Interactive Ice Cream Exhibit Lands in East Austin in October

The Art of Ice Cream Experience is the latest Instagram bait to hit Austin. The exhibit brings frozen sweets-themed backdrops and ice cream samples to the east side starting on Wednesday, September 19 Friday, October 12. Though the address on the website is listed as 1500 East 4th Street, the owner of that building has said it will not occur there (see update below). The new address for the experience is 3208 South Congress Avenue.

The Art of Ice Cream, which is not related to the Museum of Ice Cream, promises themed photo opportunities in eight decorated rooms like the “Popsicle Paradise” and the “Banana Split Room.” There are also frozen treats provided along the way, though details on those weren’t provided.

This specific exhibit initially opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, where it had a run from November 2017 to July 2018. The Austin residency is much shorter, through Monday, November 12.

The reviews of the Scottsdale tour revealed mixed experiences, with visitors who attended later dates reporting fewer ice cream treats, and others noting the ice cream appeared to be store-bought. (In contrast, the recent Museum of Donuts that popped up in Austin had all-local products, though it ran for a single day).

The Art of Ice Cream will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $25 for adults and $15 for children ages four to 12 (children under 3 are free). Those who purchased tickets for September will be refunded or can reschedule.

Update, 9/13: Eater was contacted by Austin Nelson, who owns the building listed on the Art of Ice Cream website, and clarified that the pop-up will not occur in the space. Eater has reached out the Art of Ice Cream for comment, watch this space for updates.

Update, 9/17 2:45pm: Eater received an email from The Art of Ice Cream Experience, saying that their lease required air conditioning and the 4th Street venue experienced “delays acquiring the proper permits with the City of Austin to add the air conditioning units in time for our opening and the landlord has backed out of the lease.”

• The Art of Ice Cream Experience [Official]
• The Art of Ice Cream Experience [Facebook]
• The Art of Ice Cream Experience [Instagram]