Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, Austin (must see)

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, located in Austin, is a notable institution among the 13 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Dedicated on May 22, 1971, in a ceremony attended by Johnson himself and then-President Richard Nixon, the library serves as a significant repository of historical documents. It houses an impressive collection of 45 million pages, encompassing the papers of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, along with documents from his close associates and other related figures.

Mark K. Updegrove, a renowned presidential historian, currently directs this library, which stands adjacent to the LBJ School of Public Affairs. The facility spans a 14-acre campus, operating independently under federal management, separate from The University of Texas at Austin. One of its most striking features is the top-floor replica of the Oval Office, recreated at 7/8ths scale and styled as it was during Johnson's presidency.

The museum aspect of the library offers a dynamic range of exhibits. It invites the public to engage with its permanent historical and cultural displays, as well as a variety of traveling exhibits, throughout the year. Unique among presidential libraries, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum does not charge admission, a factor contributing to its status as the most visited presidential library. This attribute underscores the library's commitment to accessibility and public education about the life and times of President Johnson and the era he influenced.