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    American Windmill Museum

    4.6 (28 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Another wing of windmills, with enormous examples.
    Ryan F.

    I don't want to admit how long I've lived in Lubbock before finally visiting the American Windmill Museum. We went with some family that visited from out-of-state and they really enjoyed it. The price is reasonable and they hand you a stack of information on your way in the door. One of the pieces of paper is a seek-and-find list to be used throughout the museum. There are exhibits for everyone; windmills of every imaginable size, condition, age (of course), but also trains and miniatures- in several scales and out of Legos! There is even opportunity for education (about windmills, mill stones, local history, etc.) and a gift shop with fun trinkets and wind powered yard decor. Outside are dozens of windmills, including a modern wind turbine - an excellent chance to really understand how large those things are. We will be back to visit the gift shop for sure and probably wander the rest of the museum again too.

    Trains...
    Greg K.

    Since Lubbock is the 3rd windiest city in the country, it makes sense that there is a windmill museum here. they have windmills from all over the world, many in working condition, in addition to a modern windmill on property that provides the electricity for the museum. Two surprises in the museum was an extensive display of working model trains. They even have a custom spiral helix that takes the trains up 13 ft to a set of elevated tracks. If you are a model train lover, you can't miss this. There was also a collection of mill stones...yes windmills drive stones, so that makes sense.

    The oldest windmill in the United States.

    This place was so cool. I lucked out into finding it. I was even allowed to bring my pups with me!! Interesting find for sure. The miniature buildings were adorable. The miniature trains running around added a cute touch. The amount of windmills is crazy. Definitely worth a visit in my book!

    A low key, laid back museum that worth the visit
    Nathan H.

    I enjoy seeing things up close and in such detail that you wonder how they ever figured out how to make it work. Because of this 'How It's Made' mentality, I was surprisingly interested in the American Wind Power Center. I thought that a windmill was a windmill until I stopped by and saw the hundreds of different sizes, layouts, and configurations. The display outside of functioning windmills is impressive until you come inside and see the huge assortment of new and old. Not being a windmill scholar, I will not try to elaborate on the details but I will briefly point out my favorites: 1. We have all (hopefully) seen a bigass wind turbines at one time or another, but this the only place I know of that you get up close and personal with one. They have a functioning turbine that powers the museum and a disassembled turbine that allows you to see how big these things are... btw they are HUGE! 2. The exhibits have everything related to windmills, so keep your eyes open for a birds nest that is made entirely from barbed wire. It was found on a windmill in the 70s (I think) and eventually given to the museum for display. 3. The ornamentation and detail of the wooden windmills from the turn of the century is incredible. I cannot give exact directions to get to the museum, but I'll make it easy for you. Go east on 19th until you hit the canyon (yes, there is a bit of topography in Lubbock), then keep your eyes open for the wind turbine looming large over the city, aim for said wind turbine, park when you get to base of the turbine and enjoy the museum. It is a laid back experience and can take as long as you like.

    Mike L.

    This is an amazing museum and learning center for anyone who respects the power of Mother Nature. The American Wind Power Center is situated in the heart of West Texas, Lubbock. For those who have never visited Lubbock, it looks very similar to photos you've seen of Mars, only there are amazing windmills used for providing electricity and irrigation. The American Wind Power Center provides a look into the history of the windmill, the technology used for generations and really underscores the fact that "eco-friendly" energy isn't a new concept. People on the plains of the US have been using it for years. This museum is perfect for the kids to learn about the past, and excellent for adults to become reacquainted with technology we've forgotten. Recommend taking plenty of photos and take a couple of hours out of your schedule to check this place out! Finally...something to do in Lubbock!

    This thing is huge!
    Garry H.

    Truly interesting. Wind power played such an important role in Texas. Free power to do so many different things. The collection is huge and so are some of the windmills. From the plain Jane you have seen driving down some lonely country road, to some that are absolutely massive. Outside are 2 of the modern wind towers, one standing and producing power, the other on the ground. To walk up beside it, you will see how truly massive these things are. Stop by, entry is cheap!

    The view from the back of the large viewing gallery in front of the garage door.
    Thomas B.

    The American Wind Power Center is something that every visitor to Lubbock should experience at least once. I went here on a recent trip to Lubbock (November 2014) and had a mostly pleasant experience with it. Although the place is pretty dated in its displays, with some of the display screens apparently predating the moon landing, it is relatively well put-together. Perhaps the single coolest feature of the area are the grounds - including an ***unadvertised*** nature walk opposite the museum across the large visitor parking lot. Initially upon my visit I was pretty disappointed with the museum itself, but the grounds and the nature walk made up for this shortfall in my mind. While it's a little off the beaten path, situated across the highway from the Texas Tech side of town, it was a good experience. That being said, the place is (apparently) in a transitionary phase of some sort. There was quite a bit of construction equipment on the grounds and it appeared that maybe they were expanding. The management/staff is, to say the least, very hands-off and visitors will largely have to explore the museum for themselves and 'choose-their-own-adventure'. The windmills that they have are numerous and varied - from your typical aermotor to the much more impressive (and colorful) wooden variety. I would strongly encourage visitors to go through the museum and see the windmills that they have tucked away, but it is crucial to your visit to not neglect the grounds.

    Coming up on the entrance
    Charley C.

    The American windmill museum is a real gem here. I had no idea such a museum existed and this one is really super. On the grounds which looks to me to be somewhere around 30 or 40 acres there are windmills everywhere old to new all over the place. One might think oh that's nice and move on and miss the whole shooting match. The building is huge there are two of them there are hundreds of different windmills on display, complete with stories of operation time periods and where they were used. It's quite eye-opening to see all the things that have happened in the history of the windmill. I was amused by the small windmills that were used in the 20s 30s 40s to run your radio when you're out in the middle of nowhere Prairieland so that you could hear what was on the radio cool. Now in addition to all these windmills there is something I've never seen before which is a collection of millstones. Yes the stones that were used to grind grain and coffee and chocolate and bunches of other things animal feed and who knows what all else but someone collected these all and save them and is gathering together and given them to this Museum so that it has another complete museum inside. Now add on to this huge huge model train layout and beautiful miniaturization around the train. Well that's enough to amuse any child. And to make sure nobody's loved out on the other side is a collection of Miniatures Witcher not dollhouses but just miniature houses that describe many things from the past it's Charming it's well done it's worth the stop it's a fabulous Museum I give it six stars but 5 is the limit here

    Diane W.

    I've never seen anything like it!! Just pulling into the parking lot is worth the $5 admission. Wish I had more time to linger by each windmill and learn about all the variety. This is a gem of a place!

    On the north side.

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    Everything was wonderful they have lots of windmills trains and plan to spend a few hours

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    The miniature trains running around added a cute touch.

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    American Windmill Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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