There’s no better way to spend a day as a family than by visiting a local museum. Thankfully, the area in and around Cedar Park features many museums that teach kids (and the adults with them!) a ton, while keeping them entertained. Still, when you don’t know where to look, finding just the right museum for a family adventure can create stress instead of opportunities for fun. Don’t worry though, Crème de la Crème of Cedar Park (Parmer Ln.) has you covered. Check out our list of amazing museums to visit right in our own backyard.

Cedar Park Sculpture Garden

Image via Flickr by ArturoYee

If you’re looking for a unique way to spend the day outdoors, look no further than Cedar Park. The Cedar Park Sculpture Garden makes getting up close and personal with art easier than ever before. This open-air, outdoor museum is sure to have your kids eager to come back time and time again, making it the perfect way to enjoy some fun and educational family time without traveling far.

You’ll find the sculpture garden right along the walking trail by the Cedar Park Recreation Center. The community museum features an exhibit of sculptures, displayed on an annual rotating basis. Most sculptures are on loan from the artists who created them, so this park offers a great way to introduce the kiddos to local art. Since the sculptures rotate, you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to return to this popular spot close to home to discover new works.

You’ll find sculptures made from a range of materials, from aluminum to limestone to steel. Kids are sure to enjoy picking their favorite piece each time they visit this incredibly peaceful place. Whether you’re looking for a way to take an interesting family stroll, or you have a budding Rodin in your brood looking for inspiration close to home, you can’t go wrong by visiting the Cedar Park Sculpture Garden.

Thinkery

Head over to nearby Austin for a unique, kid-friendly museum experience. That’s where you’ll find Thinkery, an innovative place that delivers a range of exhibits and programs focusing on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. That’s right, there’s an entire museum dedicated to getting kids excited about STEAM! The museum features activities that revolve around staff-led educational experiences, ensuring a new experience every time you visit this museum.

The 40,000-square-foot space is located right in the heart of Austin, offering tons of space for young museum-goers to roam around. Hands-on activities boost emotional, cognitive, and social learning for kids. Kids can make inquiries, test their own theories, and find results, all while enjoying exhibits created just for them.

The general museum is free for kids ages 0 to 23 months and $14 for anyone older than 24 months. If you become a member, you’ll enjoy free year-round general admission plus discounts on special programs and shop purchases. The museum is currently offering timed tickets to buy in advance for the morning, midday, and afternoon sessions.

You can also get tickets to the museum’s Baby Bloomers program, special sessions reserved for families with children 36 months old and younger. Baby Bloomers sessions take place on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., with $7 standard admission for attendees of all ages (or $5 for members).

Blanton Museum of Art

Blanton Museum of Art, also located in Austin, offers an amazing opportunity for families looking for more ways to explore art. This museum serves as Austin’s primary art collection, so there’s truly something for everyone here. The collection boasts more than 19,000 pieces of art that span the centuries.

Get started by checking out some Ancient Greek pottery, then move through the years following the art into abstract expressionism. Looking for something new? The museum also offers a schedule of traveling exhibitions on display throughout the year.

Currently, you’ll need to book date-specific, timed tickets in advance to visit the museum. These required tickets are valid for the date and time you book, so plan your visit ahead of time and enjoy a family day in Austin. Right now, you can plan to visit the Blanton Museum of Art on Sundays between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., or Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

If you’d like to take advantage of free admission, you can visit the Blanton on any Thursday. You do still need to get advance timed tickets online, so check the Friday before the week begins to get your first-come, first-served tickets. If you want to visit the museum any other day it’s open, admission costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, or $5 for youth or college ID holders. Kids 12 and under can enter for free, as can museum members, UT ID holders, or military members and teachers with valid IDs.

The Williamson Museum

If your kids are into history, you’ll want to make the short drive over to Georgetown. The Williamson Museum, which aims to preserve Williamson County’s history, is sure to keep your whole family entertained.

It’s easy to spend hours indulging in interactive, hands-on exhibits like Willie’s Kids Corral, which includes a chuckbox for kids to check out. Kids will also revel in seeing Cedar Park itself surrounded by photographs and information on the Williamson County map. The museum adds major exhibits annually, and it showcases local artists through monthly exhibits.

The best part? Admission here is always free, so you can come back whenever the kids are in the mood to discover local history and culture. Just remember to book an appointment in advance so you can enter. The Williamson Museum is open on Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

There you have it, Crème de la Crème of Cedar Park’s list of museums you just have to check out with your family. These popular local spots are not only fun and educational, but they’re also incredibly convenient to visit. If we missed your family’s favorite museum, though, let us know so we can add it to our list!