This wonderful museum (and theatre) sits on the campus of UT at Austin (from which my boyfriend is a proud graduate). It's a modern and well-designed building that has housed exhibits from painters and artists to SNL productions, and current exhibits like Houdini and Gertrude Stein. Not to mention The Gutenberg Bible, The Count Cagliostro necklace affair and so much more. Why I've never reviewed this place before is beyond me especially as I've been here multiple times over the years. Today, 8/29/26 is the opening day for the Houdini Library which will run through January. Had been also wanting to check out the Gertrude Stein (Who, by the way, was born in my hometown...Pittsburgh) exhibit that's been here a couple of weeks now. What better way to spend a Saturday than visiting them both. Let me say that both are incredibly informative, well documented, and full of history. The profoundly talented curators put together installations that hold your attention and spark your imagination. Absolutely love being able to see such amazing works...and it's free! Donations are accepted upon entry...if you can, drop a couple bucks in. read more

I was raised on Saturday Night Live. My parents would always turn on Saturday Night Live every Saturday after I went to bed and as I got older, I would eventually get to stay up and watch the cast of the early 2010s. Even from there, my parents would show us SNL skits during their holiday specials as well as clips on early YouTube. SNL not only opened my eyes to some of the greatest comedians of this decade, but introduced me to more than just the artists heard on mainstream radio. SNL introduced me to so many great indie and alternative artists. Because of this, I became a huge fan of Saturday Night Live entering my adult life. After hearing how Lorne Michaels' private collection and archives would be heading to a free exhibit at the Henry Ransom Center, I knew I would have to check it out as soon as possible. With my girlfriend coming to town the weekend after my birthday, we made a plan to hit a few museums across the University of Texas campus starting with the Henry Ransom Center. Before you even see the Lorne Michaels Collection, you can see the Niépce Heliograph, the first ever photograph, and the Gutenberg Bible. The Lorne Michaels Collection is the highlight of the visit. As you walk through the exhibits, you first start with the history of comedy on SNL, Lorne's early work before NBC, and the origins of SNL. From there, you get to see the order of the show from the cold open, the monologue, sketches, pre-tapes, musical performances, and more. There is a real cue card from Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter's cold open performance from SNL 50 on display. From there, artifacts and history from each decade are highlighted, from Matt Foley's costume, the cowbell, a tribute to the first episode following the September 11 attacks, a Five-Timers jacket, and more. The best part of all of this is that the exhibit is entirely free to the public and there is so much more than what I am sharing. The collection is on display until March 20, 2026, and if you are a fan of Saturday Night Live, comedy, or television as a whole this is an exhibit for you. RIYL: Saturday Night Live, like duh? read more

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2nd time here and was not disappointed. Loved the traveling SNL exhibition they brought in. So interesting. So nostalgic! The employees are just amazing once again. This is a small museum that packs a punch. Come out and support the arts! read more

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I visited the Ransom Center on September 21, for Austin Museum Day 2025. They got lucky because I ended up only having time for one stop and because of who I am, spent more time than recommended by ChatGPT at this exhibition. I think it's awesome and an honor for Austin/UT Austin to be bestowed these items by Lorne Michaels, it definitely elevates the city's place role in broader American art and culture. The whole exhibition was well curated and I enjoyed the variety of content and artifacts displayed. Also a very cool opportunity to view a copy of the Gutenberg Bible. When I left, I was pleasantly surprised to see a Frida Kahlo quietly hanging on the wall behind the right side hallway when facing the main exhibition floor. I'll plan to keep informed about future exhibitions the Center has and continue to support the arts institutions in town! read more

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I like this gem of a museum. We came for the free SNL exhibit and it was pretty awesome to see such historic artifacts in pop culture history. That it was for free almost felt like a crime. I will keep my eye on future exhibits here. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Inside - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This center has great, rotating exhibits that are typically free and open to the public. They also have one of the few Gutenberg Bibles in the world, and it's on display year round. The events are very nice and helpful. The building is located on a beautiful part of the UT campus. read more

Harry Ransom Center - The SNL Archives - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

