11 Best Museums In Texas
Texas is a massive hub of learning and discoveries as it is among the top states with the most museums in the country. Many of these museums in Texas even rank among the largest in the United States. One museum even has a collection of more than two million artifacts, making it a worthy place to spend an eternity, assuming one could choose. Curated below are some of the best museums in Texas, worth getting on the next flight to visit. These museums are diverse, with each focusing on different things, making them worth visiting individually. From a museum stocked with evidence of the Biblical creation to one with a 16,000-year-old projectile point, here are the best museums in Texas you have to see soon.
Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, Grand Prairie
Ripley’s Believe it Or Not is an oddly exciting museum in Texas with so many things that will have visitors scratching their heads. This museum has unusual attractions, including a Haunted Mirror Maze and a wax museum featuring lifelike wax figures of celebrities and characters.
Other attractions in the museum include the 7D Moving Theater, an immersive gaming arena, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not which has hundreds of exhibits ranging from art to ancient artifacts.
Nearby, the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is an exciting attraction to check out as it is the largest of its kind in North Texas. This waterpark covers over 80,000 square feet, featuring the state’s longest indoor lazy river, several slides and slides, an arcade, a swimming hole, and a massive outdoor wave pool, among other attractions.
The Alamo, San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio is home to the Alamo, one of the pride of Texas. Founded in the 18th century to help spread Christianity in the area, this Spanish mission soon became the site of the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. Today, it is a museum and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, alongside the San Antonio Missions.
Standing elegantly on Alamo Plaza, this museum is a symbol of freedom for Texans and a must-visit, for without its role in the state’s revolution, there probably would not be other iconic American museums in the area today.
Visit this museum to witness historic reenactments, see bronze statues of Alamo heroes, read history from large murals, and explore exhibits including weapons, paintings, and other artifacts from the Texas Revolution era.
The museum also has a peaceful garden perfect for strolling, resting, and exploring various plants. After the Alamo, you can enjoy a fun and scenic stroll through downtown San Antonio on the Riverwalk. On the walk, be sure to catch a show at the Arneson River Theatre or savor some delicious American comfort food at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin
The Bullock Texas State History Museum is the official museum of Texas, solely committed to preserving and telling the history of the state. The museum officially opened in 2001 and was named after Bob Bullock, the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Texas who championed the preservation of the state’s history.
Today, the museum is made up of three floors, each of which features exhibits that explore different periods of the state’s history. Notably, the first floor explores the earliest period of the state’s history with a 16,000-year-old projectile point which is one of the earliest-known objects created by humans on the continent.
The museum’s collection also includes artifacts touching on the state’s music, scientific, sports, and revolutionary history.
Additionally, the Bullock Texas State History Museum is home to the Bullock Museum IMAX Theatre where visitors are always welcome to enjoy the latest movie releases and historic shows. Nearby, the impressive Texas State Capitol is worth admiring on a self-guided tour. Also, the nearby Acre 41 restaurant is a recommended spot to enjoy fine dining after exploring the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Fort Worth
Women often take the back seat when tales of the American West are being told. Today, the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame has stepped up to set things right and tell the world about the great women whose lives have helped shape the American West into what it is today.
This museum is the only one of its kind in the world and it has a collection of over 10,000 artifacts and photographs that chronicle the lives of hundreds of women like Annie Oakley, who won a shooting contest against an experienced marksman at age 15. This museum also honors Sacagawea, one of the most important women in American history who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition for thousands of miles, giving navigation and nutritional advice, interpreting, and overall contributing to the knowledge of the American West.
Visit this museum to immerse in the fascinating world of the trailblazing women of the West and also head to the Will Rogers Memorial Center later to catch an equestrian or livestock show.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston invites visitors from all over the world into a fascinating world of arts. Spanning 14 acres, it is one of the largest art museums in the US, with a collection of more than 70,000 works of art from all over the world.
This huge collection spans more than 5,000 years of history and spreads across three buildings. Additionally, the museum has a sculpture garden showcasing some of the best sculptures from the 20th and 21st centuries.
It is possible to spend several hours here and still not see all the impressive artworks on display. After exploring, however, be sure to grab a bite at the Cafe Leonelli at MFA which offers authentic Italian dishes. Just five minutes from this museum, the Houston Museum of Natural Science also beckons for indulgence but be warned, this museum has so much to offer and is better visited on a separate day.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
The Perot Museum is arguably the best in Texas for lovers of science and natural history. Covering a 180,000-square-foot area, this establishment is packed with exhibits that explore a wide range of topics from dinosaur life to astronomy, energy, minerals, weather, and more.
