You can’t miss the Bullock Museum, which tells the the story of Texas on three floors: Just look for the 35 foot tall bronze star out front. Visitors can follow the history of the Lone Star state from 1821 on, through its time as a territory of Spain and then Mexico to its independence as a country, and finally statehood in the U.S. The heart of the current displays is the La Belle, a French ship that was exploring the Gulf of Mexico when it sank in Matagorda Bay in 1686. Its wreckage was discovered in 1995, excavated two years later, and reassembled inside the museum in 2015. Daily screenings take place at the Texas Spirit Theater and the Bullock IMAX, the largest IMAX screen in Texas.
Every third Thursday of the month, the Bullock Texas State History Museum stays open an extra two hours and provides special programming on a theme. This month, visitors can experience a bit of France’s rich history and culture via hands-on activities and exhibitions: Explore “Becoming Texas” to learn about French explorer LaSalle and how his ship sinking changed history; play a game with local org Austin Accueil; sample some vino with Texas Connection Wines; and design your own wine charm in the craft corner. Amusez-vous bien! – Kat McNevinsThu., March 21.