Lone Star Paving

One spark of inspiration is all you need for your next big idea at the Thinkery, where each exhibit is hands-on, play-based learning, with activities and content appropriate for visitors of all ages. Create colorful works of art, take apart toys or build and launch gliders at the Spark Shop. See, feel and hear the connections between water and sound at the Currents exhibit. Find out how color, light, and shadows impact the environment at the Light Lab. Participate in sensory exploration, chemical reactions, and edible minerals in the Kitchen Lab. Imagine buying and selling delicious fruits and vegetables or collecting eggs from a pretend chicken coop in Fresh! Farmers’ Market. Step outside to the Backyard and scale the heights of a universally-accessible, custom-designed climber, or rest under the branches of a native elm tree.

Take a step back in time and walk the grounds of the oldest modern-day urban farm, Boggy Creek Farm, where you can purchase fresh produce, attend a chef's dinner or enjoy any special events for foodies who dig the back-to-the-farm movement. The Market offers a variety of vegetables, meats, dairy, and bread, all year-round, grown in fields that are steps away for the freshest farm-to-table experience.

Explore the "jewel in the heart of Austin," also known as the Zilker Botanical Garden. The garden was established in 1995 and sprawls through 31 acres of downtown Austin, offering a sweet escape from city streets and greeting more than 400,000 visitors annually. Themes among the gardens are as varied as nature itself. There's a Japanese garden and koi pond, a rose garden, an herb garden, a butterfly trail and garden, and a cactus garden among the selections to tour. Another unique feature is the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which recreates the habitat of local dinosaurs. Visitors can tour the gardens for free and take home a Texas succulent or majestic orchid among the many offerings.

Take in the scene at Austin’s largest and most prominent rooftop venue, The Summit, which boasts a unique interior design and has a rooftop deck equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system and stunning LED wall. Enjoy the lively atmosphere that is complimented by extraordinary views of Austin’s skyline, creating the perfect backdrop for any formal or casual event. Whether you are celebrating a special event or reserving a private space for one of the live performances, there is a table reservation system that takes care of everything.