with free admission to all of our favorite Austin museums, several locations are planning special activities. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit a museum that you haven't been to before, or spend some time at one of your favorites!

Here is our list of 5 great museums to take your family to this Sunday:

1. The Bullock Texas State History Museum

Investigate the legacy that space exploration has had on earth's orbits. Experience mind-boggling collisions, both natural and man-made during a FREE screening of Space Junk 3D in the IMAX Theatre. Then, examine real space junk, explore the challenges we face in protecting our planet's orbit and become part of a new age of space discovery with activities from NASA, the Austin Planetarium, and more! 1800 N. Congress Avenue 12 pm - 4 pm

2. Blanton Museum of Art

Some artists have a flair for the dramatic. From theatrical portraits to large-scale sculpture to exciting images of athletes in motion, discover artworks with a sense of drama through making your own marionette, a live theatrical performance, a scavenger hunt, and many other fun activities.

200 East MLK Blvd. 12 pm - 5 pm

3. Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

Experience Texas history like no place else! Don't miss the feature exhibit, Wheels of Time, a rare collection of historic Austin carriages, buggies, and wagons. Interactive areas, music, food, historic shopping and more. Five restored historic sites feature costumed interpreters, Longhorn cattle and farm animals. Come explore Texas' colorful past at Central Texas' premier living history park, one of our favorite places to "soak up history" in the area! 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive 10 am - 5 pm

4. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Join the Wildflower Center for their annual Women in Science Program, which encourages and inspires young women (and boys) to pursue science careers. Meet women scientists from 2 pm to 4 pm in the Visitors Gallery. Docent-led garden tours are offered and special discounts are available in the store. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a fantastic place to learn more about nature in so many different ways! 4801 La Crosse Avenue 9 am - 5:30 pm

5. Austin Children's Museum

Join us for the last day of our feature exhibit, 123 Geometry Lane, where math leaps off the page and takes shape in beautiful and practical ways. Museum educators will facilitate a collaborative building activity and present Story time every hour. Enjoy other exhibit favorites such as Funstruction Zone, Tinkerer's Workshop, Global City, and more. Come explore, learn, and play!

201 Colorado Street 10 am - 5 pm

This is just a small list of what is available - over 40 different museums are participating in Austin Museum Day! I was overwhelmed to know we have this many museums here in Austin - it's a whole new list of places to see & do:

AMOA-Arthouse Laguna Gloria
Austin History Center
Austin Nature & Science Center
Austin Tour Guide Association
Capitol Visitors Center
French Legation Museum
George Washington Carver Museum
German-Texan Heritage Society
Goodwill Computer Museum
Harry Ransom Center
Humanities Texas
Joseph & Susanna Dickinson Haning Museum
Landmarks, The Public Art Program of the University of Texas at Austin
Mexican American Cultural Center
Mexic-Arte Museum
Neill-Cochran House Museum
O. Henry Museum
Republic of Texas Museum
Save Austin's Cemeteries
Sheffield Education Center
Texas Archive of the Moving Image
Texas Department of Public Safety Historical Museum
Texas Medical Association History of Medicine Gallery
Texas Military Forces Museum - Camp Mabry
Texas Music Museum
Texas Natural Sciences Center
Texas State Capitol
Williamson Museum
Tiny Park
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
Visual Arts Center
Women & Their Work

For a complete list and details of each location, click here.