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Austin Nature & Science Center
Categories: Active Life Zoos Arts & Entertainment Museums Zoos, Museums [Edit]
301 Nature Ctr DrAustin, TX 78746
Neighborhood: Rollingwood
(512) 974-3888
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 5 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
35 reviews for Austin Nature & Science Center
Review Highlights
35 reviews in English
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Review from Alek Z.
3/31/2012
I haven't been here since a field trip back in like 7th grade, so I might be committing some nostalgia bias here, but what the hell.
I remember this place being really awesome. They've got dino pits, wildlife exhibits and all manner of other things to keep the kids engaged.
It's also right across from the Zilker Botanical Garden, so the whole area is just beautiful and relaxing. -
Review from Elizabeth C.
Austin, TX
Oh free kiddo places in Austin, I love you so. I love taking my little guy to places that are hands on where he can learn about nature and science, so um obviously, the nature and science center were a win for us. It is FREE for one (yay!) and it's so much nicer than I expected for a free kids venue!
Part of what they do is rescue animals and take care of them. There are many hawks, owls and other birds. A few reptiles and a couple other animals, like Conan the bobcat. My son was amazed by the bees that were flying to and fro their plexiglass hive inside the entrance.
There are lots of shaded trails to walk, gazebos, a pretty nice man made pond and stream to plunk rocks in, but the shining star for my little guy (beside the bees) was the dino pit. Partly shaded and full of tools to excavate the concrete bones, we could stay here for hours digging and digging. It's a great place to chat with other mamas too. For older kiddos, this may only be a 20 minutes stop on the trail, but for moms of toddler boys, you can plan to pack a picnic lunch and stay awhile. :) -
Review from Jaime M.
Austin, TX
6/4/2011 ROTD 8/14/2011
Learning is fun! We didn't mean to go here, but we ended up at the center anyway after a fun hike through the trails -- conveniently, just as I needed to take a bathroom break. The staff at the center was helpful and friendly (we were a bit lost, or we wouldn't have ended up here in the first place).
The nature center is spacious and full of neat specimens, both fossils and more modern creatures' remains.
The animals in outdoor cages are way cool rescues. They are birds (mostly ducks) and mammals -- coyote, bobcat, coati, raccoon, foxes and skunk! The small creatures center has birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
It's definitely not an all-day trip -- we only spent about 20 minutes -- but it's worth a stop if you're nearby. Take it in mid-hike. -
Review from Susan B.
Austin, TX
8/2/2011 11 photos
This place gets five stars because it's educational, entertaining and FREE (donations welcome)!
Kids and adults, alike, will enjoy this place. There's so much to do here - from the science workshop to the giant dino pit to the rescued wildlife exhibits (coyote, bobcat, coati, raccoon, birds, snakes, etc) - not to mention the beautiful trails and ponds that connect it all together. The three year old couldn't get enough of watching the bees "dancing" and flying in and out of the glass-encased bee hive in the main building.
It's central location couldn't be better. This really is the perfect place for the family to go on the weekend. Hit up the Austin Nature & Science Center in the morning, head over to Barton Springs to cool off, have a picnic, ride the Zilker Zephyr and let the kids play on the playground before heading to Shady Grove for dinner. Doesn't get more family-friendly in Austin than that. -
Review from Hoa N.
2/8/2011
Free free free.
Well, the animals aren't free. They are rescued injured wild animals that have been given a second chance, fixed up and kept because they can't be released. Some have the saddest stories, like poor sweet Bubba the Red Tail Hawk who was taken from his nest by humans who broke his wings in an effort to keep him tame.
:(
Lucky unlucky animals. You can visit them in this sweet swath of nature, a preserve and nature center with hands-on exhibits, ponds and paths, many animals, a dino dig.
This is kid heaven --also parent heaven if you love connecting to the nature.
Indoors:
In one area there's an interactive section where you can examine local findings. Microscopes, scales, specimens, It is often overseen by an expert who will talk to children about the offerings.You can bring an artifice of nature here to join their collection and/take one of your own. Butterfly wing. Bone. Wasp nest. Weigh them on a scale or examine under microscopes.
During the summer you can take a break in the main area for the cave exploration. See some stuffed diorama there and minimal interactive displays.
Just outside of this is an enclosure of snakes, turtles, and fish o my!
