Austin Meeting Planner & Destination Guide 2008

GROUP TOUR PLANNING the complex. Situated adjacent to a grand plaza, the 56,000-squarefoot building will house a 300-seat auditorium, 60-seat lecture hall, several classrooms, a stylish Cafe and the museum shop. Grab lunch at The Story of Texas Cafe in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Grab lunch at The Story of Texas Cafe in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Harry Ransom Center — The Ransom Center houses one of the world’s finest cultural archives. Highlights DAY 2 Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum — Relive the pages of Texas history at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, an IMAX® Theatre and the multi-sensory Texas Spirit Theatre bring the myths, legends and facts of the Lone Star State together under one roof. You can also enjoy lunch at the Story of Texas Cafe and browse around the museum gift shop. Suggested time: 4 hours including theaters. Docents are available. The Blanton Museum of Art — Set on the edge of the University of Texas’ campus, the Blanton Museum of Art offers a brilliant collection of masterpieces in its permanent and changing exhibits, along with public space for special events. Since moving into its new state-of-theart facility in April of 2006, the museum is now recognized as the largest university art museum in the country. Docents are available. The second phase of the museum opens in summer 2008 to complete include Woodward and Bernstein’s Watergate papers, a rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible, the world’s first photograph, paintings by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and manuscripts of James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, to name a few. Suggested Time: 1 hour. Docents available. Free Attraction. Texas Memorial Museum — Two floors of all-new exhibits feature dinosaurs, fossils, gems, minerals and wildlife, as well as a cutting-edge 3D visualization facility showing realistic images of fossils and a fossil preparation area staffed by a working paleontologist. Suggested Time: 1 hour. Docents available. Cost is $1 per student for guided tours, with accompanying adults free. Self-guided groups and general museum admission are free of charge. After dinner, take in a show at one of Austin’s many theaters and cultural arts venues. For a unique evening, learn about Austin’s haunted past with Haunted Texas Tours. PRESIDENTIAL CORRIDOR For true history buffs, Central Texas offers a behind-thescenes look at three of America’s presidents: Lyndon B. Johnson, George Bush and his son, George W. Bush. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library & Museum provides an indepth look at the 36th president’s life and the world events of his time. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station explores his presidency and pays tribute to former first lady Barbara Bush. Another tribute to a first lady is the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. Known for her crusade to keep America beautiful, Lady Bird’s love for wildflowers is evident here. Certain locales in Austin played host to significant moments in these presidents’ lives. The Driskill Hotel is where LBJ and Lady Bird had their first date, while the Four Seasons is where George W. Bush watched his presidential election returns in 2000. ©Richard Cummins W W W. A U S T I N T E X A S . O R G 65 http://WWW.AUSTINTEXAS.ORG

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Austin Meeting Planner & Destination Guide 2008 Contents Austin At Your Service Convention Facilities Convention Hotels & Local Accommodations Convention Services Group Tour Planning Banquet & Special Event Facilities Dining & Nightlife Attractions & Activities Transportation

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