While walking around the Hays County Courthouse checking out the businesses on the square we came…read moreup to this museum. There was a sign saying which said free admission, so decided to check it out. It was an old building and when I entered I was told to sign in. I guess they want to keep a record of guests and there was a donation jar next to it. I started exploring all about Lyndon Baines Johnson who not only was President of the United States of America but graduated from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1930). The museum is a bit small but does recognize his achievements as president by all the Acts he passed. There are some mementos on display and information about Lady Bird Johnson. It is very positive here so will not find anything about the Vietnam War or old political controversies. There is an upstairs but nothing much up there except a few exhibits and a large room for meetings and presentations. I enjoyed it and dropped a few bucks in the donation jar on my way out.

An excellent museum! You will leave with a newfound respect for LBJ and his presidency. A…read morefascinating insight into the 1960's and the impact of his time in office which we still benefit from today.

This top-shelf, free, destination-worthy cultural gem is on the 7th floor of the Alkek Library at…read moreTexas State in San Marcos. The Wittliff collects, preserves and shares Southwestern literary, photographic, and musical arts. Sounds stuffy as hell, right? Far from it! It's founder, Austinite Bill Witliff, was a screenwriter of the beloved miniseries Lonesome Dove, and this museum is home to the film's production archives, including props, costumes and other treasures. But that's only one of several collections. Witliff established the museum in 1986 with the encouragement and many gifts from author and folklorist J. Frank Dobie. Musicians and their fans will adore perusing private correspondence and journals, instruments, hats and so much more from people like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, Ray Benson and on and on and on. It will take you a happy hour or more to acquaint yourself with its permanent and temporary collections. My favorite room was devoted to mind-blowing photography of native American people taken in the early 1900s by Edward Curtis. It hasn't been that long since they freely roamed and inhabited our wilderness and the beauty - and reality - of these captures took my breath away. If you are a rancher, a descendent of a rancher or even know a rancher, get yourself over there for an enlightened perspective on the lifestyles, struggles and beauty of the people who raise grazing animals. I figure the Witliff has about a dozen theme-specific rooms that are smartly curated and thoughtfully presented. HOT TIPS! - Parking is free on weekends in the Alkek parking lot. - Like all campuses, Texas State is not easy to get around... signage is downright absent or stupid. It doesn't help that hardly anyone at Texas State is aware of the Witliff Collection and can't point you to it. - As you exit the parking lot, make your way to the tallest building right above you. That's the library. Head to the 7th floor.

I attended a conference held by TSU and attendees were told about The Whitliff Collections, which…read morewas located in a nearby building. I used a few of my lunch hours during the conference to visit, but wish that I was able to spend the day browsing. There were many QR codes for videos online in one of the exhibitions and I wish that I had the time to see them all. My friend is a huge King of the Hill fan and was jealous that script archives were held with The Whitliff Collections. I would have asked to view them if I had more time to browse. Too bad they cannot be viewed online. Can't complain with a free museum. It was well kept!

Kevin was nice and helpful and made in very fun for me and me and would come back againread more

Overall the experience was pretty cool.And Kira our guide was very friendly and informative.Me and…read moremy wife got the full experience which was the cave the little gravity room and the little safari park.The only thing I can say is,it's a bit overpriced for what you get.Other then that it was good.

This MUSEUM is very interesting. The tour guide was incredibly friendly and thorough. It was such…read morean interesting experience and each exhibit was filled with history and art. They offer a variety of other things such as music classes and tutoring for elementary children. It's especially good for a school project!

From Chicago, just moved to Austin. First time at the Meadows Center at Texas State. Here are some…read morethoughts: -Run entirely by students, done very well, very enjoyable. -We wanted to check out the glass bottom boats, and we were not disappointed! -We went on the 45-minute tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, funny, and passionate--great combo! Cost was about $15 a person. -Saw a lot of wildlife, including deer, many birds, including a hawk, turtles, and many fish. Don't forget to check out the aquarium! -About a dozen people on our tour boat, from toddlers to 60's. Everyone enjoyed the experience. -Boat was covered, so it felt cool enough on the water even on a warm spring day. Highly recommended!

