Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum

Sculpture museum · Zilker

Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum

Sculpture museum · Zilker

2

605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704

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Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null
Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum by null

Highlights

Exhibition of Charles Umlauf's works with outdoor bronze sculptures  

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605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704 Get directions

umlaufsculpture.org

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605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704 Get directions

+1 512 445 5582
umlaufsculpture.org

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Aug 18, 2025

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30 Best Things to Do in Austin, Texas

"Explore a garden museum featuring over 2,000 drawings and 273 sculptures by Charles Umlauf." - Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle is a writer and editor who specializes in travel, food and drink, sustainability, and general lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, Condé Nast T

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/city-vacations/best-things-to-do-in-austin-texas
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@cntraveler

The Essential Things to Know Before You Visit Austin

"Do know where to escape the crowds. Hike around the Greenbelt, an 832-acre nature reserve, or take in some art at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-essential-things-to-know-before-you-visit-austin
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Danielle Leppert-Simenauer

Google
I had my wedding at Umlauf Sculpture Garden on May 3, 2025. I cannot think of a more magical location for a venue. The whole day felt like a fairy tale because of the lush greenery, babbling brooks, and elegant sculptures. Pros: They let me visit as many times as I wanted They answered no fewer than 200 of my emails The coordinators were so sweet and easy to work with The venue is gorgeous. Some quick notes: The event rental is only from 4 PM - Midnight, including load in and load out and the amplified sound has to be off my 10. This means extra charges for delivery timing, usually only about an hour and a half of dancing, and other specialized coordination. If you use their preferred vendors, then they can let them come in at 3:30. However, there was a lot of confusion on my wedding day and it set us 30 minutes behind the whole night, which is huge. Working with this venue can be a bit of an undertaking which I underestimated, so just something to note! That all being said, I do not regret my decision to have my wedding here! It was a lovely night.

Nunia Busines

Google
Very affordable ticket prices! Parking can be rather difficult, but the garden is surprisingly spacious and nice to walk around. I went to the Lunar New Year event they had during closing hours, which does cost more than usual to attend, but the special effects on the dragon dance was pretty cool.

Hailey

Google
We were looking for cheap things to do during our trip and are so glad we found this place. We had fun going on a little scavenger hunt to find certain statues. My little niece was excited each time she found one on her paper. It was a nice little walk in nature as well. Highly recommend visiting.

Xiaoyi Zeng

Google
Visited on a family day with free admission and was surprised by how much this little garden offers! I always pass by the garden and peek from outside, but there are more sculptures hidden among plants and trees to be discovered in the garden!!! It just made me feel zen and relaxing by sitting down on a bench listening to the wind and water! The paths, plants, and ponds are so well planned. They have many activities today, like chess, arts and crafts, story time, and pottery. The staffs are super friendly too! Will definitely come back visit again.

Andrés Bolívar

Google
We had our wedding here and I truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, the team was responsive, organized, and genuinely kind. The venue manager was absolutely incredible—thoughtful, calm, and so good at what they do. You can tell the whole staff really cares about making the day special. The venue itself is beautiful, but what really stood out was the service. Everything flowed so smoothly, and any small hiccups were handled quietly and professionally. Their website also made planning so much easier—super detailed and helpful, which took a lot of stress off our plates. Our wedding day was more than we hoped for, and a big part of that was thanks to this amazing team and venue. We’re so grateful!

Mickey May-Wright

Google
The Umlauf was the first wedding vendor my now-husband and I booked for our 80-person November 2023 wedding, and our day was as gorgeous as we knew it would be with such a venue. Although we were worried about rain on the day-of, it ended up just being a gorgeous light overcast that made all the greens and golds of the trees so lush and beautiful—which in turn gave us the most beautiful wedding photos. We hosted both our ceremony and reception in the space, and the gardens are so versatile that it never felt crowded, only fun and intimate. We absolutely loved the flexibility of this venue and being able to bring in our own team of selected vendors (with approval) to make our day as tailored to our wants as possible. The team at the Umlauf were always so quick to answer questions and provide information as we planned, and you can tell how much the staff loves sharing the beauty of the space with people. We worked with 2 different venue managers during our planning process, but the transition was seamless and never caused us any issues. We did book 2 tents for the wedding because the rain chances were so all-over-the-place, so that is one aspect you have to consider when planning an outdoor wedding. Another thing to remember is that they are a museum, so if your wedding is on a day they’re open, you won’t have access to the venue until 4 pm. We got married on Monday (their Closed day) and were able to pay for a couple of extra hours to get in early, which did help with the time crunch. I would highly recommend the Umlauf as a wedding venue for brides wanting a garden-themed, art-filled wedding. Photographer: @stephanierogersphotography (Stephanie Rogers Photography)

