The Blanton Museum of art is one of the premier university art museums in the country. It is located in downtown Austin at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr by Boulevard and Congress Avenue. The museum boasts over 21,000 works in its permanent collection ranging from a comprehensive collection of prints and drawings. From European paintings with modern and contemporary American art to Latin American pieces. You can purchase Admission tickets online and take advantage of the free admission for UT ID holders, Military ID holders, and Teachers with valid ID. They also have a "Free Thursdays" promotion available for all.
Since the building is located downtown, Blanton Museum of Art parking can be a headache. To make this process a lot easier, you can reserve and pay for your parking spot ahead of time, with our flexible parking management by Smarking. Simply reserve a spot ahead of time and park in one of Smarking’s parking garages.
Finding Places to Park Near the Blanton Museum of Art
It can be difficult to find a parking spot in downtown Austin with all the activity. These nearby parking options will save you time, money, and stress.
Brazos Garage Parking
Just a 3-minute walk to the museum Brazos garage on Brazos Street, just off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is the closest parking available and is open 24/7. Depending on how long you plan to stay at the museum, the prices vary. Prices range from $3 for half an hour, $4 for one hour, $6 for 2 hours, $9-3 hours, $12 -4 hours, $15-5 hours, $17-8 hours, $18-24 hours (ends at 12am). There is also a $4 discount available when you visit the Blanton Museum of Art. Just present your ticket for payment at the Visitor Services Desk to claim the discount.
Trinity Garage
Alternatively, the Trinity Garage on 1815 Trinity St, is just three blocks away from the museum on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Trinity. Trinity has the same pricing structure as Brazos garage and is also open at the same hours. Trinity is a 6-minute walk away from the museum.
However, be aware that no parking may be available at either Brazos or Trinity Garages on University of Texas home football game days. Also on home volleyball days, the Brazos garage will charge a prepaid $15 cash admission fee and the typical Blanton’s discounted garage rate will not be available. Also check out more parking options by the University of Texas.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Just a 3-minute walk from the Blanton Museum of Art, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum offers an underground parking garage at a fixed daily rate of $10 per vehicle located at 1800 Congress Ave. View the Bob Bullock parking here.
Bicycle and Scooter Parking
Temporary bicycle racks are available for use on the north side of the Blanton Museum of Art building adjacent to the marked pathway to the museum on Brazos Street for no additional cost. It is worth noting you will need to bring your own lock and park in this designated area.
Other Attractions in the Area
Being situated on the Austin campus there are plenty of other places to see in the area once you have finished your trip and would like to explore a bit more of the area. The museum station located one block east of the museum gives you access to the surrounding area. A few places you might want to explore to get the most out of your day include:
The Texas Capitol
This impressive building is the capital and seat of government of the American state of Texas. designed in 1881 this building holds the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and of the Governor of Texas. After a day of viewing the museum, you may feel like you don't have much time to see anything else however they offer free 30-minute guided tours which is great if you are short on time.
Parking can be found one block away from the Texas Capitol at Capitol Visitors Parking Garage and is a 13-minute walk from the Blanton Museum of art. The first two hours are free, then it's $2 per hour with a maximum daily charge of $12.
Indeed Tower
The Indeed tower stands 542 feet high and is one of the tallest towers in Austin. The building has two rooftop terraces, a ground floor retail section, and a historical post office dating back to 1914. The indeed tower is located right next to a Smarking garage where you can find the best spots available. Please be aware this is a slightly longer 20-minute walk from the Blanton Museum of art.
If you don't want to worry about finding a decent parking spot on the day of your planned trip and just turning up and chancing it, you can reserve a spot at the Indeed Tower Garage in advance to put your mind at ease. They can accommodate you in finding and reserving a spot close to the museum to save you valuable time, just visit the website and book in advance. Locate a parking garage nearby Indeed Tower here.
There are also a ton of prepaid parking meters located all around downtown Austin. If you are lucky, you could park there.
6th Street
6th street is one of the liveliest streets down Austin where you can find many lively bars as well as great food and entertainment. If you do end up checking this area out be sure to secure the best parking spot on 6th street.
Tours Around Downtown Austin
There are many companies available to show you around tours downtown Austin for a quick trip to see the sights and experiences the area has to offer. This can be done on an open-top double-decker bus which you can stay on and listen to the full narrated tour around the city, or hop off for a quick drink and jump back on (there is even a bar made from shipping containers in town if you feel like checking that out). You can even choose to do a tour on an amphibious exploring vehicle and enjoy the experience from the water if you feel like making a big splash!