Mon–Wed & Fri 10am–6pm, Thu 10am–9pm, Sat 10am–4pm
George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center · Austin
The city-run Carver Museum in East Austin celebrates African American history and culture with four permanent exhibits and two rotating art galleries, and it's free and open to the public. Its Genealogy Center offers free databases and workshops. Open Monday to Saturday (late on Thursdays); closed Sundays.
Walk-in tours seven days a week, when a guide is free
Texas State Cemetery · Austin
Texas's own Arlington: the State Cemetery on the east side holds governors, heroes and Texas legends. Small groups can join a walk-in public tour any day, depending on guide availability; check in at the Visitors Center on Navasota Street. It's a working cemetery, so tours can be cancelled for a funeral.
Honorably discharged veterans swim free at Barton Springs Pool, the city's famous swimming hole, open 5am to 10pm (closed Thursdays 9am–7pm for cleaning). Others pay $5–$9 for adults.
Guided tours Mon–Sat 9am–4:15pm, Sun 12–4:15pm (last tour 4:15pm)
Texas State Capitol · Austin
Guides lead free 40-minute tours of the Texas Capitol through its key spaces and the story of the Legislature. Tours leave from the South Foyer every 15 to 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday 9am to 4:15pm and Sunday noon to 4:15pm. You can also wander the building and grounds on your own with a free brochure. Groups over 10 should call ahead.
The Wittliff Collections, Alkek Library, Texas State University · San Marcos
On the 7th floor of Texas State University's Alkek Library, the Wittliff's galleries show photography, literature and art of the Southwest, and admission is free. Open weekdays 8:30am–4:30pm and weekends 12:30–4:30pm. Campus parking costs extra ($3/hour in the LBJ Student Center Garage). Closed Nov 25–29 for Thanksgiving.
Tanks, aircraft and artillery fill the grounds of the Texas Military Forces Museum inside Camp Mabry, and admission is free. Everyone 18 and over needs a U.S. photo ID and must be cleared at the Visitor Control Center, which closes at 3pm, so arrive by 2:55pm. Enter from West 35th Street via Maintenance Drive.
Verified Oct 27 · texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org
Catch: Ages 18+ need a U.S. photo ID and base security check; enter by 3pm
The Ransom Center's galleries show treasures from one of the world's great literary and cultural archives, and admission is always free. Exhibitions are open Tuesday to Friday 10am–5pm and weekends noon–5pm; closed Mondays.
The city-run Georgetown Art Center shows a rotating main exhibit (a new artist every six weeks) plus a shop of local art, and exhibits, artist talks and receptions are free to the public. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am–6pm and Sunday 1–5pm.
Mexic-Arte Museum on Congress Avenue shows traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino and Chicano art, and Sundays are free for everyone, noon to 5pm.
The State Preservation Board runs free 30-minute guided tours of the historic Governor's Mansion. The published tour schedule currently has only Tuesday–Thursday, November 10–12 open (more dates are added as they become available). There are no walk-ups: request a tour at least a week ahead by email (Mansion.Tours@tspb.texas.gov), phone (512) 305-8524 or the online form, and every visitor goes through a background security screening.
Verified Oct 27 · tspb.texas.gov
Catch: Reserve at least one week ahead: no walk-ups · Background screening: name, date of birth and government ID details due by noon a week before
The LBJ Presidential Library opens free to everyone on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 9am to 5pm (last entry 4pm). Normally adult tickets are $16. Free parking is in lot 38 off Red River Street.
On the first Sunday of every month the Bullock Museum opens its three floors of Texas history exhibitions free to everyone, 10am to 5pm. It sits just north of the Capitol. IMAX films and special ticketed shows aren't part of the free day.
Every Thursday the 14-acre lakeside sculpture park at Laguna Gloria is free for all, open 9am to 9pm. Advance tickets are encouraged but walk-ups are welcome. Leashed dogs are allowed on the grounds. Laguna Gloria is closed Nov 4–8, 2026 for a fundraiser.
The Contemporary Austin's downtown galleries and Moody Rooftop at 7th and Congress are free on Thursdays, noon to 6pm, and on Wednesday evenings. Walk-ups are welcome; advance tickets are encouraged.
Verified Oct 27 · thecontemporaryaustin.org
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