I absolutely love this library (Lyndon B. Johnson). I visited once before relocating to Austin and…read morenow that I live within walking distance, I often take family and friends who come to visit. It's an important museum that houses millions of photos, videos, documents, etc. with regard to the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, LBJ's presidency, and so on. There are exhibits displaying information on Medicare and its beginnings. The Oval Office replica is pretty cool to see. So many things to check out including, you guessed it, a gift shop! This is a "not to be missed" museum.

I gave this Presidential Library only 3 stars because I was only able to visit 2/3's of the museum…read more Apparently, they are renovating one of the floors. When we arrived and paid our admission fee, we immediately were met with 2 hosts that kind of went over and explained everything you would be seeing. The funniest part is when an elderly white lady tried to explain to me their new traveling exhibit. It was a hip hop exhibit and she was explaining how interesting it was. She was like 70 and I am sure she is bumping Biggie and 2 Pac on her way to work. The 1st floor was just the presidential Limo, some campaign exhibits, a gift shop and the hip hop exhibit. When I think about LBJ, I am pretty sure Hip Hop is far from the top of the list of things associated with him. However, as a kid from the hip hop generation it was cool to see Run DMC's Adidas, Slick Rick's Kangol and other artists out fits. The 10th floor (I think it was the 10th) had a replica Oval Office, lots of gifts given to LBJ during his presidency and other exhibits as well. I enjoy going to the different Presidential Libraries and Museums and this one is pretty nice but nothing that will wow you.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is an absolute must see! From the moment you walk in,…read moreyou're immersed in the rich story of Texas from its early days to modern times. The exhibits are interactive, engaging, and thoughtfully curated, making history come alive for visitors of all ages. There is a paid parking garage available, but parking is free after 5:00 for movie showings. Highlights include the detailed artifacts, hands-on displays, and the impressive theater experiences that really bring Texas history to life. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer questions and guide you through the exhibits. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a fun and educational outing, this museum is a must-see. I left feeling inspired and with a deeper appreciation for my home state of Texas! I have attended numerous movie screenings at the IMAX theater on site. Most recently the EPiC Elvis Presley in Concert. The seats are comfortable and it was easy to purchase tickets from the box office and they have a bar and concessions. Was a very comfortable place to watch a film.

The museum is beautiful with a very rich presentation of Texas history. I truly enjoyed the…read moreexperience and found myself deeply intrigued by the complexity of the state's past. The exhibits highlighting Texas under Mexican rule, the revolution, land certificates, and the formation of the Republic of Texas were especially fascinating. You really get a sense of how law, governance, and political interests shaped the path of the state. That said, the visit also prompted some critical reflection. History is not just about what is displayed, but also what is absent. During my visit, another guest mentioned that a prior exhibit featuring Black culture from that historical period had been present in 2024 but was no longer there. I cannot independently confirm this, but it certainly sparked important thoughts about how historical narratives are curated and evolve over time especially in light of the current political climate. As a PhD student in public administration and policy, I view spaces like this as starting points for deeper inquiry rather than definitive accounts. Despite any perceived gaps, the museum offers an engaging and visually impressive exploration of Texas history that is well worth visiting. I left with plenty to think about and even more to research on my own.