Kimberly Hughes

Google
Austin has a treasure trove of museums and this one doesn’t disappoint. Perfect spot to visit during Spring when the seasonal growth is popping. The Farrah Fawcett exhibition was very cool.

Denis LeClair

Google
The natural "forest like" setting for these sculptures made for a quiet, relaxing stroll through some extraordinary art pieces. I was disturbed a bit by proportions and eye treatments, but the overall exhibit is a must. Many pieces will stay with you long after the visit as the emotion within each sculpture are easily conveyed... sad and joyful.
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Chloe F.

Yelp
I'm honestly a little shocked by how many five star reviews there are...Not a bad stop, but by no means would I suggest someone to go out of their way to stop here. The sculpture garden itself was quite small and the art was...unique. I loved the animal sculptures, but the rest were not my taste. The $7 entry fee seemed a bit steep for how long we were there, but after finding out it used to be free it seems like a lot. The grounds were well maintained, but there seemed to be limited parking spaces.
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Aparna B.

Yelp
Ok I would recommend this place but if you didn't go here you'd be fine. It was pretty underwhelming. Also: you could walk in and not be honest and pay but it didn't feel like they were enforcing something. We paid though - $7. Is it with $7? Eh. The sculptures are cool but they don't explain a thing unless you have the brochure with you. I could see it being a serene spot though.
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Alex V.

Yelp
I was able to visit this outdoor sculpture garden for Austin Museum Day, which granted free admission, had some fantastic live music performed on the outdoor stage area, and had a show of artists displaying their unusual creations which made this a fun experience. A free event like this is the only reason I'd recommend visiting. The landscaped grounds are beautiful with walking trails, hills, trees, a pond with flowing water and nature to enjoy all around. The problem is that all the bronze statues along the way are hideous! Many are utterly grotesque with gaunt bodies and huge hands bigger than their heads, roughly sculpted and incredibly repulsive. Probably 40% are religious, about 40% are nude, and maybe 20% are animals. While the sculptures do have some expressive poses, they're quite bad in most respects and each time you come around a corner and see a new one on your stroll you ask yourself Why?! Bad proportions, focus on suffering, the list goes on. His sculptures did improve somewhat towards the end of his career, but never enough to say I really liked any of them. The building with rotating exhibits is nice, the grounds are lovely, I appreciate the staff for keeping this a very classy museum and garden and think it would be great for events - if only the art didn't make everyone want to flee!
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Guy H.

Yelp
Yes! Can't believe I've been driving by this gem for decades. I have known its location for a few years but, other matters were more pressing on my Austin visits,I guess! Charles Umlauf was the son of immigrant parents of French and German heritage. After attending the Art Institute of Chicago and studying under master sculptors, he took a position at the University of Texas as a drawing and sculpture instructor for 40 years. He taught Farah Facet who changed her major to Art! In 1985 he and his wife donated their home and land to Austin who in turn created this beautiful garden art sanctuary. If in Austin, seek it out(after the BBQ Mexican food run of course! Definite Go!
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Sara A.

Yelp
Wedding venue - I think that Umlauf is beautiful and really interesting. I love spending time there and it's especially beautiful in the spring and at night. I'm not sure that we'd do a wedding there again though - some things that we didn't think of: 1. you can't get in to set up until 4 and the music has to stop at 10, so the whole wedding/reception time frame is very compact. Our venders made it work, but it definitely wasn't relaxed. Also, you have to have tents if the weather is threatening. We had them, and they worked very well, but renting them is more than twice the cost of the venue (yes, that's true), so it adds a lot to the cost of the event.
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Caroline N.

