History
Historic Sites
As the oldest part of Austin, Downtown is rich in history. There are three National Register Historic Districts to experience | Congress Avenue, East Sixth Street, and the Bremond District. Within these and throughout Downtown are numerous sites of historical and cultural interest and world-class resource facilities to help you learn more about Texas and Austin's rich heritage.
Austin History Center
Part of the Austin Public Library system, the Austin History Center's local history collection provides information about history, current events, and activities in Austin and Travis County.
810 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 974-7480
Austin Nature & Science Center
Hike a tree-lined path to this "living nature museum" in Zilker Park. Visitors are invited to discover the natural world of Austin through scientific exploration. Journey down the Eco-Detective Trail (with the help of our Eco-Detective Kit). Venture into the Small Wildlife Exhibits. The Center also features the Dino Pit, an outdoor, hands-on exhibit utilizing six different areas for discovery and exploration. The Austin Science and Nature Center offers a world of discovery for explorers of all ages.
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-8180
Hours:
Mon - Sat: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 5 p.m.
Admission: $2 suggested donation, free Eco-Detective kit rental with $1 donation.
Austin Steam Train Association
Experience America's romantic railroading past. Ride a steam train through historic neighborhoods or the Texas Hill Country. The Austin Steam Train Association operates a restored 1916 steam engine and a 1960 diesel-electric locomotive.
708 Congress Avenue, Suite 210
Austin, TX 78767
(512) 477-8468
Hours:
Office: Mon-Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Call for details
Admission:
River City Flyer $10-$25
Hill Country Flyer $10-$38
Charter - Call for Details
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Downtown Austin tells the story of Texas through three floors of interactive exhibits, the special effects of the Texas Spirit Theater and Austin's only IMAX Theatre. With an indoor/outdoor café, a gift shop and special programs throughout the year, the Museum offers something for everyone in Texas, and for the Texan in everyone.
1800 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 936-8746
(866) 369-7108 (Toll Free)
Hours:
Mon - Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Admission:
Exhibits: free to ages 18 and younger, $5.50 for adults
Multimedia Theater: $3.50 for youth, $5.00 for adults
IMAX Theatre: $5.00 for youth, $7.00 for adults
Senior discounts and money-saving combination tickets available
Capitol Visitors Center
The Capitol Visitors Center is located on the southeast corner of the grounds of the Texas Capitol. It is housed in the restored 1856-1857 General Land Office building. The three-story castle-like structure reflects the mid-19th-century mock-medieval revival architectural style and is the oldest state office building in Texas. The Visitors Center features exhibits and videos on the Capitol and Texas history as well as travel information and a gift shop.
112 East 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 305-8400
Hours:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Center for American History
The Center for American History is a special collections library, archive, and museum that facilitates research and sponsors programs on the historical development of the United States. Exhibits are on view at the Collections and Research division in Sid Richardson Hall on the University of Texas campus as well as at Winedale, near Round Top, at the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum in Bonham, and at the John Nance Garner Museum in Uvalde, Texas.
Sid Richardson Hall, Unit 2
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 495-4515
Hours:
Hours are subject to change, please call ahead to confirm.
Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat.: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Sun: Closed
Admission: Free
The Driskill Hotel
Opened in 1886, this luxurious hotel was designed to rival the grand palaces of Chicago, St. Louis and San Francisco. Beautifully restored, and one of the "Leading Hotels of the World," and a National Trust Historic Hotel. Step inside and step back into Austin's past.
604 Brazos
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-5911
French Legation
The French Legation Museum is a historic house providing an intimate glance into the Republic of Texas and the Victorian era. The museum offers the community a unique way to experience and learn about history through guided tours of the historic home and restored kitchen. The annual events held at the museum include Bastille Day, Easter Fete, Austin Museum Day, Archeology Awareness Day and Christmas at the French Legation. The museum also offers a variety of school programs that provide interactive learning experiences. Hands-on programs include the history of folk toys, archeology, the early classroom, and archival research. The tranquil grounds of the French Legation comprise 2.5 acres of beautifully landscaped space providing a perfect backdrop for special events.
802 San Marcos Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 472-8180
Hours:
Tues - Sun: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., Last tour begins at 4:15 p.m.
Admission:
$4.00 adults; $3.00 seniors, AAA members and groups with advance booking; $2.00 teachers and students with ID; free for ages 5 and younger
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
The George Washington Museum and Cultural Center is the first African-American neighborhood museum in the state of Texas. This one-time branch library has expanded to a wonderful 36,000 square-foot facility that includes four galleries, a conference room, classroom, darkroom, dance studio, 134-seat theatre, and archival space, The galleries feature a core exhibit on Juneteenth, a permanent exhibit on Austin African-American families, an Artists Gallery, and a childrenfs exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors.
1165 Angelina Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 974-4926
Hours:
Mon, Wed & Fri: 9:30 a.m. | 6:00 p.m.
Tue & Thu: 9:30 a.m. | 8:00 p.m.
Sat: 1:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m.
Sun: Closed
Admission: Free
German Free School
Built in 1857 by German immigrants, this building was the first chartered school in Austin. Today the building serves as the headquarters of the German-Texan Heritage Society.
507 East 10th St.
Austin, TX 78768-4171
(512) 482-0927
Hours:
Office: Mon, Wed, Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Library: Mon, Wed,Thu, Fri: 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. or by appointment
Building Tours: Thu: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. or by appointment
Governor's Mansion
The Texas Governor's Mansion has been the home of every Texas governor since 1856. It is the fourth-oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the United States. The building is an important example of Greek Revival architecture and contains one of the nation's finest collections of early 19th century furniture.