Outdoors:
Dino dig where you can pretend to be a palentologist.
Raptors in outdoor enclosures.
A little bench observance over a crest and canyon.
Creek crossings with stepping stones.
A quiet stretch of greenbelt -- dog free and minimally visited -- meadows, creek, scrubby hill country habitat. We are often the only people there. Quiet except for MoPac traffic. Fossils. Monarchs in the fall. Hawks.
Our favorite inner city spot.Listed in: ATX Places to take kids
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Review from Brittany G.
Austin, TX
4/20/2011
One of the many FREE things to do in Austin- especially for kiddos of any age!
There are many exhibits including live animals, trails, a HUGE sand pit to dig for dinosaur bones, trails, and creeks!
Many of the areas were closed for private tours while we went, but there was still enough to enjoy. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Ryan J.
4/6/2011
Free? I paid $4 to attend as a parent volunteer today, guess I'm a schmuck.
Kids loved it and its a fun place to check out if you have never been. Lots of school field trips come here. -
Review from Jennifer H.
Columbus, OH
9/23/2010
Free place to tire out little kiddos..... This is it, so it gets 4 stars from me. The only reason I am taking away one star is due to the fact that there isn't really alot for young kids to do inside which is no fun during the hot summer months.
However, once it starts getting cooler out, this is a great place to go even for an hour or so before nap time. It lets them explore, see animals, and dig for a while in the dino pit.
I live on the south end of town, so it's not a bad drive over here.... well worth it in my mind! -
Review from Christine A.
Austin, TX
7/31/2008
Even if your yard is small in size, it is easy to create a certified wildlife habitat. Thanks to Nick M. for initially pointing me in this direction. I told him I would check into it. Then, during the Cool House Tour, I met a nature loving homeowner who handed me information about the program. Designated by the National Wildlife Federation, the program is administered locally by the Austin Nature & Science Center. It is very easy to qualify if you have certain features in your yard.
Our yard is now officially a Certified Wildlife Habitat. We have an owl shack that housed a mother owl and three babies last spring, a butterfly garden, a hummingbird feeder, all native plants, and we use only organic soil and insecticides. Kelly with Great Outdoors provided fantastic ideas we used to entice our butterflies to their new garden. There is a little sandy pond area for the male butterflies. Apparently they are quite similar to male humans in that they like to gather together and drink. We did not put in the tiny plasma television tuned to ESPN, however.
Our official designation just arrived in the mail and a sign is on its way. I highly recommend this as a way to show your commitment to wildlife conservation. It is a great family project. Below are several websites to help you get started.
http://www.ci.austin.t...
http://www.nwf.org/bac...
http://www.thebutterfl...
http://www.owlshack.com -
Review from Tc H.
Austin, TX
2/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I honestly wasnt expecting much , but i was greatly surprised on how hands on every thing was! I took my fav little man there (he's 11). I have never been here or to the austin zoo so i let him pick....
He hands down liked this place more than austin zoo..
There is a place you can touch skulls,snake skins, fossils,feathers,bones and a ton of other neat things..
If you are into or know some who is into some hands on nature with out driving outta the city i suggest going it made me feel 11 again! -
Review from Anna G.
Austin, TX
10/26/2008
Bees. Skunks. Owls. Dinosaur bones buried in the sand. Fossils, feathers and rocks to touch. The Austin Science and Nature Center is must-visit for kiddos 2 and up. The boy (3) and I visited for the first time this weekend and he hasn't stopped talking about it since. The grounds are clean, the exhibits, while seeming a bit haphazard and rundown to the adult eye, are well-loved by the younger set.
The see-through bee hive inside the main building was a strong point of interest - the bees have outside access and can be watched in action. They have a surprisingly large menagerie of animals including a bobcat, coyote and fox but most impressive is the variety of birds. You'll have an opportunity to see the huge wing span of a vulture, the beauty of several types of hawks and realize that, hey barn owls are super creepy looking!
And lo and behold, it's free! -
Review from Alexandra L.
Austin, TX
12/1/2006 3 photos
This is not a zoo trying to make an amusement park out of itself. This is a bona fide nature center, and it's free. (Plus, if you find yourself near the Barton Springs end of Town Lake Trail and don't want to use a port-a-potty, their bathrooms are very clean.) There's a short nature hike featuring local flora and fauna.
