Austin, TX – Central

What started as a log cabin in 1839 has now grown into a pink granite-covered monument to Texas and all its grandeur. You can take various tours of the building: Capitol Dome Tour, a guided tour of the building, tours focused on women in history or Texas Revolution heroes, or just a self-guided tour. Either way, be sure you start your visit in The Capitol Rotunda where the 6 flags of Texas are below your feet and the Lone Star is above your head, for a Texas-sized “wow” moment.

Just north of the capitol building is the Supreme Court of Texas, where historic decisions have been made and justice for Texans has been served since 1959. It’s not open to daily tours, but if you plan it right, you can take a peek inside.

You may not be as familiar with this branch of government, and they do a whole lot for the state, from taking care of veterans to managing the minerals found in the state. However, of their coolest jobs is managing the Texas archives and records. It’s open to the public by appointment and you can see some of the most precious documents in our history, including maps that predate the Lone Star State and the first draft of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. It’s a place to truly connect to our history.

Just across the street from the capitol building is the Governor’s Mansion. Since 1856, it’s where countless significant figures in Texas history have called home. See Sam Houston’s actual bed, Stephen F. Austin’s traveling desk and the cabinet filled with mementos left by each governor.

This museum was featured in our Texas Revolution Road Trip Episode and it’s Texas’s flagship history museum. It tells the ever-unfolding story of the Lone Star State and covers everything from our Native American roots to the oil booms and engineering feats that made modern Texas. And most importantly, it tells the story of the Texas Revolution. The Bullock Museum is a must-stop for any Texan who wants to learn more about our state’s history.