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Austin Nature Science Center
Austin Nature Science Center
Downtown
view website301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
512-327-8181
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Science & Nature Museum
Nature Center
Zoo
Austin Nature Science Center Description
You can't get the kids to unearth the socks from under their beds. But, digging for dinos? Yeah, they could do that for hours. Hidden beneath the sand of this archeological "dig" site -- one of the favorite exhibits here -- are fossils of big creatures with equally big names, like American Mastodon. Sure, they're replicas. But that doesn't dim the excitement of unearthing the leg of a Scimitar-Toothed Cat. The pit is pretty big, and some fossils are buried deeper than others. While you're here, be sure to meet the museum's collection of living animals -- all rescued or orphaned -- including a fox, a bobcat, and a vulture.
Kid Tips
School-Age Kids: Kids on the younger end of school age will enjoy the museum; older ones will probably be ready for the Texas Memorial "Dinosaur" Museum instead.
Planning Notes
- Mind the weather. The museum is almost 100 percent outdoors, so dress accordingly.
- Keep the car handy. Though in Zilker Park, the museum's location means you'll likely have to drive to other park attractions.
- Go off-peak. Being particularly popular with young children, the place is busiest weekday mornings between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Go back in time. For a different kind of dinosaur adventure, head to the nearby Zilker Botanical Garden (www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/gardencenter.htm) with its Prehistoric Garden.
Just the Facts
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Fees: Free
Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours
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