How do I access the app?
Search for “Laguna Gloria” within the Apple or GooglePlay App Stores. From there you can download and install the App on your mobile device. Upon opening the app, you may encounter a few permissions prompts to approve in order for the app to function properly.


Do I need to download the app before I arrive?
The app is downloadable from anywhere, including the grounds of Laguna Gloria. However, you may have a faster and easier time installing the App while connected to WiFi at your home or office. WiFi is available to guests at Laguna Gloria.


Is the app free?
Yes! The app is totally free to download and explore. Admission to Laguna Gloria may be required based upon the time of your visit and your Membership status.


Do I need to create an account or profile?
No. The app does not require you to create an account or input any personal information.


Can I use the app from home?
Yes! While the App has been built to enhance your on-site experience exploring Laguna Gloria, the audio is accessible anywhere. Simply open the App, tap the menu icon in the upper left-hand corner, and click the Playlist tab to listen to the tour audio from anywhere.


Do I need a smartphone?
Yes, to enjoy a self-guided tour you will need a smartphone in order to download the app via the Apple App or Google Play stores. However, those lacking a smartphone may inquire about booking a guided or a group-tour experience led by a member of our Visitor Engagement team by emailing: [email protected]


Do I need headphones?
Headphones or airpods are highly encouraged for the best listener experience.

Is the audio guide available in multiple languages?
The tour is available in English and Spanish. To change your language preference inside the app, tap the Menu icon in the top lefthand corner and click the English or Español button appearing in the bottom righthand corner of the menu.


Is there a wheelchair or stroller friendly tour route?
Yes. To select a tour route that avoids all stairways, tap the Menu icon in the top lefthand corner and select Settings. On this page, turn on the Accessible Route option before returning to the Map and venturing out on your tour.

Please note that all tour routes, including the Accessible Route, include a mix of paved and semi-paved surfaces, wood-mulch paths, and small wooden footbridges.


Is the tour appropriate for children or families?
Yes. While the tour content has primarily been composed for adult visitors, the content is suitable for visitors of all ages.

What kinds of stories does the audio guide include?
Laguna Gloria: Listening to the Land focuses on the ecological and historical significance of Laguna Gloria, concentrating on the time before the 1940s - when the former owner of the property, Clara Driscoll, donated it to the Texas Fine Arts Association. The tour explores how the site has been shaped and enjoyed over centuries by people drawn to it by its lakeside beauty and abundance of natural resources, including exploration of the many architectural and grounds/garden elements visitors to Laguna Gloria enjoy today. Throughout the tour, visitors will learn about crucial figures in the site’s history, including Driscoll, as well as how the story of Laguna Gloria is shaped by the broader history of establishing Austin as a major social and economic hub in Texas. Woven throughout this historical exploration of the site are observations to do with the native habitat, including its natural wildlife, flora, and fauna, as well as present day efforts led by The Contemporary Austin to cultivate native plant-species and mitigate shoreline erosion.


Who are the speakers and interview subjects?
The app features commentary from Rachel Feit (Acacia Heritage Consulting), Liz Brewer (Former Head Horticulturalist, The Contemporary Austin), Bob Ward (Travis County Historical Commission), Lanny Ottosen (avocational historian), Dr. Marissa Aki’Nene Muñoz (indigenous scholar), Jonathan Ogren (Ecological Planner with Siglo Group), Annette Carlozzi (Founding Curator of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum and The Contemporary Austin Board Trustee), and sharon maidenberg (Ernest and Sarah Butler Executive Director and CEO, The Contemporary Austin).


Why were these stories chosen?
This tour was created to enhance visitor understanding of and appreciation for the built environment and natural habitat of Laguna Gloria, now home to The Contemporary Austin and the Betty & Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. By focusing on the site’s ecological and historical significance, we hope to encourage viewers to consider the many artworks they encounter within broader considerations of nature and history. All stories are place-based. Some stories were selected to compliment the physical artefacts visitors encounter while on the tour, while others were selected to distinguish between the native habitat and the centuries of human intervention upon the land. The content of the tour is guided by the research of Acacia Heritage Consulting, an archeological and historic research firm, from whom The Contemporary Austin commissioned an initial cultural-landscape report in 2022. That report and this resulting tour reflect The Contemporary Austin’s commitment to three interwoven lanes of interpretation and inquiry at Laguna Gloria: art, nature, and history.


Are works of art discussed on the tour?
While the tour does include mention of a few artworks, the focus is on its ecological and historical significance. Artworks appearing throughout the tour are often referred to as landmarks in helping visitors navigate the tour route. For more information on the many artworks on view at Laguna Gloria, visit the homepage of the Betty & Edwards Marcus Sculpture Park.


How long does a typical tour take?
The combined run-time of all the tour audio is approximately 40 minutes. Combined with travel-time, visitors should budget about an hour for the whole experience.