They have exhibits where you can check out birds of prey, tiny insects, and reptiles. These are all locally rescued animals - they do not import giraffes or tigers. These animals stay as permanent residents because they cannot return to the wild.
If you're into outdoor photography, you'll want to check it out. -
Review from Catherine Y.
Austin, TX
3/14/2008
What took me so long to write a review about well hidden little haven at Town Lake area? Barton Spring was still closed and we found this place to stroll around on a hot summer day last year. Was it a great find indeed!
This place is not just for kids, I think it makes an interesting place for a casual afternoon date as well. We came here and really enjoyed what we saw. Beautiful garden, exciting wild animals in the mini zoo, and the small science center where you can see the real working bee hive and samples of insects, animal bones or teeth, and etc.Listed in: Conquer Your Visitors Panic…
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Review from Amber s.
Austin, TX
7/10/2008
The Nature Center and I have had a long, amorous relationship, and that relationship is only getting better and stronger with age.
The Nature Center has improved so much since my first visit years ago. They've added entire new sections of animals, and added new paths and attractions. They're constantly working to improve the experience here, and it shows. Taking my children here isn't just a fun outing; we learn something every time we come. And sometimes it's a direct learning/teaching experience, but sometimes it's more organic than that--sometimes just watching the animals do their thing lights up something inside us, and the little gears in our heads "click". And I say us--not "them"--because I come here for myself just as much as for them, though admittedly I prefer to share the experience with my little people.
I love watching the owls--we often play games to see who can find the most owls. Lots of times they blend into their environment and you can't see them. The kids like that game.
I'm not crazy about the dino dig, and my kids, at 6 and 10, aren't terribly impressed with it either, so we usually skip this. This is a fairly recent addition that I think they could have skipped, but that's okay, I can gleefully ignore it.
While you're here, be sure to get information on collecting and exchanging items from the "shop". Kids can collect bones, feathers, reptile skins, etc, and bring them here to exchange for other items collected by other people, depending on the point value of what they brought. Specimens include butterflies, skeletons, rocks, etc. My kids LOVE this kind of grass-roots treasure hunting. Check it out.
They have a wonderful preschool here, too, but be prepared to be on the waiting list for a while.
All in all, the Nature Center is one of my favorite locales in Austin to spend some quality time with my children and to do something adventuresome and engaging. Every family should check it out at least once--and since it's free, it's a really good bargain. -
Review from Jeremy S.
Austin, TX
3/15/2010
A great place for the kids, and it's completely free. The "nature" trail was wrought with human-cut tree limbs which didn't lend to the sensation of being within a nature preserve, but perhaps most telling was the sign which teaches you how to hear like a fox by cupping your hands behind your ears. It asks, "What do you hear?" All I could hear was the enhanced roar of MoPac. Still, it gets points as a rehab facility for injured wildlife (the Barn Owls are super cute, and the falcon is totally talkative). And it's free. ;-).
Personally, I'll stick with Mansfield. It, too, is free, and features uncaged peacocks. Can't go wrong with peacocks. It's not as kid-centric, but it's a nice stroll. -
Review from michella s.
Austin, TX
1/30/2010
I would live here if I could. It's hard to leave - you just want to keep exploring.
We had a day trip out here with my nieces (6 and 9) and we all really enjoyed ourselves. The 6 yr old especially loved the dino pit and could have spent hours digging to her heart's content. The inside room was full of curious elements such as bones, fossils, feathers, snake skins. There are books and maps to peruse. It's endless really and oh so amazing.
There's also a wildlife habitat area where you can visit a bobcat, coyote, skunk, rabbits, birds and more. a real peaceful getaway right in the heart of austin. -
Review from Lisa R.
Austin, TX
12/6/2009
1. fah-fah-fah-FREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! (see also the Texas Natural Science Center on UT's campus for the same idea, spun differently, SAME PRICE).
2. Usually no problem parking under the Mopac bridge
3. The dino pit is awesome
4. Just the right size hike for a pre-K kid, let him or her lead you about and stumble upon the dino pit, the lookout platform over the pond, the animals, etc.
5. Don't skip out on the inside room with all the hands on items. You can count things, talk about same vs. different, big vs. small, colors, bones/parts of the body, rough/smooth, etc. using natural items they can touch. For older kids there are projects that if they complete them and bring them back to the museum they can accumulate points and get prizes - like at Chuck E Cheese!
