Need to knows:
Stroller or sling? Recommended stroller
Baby friendly restrooms? Yes
Parking validation? No — paid street parking or nearby garages
The Jones Center is a lovely little modern art museum in downtown Austin. It’s a part of the Contemporary Austin, which also includes Laguna Gloria (linked below) and an art school. The setting is serene, intimate, and a stress-free excursion for your bougie self and that baby.
It’s on Congress Avenue, so if the baby is behaving you can easily hit up a number of eateries or shops afterwards. Parking downtown is almost always paid, but there’s two garages within walking distance. We always park at One American Center on 600 Congress Ave, and it’s a two minute walk from there. You could also do metered street parking, or there’s another garage on 700 San Jacinto Blvd.
The building itself is just two floors and a roof deck, so you can easily see everything within half an hour. It’s a good, safe choice if your baby is on the fussy side or easily overstimulated.
Unlike so many great museums and galleries in Austin, they have an elevator! Woohoo! Definitely bring the stroller. There’s baby changing facilities on the second floor.
On Sundays, they offer a “Drop In and Create” activity from 12-2 pm. All materials are free with the price of admission, so it’s a great option if you have older kids too. They either hold this in a room on the second floor or on the rooftop, weather permitting.
Admission itself is just $10 for adults — $5 for students and seniors — and free for under 18s, the military, AND essential workers. How great is that? Reserve tickets online during COVID times, link here. If you want to see our rundown on Laguna Gloria, here you are.
Austin Baby 