Yelp
I have driven by this jam several times but have never ventured in. Visiting this garden was a fantastic decision! I highly recommend! I visited during the early afternoon. There was plenty of parking. There is a sign for overflow parking probably for when the gardens are busier. The current admission fee is $7 for adults. Do you to covid-19 restrictions, masks are currently required for all visitors over the age of two. The sculptures are extremely beautiful and the garden is peaceful and green. The pamphlet provided by the admission staff was very informative about each of the sculptures. I really enjoyed walking around the gardens and learning about the sculptures so I walked around a couple of times. The first time was while reading the pamphlet about each sculpture, wow the second time was just enjoying and taking it all in. Mr. Charles Umlauf was very thoughtful and deliberate with each piece. The details are amazing. In 1985, he gifted his home, his studio, and several sculptures to the city of Austin. The gardens opened in 1991. During my visit the studio and gallery were closed to the public, possibly do to covid-19 restrictions. Again I highly recommend! Where some coffee shoes because this is a garden obviously, unless you are going to be doing a photoshoot. There are was information about how to go about that and make prior arrangements with the staff. The grounds are not paved so strollers and wheelchairs might not have full accessibility in some areas. I plan on visiting again when the fall weather comes in!
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Erica G.

Yelp
I just have to say that this is one of the most magnificent finds around Austin that I have ever visited besides the Buddhist temple that I also had the pleasure of visiting shortly after. A MUST SEE! Such a beautiful sculpture garden and absolutely breathtaking! Recommend for friends and family during a visit through Austin. This amazing garden is Kept neatly preserved and maintained. Bravo for all of the work that must have been hard to manage through all of the crazy weather Texas has been handed lately. $7 for adults to enter and $5 for seniors. So worth it! Make sure to take the info pamphlet provided at the front. It gives you a description and story of each suture presented. Some of the sculptures were stories from the Bible, some were of mythology and others were about the sculptor l/creator Charles Ulmauf. Amazing winding trail and enjoyed every minute.
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Amanda M.

Yelp
After Dark was so fun! It was honoring Hispanic Heritage month. There was a little market, drinks, a band and fine art! Such a lovely way to spend a cool evening.
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Athena Z.

Yelp
The Story behind the Umlauf Sculpture Garden was quite interesting. Apparently, His interpretation of religious imagery seemed to be in conflict with some of his patrons. His work has a signature mark of making a person's hands and feet larger and disproportionately from the rest of the body. Umlauf gardens allowed us to peacefully walk through the garden. The guide offered to visitors is a nice reference piece to better understand Umlauf's work. Be sure to use it during your visit.

Morris R.

Yelp
Quiet, serene and peaceful stroll through the garden. Well kept and clean. It was nice to see so many people enjoying the surroundings!
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Lynn D.

Yelp
Really beautiful peaceful garden with some amazing sculptures. The man who greeted us when we arrived was very nice and informative. Masks are enforced so be prepared to wear yours if you visit. Highly recommend and it does not take a lot of time to see everything
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Shradha A.

Yelp
It's so unique to have these hidden gems in the heart of the city - to escape for some inspiration and creativity. A nice variety of sculptural art by Charles Umlauf but also special exhibits worth visiting. Convenient parking across the street, easy check-in process, inviting grounds with a hidden corner where the creek flows.
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Nahum S.

Yelp
I came across this on my trip to Austin and it is truly a worthy experience. Umlauf was known for his sculptures and there were many! The garden is beautiful and you can use a detailed map that has information on the sculptures. It was a pretty serene time and it was pretty nice overall! Inside, there is an interactive art exhibit and it was very interesting as well!
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Manuel C.

Yelp
I came here to see the Dragon and Lion Dance on Chinese New Years Day (Feb 1st) - So I don't know a lot about the sculptures in the garden - but do plan to return during the day to take a look in the future. Parking is not great when there is an event - unless you're either a member or come super early - I would imagine members get priority, of course. However there is plenty of parking in the surrounding area, so just be prepared for a 7 min walk or so. Tito's Vodka had a booth with free booze so that's always a plus for Tito fans. The dances were amazing and were performed by The Texas Lion Dragon Dance team, and there was also a Korean dance performance by Lee Young This particular event was part of the Umlauf After Dark series which is an every-other-month event designed to connect musicians and artists Along with the dances, there were also several artisans selling leather goods and custom made jewelry, which was pretty cool - oh and Bom Mochi Donuts for sale... but that line was way too long and they eventually sold out - could have even been longer than the free Tito's vodka line perhaps... Most of the people who came to this event had children with them so it was more of a family event. What child would not love tigers and dragons? All in all, I enjoyed myself and will definitely be checking out the next Umlauf After Dark (which I had no idea existed before!)
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J M.