I really liked the Lorne Micheal's exhibit. It was huge and I gave them a dollar. The Lorne exhibit was huge but moving. I really liked the exhibit on the blues brothers, Gilda and John belushi. It was so nice but I hated the Californians and not a huge fan of the cone heads . I really didn't like the Chris Farley skits. read more

Harry Ransom Center - One of my favorite actors in the works. a great exhibit about his acting and his life's work. - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

The Harry Ransom Center is a hidden gem on campus at The University of Texas at Austin. It's got a vast collection that they showcase through periodically changing exhibits. I've been here for a few different exhibits over the years and the content is always well curated. It's free to visit and there are free docent led tours periodically throughout opening hours. I'd certainly encourage others to check it out - particularly if the current exhibit is connected to your interest areas. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

The gallery was closed, but I still had a great experience. I was able to see the Niépce Heliograph and a Gutenberg Bible, which made the visit worthwhile. read more

Interesting & educational spot to check out on the UT Austin campus. And admission is free! When we went, they had "The Long Lives of Very Old Books" special exhibit, which was spectacular. We timed our visit so that we could join a tour (see times online), and I highly recommend this. The volunteer docent was so knowledgeable and spotlighted some of her favorite pieces and the interesting things about them over the course of the hour. All of the books on view were part of the Ransom Center's permanent collection (except for one which is owned by the curator). It's a shame this exhibit is temporary because I'd definitely go again and recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Aside from the special exhibits, they have a full Gutenberg Bible (one of only 5 in the U.S.) and a Frida Kahlo painting near the front, which I absolutely love, as well as a small gift shop (where you can purchase items with said Frida imagery). read more

More than just a museum, the Harry Ransom center collects and features writings and historical pieces related to performing arts, photography, literature, and more. Spend 30-60 minutes admiring the first photograph made by humankind, one of only 48 copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the world, and other neat exhibits. Very kind staff as well as plenty of benches and clean restrooms. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

I've been twice and this place is such a gem. The first time I visited, they had an exhibit on old books and the second time they had an exhibit on Ansel Adams. Both were fascinating and I left learning a ton each time. Absolutely worth a visit and they have rotating exhibits so it's worth coming back whenever there's a new one. read more

This small museum on the UT Austin campus holds an interesting collection of art. Some of it the sort of contemporary stuff that usually gets right over my head but they also have a complete Gutenberg Bible, one of only 48 surviving copies in the whole world! I'm not sure what I thought of the Edward Ruscha exhibit other than it was certainly interesting and innovative. It's a wonder to me sometimes what makes "art" and this is one of those instances. A half hour here is enough. It's a nice exhibit and it's nice that it is free with a donation box to contribute as you feel appropriate. [Review 10187 overall, 1773 of 2018.] read more

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My friend invited me to meet her here so we could catch up. I was able to find parking nearby which was helpful for me. I wish it was cheaper but hence Austin is like other cities that charge a lot for parking. The museum was free. Donations are encourage if you are so inclined. Overall, it is a smaller museum and can really see everything in a short period of time. This all depends on how much you want to ponder pieces and or read all the descriptions. Overall, it was a good museum but not the best in the area. I loved the fact it was free and easily accessible to other local things. read more

The Harry Ransom Center provides the visitor a concise, but interesting, rotating collection of items. There are a few items that are always on view, including a Gutenberg Bible and the Niepce Heliograph (the earliest photograph produced int he camera obscura). I'd always been interested in seeing a Gutenberg Bible and I was surprised to find it in its relatively simple case right behind the small reception area where you are greeted. It was easily accessible for viewing. There are other exhibits that are changed out on a regular basis. It's a relatively small area that is easy to navigate and is a nice way to spend some time on a hot, humid Austin summer day. read more

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This center is small and free (donations appreciated) but it has quite a bit in it to check out. The Robert Dinero exhibit was fun to see. There are a lot of rotating exhibits and it's a great add on to the Blanton Museum near by. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

