At the Austin Nature & Science Center, children and adults alike can learn about plant life, animals, and the science behind both in a fun-filled atmosphere. The center contains a number of hands-on exhibits that aim to make learning more exciting, including wildlife exhibits that contain live fish, reptiles, mammals, and other creatures that cannot survive in the wild because of injury or illness.

In the Naturalist Workshop, visitors can view small specimens through magnifying glasses and microscopes, while the Dino Pit offers visitors the chance to uncover fossils in an imitation archeological site. If you have very young children, the Austin Nature & Science Center even offers Nature’s Way Preschool, a unique type of schooling that lets children learn while walking through creeks and taking nature walks through the nearby woodlands.

For more information about upcoming programs at the Austin Nature & Science Center, visit the center’s website.

Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-nature-and-science-center-austin-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr balanced.crafts

In Northwest Zilker Park, just off Stratford Drive on the southern banks of the Colorado River, you'll find one of Austin’s hidden treasures for families, animal enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike. The Austin Nature & Science center houses all manner of birds, reptiles and mammals—many of them rescued from injury or orphaned—and provides them with care, medical attention, and food that they would be unable to access on their own in the wild.

Nearby, the Splash exhibit helps showcase local aquatic wildlife and illustrates the importance of clean, unpolluted water. The naturalist area at the center allows kids to share their knowledge of natural objects like shells, rocks, bones, feathers, or fossils, and trade such objects in for new artifacts. After a few minutes at the workshop, turn the kids loose on the Dino Pit so they can practice their skills at archeology. Best of all, this is all free of charge, so you can return as often as you like.

Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-nature-and-science-center-austin-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/OliBac