From 20% off Blanton memberships in Austin to free admission deals in Houston and Dallas — here is your guide to celebrating Mom at Texas museums on May 10.
A museum visit is one of those Mother’s Day gifts that actually lands — no guessing her size, no returns, no forgetting to charge it before the big day. Just a meaningful morning or afternoon with someone she loves, surrounded by art, science, or history. And this year, Texas museums are making it easier than ever to give her exactly that.
Here is your statewide guide to museum deals and Mother’s Day events happening this Sunday, May 10.
Austin — Blanton Museum of Art
The Blanton at the University of Texas at Austin is pulling out all the stops for Mother’s Day this year. Their Mother’s Day-themed Blanton All Day runs Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with silent disco, art talks and activities, massage therapy, food from Yapa Empanadas, and picnic-friendly grounds. Blanton All Day is always free for Blanton members.
Not a member yet? Now is the time to become one. Through Mother’s Day, the Blanton is offering 20 percent off all memberships with code ILOVEMOM — a gift that gives Mom free admission all year long, members-only programs, and the lasting satisfaction of supporting the arts. Gift a membership online at blantonmuseum.org.
Also on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Blanton All Day, author John P. Murphy discusses his book New Deal Art: Culture and Crisis in the Great Depression — exploring President Roosevelt’s unprecedented federal arts funding program that launched the careers of artists like Mark Rothko and Alice Neel. Talk followed by a book signing. Free for Blanton members.
And don’t miss the brand-new Paper Vault exhibition, now open, celebrating artists from the Works Progress Administration — the 1935 federal program that funded nearly 10,000 artists to create work depicting every corner of American life.
Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78712 Membership discount code: ILOVEMOM — valid through May 10 Website: blantonmuseum.org
Houston — Museum District Deals
Houston’s Museum District is one of the most remarkable concentrations of free and affordable cultural institutions in the United States. Several museums offer ongoing discounts worth knowing about this Mother’s Day weekend.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Menil Collection are both free — no ticket required, any day of the week. Take Mom through world-class collections without spending a dime on admission.
Asia Society Texas offers free admission every Thursday noon to 7 p.m. The Holocaust Museum Houston is free every Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is always free.
Children’s Museum Houston offers free admission every Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. through their Free Family Night program — and active military families receive $2 off general admission any day with ID. Texas Lone Star Card holders receive free general admission for up to six people.
For families planning a full Houston museum weekend, the Houston CityPASS bundles admission to five top attractions — including Space Center Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo, the Downtown Aquarium, and Children’s Museum Houston — at up to 51 percent off the combined door price.
Bank of America, Merrill, and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders receive free admission to select Houston museums on the first full weekend of every month — check bankofamerica.com/museums for the participating list.
Houston Museum of Natural Science membership includes members-only discounts and opportunities year-round. Visit hmns.org for current offers.
Dallas-Fort Worth — Free and Discounted Museum Options
The Dallas Museum of Art is always free — general admission costs nothing, any day. Take Mom through one of the largest art collections in the United States without a reservation or a ticket. The DMA is located at 2010 Flora St. in the Dallas Arts District.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History both offer discounted membership options that make repeat visits worthwhile for families. Check their websites for any active Mother’s Day promotions.
Bank of America cardholders receive free admission to select DFW museums on the first full weekend of every month — including institutions in both Dallas and Fort Worth.
The Crow Museum of Asian Art in the Dallas Arts District is always free, Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Three major exhibitions are currently on view through spring 2027.
San Antonio — Free and Reduced Admission
The McNay Art Museum in San Antonio offers free admission every Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and the first Sunday of each month. The San Antonio Museum of Art is free on Tuesdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon. The Witte Museum has offered ongoing discounts for SNAP/EBT cardholders through the Museums for All program — check witte museum.org for current offers.
Statewide — Tips to Save at Any Texas Museum
Bank of America and Merrill cardholders get free entry to more than 100 museums nationwide on the first full weekend of every month — one card per person, photo ID required. This program covers institutions across Texas including in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Museums for All provides $3 admission for families presenting an EBT or SNAP card at participating institutions — more than 1,400 museums nationwide participate, including several in Texas.
AAA members receive discounts at many Texas museums. Active military families should always ask — most Texas institutions offer discounts for service members and their families.
Mom deserves a day she’ll actually remember. A museum gives her that — and this weekend, Texas is making it easier than ever to say thank you in a way that lasts well beyond Sunday dinner.