FYI - the bee hive oft mentioned in the reviews is now gone. It was the bees' decision, not the Nature Center's. -
Review from L S.
Katy, TX
7/27/2011
We took our kids here (4 and 6) on our recent visit to Austin and had a GREAT time. The hands on nature workshop was really interesting to the kids and a great relief from the hot summer weather. My older son was in heaven digging in the dino pit. The nature trail around the lake was a good size for kids our age, allowing them the time to really explore their surroundings. We hope to be back soon!
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Review from Iftikhar K.
Round Rock, TX
5/15/2010
Had a great time today at Austin Nature & Science Center with my family. The park is right next to Zilker, parking is plentiful and it wasn't as crowded as I expected for a free attraction on Saturday. We had the mini zoo to ourselves with Rizwan getting up close and personal with bobcats, turtles, snakes, lizards, fish, owls, hawks and much more.
Indoors Rizwan had a fun time checking out cow skulls, interesting rocks, and other exhibits. Outdoors, we cooled off in the creek by splashing each other. We never made it to the Dino Pit as the park closed.
We'll certainly be back one day! -
Review from Shelly W.
2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not amazing, but not bad! I just wish the animals didn't have to stay on hard concrete, how not natural! This place survives on donations and grants etc, so yeah I understand. You'll spend a nice 30 minutes here at the least. 3.5*
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Review from Amy F.
Austin, TX
3/11/2011
If you have young kids and haven't been here you should go now while the weather is not too hot. Not sure how this place is FREE. I guess I'm paying it with taxes somewhere. It is really nice. Dino dig sand pit, resuced animals like a coyote, bobcat and rabbit to look at, pond, trails. My toddler enjoyed himself here today.
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Review from Harper L.
Austin, TX
6/22/2011
I love taking my daughter here. So nice that it's by donation. We always have a great time looking at the animals. My daughter especially loves the owls. :)
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Review from Brandon S.
Austin, TX
4/23/2011
Incredible resource. If you have young kids, take them to the Nature & Science Center NOW! There's a bobcat, coyote, and several other mammals in pens, another house with creepy crawly things, and an area with birds of prey in cages. Plus some of the prettiest trails in the entire city, and a massive sandpit with buried dinosaur bones, plus nature classes, plus plenty of other stuff. This is one of my favorite places in the entire city. And my kid likes it too.
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Review from will h.
Austin, TX
3/4/2008
i'm gonna back up badass p's review and say this is the best preshcool around. my little dude (now 4 yr.) goes to 2 preschools - Nature's Way (here) and the much ballyhooed, chronicle award winning Escuelita de Alma (over rated if you ask me). when asked, he will repeatedly gush about the nature center. he wants everyday to be a nature center day, and for his sake, i wish it could be. if you think this place might be for your kid(s), get them on the list as early as possible. they start at age 3.
but even if your little one is not enrolled here, you can have a ton of fun. young and old alike can enjoy the absolutely beautiful surroundings - and all pretty much right under the mopac bridge. -
Review from Geoff H.
11/13/2007
We visited here last December with some friends from California, who had their incredibly gifted 3 year old daughter Helena with them (come on, how many three year olds can use "flabbergasted" conversationally?), and spent a couple of very pleasant hours roaming the trails and looking at the animals and birds. It was before noon and rather cold, so we had the place to ourselves. When we were done with the exhibits and the animals we headed to the Dino Pit which is a series of (concrete) fossils in a giant sand box. I'm not sure who had more fun, Helena or her dad and I. When I saw what the set up was, I made sure the kiddo was distracted while I grabbed a shovel and buried all the exposed fossils so she could play junior paleontologist. Plastic shovels and brushes are laying around for general usage and are in pretty good repair despite what I'm sure is a lot of use. Anyway, there's an enormous dinosaur fossil (I think a Pleisiosaur but I work with human bones, not dinosaur) that's about 300 feet long (or so it seemed when I was shoveling sand over it) that Helena discovered and worked over with a brush until she found ALL the details and pronounced it a swimming dinosaur.
A great place to visit even if you don't have kids. We worked up a powerful thirst digging up bones that was only slaked by a visit to the Ginger Man. (I know, any excuse for a beer.) -
Review from Rachael E.
