Texas Music Museum
Explore Texas's diverse musical heritage, from blues to Tejano, with passionate volunteers and free admission.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal attention
Texas Music Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal attention
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore Texas's diverse musical heritage, from blues to Tejano, with passionate volunteers and free admission.
"A great stop for music fans, offering extensive history and passionate volunteers."
🎧 Bring Headphones
Many exhibits feature YouTube videos accessible via QR codes. Headphones enhance the experience.
🗣️ Chat with Volunteers
They are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, offering personal tours and insights.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Texas Music History Deep Dive
Explore genres from blues to Tejano, with passionate volunteers sharing stories and insights.
Interactive Exhibits
Engage with displays and learn about the diverse sounds that shaped Texas music.
Vintage Instruments
See a 100+ year old piano once owned by barrelhouse pianist Robert Shaw.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Free Admission, Big Impact
Check Hours & Plan Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎧 Bring Headphones
Many exhibits feature YouTube videos accessible via QR codes. Headphones enhance the experience.
🗣️ Chat with Volunteers
They are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, offering personal tours and insights.
📞 Call Ahead for Hours
Website hours can be unreliable; a quick call ensures you won't miss out.
🎶 Explore All Genres
From blues to Tejano, the museum covers a wide spectrum of Texas music history.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎧 Bring Headphones
Many exhibits feature YouTube videos accessible via QR codes. Headphones enhance the experience.
🗣️ Chat with Volunteers
They are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, offering personal tours and insights.
📞 Call Ahead for Hours
Website hours can be unreliable; a quick call ensures you won't miss out.
🎶 Explore All Genres
From blues to Tejano, the museum covers a wide spectrum of Texas music history.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Texas Music Museum for its passionate volunteers and extensive information on Texas music history, spanning various genres. While some note the displays are more informational than artifact-heavy and suggest bringing headphones for multimedia content, the free admission and knowledgeable staff make it a highly recommended stop for music fans.
"if you’re a music fan in any capacity i think this is a great stop when visiting Austin. Spans a lot of history and genres and the volunteers are very knowledgeable and passionate! I was very impressed and happy we stopped by."
Paige Giering
"My wife said that the displays reminded her of her grade school scrap book projects. While the museum is long on displays and short on artifacts, it’s hard to criticize a museum that free and run by volunteers. I would take headphones to listen to the YouTube videos that are easily accessed through QR codes."
Gary F
"I called to see if they were open for visitors because the website did not mention anything about visiting hours. They said that was the most common complaint and that should be rectified when the revised website comes online next month. I was very impressed with the facts and artifacts on display in such a small space. When I mentioned that they didn't have some more contemporary artist info, I was told that because of the small size of the facility, they can only display about 10% of what they've got. Since it's affiliated with the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State, they've got plenty of source material to keep people interested in the rich history Texas music satisfied for years to come. They just need more funding to reach their full potential. More visitors would help. They cover a wide variety of genres."
Jim McDaniel
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Texas Music Museum is located on 11th Street in Austin, Texas, on the Historic East Side. It's accessible by car and public transportation. Parking information can be found on their website or by calling ahead.
Parking availability can vary. It's best to check the museum's official website or call them directly for the most up-to-date information on parking options near the museum.
Austin has a public transportation system that may serve the area around the Texas Music Museum. Check the Capital Metro website for routes and schedules that go near 11th Street.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Texas Music Museum offers free admission, making it a great budget-friendly option for exploring Texas music history.
The museum's operating hours can be inconsistent. It's highly recommended to call the museum directly to confirm their hours before your visit, as this is a common point of feedback.
Since admission is free and hours can be variable, advance booking is generally not required. However, for group visits or special events, it's always a good idea to contact the museum beforehand.
The museum's exhibits cover a broad range of Texas music history and are generally suitable for all ages. Younger visitors might benefit from the interactive elements and the engaging stories shared by volunteers.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Expect a diverse range of exhibits covering various Texas music genres like blues, jazz, Tejano, and country. While artifact displays are limited, the information and stories shared are extensive. +1
Yes, the museum features interactive exhibits, including access to YouTube videos via QR codes that provide deeper dives into Texas music history.
Generally, photography for personal use is allowed, but it's always best to check for any specific signage or ask a volunteer if you're unsure about capturing images of certain displays.
Engage with the passionate volunteers who often provide personal tours and share in-depth knowledge about Texas music history.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The Texas Music Museum does not typically have its own dining facilities. However, being located in Austin, there are numerous restaurants and cafes nearby offering a wide variety of culinary options.
It's generally advised not to consume food or drinks inside museums to protect the exhibits. Please check the museum's specific policies or ask a staff member upon arrival.
📸 📸 Photography
While the museum focuses on information, unique displays and vintage instruments can make for interesting shots. The overall atmosphere of celebrating Texas music history provides a good backdrop.
Flash photography can sometimes damage artifacts and disrupt other visitors. It's best to avoid using flash unless explicitly permitted by the museum staff.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Given that admission is free, it's a low-risk way to introduce kids to the cultural heritage of Texas. The museum's location in Austin also means there are plenty of family-friendly dining options nearby for a post-museum meal.
Remember to call ahead to confirm hours, as this will help in planning your family's day smoothly.🎶 Music Aficionados
+1 The museum's affiliation with Texas State University's Center for Texas Music History ensures a level of historical accuracy and depth that will be appreciated. Don't miss the chance to engage with the knowledgeable volunteers; their insights and personal stories can offer a unique perspective beyond the displays.
💰 Budget Travelers
To maximize your visit without spending more, consider packing your own snacks and water, as there are no dining facilities on-site.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Heartbeat of Texas Music
+1While the museum is a non-profit organization and relies on passionate volunteers, it's important to note that it's still a developing institution.
Visitors often highlight the personal tours and the deep passion of the volunteers as a standout feature.
Navigating Your Visit: Tips from the Community
The volunteers are a treasure trove of information and are often eager to provide personal tours, sharing fascinating anecdotes and historical context that bring the exhibits to life.
For those interested in specific genres like Willie Nelson or Texas blues, the museum provides a solid foundation, though it's important to remember that due to space constraints, only a portion of their extensive archives can be displayed at any given time.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit