George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

If you’re a history buff, a presidential aficionado, or interested in American culture, no trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is complete without a stop at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. This architectural masterpiece on the campus of Southern Methodist University gives visitors an intimate look inside George W. Bush’s presidency. The Presidential Library has more than 30,200 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records you won’t find anywhere else, and its 80 terabytes of electronic records makes it the largest electronic record collection in the Presidential Libraries and Museums system. Get a glimpse of what it is like to be the leader of the free world in the interactive Decision Points Theatre, a full-size replica of the White House Oval Office, and spend a moment reflecting at the moving 9/11 memorial.

Walk through the breathtaking Freedom Hall with 67-foot tall ceilings and 360-degree video that takes you back in time to past American presidents and the history, art, and culture of their respective eras. Take a souvenir photo sitting at Resolute Desk inside the reproduction of the Oval Office, where you’ll see what that famed room looks and feels like. Go behind the scenes to learn what it’s like to be the first family, live in the White House, and experience the glamour of state dinners.

Step into President George W. Bush’s shoes for a moment in the Decision Points Theater, where you’ll hear from advisers and decide how you would respond to crises like Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Then honor the lives lost and the brave men and women of 9/11 at the special Nation Under Attack exhibit, which houses steel from the World Trade Center and letters President Bush received following the attacks.

The Presidential Museum hosts special exhibits throughout the year. One of its most notable is the annual holiday showcase that recreates Bush family Christmases in the White House with elaborate décor and festivities. Reflect upon all that you’ve experienced within the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in the Native Texas Park, a showcase of Mrs. Bush’s commitment to environmental conservation and restoration that features native grasses, flowers, and trees. The Native Texas Park is open and free to the public every day, sunrise to sunset, and has one mile of trails for you to explore.

This museum in Dallas is the first Presidential Library and Museum to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification for design and construction. Not only is the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum of architectural significance, it is a great place to learn about and experience an important time in our nation’s history through the eyes of our 43rd president.