I visited the Harry Ransom Center as part of a day trip to UT to visit the Blanton. The Harry Ransom Center was a perfect add-on to the Blanton. It's a free museum (and archive and a lot else) located only a few blocks away from the Blanton on the southwest corner of the UT campus. The temporary exhibit, which was on the Arts and Crafts Movement when I visited, was a lot larger than I expected. It was worth the trip to the Ransom Center and I'd say it would take at least an hour to experience. In addition to the Arts and Crafts exhibit, there was also a small collection of the Ransom's archive items on display which were somewhat random in their content but each was interesting on their own. This small museum even has its own small museum store which is themed according to the exhibits. Ransom also has a Gutenberg bible and the first photograph on prominent display, which were both amazing artifacts. I actually attended UT for four years in total and never knew until now that the Ransom Center has these types of exhibits. I'd recommend hitting both the Blanton and Ransom in one day, so you can get your garage parking (Brazos Garage) validated at the Blanton so it's effectively free for the Ransom Center. read more

Seriously one of the coolest, most satisfying exhibits I've stumbled upon in recent years. I wish someone had recommended this to me before I came to Austin. I didn't find out about it until the day before I left, so I felt rushed and there was a surprising amount to see in a compact space. It's cliche, but there's something for everyone: a ton of Matisse, old (or even first) editions of classics like Ulysses and Uncle Tom's Cabin, touching photos of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, notes from Albert Einstein, props and scripts from Mad Men, and of course the famous Gutenberg Bible and first photo ever taken. Best of all, it was entirely free! I got there early so I could leisurely look at things, but it seems to be a fairly popular destination for field trips that you should try to avoid if possible. Also, the front desk was kind enough to stow my bag for me, but there doesn't seem to be a coat room. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

Very cool place to visit!! We went during their "Drawing the Motion Picture" exhibit and got to see the original storyboards and screenplays of movies from a variety of genres, eras, and styles, as well as the Gutenberg Bible, one of the first ever photographs taken, an original Frida Kahlo painting, and the windows full of individual pieces of artwork. The people at the welcome desk were extremely kind and informative, and very obviously loved their jobs!! Would definitely recommend you check it out if you can! read more

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Amazing! Worth the time! Our docent was very knowledgeable and informed of the art work.

Wanted to check out some more free art in Austin, so I stumbled onto this site. Free bag check, but the person at the front desk told me to leave my bag in a locker which are off to the side. Large enough for 2 displays. I would recommend looking ahead to see what is going on there before heading out that way. read more

Thanks to a friend who works on Campus, I was given a full tour and this was one of my favorite stops! There are 3 must-sees here, 2 of which are permanent displays: -The Gutenberg Bible -The First Photograph -The Gone w/the Wind Exhibit The Gutenberg bible display is great and what a beautiful piece of preserved historical literature! They do a great job of enclosing the display case w/the book from the entryway ruckus, but be warned, you may only get a minute or two, if that, to yourself to admire the work of art as it is a tight space and people are not shy about squeezing in on you to get their peek. The First Photograph display is great as well! I actually had no idea UT even had this! The photograph itself is very small and super hard (if not impossible) to see up close. You have to stand back and admire it from afar and better yet, at an angle to make any discernible imagery out. The write-up on it is very informative! The Gone w/the Wind exhibit was neat. I have not read the book or seen the movie, so I am not, by any means, an GWtW expert, but the exhibit had props from the set, some great info, a first edition, and there were showings of the original screen tests in the auditorium. They even had this cool board to post a "post-it"of your thoughts on the exhibit to be collected and archived daily. Awesome on-campus discovery, especially for the low low price of FREE! Can't wait to see their upcoming exhibit, Alice in Wonderland! read more

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We loved learning about the kit boat. Who knew that hundreds of years ago you could buy a kit ship to build. Too bad they used it for crossing the ocean instead of short voyages. It goes to show you we're no smarter now than we were then. We also loved the Alamo exhibit. Great movie production. There were families enjoying the movie either the peaceful river scapes. Seeing an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson. The post card exhibit was fun too. We forgot about the days when you'd send postcards from your vacation. Lots to see. The staff was super friendly too. Great gift shop. read more

