Know Before You Go: Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh with Kids

In an attempt to expose our children to art, we rallied our family of five for our first ever art exhibit experience. Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh Immersive experiences are currently running through September 13, 2024 at the former Austin American Statesman building. If you are wondering if this is a doable family friendly event- my kids would say yes!

• Tickets are available online. You can purchase combo tickets giving you access to both immersive experiences or a single experience if you have a preference for Monet’s Impressionism to Van Gogh’s slightly edgier post impressionist art.
• Parking is available! Here is the lot we used.
• We chose the Beyond Van Gogh experience, mostly due to time and because the kids recognized Starry Night, but if you chose to do the combo those happen three times a day at 10:00, 2:30 and 7pm. Otherwise Monet is morning until early afternoon and Van Gogh begins in the late afternoon/ evening. This is due to them having to switch out the projections. (Could also be a great date night event !)
• Arrival: We arrive 15 minutes before our timed entry, but do note you will have to pay via QR code like most downtown parking lots. It was almost empty when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon.
• There is a little entry into the Immersive Experience itself, so if you like to take it all in, I suggest you come early. The digital “show” starts upon your ticket entry time and lasts for about 30 minutes. It takes place in a large open space and is a 360 projection on the walls and floor. Benches are dispersed throughout with plenty of space to spread out, walk around, and take it all in.
•  I was a little worried about bothering art enthusiasts because my children are not quiet and have never met a whisper. Music accompanied the show, covering up any complaints and requests for snacks.
• There was an add-on Virtual Reality package available, but we didn’t try it.
• There is a little gift shop before you exit the building, with many different items for purchase like prints, shirts, bags, magnets, stickers, bookmarks to name a few.
• The show was inside the old Austin American Statesman building ( bonus: indoor Austin activity!). Inside the warehouse like setting, black curtains were set up to create “hallways” to lead you through the entry way, exhibit, bathrooms, the pop up gift shop and then exit.
• We spent about an hour from entry to exit, but art aficianados and older children may take more time to enjoy. We enjoyed a little walk on SoCo and icecream and Jeni’s Splendid Icecream since we were in the area.
• Bonus tips: There is a sound bath yoga class that takes place here on select weekends !

Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh Immersive experiences are currently running through September 13, 2024 at the former Austin American Statesman building–don’t miss it!