Looking for a family friendly, off-the-beaten-path experience this summer in Austin? Then head over to the intriguing Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, which represents so much that is quintessentially Austin: superb art casually set in a shady garden of native Texas plants, a natural oasis near Barton Springs and only blocks from the heart of Austin’s bustling, burgeoning urban core.

As you meander through the garden, with a new discovery at each turn, you’ll find a collection of magnificent touchable bronze sculptures–the largest permanent exhibit of twentieth-century American sculptor Charles Umlauf’s work.

Touchable? Yes, the bronze sculptures in the garden have been waxed so all visitors can touch the sculptures. The wax protects the bronze from being damaged by salts and oils on exploring fingers.

The garden is welcoming and accessible to all: visitors in wheelchairs and parents with strollers use the gravel path laid out as a giant peace symbol while children explore the grounds with Sculpture Safaris in hand. The annual garden party provides funds to support the Umlauf’s restoration projects and public programs. (Mark your calendars for next April—the party is typically a sold-out affair!)

This summer the Umlauf holds all-day summer camps, beginning June 22 and July 13.

By Julie Tereshchuk, Editor-in-Chief, Texas Lifestyle Magazine, print

All images courtesy Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum.