Fortlandia returns to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center with eight imaginative, custom-built forts that transform the Luci and Ian Family Garden into Austin's most joyful design playground. Here's how to see everything, skip the stress, and make it a standout fall–winter day in the city.

Essential info at a glance

• Dates: October 4, 2025 – February 1, 2026
• Location: Luci and Ian Family Garden, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX 78739
• Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily; garden entry ends at 4 PM
• Closed: November 27 (Thanksgiving)
• Admission: Adults $15; Seniors $12; Ages 3–17 $9; Members free; UT students/faculty/staff free with ID
• Parking: Free (lot, street parking, and back‑in angle parking)
• One off‑site fort: Along the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail
• Build-your-own fort area: On-site for hands-on play
• Impact: 125,000 visitors last year (and growing). Forts are donated or sold after the show; Cactlandia will live on at Community First! Village.

For an extra planning layer—especially with kids—this family-focused Fortlandia guide is also worth a skim before you go.

What you'll see (and what not to miss)

• Sailboat Fort: Climb to the crow's nest, spin the captain's wheel, and catch big-sky views over the Family Garden. It's a kid magnet—go early.
• Spinning Rainbow Prisms: Kinetic color play that pops in sun and gentle breezes—great for photos when the light breaks through.
• Cactlandia by Jobe Corral Architects: A sculptural homage to the Texas barrel cactus—bold, tactile, and destined for Community First! Village after the exhibition.
• Eight total forts: Each designed by local architects and artists, sized for exploration, discovery, and imaginative play. For a deeper dive into the educational and design side, The Daily Texan’s Fortlandia feature on architecture and play is a good read.
• Build-your-own: Channel your inner designer at the DIY fort zone—plan to spend at least 20 minutes here with kids.

Today's weather and weekend call

• Today (Fri, Nov 21): 77°F, light rain, 45% chance of precipitation, 69% humidity, 5 mph wind. Pack a light rain jacket and quick-dry layers; paths can get slick.
• Weekend: Sat 72°/55°, Sun 70°/57°. November is the mildest time of year in Austin—ideal for lingering in the Family Garden.

For up-to-the-minute forecasts as your visit approaches, check the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio page and adjust layers accordingly.

Pro tip: If it's drizzling, you'll find fewer crowds and moody, saturated colors in the gardens. If the sun pops out, head straight to the Spinning Rainbow Prisms for the best color play.

Timing and crowd strategy

• Arrive at 9–10 AM to enjoy wide-open forts and easy photography.
• Last garden entry is 4 PM—don't cut it close; you'll want 60–90 minutes minimum.
• Weekdays are the calmest; school holidays ramp up quickly. If you're stacking it with evening plans, you can roll straight from the garden into seasonal fun like The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail or other holiday events.

For a broader sense of how Fortlandia fits into the city’s seasonal lineup, you can also check the Visit Austin Fortlandia event listing when mapping out your day.

Off‑site fort on the trail

• One Fortlandia installation sits off‑site on the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail. Combine it with a lakeside stroll or ride and, on another day, a quieter escape at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park.
• Use The Trail Conservancy's resources for maps and updates.

Tickets, entry, and parking

• Admission: Adults $15; Seniors $12; Ages 3–17 $9; Members free; UT students/faculty/staff free with ID. Confirm current details on the official site before you go via the Fortlandia page or main Wildflower Center site.
• Parking: Free in the main lot, plus street and back‑in angle parking options. Arrive early on busy weekends and during school breaks.
• Address for maps: 4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX 78739 (plug into your preferred maps app). If you're a member of another botanical garden, you can also check whether the American Horticultural Society reciprocal admissions program applies.
• If you're visiting from out of town and want more ideas nearby, swing by the relocated Austin Visitor Center on 5th Street for maps, parking intel, and local tips.

Insider intel: Make it special

• Hit Sailboat Fort first, then loop to Cactlandia to avoid peak queues.
• Save the build-your-own fort area for last—kids rarely want to leave it once they start.
• Photo ops: Morning side light flatters textures; after a light rain, colors pop and reflections amplify the prisms. If you love quirky visuals, put the immersive Eureka Room on your future list too.
• Respect the plants: Fortlandia sits in an active native-plant garden—stay on paths and follow posted guidelines.

Why Fortlandia matters

• It's a uniquely Austin blend of art, architecture, landscape, and play—with serious community impact. After the exhibition, forts are donated or sold. Cactlandia is headed to Community First! Village, extending the life of the work beyond the show.
• You can keep that spirit of giving going with experiences like volunteering or fostering with Austin Pets Alive!, or by exploring other creative, community-rooted spaces such as the offbeat Cathedral of Junk.

For another angle on Fortlandia’s educational mission and local impact, you can read the Daily Texan’s overview of the event.

Make a day of it: Where to eat and what to pair nearby

• Barbecue after the garden: Choose your smoke strategy with this November guide to Franklin, La Barbecue, LeRoy & Lewis, festivals, and can't-miss pits: Austin barbecue in November 2025.
• Sushi with serious cred: Shokunin on East 6th is walk‑in only—use our insider playbook to time it right: Shokunin Austin guide.
• What's new now: See November's top openings, big wins, and festival moves: Austin food & drink insider, November 2025.
• Saturday wellness pairing: Morning movement outdoors before the garden makes for happy kids and relaxed parents: Saturday morning in Austin wellness guide.
• Family Sunday combo: A proven two‑stop game plan with stroller routes, parking, and a 3–4 hour itinerary: Two-stop Sunday game plan for Austin families.

For more family-friendly eats after your fort adventure, you can also work in one of Austin's best kid-approved patios with playgrounds.

If you’re turning Fortlandia into a full festive day, layer in stops like Austin Holiday Market Hacks, The Front Market at Waterloo Park, or even an evening from the holiday nightlife playbook.

Quick checklist

• Layers for mild-to-cool weather; light rain shell if showers are possible.
• Closed‑toe shoes for garden paths.
• Water and snacks (respect posted rules).
• Camera/phone with extra battery.
• Membership or UT ID if applicable.

Before you go

• Check hours, holiday closures, and any day‑of updates on the official Wildflower Center site or event page: wildflower.org/fortlandia.
• For trail wayfinding to the off‑site fort, consult The Trail Conservancy.
• If you're stacking Fortlandia with other seasonal outings, you can also scan our Austin holiday market hacks or even plan a festive night using the holiday nightlife playbook for 2025.

For visitors building out a bigger holiday-weekend lineup, The Thursday Drop music hit list is a handy finishing touch.

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Go early, bring curiosity, and let the forts lead the way.

Fortlandia is peak Austin: creative, tactile, generous to the community, and perfectly timed to our most comfortable months. Go early, bring curiosity, and let the forts lead the way.