Texas Military Forces Museum

Address:	2200 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703, USA
Phone:	+1 512-782-5659
Site:	texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org
Rating:	4.7
Working:	Closed 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 20

A Private User

My favorite free place in Austin! The museum is only open W-Su from 10-4 and make sure all adults have their ID to get onto Camp Mabry. This museum has provided numerous hours of entertainment for me and my 3 year-old son. My son enjoys pretending to cook meals on the mess truck in the Great Hall, sitting in the cockpit in the Air Guard Gallery, and trying on uniforms. There are so many amazing artifacts in this old mess hall and there are always numerous volunteers available to answer any questions you may have. All kinds and eras of vehicles both inside and outside the museum. I am always baffled when we are the only ones at the museum. Its educational, free, historic, and fun! Why are more people not here??? Go visit! Bring a few bucks to donate and enjoy your visit. And while youre there you can also walk on the mile long track that goes right by the aircraft you can see from MoPac. We also enjoy walking to the pond on Camp Mabry (you can fish but must talk to the guards when you enter) and exploring nature. Deer galore if you go early enough, lots of animal tracks, and tons of ducks and turtles at the water.

Greg Houston

Fantastic little-known military museum!!! Located in the heart of central Austin is Camp Maby. The museum covers the history of Texas military from the Alamo to present day. They have a large collection of tanks and other armored vehicles stretching from World War 2 to recent. There are also aircraft on static display located across the street around the jogging track. The museum puts on various reenactments (Civil War, Cavalry, World War 2) throughout the year. The biggest is the World War 2 reenactment between American and German forces done each April during the American Heroes Airshow. It lasts about 20-25 minutes and includes tank battles, infantry using rifles and machine guns. Some years they include attack aircraft. Definitely not something to let pass by!

Charles Carlin

When I made a turn and ended up at the front gate with a guard speaking to me I wondered what I was getting into. The guard asked for ID and if I had any weapons. I said I was not much of a Texan as all I had was a pocket knife. Without a blink the guard said that the museum was closed on Mondays and I could view the tanks and the planes. He said right at the first stop sign, right at the next stop and I would find things.The plane and chopper collection is small, only a few of each. but when I got the the tanks, WOW! more tanks here than at the Patton Museum in the Mojave. Tanks and launchers and troop carriers and more. An impressive collection. Now I have to come back and see what is in the museum. Next time in Austin, it will be a stop.

Douglas George

Excellent military museum that covers the US history from the very early Spanish conquistadors to modern day. Emphasis is on the contribution of Texas and Texans over the years. Different displays, vehicles, weapons, & memorabilia from different conflicts. Museum is on Camp Mabry and is FREE! Indoor exhibit is air conditioned and has a lot of really great stuff. Alamo exhibit tries to dispel myths but admits that there is limited "real" detail available. Lots of tanks & artillery outside so in the summer its hot but there is a little shade.

Andrew Cedergren

Loved this place and was amazing it was free! A little bit of an experience to get to it as you have to drive through a checkpoint at a military base and through the base roads, but its not bad (just three rights at stop signs). Once you are there there are lots of equipment and tanks outside the building, and endless stuff inside. Great displays on the war on terror, lost squadron, military vehicles and the Texan wars. Worth a stop, you should definitely check it out!

Alvin

Im a reservist at Camp Mabry. I took my family there and they loved it. The museum is underrated and many people dont know about it. They have really good preserved military vehicles indoor and outdoor, very neat small scaled models of battles the Texas National Guard fought in, and a lot of educational material. And its all FREE. Just show your drivers license at the gate and theyll let you in.

maria onufrow

Surprisingly large exhibit. Stopped in with our boys while in Austin and found this gem. Military exhibits with artifacts and stories from TX independence to the present. If you are interested in the subject matter you could easily spend a half day here. Interesting, lots of vehicles both inside and out; some hands-on things for older kids. Good for elementary age and older.

andre bosshardt

I never went to military museums before. This museum has a lot to show and you will walk away with a better understanding of what our Men and Women sacrifice for us daily. I now go to all events offered to the public. Please help keep this and all military museums open. Support them along with all our service men and women.

Cale Yarborough

Great Museum!!! I had no idea this was in Austin. Their reenactment battle on Memorial Day is something you cant miss! Pyro, tanks and machine guns along with a great history lesson. Really helped tell the story of why Memorial Day is so important, it definitely gave me a new respect for all those who have fought for us.

jemi balcarcel

Muy interesante lugar para llevar a los niños además quienes trabajan allí saben mucho y te hablan sobre sus propias experiencias excelentes personas

Carley Tucker

Best kept secret in Austin! Free museum. Very interesting history. They also put on special events throughout the year. Weve seen a WWII reinactment and at the recent Hands on History night, I got to climb into a Sherman tank and hold a WWII era M1919. Very cool!

A Private User

Newly renovated with lots of new exhibits and military vehicles. Great for history buffs, soldiers, and families with kids (kids love all the tanks). Uniquely Texas museum with a great staff for anyone interested in military or family history research.

ricardo rivera

Really cool place with alot of history the museum looks small from the oitside bit it is really big inside and also all the military vehicles they have are great and the place is free and its a great activity for kids and grown ups too

Julie Hardaway

Awe inspiring, from stories of the Lost Battalion to Fort Donnelson. There is a new section with many regimental Confederate flags preserved. Very well done! (Except the founding of Jamestown was in 1607, not 1608.)

BornAgain Sports

A must see if you are interested in Texas and Texas Military history. Cool items you wont see anywhere else. A bit awkward to find. Can easily access with identification (drivers license, military ID, or DoD ID).

Katie Tousignant

Excellent free museum on Camp Mabry base. The people working there are extremely knowledge and can provide even more stories behind some of the artifacts. The collection of military vehicles is also impressive.

Thorsten Bartling

Cute little museum - free entrance and just the right size for short attention spans. The outdoor display of armored vehicles including tanks and howitzers will be of interest too.

Elmitote Arandas

Recomendado muchas cosas y artículos importantes..gracias a..y Gratis....

Sandra Fabian-Ramirez

I love learning about history. They have some cool artifacts and other history pieces to look at. The kids love getting to walk around and actually touch the items.

Rebecca Lynn Davis

Absolutely fascinating!! Free to visit, and super friendly staff. Visit if you have the opportunity to, even if you have to drive a bit to get there. Its worth it.