Hit Austin's museums to beat the heat.

Cool Off While Taking in Austin's Museum Art

As recently as the 1930s, air conditioning was a rarity in Austin, with only a handful of businesses offering relief from the oppressive heat. Today, seeking refuge from the six-month-long summer, locals and visitors alike can explore Austin's museums, including:

• Blanton Museum of Art: Admire Ellsworth Kelly's "Austin" and Teresita Fernández's "Stacked Waters," then explore the permanent collection. (blantonmuseum.org)
• The Contemporary Austin — Jones Center: Enjoy two floors of modern artworks, video, and film, and take in Manik Raj Nakra's mural across the street. (thecontemporaryaustin.org)
• Mexic-Arte Museum: Showcasing Mexican and Mexican-American art, this museum reflects traditional high and low culture. (mexic-artemuseum.org)
• Women & Their Work: Advocating for women artists since the 1970s, this community-centric space offers opportunities to collect art and socialize. (womenandtheirwork.org)
• Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum: Featuring Charles Umlauf's works, this museum combines a sculpture garden with a gallery hosting solo shows for sculptors. (www.umlaufsculpture.org)

So, beat the heat and enjoy some culture at these five must-visit indoor art museums in Austin.