A free city-run nature center at the edge of Zilker Park with indoor and outdoor exhibits, rescued wildlife, and a dino pit. Kids can bring found rocks, shells and bones to the trade counter to swap for new treasures, and you can borrow nets and buckets for the creek.
Ages
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
Free nature museum with live animals, a dino dig pit and a nature trade counter
Price
Free
Free admission (donations accepted). Camps and programs are fee-based.
Hours
| Monday | 9 am – 5 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Friday | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm – 5 pm |
Good to know: Trade Counter staffed Wed-Fri 10-1, Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4. Closed Nov 27-28 (Thanksgiving), Dec 24-26, Jan 1, Juneteenth, July 3-4, and about two weeks in early October for ACL/maintenance.
Setting
Indoor + outdoor
- Good in heat: Unknown — help us check
- Good in rain: Unknown — help us check
Getting there
2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746
Rough drive times
- about 40 min from Dripping Springs
- about 10 min from Oak Hill / SW Austin
- about 20 min from Bee Cave
- about 55 min from Wimberley
- about 40 min from Driftwood
Estimated from distance, not live traffic.
Parent details
- Parking
- Free parking under the MoPac bridge across from the Stratford Dr entrance; ADA spaces near the main entrance.
- Stroller access
- Unknown — help us check
- Restrooms
- Unknown — help us check
- Changing table
- Unknown — help us check
- Shade
- Unknown — help us check
- Fenced play area
- Unknown — help us check
- Splash pad
- Unknown — help us check
- Food on site
- Unknown — help us check
- Accessible
- Yes
- Easy parking
- Yes
- Nursing space
- Unknown — help us check
Happening here
Sat, Nov 7 · 5 pm – 8 pm
Moonlight Nature Night
Austin Nature & Science Center · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
2nd Mon monthly 09:30 (Nov 9, Dec 14, 2026; Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, 2027)
Science Storytime (Austin Nature & Science Center)
Austin Nature & Science Center · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
Select Saturdays 10:00-14:00: Nov 14 Dinovember fossil table; Dec 5 Meet the Animals; Dec 12 Space Saturday (planetarium), 2026
Saturday Programs at Austin Nature & Science Center
Austin Nature & Science Center · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
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