In this museum, visitors can experience earthquake simulations, learn about the human body, interact with robots, marvel at prehistoric animal bones, and see large gold nuggets. Space lovers can even experience interactive journeys through the solar system.
A visit to such an interesting museum is sure to be inspiring and time-consuming. Fortunately, the Meso Maya restaurant is a few steps from the museum and offers authentic Mexican dishes like quesadillas and enchiladas.
Edison Museum, Beaumont
Thomas Edison is one of the most important inventors to ever grace the earth. At the peak of his career between the 1870s and 1890s, this genius invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the most effective incandescent light bulb, which became popular in Europe and led to the rapid evolution of light bulbs. He also greatly contributed to the improvement of the telegraph and telephone. Today, his works are chronicled at the Edison Museum in Beaumont, which is home to more than 1,400 artifacts. Whether you’re an aspiring inventor looking for inspiration or just want to learn about the origins of some of the world’s most important electrical devices, this museum is worth visiting.
Meanwhile, Beaumont is home to Tyrrell Park, which has a botanical garden and a 2.8-mile hiking trail, which is ideal for quiet strolls and reflecting on the life of Thomas Edison.
Creation Evidence Museum, Glen Rose
The Creation Evidence Museum exists to strengthen beliefs in creation and challenge evolution, which only became famous after the publication of Charles Darwin in 1859.
The museum contains scientific evidence for Biblical creation, including artifacts and fossils like the Noah’s Ark Replica, dinosaur bones, and a fossilized human finger found in a Cretaceous rock believed to have been formed more than 100 million years ago. Regardless of beliefs, this museum is worth visiting, if only to see the impressive Noah’s Ark Replica, which according to the museum was built using the technique used by Noah to build the original ark thousands of years ago.
Furthermore, Glen Rose is known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas and a visit is always an opportunity to see dinosaur tracks at the Dinosaur Valley State Park.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology, El Paso
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology preserves and showcases more than 14,000 years of prehistory in the El Paso area, the Southwest, and northern Mexico. Despite its small size, this museum contains an extensive collection of pottery, baskets, weapons, jewelry, and dioramas depicting the area’s early cultures, and fossils dating to more than 20,000 years ago. The museum also has nature trails for those looking to learn more about the area’s geology, fauna, and flora. As a major border town, visiting El Paso is always an opportunity to explore the National Border Patrol Museum and immerse in the interesting history of the U.S. Border Patrol from the Old West era to date. Thankfully, the Three Pints Pub is nearby featuring delicious food and a good selection of drinks to help travelers refill after all the exploration.
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon
If a choice had to be made on one museum to visit in Texas, then the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum has to be chosen. At more than 200,000 square feet and with a collection of over two million artifacts, it is the largest history museum in the state of Texas. True to its name, this museum extensively covers the life and history of the Panhandle Plains region of Texas over the past 14,000 years. One visit is certainly not enough to explore this museum’s permanent collection alone which covers; Southwestern American art, archaeology, geology, paleontology, textile, transportation, weapons, and the petroleum industry, among others. Meanwhile, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum also offers special exhibits, tours, and special events to further immerse guests into the rich history of the region. After a satisfying exploration of this museum, visitors can head to the nearby Buff’s restaurant to refill with delicious burgers, chicken, waffles, and fried pies.
Stark Museum of Art, Orange
The Stark Museum of Art is where to go to explore one of the country’s most expansive collections of American Western Art. This museum’s collection spans over two centuries and covers the region’s landscapes, people, and wildlife. Visitors here will be met with works from renowned artists from the 1800s like Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Remington, Charles Marion Russell, and Paul Kane. Walking through this museum feels like a visual journey through the vast American West as many landscape paintings, photographs, and sculptures are on display. The Stark Museum of Art also features 19th and 20th-century books and prints about Western American art and an American Indian art collection, including pottery, baskets, clothing, and jewelry. Nearby, the 252-acre Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center invites visitors to unwind in nature after a satisfying look at all the incredible artworks.
These great museums in Texas offer great opportunities to learn about the massive state without actually traveling the entire distance. At the Panhandle-Plains Museum, for instance, you’ll easily explore the 25,800 square mile Texas Panhandle which is slightly larger than West Virginia and Rhode Island combined. Additionally, the scope of most of these museums in Texas extends far beyond the state, with the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston exhibiting artworks from six continents. Plan a vacation around these museums in Texas today and you’ll leave enlightened about the state and the world in general.
