The 10 Best History Museums in Texas, United States

PPHM WILL BE CLOSED 4/30 and 5/1 for a SPECIAL EVENT. We’re a museum dedicated to one thing: the history of the Panhandle-Plains region. But that singular focus expresses itself in a multitude of ways. Inside PPHM, themed exhibitions include those that showcase paleontology, archaeology, textiles, classic cars, petroleum, the Old West and a renowned art collection. PPHM offers visitors a chance to step into history with a life-size Pioneer Town, interactive Don D. Harrington Petroleum Wing, guided group tours and special events. With over two million artifacts, of which only a small percentage are on display, visitors marvel at the vast array of objects we showcase. Visitors must wear a mask and follow all COVID safety protocols to visit.

*Open Wed-Sun.Online ticket purchase only* Formerly the Nimitz Museum, the complex is now the only museum in the Continental United States centered on World War II's Pacific campaign. Since 1968, the Museum has expanded to occupy a six-acre campus and gained a reputation as one of the premier military museums in the nation. Over the years the Museum was upgraded and enlarged, and the campus grew to accommodate the Memorial Courtyard, the Plaza of Presidents and the Japanese Garden of Peace. We opened the expanded George H. W. Bush Gallery in 2009. The Gallery's state-of-the-art 33,000 square foot exhibition features 40 media installations, approximately 900 artifacts in 97 climate-controlled cases, 15 macro-artifacts, and hundreds of photographs. Two blocks east of the main campus is the Pacific Combat Zone. Recently reopened after an $8 million renovation. The PCZ is also home to our popular WWII Pacific Combat Program that takes place on set weekends throughout the year.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is a research institution and academic environment dedicated to the preservation, research and exhibit of official records, personal papers and memorabilia from the life and career of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, with more than 43 million pages of official and personal papers, 2 million photos, 2,500 hours of videotape and 100,000 museum objects. Covering much of U.S. history since 1941, the library and museum features a World War II Avenger Torpedo Bomber, a 1947 Studebaker, a piece of the Berlin Wall, and precise replicas of President Bush's Oval Office, Camp David office and White House Situation Room. The museum also features a temporary exhibit gallery which lends to an ever-changing museum to visit. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors should plan to visit the 19-acre historic park early enough to complete their outdoor tour by 4 p.m. The indoor galleries close at 5 p.m. It takes 45 to 90 minutes to see the 53 ranch structures in the historic park and walk the 1.5 mile pathway. The outdoor park is both wheelchair and stroller accessible. Admission is free.

Established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, for over 300 years the former mission now known as the Alamo has been a crossroads of history. Having existed under six flags of independent nations and served as a garrison for five different armies, the Alamo has a rich history and a heritage to inspire Texans and people around the world. Although the Alamo is best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, all 300 years of Alamo history are vital to our story. Visitors can take a guided battlefield tour, rent a self-guided audio tour, walk through the historic Alamo Church and Long Barrack Museum, listen to a history talk given by an Alamo Interpreter, participate in living history demonstrations, watch a documentary on the history of the Alamo, and much more. Admission to the Alamo is free, but there is a charge for guided and audio tours.

This museum, owned by a funeral company, houses the largest collection of funereal artifacts in the U.S., traces the history of funeral services, displays historic hearses and provides memorabilia from funerals of the famous, such as Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Elvis Presley.

Visitors can tour the longest serving Essex Class aircraft carrier of World War II. The 16-deck "Blue Ghost" displays military artifacts and more than 20 aircraft. See all five tour routes, 3-D mega theater, Lockdown on the LEX Escape Rooms, mess deck eatery and flight simulator. National Historic Landmark located on North Beach. Elevator from the hangar deck to the flight deck. Welcome aboard! Labor Day - Memorial Day 9am - 5pm Memorial Day - Labor Day & Spring Break 9am - 6pm See admission at https://usslexington.com/visit/hours-admission/

Galveston Historical Foundation brought ELISSA, an 1877 square-rigged iron barque, from a scrapyard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece to Galveston to begin restoration work in 1978. By 1982, GHF staff and volunteers completed restoration and transformed this rare, historic vessel into a floating museum that would actively sail. Today, the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA is one of only three ships of her kind in the world to still actively sail and welcomes over 40,000 visitors annually. She also serves as the Official Tall Ship of Texas, a National Historic Landmark and a symbol of the Gulf Coast’s historic beginnings as a seaport and active waterfront. The 1877 ELISSA welcomes visitors at the Texas Seaport Museum. Experiences Galveston’s maritime history daily.

Restored to its turn of the century splendor, the 28,000 square-foot, four-story structure was completed in 1895. Today, our guests visit 20 rooms on a self-guided tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The Moodys established one of the great American financial empires. Based on cotton, it grew to include banking, ranching, insurance and hotels. The mansion is one of the finest places to visit, a trip back in time. Touring the museum should definitely be on the top on the list for things to do on Historic Galveston Island. Tour Information: Self-guided Audio Tours: Children 6 & Under Free Self-guided audio tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last tickets sold at 4p.m.; house closes at 5 p.m.) Behind-the-scenes Tours: Exclusive docent-guided tours to areas not normally open to the public 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday | limited size tours | reservations highly recommended Group Tours: Moody Mansion tour descriptions: Self-guided audio tours: Two audio tours allow you to set your own pace through the house and grounds. • The Moody Family tour features six members of the Moody family telling stories about their ancestors. This tour is also translated into Spanish. • Mary’s tour, appropriate for children and adults, is narrated by an actress portraying the late Mary Moody Northen as if she were guiding you through her home. Guided 25th Anniversary Tour: Behind-the-scenes tours celebrate the 25th anniversary of Moody Mansion’s restoration. A knowledgeable docent guides guests through areas not normally open to the public, describing Mary Moody Northen’s vision for preserving her home and sharing her collections. These tours are conducted at 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tour size is limited; reservations are highly recommended.