A cold rainy day trying to find some where to take my 82 year old father. This place did the trick. Interesting exhibits and free. We spent about hour and half. They have benches through out for the weary feet. I believe the exhibits change through out the year. Easy to park on the street on a weekend. We will be back when the exhibits change. They do tours on certain days and times. We did a self tour. Great spot on a cold rainy day. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Latest exhibit - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place was a lot smaller than expected, so it didn't take long to walk through. Definitely worth a trip to see the first Gutenberg bible and the first photograph (which are right in the front). The other things on display were meh for me. They also have acquired a lot of Mad Men memorabilia, so if you're a fan of the show - heads up! Admission is free, but I did have to pay for parking across the street in the garage. read more

The Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin is a museum, gallery, research center, learning facility, and archive. Better known as the Ransom Center, the institute is directly affiliated with and run by the university, but has plenty of public appeal. For a full run-down of the services and exhibits as well as hours for the gallery and reading room, check out the website. They manage to continually attract impressive showcases of all kind as well as display prominent and diverse permanent exhibits. The Gutenberg Bible is housed in the Ransom Center, as well as the first photograph. They are also fortunate to possess Hemingway manuscripts, Kahlo paintings, and De Niro film collections. I was lucky enough to see a nearly complete exhibition of Ansel Adams' work here, and although the gallery space pales in comparison to major museums and traveling exhibits, it is nothing to laugh at. The exterior of the building is somewhat dull compared to what can be found within its halls, but I suppose it's the inside that counts. The HRC does a nice job of bringing in historic literature, art, manuscripts, film archives, and many other cultural artifacts. The gallery and reading room is completely free and open to the public. Must-See Cultural Exhibits being held for Ransom. read more

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What a wonderful, wonderful place. The world needs more spots like the Harry Ransom Center that preserve culture and history in such an appealing environment. And admission is FREEEEE, people, FREEEEE!!! It's almost a sin not to have to pay to support an operation as incredible as this. First of all, if you go for no other reason, go see the Gutenberg Bible. The first book printed with movable type. A seminal event in world history, and in the in the world of literature, and in world culture, and basically in human society as we know it. Was that too much? At any rate, it's amazingly impressive to lay your eyes on this beaut. It's housed in a tiny, round cubicle under tinted glass, and the light only shines on it when you step into the cube. Second of all, if you go for an ancillary reason, let it be to see Nicéphore Niépce's "View from the Window at Le Gras." It's the first photograph ever taken and printed...at least from nature. Again, it's on lock-down like Fort Knox and protected from light. It's really hard to make out the scene in the picture, but it's worth the neck cramp. This thing changed media as we know it! Too far again? While we were visiting the library, there was a fabulous exhibit on Fritz Henle, a celebrated German photographer who traveled extensively taking incredible photos of the people and places he encountered, and who also worked as a fashion and commercial photographer for publications like LIFE Magazine and Harper's Bazaar. This exhibit was huge and works displayed were beautiful. Also showing during our visit was a Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam exhibit. The Ransom center had hundreds of Rubaiyats in all its various incarnations and languages. The Ransom library isn't on most people's radars, so it was pleasantly uncrowded on our visit. We practically had the place to ourselves, which made our stroll through the library very nice and very quiet. It was *well worth* the visit. read more

