When the weather turns, the Bullock Texas State History Museum is a brilliant way to spend a few hours in Austin. Just a few blocks from the Texas State Capitol, the museum brings the story of Texas to life across three floors of engaging exhibits. They run from Native American history and the Spanish missions to the Texas Revolution, the oil boom and the space age.
Highlights include the remains of La Belle, a 17th-century French ship recovered from the Gulf Coast. Original artefacts, interactive displays and hands-on activities keep younger guests just as entertained as the grown-ups. The museum also has an IMAX theatre and the Texas Spirit Theater, so it’s easy to make an afternoon of it with a film between galleries.
Plan for two to three hours to see the main exhibits, and check the website before you go for special exhibitions, film times and events. Weekday mornings tend to be the quietest. If the rain eases, take a short stroll across to the Capitol grounds, then enjoy a relaxed lunch downtown before heading back to the villa for a cosy evening in.
