Know Before You Go
Museum Day is almost here! On Sunday, September 20, Thinkery is joining museums across Austin for a day of FREE admission and plenty of opportunities to play, explore, and learn together.
Museum Day is one of our busiest days of the year, and your visit may look a little different from a typical day at Thinkery. A little planning can help make your day of play go more smoothly.
Here’s what to know before you go!
Museum Day at a Glance
Date: Sunday, September 20
Hours: 10 AM–5 PM
Admission: FREE
Location: Thinkery – Meredith Learning Lab
Tickets: No pre-purchased tickets available
Expect a Wait
We’re excited to welcome lots of families to Thinkery for Museum Day! Because admission is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, we expect wait times to be much longer than a typical day at the museum.
There are no pre-reserved tickets for Museum Day.
To make sure everyone has plenty of room to play and explore safely, we’ll be closely monitoring museum capacity throughout the day. During peak periods, we may pause admission until space becomes available, which can increase wait times.
Our tip: Come prepared to spend some time outside. Check the weather, dress accordingly, and bring water for everyone in your group.
Create Your Account Before You Arrive
Want to make check-in a little faster? We highly recommend creating your Thinkery account online before Museum Day.
Having your account ready before you reach the Admissions desk will help our team get you checked in and on your way to play more quickly.
Members: Here’s What to Know
We love our Thinkery Members! Because Museum Day is a special free community event, admission will work a little differently than a typical General Admission day.
There will be a separate Member line for entry. However, if the building reaches capacity, to keep the safety of all in mind, Members will have to wait for entry.
If you leave the museum and would like to return later in the day, you’ll need to join the admission line again, regardless of Membership status.
Traveling With a Stroller?
Because we expect a high number of visitors, stroller parking will be allowed to be parked inside of Thinkery on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Outdoor stroller parking will be available, but space may be limited. Strollers parked both inside and outside of Thinkery are left at your own risk, and Thinkery is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
We highly recommend leaving your stroller in your vehicle if possible. Wagons will not be permitted inside of the building.
Parking & Getting Here
Museum Day falls on the same day as the Mueller Farmers’ Market, so the neighborhood will be especially busy. Expect additional traffic, limited parking availability, and more people moving throughout the Mueller area. Give yourself plenty of extra time to park and make your way to Thinkery.
Thinkery offers up to three hours of validated parking in the McBee Street District Garage and Simond Garage. A Metropolis account is required for validation. Download instructions.
Metered street parking is also available around Mueller Lake Park and is free on Sundays. Please do not park in the lot next to Mueller Lake Park as your vehicle may be towed.
Leaving & Re-Entry
Need to step out for lunch or take a break? You’re welcome to leave the museum, but re-entry is not guaranteed.
All guests who would like to return, including Members, will need to join the admission line again and wait for entry based on current museum capacity.
We’re excited to celebrate Museum Day with our Austin community and welcome so many families for a free day of play and hands-on learning.
We’ll see you at Thinkery!