Nestled within the Zilker Nature Preserve on the western edge of Zilker Park is the Austin Nature & Science Center. Offering hands-on exhibits and immersive programs since 1960, ANSC is has fun experiences for budding naturalists and curious minds of all ages.
What to Expect
The Austin Nature and Science Center has a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits that teach about the natural habitats of Central Texas. Visitors can explore topics ranging from geology and paleontology to wildlife and astronomy. Interactive displays and educational programs make learning engaging and fun for families, students and nature lovers.
Exhibits & Activities
Visitors to the Center are welcome to wander through the exhibits at their discretion — no tour groups necessary.
In the Dino Pit, kids will experience an educational dig site recreation, complete with casts of fossils. Dinosaur tracks and oil paintings around the site display what the animals would have looked like millions of years ago.
The Birds of Prey area is both an exhibit and a rehabilitation center for injured Central Texas birds. Visitors may get a chance to see hawks, vultures and owls up close. The Small Wonders building takes nature to a micro-level, with terrariums and aquariums hosting some of the littlest local creatures.
There are also larger mammals at ANSC. While the Center is not a zoo, it has taken in animals who were either raised as pets, or were injured and can’t survive without human help.
Visit the Naturalist Workshop to touch and inspect furs, rocks, bones and more up-close with a magnifying glass. Kids who love to collect shells, rocks, and fossils can take them to the Trade Counter to discuss their finds with volunteer naturalists. Little explorers will get a point for the items they bring in, when they can then spend on goodies to add to their collections like rocks, shark teeth and bones.
On the grounds of the Center, visitors can walk the Forest Trail, which includes 45 native trees and aims to educate home gardeners about the right trees for the right locations.
Events
The ANSC holds a variety of events, providing even more fun things for kids to do. They’ve hosted events to highlight local bird life, explore the life cycle of a butterfly, and get to know Austin park rangers. Other events include Family Archery Day, Family Climbing Day and Solving Mysteries Through Chemistry for the junior scientist. In the spring, the center holds an annual Austin Nature Day, where kids make arts and crafts, go for a hike and play games. During the annual Fall Festival and Star Party, visitors are invited to an evening at the planetarium to bask in the wonder of the cosmos and meet nocturnal animals.
Plan Your Visit
The Austin Nature & Science Center is located in the northwest corner of Zilker Park, off of Stratford Drive. Current hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Saturday, and 12:00pm to 5:00pm on Sunday (subject to change). If you’re little one is looking forward to trading in his fossil finds at the Trading Counter, check the website in advance for the Trading Counter hours.
Admission is free however camps and educational programs are generally fee-based and require advance registration. The center closes occasionally for official holidays and some area events. Check their website for closures. Remember to practice Leave No Trace when visiting the nature preserve and trails!
Accessibility and Parking
Parking is available in the lot across from the entrance on Stratford Drive, just under Mopac. Handicapped parking spaces are located near the main site entrance and connect to an ADA-compliant entry sidewalk.
Photos courtesy of the Austin Science & Nature Center
Contributed by Kate McDermott
Kate McDermott is a local copywriter, content writer, and cocktail enthusiast. She writes about and for restaurants, hotels, event companies, and more from her home in Way South Austin.
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