Yelp
Great scenery with a lackluster curation of sculptures. Though Umlauf is a talented sculpter his pieces lack much in the way of visual interest or interpretation (also be prepared for much Christian canon works as that is the bulk of his medium) and the park itself does not do much in the way to tell the stories behind the pieces, leading to a nice stroll where the nature surrounding the park is more visually interesting than the sculptures themselves. Is it worth the entrance fee, no but if more effort was given to telling the story of Umlauf and his works than I would love to return.
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Lorri P.

Yelp
Umlauf Gardens was definitely amazing! So nice to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon with family as tourists at the gardens. The artwork was amazing. The grounds are beautiful and the staff were so kind and knowledgeable. We enjoyed speaking with them! Would love to go back the next time we are in Austin!
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Emily H.

Yelp
On the First Tuesdays of each month the Umlauf museum has a free night where you can walk through the outdoor gardens, listen to live music, drink free cocktails, and purchase items from new artists. 6:00-8:00 pm with free parking across the street in Zilker Park. There were 150 people in September, and over 400 attendees in October.
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Amanda F.

Yelp
My husband and I decided to do something different on a Saturday afternoon and come here. I looked briefly at their website and found out we both could come here for free as we are veterans. Score! Also, they offer other discounts to include seniors, students, children, etc. Our adventure started inside of the museum where we gazed upon and admired talented drawings and sculptures. You can watch a brief video on Umlauf before heading outside in the garden, however, we did not. The garden outside is filled with sculptures that range from animals, Greek mythology, religion, and a lot of sculpted men and women (think 6 pack abs and perfect bodies). The sculptures are set next to paths that you can walk. There are benches out there if you want to take a break and relax. Note: we were given a guidebook to use during our outside journey but we didn't. We were encouraged after our tour of the garden to recycle the book inside a bin. Which of course we did because we are nice patrons.
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Alice R.

Yelp
Cute little place to walk around, very close to all the restaurants on Barton Springs road. We took a scooter here after eating at Terry Blacks and it made for a nice post-meal activity. The garden itself is quite small, you could probably loop it in 10 minutes. There is a small indoor gallery with rotating art when you first come in, then the sculptures are all outdoors. There's a small stream cutting through the entire garden and it made for a very serene experience. In the back there's a mini set of steps you can go up, we thought it was so interesting that there were hundreds of air plants growing on these trees. Admission is $7 for adults.
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Anna G.

Yelp
Lovely outside space with nice collection of sculptures, and a nice way to spend a bit of time, but one installation involves lights, which made no sense as the park closed early, and overall, I thought it would be bigger. Still, we were glad we made the walk over.
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Cassie T.

Yelp
Cool place, beautiful sculptures. Admission is $5 but make sure you leave your dog at home because they only allow service animals. Really nice grounds. Lots of shade, and a lovely waterfall within. Hours are Tues-Fri 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm They're closed on Mondays
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Paul L.

Yelp
This may be called a garden but it's really an oasis. The intimate grounds here are bucolic and sprinkled with the works of sculptor Charles Umlauf. As my life seems to be a constant sprint these days, this place called out and reminded me that I should slow down and relax. My favorite sculpture is 'The Kiss.' A passionate couple in bronze is centered in the middle of a pond. Don't worry about distracting them because their lips are locked and they'll probably still be kissing when you return. That's the magic of this little place: the Umlauf is a gem.
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Shivani P.

Yelp
A bucolic oasis in the midst of the city, this sculpture garden is on the smaller side, and is centered around the artistic works of American sculptor - Charles Umlauf. The garden has plenty of benches and would be a really cute date spot! My favorite sculptures were the "The Kiss" and the "Diver" located in the middle and the edge of the sculpture garden pond, respectively. The latter, which is a sculpture of a small child getting ready to jump into the pond, held my attention for a long time. I recently visited this space during their UMLAUF after dark series, where the museum is open after hours from 6-8 PM on the first Tuesday of the month. Tickets are free for museum members and cost $5 for non members. In May, there was free beer, a local musical act, and an artisan jewelry pop up. Another $5 got me a souvenir cup and 2 cocktails with Tito's vodka. Unfortunately, there was a thunderstorm when I visited, so I spent most of my time in the smaller indoor space, which also houses about a dozen sculptures. The staff was really welcoming, and helped us make the best out of a washed out evening.
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Dexter P.