What a lovely little side trip for our out of town guests to enjoy. This was actually our first…read morevisit as well, it was very much enjoyed. I'm going to have to go again as there was so much to see I didn't hear most of what the boat pilot had to relay.

TLDR: good safety measures today, met lots of new-to-me artists…read more Covid19 shut down the market in spring so this is my first of 2020 and I've *missed* it pretty badly! Only saw one of the old familiar artists I was looking forward to seeing, but there was a good showing of vendors--enough to ring the courthouse once and more booths sitting in the corners. All the vendors were masked, and all the shoppers when I was there. Most of the booths had a big jar of hand sanitizer out and available. Not everyone was good about the 6' rule so I'd just step off onto the grass when people came my way on the sidewalk. There were signs at the entrance requiring masks and stipulating 10 humans max at any booth at one time. I saw big paintings, woodwork, small original prints, LOTS of jewelry booths, leatherwork, wall hangings, one gent had some beautiful guitars and someone else had fabulous knit/crocheted items from children's ski caps and soft toys to cardigans. The Calaboose Museum had a booth so I took the opportunity to buy a t-shirt. It's one of those local treasures I keep meaning to learn more about, and I look forward to visiting when their refurbishment completes in January. For no particular reason, almost all my luck today was with glass. Who knows if any pieces will find their way under someone else's xmas tree or if I will make excuses and hold onto them a little longer.

Amazing experience! Great Friday Night Spook Day with my girlfriends! We will be back to book the…read moreovernight stay in October!

Oct 28 is Emma's Birthday... so Magnolia Hotel decided to open the doors to celebrate! Free tours…read morefrom 10am-2pm! I just happened to see something come through my newsfeed over Fb, I bookmarked it, found my schedule open, so headed east to check it out. Emma likes to play in her room... and who doesn't like to play with little spirits?! I didn't know the history of the Magnolia Hotel so was totally clueless walking in the door... Magnolia Hotel has been on Ghost Adventures on Travel Channel. Also, Magnolia Hotel is ~not~ a hotel, it is now a personal residence. To my delight, I was able to hear stories of the old hotel, tales of it's past residents many of which have never left, and how Magnolia Hotel was discovered by the owners. Jim & Erin saved the Magnolia from being demolished... they single handedly have saved a part of Seguin history!... and some haunted history at that! I spent about two hours just hanging out, looking around, and people watching... talked to some interesting people, listening to questions and answers... all very interesting. Did I have an experience? I had something creepy go up the back of my left neck and skull as I was talking to a ghost hunter in the original dining area where the owner was sitting. I also felt some weird things around the house... but something I brushed off at first until I started listening to others talk about it... when you first come up the stairs, it feels really heavy. I originally brushed it off as I just walked up the stairs... but no, go back and you feel it... and everyone was feeling it!!! Emma was playing in her room. One of the guides said just a few minutes earlier, a little girl got scratched. Then someone told her that they saw the door knob in the pink bathroom turn back and forth. The owner, Erin, said this house is more active during the day than at night. Wow! The owners Jim & Erin host a ghost tour in their home on occasion, which books up months in advance. The tour last about 2 hours with in-depth stories which might also include a spiritual reading from the Erin at the end (but only if deceased wish to come forward). Erin has written Haunted New Braunfels, Haunted Seguin, and soon to be released Haunted Magnolia House. All proceeds go towards restoring the Magnolia Hotel. I can not wait to go on their ghost tour!

The venue is decorated amazing. Very clean, all the beds were so comfortable with big fluffy…read moreblankets in all the rooms. Very nice owners. Would definitely recommend.

From the owner: The historic Martindale Schoolhouse was built in 1921 and is now homeroom to a new school of…read morethought for weddings, special events and boutique boarding. The Social Hall, formerly the gymnasium is a magical open air event space for up to 200 guests. Martindale Schoolhouse...your hall pass from the ordinary