1010 Colorado Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-5516 (tour information 24 hours)
Hours:
Public tours
Mon - Thu: 10:00 a.m. - Noon, Last tour begins at 11:40 a.m.
Advance reservations are required. For reservation information and a daily tour update call (512) 463-5516. (24 hours)
Admission: Free
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
The Harry Ransom Center houses one of the world's finest cultural archives with more than 45 million items, including extensive collections of rare books, manuscripts, photography, film, art and the performing arts. The Ransom Center Galleries offer diverse exhibitions from the Center's holdings, as well as a permanent display in the lobby that features a Gutenberg Bible and the first photograph ever taken.
21st and Guadalupe Street
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-8944
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tue, Wed, Fri: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat - Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
"It's all here: the story of our time with the bark off. This Library will show the facts, not just the joy and triumphs, but the sorrow and failures, too." This is how Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States, wanted the records of his life and his presidency to be viewed by the public. The LBJ Library and Museum takes visitors back in time through six decades of American history with emphasis on the turbulent 1960s. Visitors can see LBJ's 1968 Lincoln limousine, walk into a replica of the Oval Office, and marvel at the life and accomplishments of Lady Bird Johnson in the First Lady's Gallery.
2313 Red River Street
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 721-0200
Hours:
Mon - Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed December 25th
Admission: Free
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to cultural enrichment and education through the presentation and promotion of traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. Founded in 1984, Mexic-Arte Museum has emerged as the Official Mexican and Mexican-American Fine Art Museum of Texas.
419 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 480-9373
Hours:
Mon - Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m. (Family-free day)
Admission: $5.00 for adults; $4.00 for senior citizens/students; $1.00 for children younger than 12 (except school groups).
O. Henry Museum
Famous for the short story, "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) lived in this 1981 Victorian cottage. His experiences as journalist, draftsman, bank teller, and with the Texas Rangers are reflected in his short stories. Memorabilia from the author's life in Austin furnish this National Literary Landmark.
409 E. 5th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-1903
Hours:
Wed - Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Old Bakery and Emporium
Built in 1876, this building originally housed the Lundberg Bakery and has served many famous guest over the years including Teddy Roosevelt, O. Henry and Ma Ferguson. Now operated by the City of Austin where you can buy wonderful crafts and confectionary items produced by local seniors.
1006 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 477-5961
Hours:
Craft Sales: Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m.. - 4:00 p.m. (closed on most holidays)
Saturdays in December (prior to Christmas): 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sandwhich Shop: 11:00 a. m - 1:30 p.m.
Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial
This statue was erected in 1994 to honor legendary musician Stevie Ray Vaughan who died tragically in a helicopter crash in 1990. Music lovers still come to pay their respects to this tremendous talent and symbol of Austin's music tradition.
Auditorium Shores Park
Riverside Drive and South First Street
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Susanna Dickinson House
This 1870's stone house was the home of Susanna Dickinson Hannig. one of the few survivors of the Battle of the Alamo and the person who delivered the news of the Texan army's defeat to General Sam Houston. It was at this house where Dickinson, later in her life, talked to historians and journalists about the famous battle, providing details that became the basis of much of the state's historical record. The house, in the German-inspired Texas Hill Country architectural style, has been documented as one of Austin's oldest surviving residences, pre-dating both the University of Texas and the Capitol dome. House is currently undergoing restoration and not open to the public.
Brush Square
409 E. 5th
(512) 472-1903
Symphony Square
Symphony Square is the headquarters of the Austin Symphony, the city's oldest performing arts group. Located at Red River and 11th Streets, Symphony Square is a complex of four historic limestone buildings and a 350-seat amphitheater.
Austin Symphony Orchestra
1101 Red River
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-6064
Texas Capitol
The 1888 Capitol is the working seat of Texas government. Including its new underground Extension, it is the largest statehouse in the nation. The building houses an impressive collection of historical Texas artwork and antique furnishings. Ten spaces have been returned to their turn-of-the-century appearance.
Congress Avenue at 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0063
Hours:
Mon - Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Hours are extended during legislative sessions. Free guided tours are provided by the Capitol Information and Guide Service.
Admission: Free
Texas Folklife Resources
photo ©2004 Jody Horton
Texas Folklife Resources (TFR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and presenting the folk arts and diverse cultural expressions to be found in the Lone Star State. Right here in Austin, TFR presents exhibitions, produces the Folk Masters Series at the historic Paramount Theatre, and offers education programs for children and adults.
1317 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 441-9255
Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History
This starfish fossil is a well-preserved example from the Cretaceous Period (144-65 million years ago)
The Texas Memorial Museum is a natural science museum with exhibits and programs based on its renowned research collection of more than 5.7 million specimens. Museum exhibits focus on three areas: gems and minerals, Texas wildlife, and fossils and dinosaurs. A number of unique features include an on-site working paleontologist preparing fossil specimens and answering questions from visitors, live-animal exhibits, and the country's first museum exhibit of immersive 3-D images of fossils.
2400 Trinity
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 471-1604
Hours:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Texas State Cemetery
Walking through the Texas State Cemetery is like reading a history of Texas. Almost every aspect of Texas' past is represented on the picturesque 18 acres in East Austin. Notables such as Stephen F. Austin, "Bigfoot" Wallace, John Connally, Barbara Jordan, and Bob Bullock, along with hundreds of Confederate veterans, lend their personal stories that together make up Texas' history.
909 Navasosta
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 463-0605
Hours:
Texas State Cemetery Visitor Center Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cemetery Grounds:
Daily: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free