Yelp
Amazing place to find inspiration on different form of art. Umlauf influenced attention to detail and beauty of statues.
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Alyssa L.

Yelp
Impressive and magical must-see ! I did a docent-led tour (free on 3rd Saturdays!), and our guide was passionate and knowledgeable of Umlauf's work. The... head ..boss.... curator(?) came by our tour and was super sweet and excited . Tip: The parking lot is very small so be patient and come a bit early if doing a tour.
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Leila R.

Yelp
I recently discovered this little gem on their last free admission wknd of the summer. I can't believe I have lived in Austin for 5yrs and never made it out here! First, let me say, that this place is definitely a place meant and designed for quiet introspection and appreciation of the sculptures, thoughtfully placed and integrated into the landscape and grounds. The water feature at the entrance is especially pleasant and you can walk via a pathway to the top of it and sit and just get lost in thoughts and nature...in the middle of what is essentially downtown Austin! The sculptures are fantastic and span the spectrum from renaissance to contemporary to grotesque to macabre to religious to exquisite to simplistic...which is just fantastic! You can find one or two or ten and peruse the form, flow, and context, which I love! The visitor center, which also doubles as an exhibition gallery, was great! The "Shiva and Eve" exhibit they had with various interpretation of the female form was fantastic! My only qualm was, and in all fairness this may have been due to it being a "free" wknd, that there were 3 separate parents with very young/small children running around screaming and even touching and CLIMBING on the sculptures in the garden. This made it very unpleasant to enjoy the ambiance and environment this place was designed for and I could not believe the complete disregard and lack of respect the parents had for others and these art sculptures. Even if there hadn't been prominently posted signed to NOT touch or climb the sculptures, it is common sense that is NEVER OK! I was honestly appalled that anyone, let alone Austinites would behave this way! I even told the docents in the visitor center and they just kind of shrugged and said "there isn't a lot we can do". What a sad commentary on Society and it lack of conscience and courtesy! Umlauf is a wonderful, peaceful abode where you can appreciate art and nature as one...it is not a playground or free babysitter for parents to bring their unruly offspring! There is the Thinkery in Mueller or, better yet, the grounds of Zilker are perfect for just that! Please be respectful of this place and those that are trying to enjoy it next time you visit!
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Jules F.

Yelp
I've seen some really amazing galleries so MAYBE I'm spoiled. The setting for the gallery has some nice greenery, walks and ponds, manicured to look natural. Though you can tell you're really on a main road as cars go by, so to some extent that breaks the facade. Just this outdoor area would probably merit 3 stars. But the art is (and I know art can be SO subjective,) bad. It's not particularly appealing, it's on the religious side, and the statues are all so strange looking, small torsos and long legs - it's nightmarish if I were prone to such things. You can tell a lot of hard work went into all of these statues, but my main thought was: who were Umlauf's friends and why didn't they take him aside after the first few statues to let him know that he's just not very good at it? Not trying to be mean or troll a dead artist, but I'm also not going to whip out a 5 star review if I didn't enjoy the experience. All in all it was about 30 minutes of my life I don't mind having spent strolling, but I could have been just as happy in a local park or on the street.

Carolyn S.

Yelp
I love this place but hadn't been there for about 13 years! The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. Our volunteer docent Ellen (wish I remembered her last name!) was friendly, knowledgeable, and completely engaged my 3 kids. This place is a gem in Austin.
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Michi B.

Yelp
I loved being here... The sunshine on my skin, but still enough trees to feel the shading. I went on a hot day in summer a couple of years ago but felt so strongly about this beautiful picture that I had to come back to leave a review. Art in Nature is so beautiful to experience and I hope to visit and experience many places much like the Umlauf again. The Gardens and Sculptures felt so very captivating!
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Alexis B.

Yelp
A small sculpture garden dedicated to the works of Charles Umlauf just next to Barton Springs! Usually, $5 for adults, the UMLAUF is free for the summer! So if you've been wanting to go, go soon while it's free! (You can still donate to the museum of course!) The garden is very pretty and some of the works are incredibly beautiful!
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Sarah W.