Austin, TX
3/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
My kids throughly enjoyed playing in the dirt and digging for dinos! This is a great activity when you have a few hours as a family. We all had a really great time!
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Review from Jinra I.
Anaheim, CA
6/28/2009
I love fun when it costs free-ninety-nine. Free-ninety-nine is exactly how much fun costs at the Austin Nature & Science Center. And by fun, I mean good ol' hands-on nature-y science-y goodness. While there are caged exhibits of raccoons, skunks, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, owls, bugs and select amphibians, you don't lose the sense of being removed from nature. It's smack dab inside the park, complete with a big pond to relax near by. If that's not your thing, the center itself has a variety of cool exhibits you can actually put your hands on and play with microscopes. Highly recommended if you have kids, or if you're like me and you're just a big adult kid.
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Review from allison j.
Austin, TX
Updated - 2/28/2009
This place is still a great place. We recently discovered the huge tree stumps to sit on on the other side of the center. However, if it is you letting your kids swim completely nude in the pond even though you have enough time to grab a towel on the way out of the house, please stop. Why? Why would you do that? Don't you know there are sickos out there watching your too old to do that kids swim nude in the pond? It's not just natural, it's dumb.
Listed in: Get off your rear and take…, GET OUTSIDE!, Experience Nature... Austin…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/13/2008
ok. Since my first review I've been back probably 3 times, and I still really like this place.… Read more »
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Review from Elaine C.
Austin, TX
4/24/2010
The Nature Center is in my top 5 things that make Austin a great place to raise children! We were devotees when our kids were young, participating in the one-of-a-kind Nature's Way Pre-school, chaperoning school trips, digging in the dino pit, attending birthday parties and summer camps, and of course, visiting the rescued animals.... But I recently stumbled on the amazing offerings for older kids -- the low-ropes challenge course! It was a great, affordable team-building experience for my daughter, her friends and their parents. The two leaders, Maya and Danielle, were exceptional, AND they double as summer camp counselors! It turns out this experience, along with climbing and splunking (caving) is among the ANSC offerings for birthday parties, too. Thank you, Austin, for supporting this amazing place. Happy 50th Anniversary, ANSC!
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Review from K L.
San Marcos, TX
6/12/2010
I love this place. It is so great!
It teaches a wonderful lesson, you get an upclose view of things you normally wouldn't get to see, and its FREE.
Wonderful place, I can't wait to go back.
PS: I love owls, and they have quite a few to admire! -
Review from Casey T.
San Marcos, TX
8/27/2009
It is hidden in Zilker Park. You have to park under the loop 1 bridge. My young toddler and I loved it! Inside there was all sorts of cool science things to look at. The people that worked there were very nice and helpful. They were quick to tell us that she can be hands on in the naturalist workshop. In the naturalist workshop you can look at all kinds of specimens through magnified glasses. They had tons of different kinds of bugs and animals to look at in that room. That was her favourite room. I think because she could touch everything! They also have a small animal exhibit and a dino pit exhibit. The animals they have are all animals that can't be returned to the wild for one reason or another. Did I mention that it is FREE!!! I love science so this was alot of fun for me.
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Review from David R.
Austin, TX
1/22/2010
My 14 month old loved the dino pit. What a great place for free. No problem parking. Great place to entertain the little one's.
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Review from Lindsey H.
Austin, TX
3/22/2010
What more can you ask for? It's FREE!
So many things to do with kiddos of all ages.... I worked as a camp counselor here in colleges, but had no idea how wonderful it is for moms and toddlers.
Animals, hiking, digging, exploring, indoors, outdoors... it is simply a fabulous gift from the city to the families of Austin. -
Review from Natalie P.
Cedar Park, TX
2/18/2010
My 3 and 1 yr old had a blast here. If you live nearby, this is a great place to go especially since it's free and so is parking. I had to drive from north austin, and we have a similar dino pit up here so it wasn't worth the drive to me. The wildlife habitat was fun for the kids. I wasn't too impressed... it reminded me of the Austin "zoo."
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Review from virginia m.
Hondo, TX
12/29/2008
Hands on museum type stuff. Kids can bring in their own finds for identification or points. Great way to spend a day. Little ones do not get bored covering and uncovering the fossils in the huge sand box. How do they keep the cats out? I forgot to ask.
