Laguna Gloria remains one of Austin’s most quietly spectacular destinations—a lakeside blend of contemporary art, shaded trails, historic architecture, and a buzzing new café that locals love but visitors rarely find on their first (or even fifth) trip. Just five miles from downtown, this 14‑acre property feels worlds away from the city’s pace, offering an experience that shifts with the weather, the light, and even the day of the week.
The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
$$Laguna Gloria sits in Austin’s Tarrytown/West Austin area, about a 10–15 minute drive from downtown depending on traffic.
Here’s the complete, insider-focused guide to making the most of your visit.
What Makes Laguna Gloria Special
The Contemporary Austin’s lakeside campus offers multiple experiences in one place: the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park with monumental outdoor works, the 1916 Driscoll Villa, Spread & Co.’s on‑site café, and community-forward programming at the Art School. The layered environment makes it one of the few Austin spots that’s as compelling for a casual weekday walk as it is for deep art engagement.
Hours and Key Details
Museum campus: Wed–Sun 9am–3pm (Thu until 9pm)
Sculpture park: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm
Closed Mon–Tue for museum access
Free admission all day Thursday
• Museum campus hours: Wed–Sun 9am–3pm (Thu until 9pm)
• Sculpture park hours: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm
• Closed Mon–Tue for museum access
• Free admission all day Thursday
• Address: 3809 West 35th Street
• Parking on W. 35th plus ADA options on-site
Plan your visit for Thursday if you can—admission is free all day and the extended evening hours create a completely different, lantern-lit atmosphere.
Street parking along W. 35th fills quickly on spectacular-weather weekends and special event days; arrive a little early to avoid circling.
Before you go, you can double‑check hours and any special events on the museum’s official visitor information page.
What to Experience
• The Sculpture Park: Shaded trails lined with installations from international and Texas artists.
• Driscoll Villa: Open Tue–Sun 10am–4pm; idyllic architecture and lake views.
• Spread & Co. Café: Breakfast, lunch, and Thursday evening hours with member discounts; see the latest menu and hours via Spread & Co.’s site.
• The Art School: Ongoing classes and workshops for all skill levels offered through The Contemporary Austin.
Insider Intelligence: How to Visit Like a Local
• The most atmospheric time to go is Thursday night, when lantern-lit paths transform the sculpture grounds and admission is free.
• For a longer, quieter walk, start at the trails farthest from the villa—morning light hits the lakeside sculptures beautifully.
• Combine with a stop at Mayfield Park and Preserve directly next door for a two‑part outdoor escape.
• Bring comfortable shoes; exploring the full grounds takes 1–2 hours.
• Advanced tickets are recommended on pleasant‑weather weekends.
Make it a half-day by starting at Laguna Gloria when the grounds open, grabbing coffee or lunch at Spread & Co., then walking next door to Mayfield Park to see the peacocks and ponds.
On especially nice weekends and during major exhibitions, advanced tickets can sell out and parking becomes tight along W. 35th. Reserve ahead and budget extra time for arrival.
If you’re planning a broader day of exploring, you can also factor in Austin’s evolving parking scene using our guide to Austin’s New RPP Rules: The Insider Guide Residents Are Missing in 2025.
Smart Pairings With Recent Austin Coverage
• For an additional historical experience, pair this with our guide to Austin’s oldest home: Inside the French Legation: The Insider’s Guide to Austin’s Oldest Home and Its Can’t‑Miss December Events.
• If you love art‑driven features, read our deep dive on Laura Clay’s exhibition: Inside Laura Clay’s “Windows of the World”: The Insider’s Guide to Austin’s Most Powerful Bicultural Art Exhibition.
• Make it part of a full lakeside day with Mozart’s: Inside Mozart’s Festival of Lights: Austin’s Lakeside Holiday Escape Ending Tonight.
• Nearby outdoor escapes also pair well with our Commons Ford Ranch coverage and other nature‑driven itineraries like Inside Miraval Austin’s New Moon Retreat: The Last‑Chance ‘Season of Inner Light’ Experience Ending This Weekend.
For readers building a full seasonal itinerary around Laguna Gloria, you might also enjoy our roundups of festive city experiences, from Inside Austin’s Hidden Holiday Pop‑Ups: The Secret December Experiences Locals Are Just Now Discovering to the lakeside lights of Mozart’s mentioned above.
- Shaded lakeside sculpture trails
- Historic villa with architecture and views
- On-site Spread & Co. café
- Free Thursday admission and evening hours
- Easy pairing with nearby Mayfield Park
- Good mix of casual walk and serious art
- Limited weekday museum hours
- Can be crowded on pleasant-weather weekends
- Parking concentrated along W. 35th
- Best experienced by car rather than transit
Laguna Gloria is one of Austin’s most effortless cultural escapes—ideal for a slow morning, golden-hour stroll, or Thursday night date, especially if you pair the art with coffee and a neighboring park visit.
Official Resources (External Links)
• Laguna Gloria – The Contemporary Austin
• Visitor Info
• Spread & Co. Café
Laguna Gloria’s mix of art, landscape, and architecture makes it one of the city’s most effortlessly enjoyable cultural escapes. Whether you go for a quick walk or a long afternoon wander, it delivers something rare in Austin—peace, creativity, and discovery all in one place.
Related Austin Data
Inside Laguna Gloria: The Insider’s Guide to Austin’s Hidden Lakeside Art Escape
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