Yelp
A smaller sculpture garden with a nice waterfall and pond/creek. Many similar, medium quality sculptures of nudes.
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Hana S.

Yelp
Free during summer! Donations are suggested and are accepted in a clear drop box inside the museum as well as by the entrance to the garden. There's also a visitor center and museum at the entrance. It's not very big but it was very peaceful and calming especially because it wasn't too crowded. A lot of seating areas between sculptures and plants, you can sit and sketch if you'd like which is nice! There's a short trail above some stairs that you can walk along to be more immersed in nature :)
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Joley B.

Yelp
Free for the summer! My family and I were looking for a place to go and get outside for a bit, but we didn't want to be sitting out in the heat all day long. The sculpture garden was the perfect fit. Not to mention free. We signed in and the girl at the desk was very friendly. I only wish she had a map and/or knew more about the sculptures. There was one I was particularly interested in, but couldn't figure out what it was and it wasn't labeled. My cousins and I strolled around the garden looking at the sculptures which are heavily influenced by faith and family. Some are quite interesting. It was quite and serene there, and I was happy for the break. You can sit on the benches, listen to the flow of water, birds chirping over head. It was very pleasant. The indoor exhibit was interesting too. And the AC a nice little reprieve from the heat. I would definitely go again - maybe in the fall for a quite place for reading and/or inspiration.
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Brenda G.

Yelp
A group of friends and I have been snagging tickets for their Movements and Mimosas yoga class, which seems to happen around once a month on a Saturday morning when the weather is nice. We've loved the event. The garden is beautiful and you will feel so relaxed after walking around with a mimosa in hand. I wish they held this event more often! You are spaced out and outdoors so feels super safe.
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Kimberly K.

Yelp
Beautiful, peaceful gardens, sculptures and buildings across from Barton Springs and very close to downtown. One of my favorite places on earth. I have been here for enormous Garden Parties celebrating all things Umlauf and Austin - with a big band and the best food and crowd, amazing experience. I have been here for weddings & commitment ceremonies, all love and grace and joy. I have been here for funerals, so beautiful and real and creative and moving. I have been here for enormous pumpkin carving parties years ago, with hundreds of architect and artist friends; my birthday party of sorts. I have been here to learn about the life of Farrah Fawcett and view her art, meet her nephew, and hear about how her life intersected with Charles Umlauf's life while he was her art instructor at UT. I have been here to walk the grounds, by myself, letting the sculptures speak surrounded by green, with the Barton Springs so near. Soon I would love to visit for First Tuesdays from 6-8, which include exhibit viewing, live music, local beer and an opportunity to learn something and meet people (free). Soon I would love to do Yoga in the Garden, which I understand is Wednesdays & Fridays, 10:00 - 11:30 am, Saturdays, 12:00 - 1:15 pm and is either $10 for members or $15 otherwise. Soon I would love to come for Family Day, exploring the garden with family and friends. Soon I would love for my nephew to do a summer camp at the Gardens. When I think of all of the Garden Parties and other events that I have participated in at the Umlauf over the past 25 years, I do believe the hours would add up to days and days of joy and yet, there are always more reasons to visit and walk the grounds. I even like their rules, which all seem in keeping with a place committed to beauty, peace, and nature: ~Smoking, food, and drink are not permitted in the Garden or Museum. ~No dogs are allowed in the Garden, with the exception of service animals. ~Young children must be accompanied by an adult. ~Please be courteous when using cell phones. Hello, can you hear me now...?
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Mary M.

Yelp
This gem is amazing! The sculptures are very professionally curated within the landscape. The streams, ponds, trees and other nature highlights the stunning mostly mental pieces of large artwork.
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Elisha N.

Yelp
It was a cool place to check out if you have never been. $5 for adults and $1 for students. I think its much better to look at the garden when warm outside.
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Dana D.

Yelp
Umlauf was much smaller than I expected, but mostly because I was expecting something like the botanical garden. It was a great place to stroll and reflect. That said, I don't know that I'd want to come here on a busy day if there is such a time since the sereneness I think would be compromised. The sculptures are beautiful and there is even a small waterfall on the property. If you are coming here solely for the art, you may be disappointed at the small size.
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Kristen A.

