Mayfield Park Cottage and Gardens is open to the public but is a favorite among the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department facilities rental division. The historic 1870s cottage is perfect for a small group or families visiting the town. The cottage holds 65 people, while the grounds hold up to 200. Explore the walking trails in the park to enjoy the landscaped gardens, lily ponds, peacocks, and palms in this picturesque environment. Pack up the family or reserve it for your event and enjoy this sprawling estate in central Austin.
The amazing Zilker Botanical Garden overlooks the Zilker Park fields bordering Barton Springs Road. The garden is actually comprised of several different gardens, including the Cactus and Succulent, Xeriscape, Herb and Fragrance, Rose, Azalea, Butterfly and Taniguchi Gardens. Taniguchi is a beautiful Japanese landscape with a waterfall, running stream, lily ponds and wooden bridges. The lush, peaceful grounds are commonly perused by artists and writers searching for inspiration, and by others just looking for solitude amid the city.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Research Center was established by Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady of the United States from 1963-1969. This fabulous garden bearing her name brims with native Texas plants in courtyards, terraces, arbors, and meadows. Along with a fantastic children's center, visitors can explore a visitor's gallery, observation tower, cafe, gift store, and nature trails. Enjoy award-winning architecture and fabulous scenery in this wonderful garden spot. The center also offers programs that offer hands-on experiences including art sessions, yoga workshops, summer camps, gardening, and more.
Charles Umlauf (1911-1994), one of the more famous Austin artists, was a prolific sculptor. This museum displays many of his works in a fantastic garden spot located close to Zilker Park and just minutes away from downtown. His sculptures range from realism to abstraction and include families, religious figures, animals and mythological characters. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum houses a permanent collection of bronzes in the lush garden, while a variety of rotating exhibits explore various aspects of his art.
A 35-foot (10.7 meters) bronze Lone Star sculpture greets visitors at the entrance of this epic museum. This place narrates the story of Texas, sharing its rich cultural heritage and traditions. The three floors of the impressive building present interactive exhibits, special effects shows and more. On the first floor, you will find a permanent exhibit called Encounters on the Land, which highlights the first meetings between Native Americans and European explorers. The second and third floors have exhibits that showcase the evolution of Texas from the time of its inception. The museum boasts a total of 17 media installations and over 700 artifacts, not to mention Austin's only IMAX Theater.
At Harry Ransom Center you will enjoy viewing the first successful permanent photograph ever taken, alongside one of only remaining Gutenberg Bibles, created in 1456. Also showcased here are rare compositions and manuscripts by Galileo, Beethoven, Hemingway, and more. You will find a wonderful collection of theater arts pieces and a book library with over 800,000 priceless manuscripts. Take advantage of the free admission and experience many of the University's unique treasures. Rotating exhibitions and workshops also allow visitors to interact with artists, actors, and writers.
General Land Office Building is over 150 years old, is dedicated to balancing economic development with preservation of the state's natural resources. Established in 1836 after Texas gained its independence from Mexico, its duties have evolved from keeping archives and issuing land titles to managing state lands and mineral properties totaling 20.3 million acres. Other responsibilities include the Recycling, Adopt-A-Beach, Coastal, and Oil Spill Prevention and Response Programs. The Archives and Records division houses original Spanish, Mexican and Republic of Texas land grants and related documents.
If you are an avid art lover, then head to the MASS Gallery while in the city. The gallery was established in the year 2006 and is open to all independent artists and visionaries who want to showcase their masterpieces. Rotating exhibitions are usually scheduled here in various genres of art. You can also shop for items like frames, books and other artwork at the store
Located on the University of Texas campus, inside Sid Richardson Hall, is this unique library of archives, holding the largest collection of Texana. Several rotating and permanent exhibitions are showcased at the Center for American History, along with the Texas Music Collection. The collection features vintage posters from the Armadillo World Headquarters, a popular live music venue in the 1970s. Visitors also enjoy the Stevie Ray Vaughan Collection and the entire New York Times archive. Admission is free.
With the noble intention of preserving natures beauty and splendor, Georgia Lucas assembled together a great preserve area called Bright Leaf. Within the 200 acres of pristine surroundings, one can truly discover and feel the power that nature. Undertaking training for volunteers, the park ensures that people become more sensitive and aware of conserving nature. For further information, log on to their website.