I was raised on Saturday Night Live. My parents would always turn on Saturday Night Live every…read moreSaturday after I went to bed and as I got older, I would eventually get to stay up and watch the cast of the early 2010s. Even from there, my parents would show us SNL skits during their holiday specials as well as clips on early YouTube. SNL not only opened my eyes to some of the greatest comedians of this decade, but introduced me to more than just the artists heard on mainstream radio. SNL introduced me to so many great indie and alternative artists. Because of this, I became a huge fan of Saturday Night Live entering my adult life. After hearing how Lorne Michaels' private collection and archives would be heading to a free exhibit at the Henry Ransom Center, I knew I would have to check it out as soon as possible. With my girlfriend coming to town the weekend after my birthday, we made a plan to hit a few museums across the University of Texas campus starting with the Henry Ransom Center. Before you even see the Lorne Michaels Collection, you can see the Niépce Heliograph, the first ever photograph, and the Gutenberg Bible. The Lorne Michaels Collection is the highlight of the visit. As you walk through the exhibits, you first start with the history of comedy on SNL, Lorne's early work before NBC, and the origins of SNL. From there, you get to see the order of the show from the cold open, the monologue, sketches, pre-tapes, musical performances, and more. There is a real cue card from Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter's cold open performance from SNL 50 on display. From there, artifacts and history from each decade are highlighted, from Matt Foley's costume, the cowbell, a tribute to the first episode following the September 11 attacks, a Five-Timers jacket, and more. The best part of all of this is that the exhibit is entirely free to the public and there is so much more than what I am sharing. The collection is on display until March 20, 2026, and if you are a fan of Saturday Night Live, comedy, or television as a whole this is an exhibit for you. RIYL: Saturday Night Live, like duh?

2nd time here and was not disappointed. Loved the traveling SNL exhibition they brought in. So…read moreinteresting. So nostalgic! The employees are just amazing once again. This is a small museum that packs a punch. Come out and support the arts!

The best place to take your kids! My kids could spend hours…read moreon end here! There is so much to do and see. It's so nice to have an indoor hands on interactive learning place for the young ones! It's fun and pretty clean. We were so generously gifted a family membership for Christmas by our family friends and it was perfect! The STEAM hands on learning and activities really engages children of all ages. My 7 year old and 4 year old enjoy it here. My 6 month old will get into it soon enough. No food or drinks inside the museum. The water zone is nice that it has smocks and crocs for kids to wear and change into to avoid getting wet and slipping. There is also an outdoor playscape and water tables to get into. I am so grateful they have a comfort nursing room for moms to have a private blocked off area to feed babies! It's much appreciated

I just became an ASTC member, and the Thinkery is reciprocal. It's cheaper to buy your membership…read morethrough the Texas Science and Natural History Museum. They charge $120/year for 5 passes each visit. The Thinkery charges $160/year for 3 passes each visit. My toddler loves the bloom section. The bloom section is always clean and sanitized. None of the vending machines were working in the dining area. I could have sworn they used to have people selling food a decade ago. The Thinkery is great for Austin, but pales in comparison to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis which is five stories and 7.5 acres.

Waco museum castle that renovated now. The outside of the cattle outlook is beautiful. The square…read moreshape makes the beauty of the look. Great for photo spot. The renovations already started when we were there. We were able to slip in and snap a few photo from the inside. It is beautiful. Unfortunately we don't have the whole tour.

Austin is still weird in some ways, and a giant nugget of its weirdness is sitting on 2.5 acres of…read moreHyde Park in tribute to world renown sculptor, Elisabet Ney (pronounced "NAY"). This unusual building and tiny museum houses her studio and will make you say "wow" a bunch of times. It's central, free to visit, easy to park here, and air conditioned. It's also weirdly wonderful. In the 1800s, this woman went on a starvation diet for weeks until her parents agreed to allow her to study art. She cut her hair super short, wore pants and even scandalized Texans by walking around her plantation in bloomers, omitting skirts or dresses altogether. In Austin in 1892, she built her studio, Formosa, an odd limestone structure with holes in the floor, a hand-pulled elevator and other contraptions to allow her larger than life marble sculptures to be transported from one floor or room to another. Here she slept on a cot, purchased a bookshelf with coupons collected from her favorite cereal (Grape Nuts), and hosted many gatherings of artists and intellectuals. There's so much more to this story.

It's pretty nice here. Came for a mother's day outing and they had some extras going on. You can…read morepretty much see the whole museum in an afternoon. Everyone was friendly too

Wouldn't recommend. Even on a free Tuesday…read more Saw about 3 paintings I liked. The rest.... was either that vulgar style of European art; or modern crap. Disappointing. Not worth going to. But you can get a $275 leather bag, or a $25 tea towel in the gift shop!.........