Yelp
Seeing the labor-intensive process Umlauf used with sketches, models, and molds is worth the price of admission ($5). The works themselves range from Expressionism to Realism to Abstraction - which explains why I was knocked down by roughly one-third of the sculptures. A friendly volunteer mans the front desk, and informed us about two videos: one was 47 minutes long (we passed), and the other was in a small room, and told about the sculptor's life and work for 10 minutes. Definitely watch this 10 minute piece to anchor you in the place...you will understand and appreciate the work much more. A take-away for me was from watching that short film, when Umlauf himself was interviewed about painting versus sculpting. He pointed out that sculptors always have to be aware of the back - painters only paint one side of anything. Sculptors need to constantly keep the back of the art in mind, so it matches the front, and the front matches the back in three dimensions. Eat lunch at Chuy's around the corner, and make an afternoon of it.
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Tim C.

Yelp
Visited the sculptor garden a few years ago and we enjoyed it thoroughly. Beautiful works of art scattered through a idealic garden setting, even has a stream running through it.
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Jayme B.

Yelp
Visited here for museum day. Got in free, listened to good music, took a few pictures, called it a day. Pretty place that is decently up kept. Quite a few big sculptures and some small ones as well. Head indoors and it feels like Antarctica, very welcoming on hot Austin days. You'll spend around an hour here even if you take it slow and sit for a bit, not a huge place. (just an FYI)
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Lee H.

Yelp
Lovely getaway and respite in the middle of Austin. I'm not a huge fan of bronze sculpture, but I appreciate the work and artistry that goes into sculpting. The grounds are lovely and speckled with Umlauf's works. The museum is interesting and I feel like I learned so much about Umlauf and all that he contributed to Texas and beyond. Great spot to check out while in Austin.
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Jocy C.

Yelp
Cute and small sculpture garden in the South Austin area. A very quiet & peaceful area. Sculptures to include Ballerina, Diver, St Michael and Lucifer, Icarus, and Lovers. I'm no artsy person... but I must stay I love this place. Small, peaceful, quiet, serene. Enough said!
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Angela K.

Yelp
For our wedding, we wanted a simple and beautiful outdoor space. We must have visited over 20 venues; when we saw Umlauf, we both fell in love with its beauty, serene surroundings, and lush green gardens. We are so happy that we were able to get married at Umlauf. It is the perfect hidden gem in downtown Austin, and it fit our wedding party perfectly. On our wedding day we woke up to a tornado warning and torrential downpour, so we decided for the safety of our guests to move our ceremony to the Fairmont Hotel. Umlauf was very understanding and flexible and allowed us to arrive at a later time to carry out our reception at Umlauf. The on-site staff at Umlauf the night of our wedding was phenomenal. We worked with several coordinators during the planning process, and both Ally and Amanda were essential to our wedding's success! Thank y'all so much for helping us have the most wonderful wedding!
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Rain W.

Yelp
Umlauf is a beautiful statue garden. There's a gallery with a display of artwork as well as over 50 statues throughout the pathways. There is a lake and a small waterfall as well. It's a nice, leisurely walk which is a nice change of pace. There's a small parking lot so I'm sure from time to time it might be hard to find a spot but definitely worth a look.
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mike s.

Yelp
This is the most amazing and peaceful place in Austin. We visit this past week while in Austin. We were limited on time and can't wait to return on our next trip. This place is near and dear to our hearts and we are excited to see the new display they are currently working on in the lobby.
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Sarahbeth M.

Yelp
Short and sweet little tour of the outside sculptures. Something to go see once. It would be a great place to go on a date or a picnic. Small sculpture garden....maybe 20-25 small sculptures. Nice little stream that runs through the garden. They also offer yoga and meditation classes.
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Joyce V.

Yelp
This was the day of what seemed like endless walking. We took the trail by the river and it was a lovely hike. Umlauf Sculpture Garden had a small gallery and sculptures were scattered throughout the garden. The current gallery exhibit had a collection of art from Farrah Fawcett. We had no idea that she was an artist. She studied art under Professor Umlauf at the University of Texas and became his muse. She continued her friendship with Umlauf an his wife even after she became a star in Los Angeles. What a cool Austin-Los Angeles connection.
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Pauline K.

Yelp
Very nice place to go and enjoy serenity in the middle of Austin. Walking with nice air and sculptures will freshen up your mind!