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Only three stars? I must explain: This place has an amazing collection, true. However, be aware that only two items are on permanent display: A complete Gutenberg Bible (one of about five in the US), and the world's first photograph. The other exhibits rotate every six months, and the exhibit space is rather small. As a photography enthusiast, the first photograph was a must-see. It is the singular original first photograph ever taken by Niepce. If you have any interest in the history of photography, this artifact alone is worth the trip. Also I took the free tour of the public exhibits, which was quite detailed and informative. And the center is free of charge. So, I give them one star for the Bible, one for the photograph, and one for the free admission; three stars. I just have to take away one star because it is frustrating to know that there are so many other amazing artifacts here that are NOT on public display. The exhibit space is not very large overall (just one floor), so even though the collection is in a league with world-class museums, the public exhibits are not nearly as wide or comprehensive as a major museum. So, for the casual visitor, it's kind of hit-or-miss. If a Gutenberg Bible and first photograph in the world are not interesting to you, then it all depends if the temporary exhibit is interesting to you. Minus another star because no photography was allowed. This is understandable, but there are many major museums around the world which do allow it. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Brochure about the first photograph ever taken. - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great place to see some art on UT's campus. The exhibit is small (but hey, it's free!) and afterwards you can walk around UT. They have a Gutenberg bible in the lobby and the rest of the museum is special exhibits. When I went they were doing an exhibit on art and literature that related to the bible. Great place to spend an hour or so. Parking was really hard in the area, due to all the students. But there is a paid parking structure right across the street and a slightly more expensive paid lot outside as well. read more

This place is a pretty sweet university museum, especially considering it's free to the public. Every now and then they have some pretty tight exhibits come through. One of the coolest they've had was one on the Beat generation. They had original notes and sketches by Burroughs and Ginsberg and others, as well as the original scroll of Kerouac's "On the Road." They also had a presentation on Edgar Allen Poe, which was really cool. I believe this place also houses the very first photograph ever taken, from like 1820 or something. Definitely worth going if you're in the area. read more

What an amazing place! I stopped in here with a friend back in March to see the Alice in Wonderland exhibit and it was amazing. The Center has a very impressive collection and it was presented in a engaging manner. The Gutenberg Bible and the first permanent photograph in existence were just icing on the cake. Admission is free and it's an amazing experience to view these artifacts. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in literature and history! read more

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Cool museum on UT's campus that has amazing exhibits! I was recently there for the Gone with the Wind exhibit, and I'm hoping to make it back for the Alice in Wonderland exhibit!! read more

Harry Ransom Center - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We got a nice free tour from a docent.I learned a lot of new information abs we learned about the differences between family friendly and not friendly family values . I learned about Burt willams, whi was vaudeville . Did not count nadir, fields and bo jangles were and Basie were vaudervilke performers and Jim Crowe. He was an actor who pryayed hjm ad a real person. Never heard of tony pastor before. He was a real life family man. The circuits of vaderville was interesting. It was very interesting. The woman gave us a lot of useful info. read more

Harry Ransom Center - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

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What a great place to visit. The HRC is located on the UT Campus and there is a parking garage right next to it. They have one of the The Gutenberg Bible's and the First Photograph always on display. The exhibits are changing throughout the year. The museum is really nice and kept up. The staff are super friendly and love having people come to visit. The exhibits are free but donations are accepted. They have tours of the exhibits at certain times that are also free. I highly recommend coming here for all their exhibits. It's fun, free and something to do and you can learn a lot. read more

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First off, the UT campus has so many attractions and things to see, such as the Texas History Museum, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Ransom Museum and more. Do your research ahead of time, so you don't have to go back and forth from home three times, like we did. The Ransom museum was hosting a phenomenal exhibit about the making of the film "Gone With the Wind." I was thrilled to see if on the second to last day. There is an "Alice in Wonderland" exhibit right on the heels of this one, which also sounded like it would be worth a visit. Check the website for guided tour times - admission is free, as are the tours, but a donation is appreciated. It was breathtaking to see five dresses from Gone With the Wind (three original), and fascinating to learn about the historical context. The director kept everything...including a letter he received from the Ku Klux Klan, offering to consult on any historical accuracies, supply extras for the film, or to provide security for the set. Can you imagine?! It was a trip to see the Klan's official stationary, but unnerving to think what it must have been like for someone who employs African Americans to receive such a request. There were also some script notes for Clark Gable's famous, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Due to new film regulations/censors of the time, the scriptwriters were being strongly encouraged to work their way around the word "damn." Some alternatives were, "I don't give a hoot," "I don't give a straw," and "That makes me go cold." read more

Harry Ransom Center - The Drapes Dress and hat worn by Vivien Leigh - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

