The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum - Austin, TX

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum - Austin, TX Review


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1800 N. Congress Avenue • Austin, TX 78711
(512) 936-8746 • www.thestoryoftexas.com



Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)
 




2008 Advisor
jmdobies
Austin, TX

The Incredible True Story of Texas, with an IMAX Theater to Boot

5 star rating

budget-conscious traveler, married, TV Personality, a carnivore, a man, Parent of toddlers, Blogger
Pros

    Sprawling Cornucopia of Texas Lore, Austin's Only IMAX Theater, Massive Bronze Lone Star Out Front, Interactive Exhibits


AUG
5
2008
Named after former Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, this massive musuem and exhibition hall tells the story of Texas in appropriately sprawling terms. Featuring three floors of interactive exhibits, a special effects show ("The Star of Destiny") in the Texas Spirit Theatre, and the only IMAX screenings in Austin (where you can watch either the documentary Texas: The Big Picture or current fare like The Dark Knight). There's also a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating (make mine indoors, it's 104 degrees outside!), and a gift shop with "something for the Texan in eveyone."

The aim of the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum is to educate visitors, locals and tourists alike, all about the Lone Star State (there's a whole lot more to Texas than just football, BBQ and capital punishment), and to foster "excellence in public service." Visit the Bob Bullock during the school year, and more often than not you will see a gaggle of schoolchildren getting the skinny on all things Texan.

The architecture is fittingly grand, and the massive bronze Lons Star sculpture in front of the museum is a wonder to behold, as it positively screams "Texas!"

When I visited the museum with my family this summer, we were treated to the current exhibit, "Dallas: Power and Passion in Prime Time," dealing with the enduring legacy of J.R. Ewing and the rest of the Ewing clan. The exhibit runs through September 14, 2008, and is a must for fans of the show, featuring all sorts of ephemera and artifacts of TV's long-running prime time soap opera, and a funny and charming short film produced by the Museum, Southfork Pilgrims, about people from around the globe who journey to the ranch in Parker, Texas that was used for the series.

The Bob Bullock also serves as one of the venues for The Austin Film Festival every October.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays noon to 6. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for ages five to 18, and free for kids four and under.

Last edited on Aug 05, 2008



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BubleFan1 wrote on Aug 17, 2008 at 10:47AM

I love historical things. I've lived in Houston for many, many years and have only made it to Austin once! And that was when I was a youngster!! I'd love to go take a visit.

mrkstvns wrote on Aug 5, 2008 at 6:13PM

I'm not a huge fan of expensive IMAX flicks, myself, but the Bullock is one heckuva nice, new, clean kind of museum. Very kid friendly!


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