After soaking in Austin’s entertainment and eatery offerings, it might be time to take in some culture, art and history. Here’s our list of the best 5 museums in Austin.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Let history inspire you as you connect with Texas stories told by ever-changing artifacts, rare documents, photographs, and special exhibits. Learn the story of La Belle, the ship that changed history, and then view the reassembled shipwreck itself. Experience 4D special effects films in the Texas Spirit Theater. Check out the latest blockbuster movies on the biggest screen in Texas in the IMAX® Theatre. Shop for distinctive gifts at the Museum Store and enjoy the eclectic menu and great view at the Story of Texas Café. Don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the iconic bronze star on the Lone Star Plaza as a keepsake of your visit.
Where: 1800 Congress Ave
Phone: (512) 936-8746
Web: thestoryoftexas.com
Exhibitions: Now Showing
The Blanton Museum of Art
The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the foremost university art museums in the country, and has the largest and most comprehensive collection of art in Central Texas. The Blanton’s permanent collection of more than 17,000 works is recognized for its European paintings, an encyclopedic collection of prints and drawings, and modern and contemporary American and Latin American art.
Where: 200 E Martin Luther King
Phone: (512) 471-5482
Web: blantonmuseum.org
Exhibitions: Now Showing
LBJ Presidential Library & Museum
Situated on a 30-acre site on The University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas, the Library houses 45 million pages of historical documents, 650,000 photos and 5,000 hours of recordings from President Johnson’s political career, including about 643 hours of his recorded telephone conversations. The Museum contains more than fifty-four thousand objects donated by the President and Mrs. Johnson, their family, close friends, associates, and the American people. The iconic ten-story building was designed by award-winning architect Gordon Bunshaft and features a Great Hall with a stunning four-story, glass-encased view of the archives collection. A centerpiece in the Great Hall of the LBJ Library is the photo-engraving mural by artist Naomi Savage. Approximately 100,000 visitors from around the world visit the LBJ Library exhibits each year.
Where: 2313 Red River
Phone: (512) 721-0200
Web: lbjlibrary.org
Exhibitions: Now Showing
The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center
The Contemporary Austin at the Jones Center is a non-collecting contemporary arts institution that creates meaningful opportunities to investigate and experience the art of our time through exhibitions, programs, and commissions of new work. It originates and presents a year-round schedule of contemporary art exhibitions by emerging and mid-career artists from across the globe. Additionally, the institution offers a variety of visual art education opportunities, with a special emphasis on innovative programming for teenagers.
Where: 700 Congress Ave
Phone: (512) 453-5312
Web: thecontemporaryaustin.org
Exhibitions: Now Showing
The Harry Ransom Center
The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center’s collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings.
Where: 300 W 21st
Phone: (512) 471-8944
Web: hrc.utexas.edu
Exhibitions: Now Showing