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A free mini-museum with unique exhibits? Sign me up! This was a cool collection of kind of random things. Some was a specific exhibit with art of a certain time period. Other 2-3 pieces would just be connected by a small theme. In any case, this was a nice place to read about various artifacts, photos, and paintings. Nice small gift shop (or more like a gift bookcase =)), too! read more

Harry Ransom Center - Some good rationale and context! - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

The Ransom Center at the University of Texas has one of the most impressive arts and humanities-based archival collections in the country. Its special exhibitions pull from the cache of materials housed there, and admission is free (donations accepted)! It's amazing that they give the general public access to extremely rare materials that might normally only be available to scholars. What can you expect to see? When I was there, the show Stories to Tell: Selections from the HRC was on view in the galleries. They had a costume from the Ballet Russes, Robert De Niro's jacket that he wore in Taxi Driver, a hat that Vivian Leigh wore in Gone with the Wind, James Joyce's original notes for Ulysses, original notes by Albert Einstein, original notes from Gabriel Garcia Marquez and David Foster Wallace, Walker Evans Depression-era photos, and even a mini coffin full of sugar that had been threateningly sent to actress Gloria Swanson! As you enter the Center, there are very helpful people stationed at the information kiosk. Check the HRC website to see what exhibition is currently on display, and also when daily guided tours are scheduled. This was one of the most enjoyable activities I did in Austin. read more

This was a wonderful stop to kill some time between events and it's FREE. I could've spent hours here reading through all the works they've collected. My husband enjoyed the collection of Einstein's papers on gravitational wave equations. If you're a literature lover like my brother, make an appointment a day in advance to see original writings works not on display. Very cool museum on the UT campus. read more

Harry Ransom Center - My husband fawning all over Einstein's equations on gravitational waves from the 1950s. - Museums Near Me - Austin, Texas

After spending an afternoon touring the UT campus [point of order: what a fine lookin' institution...and some FINE honeys!! Wow! If I went to a college like this, I would have had SUCH a different experience. Let's just say my school isn't known for attractiveness.], I thought I needed some culcha. I'd heard about the museum and thought that it would be a nice balance to the fact that I'd spent some time being 'that guy' at the UT Rec Room [again. Wow! That place looks like a high-end workout facility. The poolS were ridiculous and the hotties all around made me wanna strip down and jump in. And then I remember that I don't work out. I eat cupcakes. Oh, life.]. First off: air conditioning. How glorious it is to have on a hot Spring day when you've been walking all over campus. I would give this place stars just for the cool, refreshing breeze. But, there's so much more to discover. There's the first photograph (trippy). There's the Gutenberg Bible (humbling). There are cool exhibits. When I was there, there was a Hollywood exhibit going on. I liked the fact that the exhibit was broken down in components: Actors, Writers, Directors, Set Designers, Costumers, Sound Engineers, etc. It gave a fantastic sense of what it takes to make a movie as well as a nice sneak peek into the inner workings of the talkies. I got to read some liner notes from Robert DeNiro, check out some cool costumes from famous movies and get depressed after seeing photos of Piggy (really? You're gonna beat up on the chubby kid with glasses? Really?) and script from The Deer Hunter (so, THAT'S why I was advised not to watch it; how horribly depressing). I was enthralled. The cost for cool relaxation and investigation into Hollywood's inner workings: zero dollars. That's right: zero dollars. If in Austin, stop in. It's a fantastic way to spend an afternoon and it'll make you feel smart and cultured after spending time trying to pass as a 20 year old (what? I can totally pull it off!). read more

I spent a semester here doing research on Watergate from Woodward and Bernstein's original notes. That may not mean much to some folks, but for journalism geeks (and a lot of geeks of other stripes) this is the ONLY place you can find some original manuscripts and early prints. They also put on interesting exhibits for free on the first floor -- the history of photography and the history of print were well fleshed out by their collection, and others have been equally interesting. You do have to have some affiliation with UT (or permission from the center) to use the research collections, and you have to sit through a silly orientation video, and you may have to use gloves or these felt things to handle manuscripts, but it's well worth it. read more