Mad At Dirt Details

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.

Enjoy your evening at Austin’s original swanky joint, the Speakeasy, featuring three levels of unique entertainment. The Music Lounge, with its roaring 20s vibe, is ready for you to listen to local Austin musicians live on a nightly basis. The Bowling Mezzanine offers a unique lounge setting with antique couches, a personalized bar, and two vintage bowling lanes overlooking the main music stage. The Ballroom has a 700-person capacity for events and a concert room for private parties. The Kabaret Room has a prohibition-era vibe with a pool table, stage, bar, and 1920s-inspired lounge furniture.

Take a stroll to the city's liveliest and most polished professional ZACH Theatre, where they create exceptional experiences that inspire and engage the Austin community. ZACH's national impact cultivates empathy, ignites joy, and transforms lives. They have earned recognition and accolades from influential organizations, such as the National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, The New York Times, and numerous theatrical awards.

Surround yourself with the works of Charles Umlauf and other visual artists as they showcase their unique sculptures at The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, where they encourage the understanding and appreciation of the intersection of nature, sculpture, and the arts. Take a stroll through the gardens and contemplate the sculptures or your thoughts. Enjoy some private time with a friend as you sit on the secluded benches and enjoy the occasional dance or music performance amongst the trees.