What an amazing show! This Tony-award winning musical was filled with great comical timing,…read morebeautiful choreography, wonderful performances, and more Dad jokes than you can count. A feast for your eyes and ears, directed by Jack O'Brien, who directed Hairspray. I'm still thinking about the stage design, and how it blended with the choreography. Joe did they balance on the wooden slats?! Lulu (Miki Abraham) stole the show. "Independently Owned" was my favorite song, and she was great in every way. Broadway In Austin made ticket pickup easy. Also they've removed the clear bag policy. Bass Concert Hall now offers additional restrooms past the foyer on four floors in a separate building; there were two people in front of me in line and zero behind me. The pedestrian traffic was well organized by the ushers and helpful volunteers. Her your corns up Austin, and take my kernels of wisdom to motivate you to see the Broadway show of the year.

Went to see Clue tonight at Bass Concert Hall for their opening night and my wife and I were just…read moreblown away by the production and talent of the show. Clue was comedic from beginning to end - like actually funny. The writing was witty and smart, the entire cast completely talented from head to toe. I love this venue because its clean, the aisles are spacious, the seats aren't as compact, and the staff members are so friendly and welcoming to the guests. 11/10, I would recommend seeing Clue to all my friends and to those I don't even know.

Came to see Michelle Buteau! Sound system was legit - very clear with high/definition audio with…read moreexcellent bass. Process of getting in was really fast. The staff were all really nice! The venue was big but it didn't feel crowded. This venue seemed a little outdated to me. Felt old like it can be revamped and still keep the history. Parking is a challenge here.

Love the wide variety of performances showing at the Bass Concert Hall every year through Texas…read morePerforming Arts. I have seen several live performances at this theater, including FOOD by Geoff Sobelle and a few Broadway in Austin shows -- Six, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Moulin Rouge. Tickets on the balcony levels can be affordable, although the upper balcony is pretty high which can make performances difficult to see. However, all of the shows I've seen have been quite loud even at the top. There are a couple of concession stands on each level offering drinks and snacks, and you can even purchase a performance-themed buffet at some shows. A good number of restrooms on each floor too. As of this review you do not need a clear bag, although they do inspect all bags. There are several nearby UT parking garages and surface lots with paid parking. Pro tip- add your event tickets to your phone wallet before any events for quick entry, and don't forget to check out the outdoor balcony for a great view of campus.

Today, I dropped in on a social gathering at The Vortex (love the name)! The Vortex is a fun and…read morefunky place - indoor and outdoor spaces. The interior and exterior areas are very much eclectic. This charming little community event is located on Manor Road. Plays and other productions including bands are featured at The Vortex. The group was very welcoming and friendly. The food was a combination of pot luck and prepared foods.

They get stars for having good parking and it seems to be run by volunteers so it won't be…read moreperfect/professional. The seats weren't too comfortable and the arm rest kept snagging my sweater. We watched the Mutt-Cracker. The kids enjoyed the show.

Super cool place lots of different vintage artifacts be sure to checkout the haunted mirror crazy…read moreshit happens when you look into it. The dude was super cool and had lots of knowledge on paranormal stuff. Gonna be coming back!

From the owner: ParaPeculiar is a locally owned and operated business located in Austin, TX inside The Velvet…read moreCasket. We are a Museum of Haunted Items & Spirit Boards and Austin's only museum of haunted items. ParaPeculiar's museum showcases our favorite pieces from the collection. You can see these items in person and learn about their stories and histories. We are always expanding the items on display, so feel free to visit often! *Be warned, many guests have experienced physical and emotional responses to being near the items* For visitation outside of regular business hours, please call to book an appointment. Call or visit our website to learn more, we look forward to seeing you soon.