George W. Bush Presidential Center

Incredible experience here at the George W. Bush Presidential Center! We visited on Memorial Day. There's a parking lot right across the street - parking was easy & cost $10.00 (if I'm not mistaking). Right on the campus of SMU, the center is beautifully surrounded. The center has a bunch of discounts for entry, I did not fit any of those criteria so my admission was $26. Everything was very informative & we enjoyed all of the interactive elements. I loved the decision-making simulator, it really puts things into perspective. I also loved getting to see all of the gifts that President George W. Bush received while in office. Seeing the oval-office remake was also a wonderful experience. There is an option to get your picture taken. I enjoyed seeing all of the 9/11 exhibits, always brings a tear to my eye - they did an incredible job with the exhibitions. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful - very knowledge & ready to answer any questions! We had a wonderful experience!

This was a great experience. The tour was self guided, but there were several volunteers who were happy to provide additional information. The 9-11 section was amazing, overwhelming, and very emotional. Also, a full replica of the Oval Office is on site, and you can get your picture taken. While here, don't miss out on Cafe 43! The food was fantastic!!

Great museum that offers a fascinating look into the Bush presidency. The George W. Bush Presidential Center does an excellent job showcasing the major policies of the Bush administration, with a strong focus on the war on terror. One of the highlights for me was the replica Oval Office—it was very cool to see in person. But even more impressive was the actual situation room from the White House (circa 2006), which added a real sense of history and authenticity. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, always ready to answer questions and provide more context. There are also plenty of interactive exhibits that make the experience engaging and informative for all ages. The location on SMU’s campus is beautiful and adds to the overall atmosphere. Highly recommend if you’re in the Dallas area!

Great place to visit for all ages. Very informative and you can easily spend 3-4 hours in here. Gives you all the info of Ex president Bush and his family and all the things he has done while he was president. It also includes about what happened on 9/11 and also a lot of information about his wife and their life.

Spent a few hours at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Amazing experience. Really interesting exhibits from 9/11 to the Oval Office. Really enjoyed the Texas Rose Garden. Also loved the opening movie on the 360 degree screen. They have a great shop at the Library and really good restaurant (Cafe 43). Do not miss the big statues of President George W Bush and President George. HW. Bush. The library is a must visit when in Dallas. Christmas is also a special time at the Library.

As a public school history teacher in a predominantly immigrant-based area of Massachusetts, my soul has been battered since President Trump took office. Touring this museum, and remembering that Republican and Democratic presidents have long agreed on basic decency, the importance of education and libraries, and the value empathy and organizations like USAID…this blessed my soul more than I can communicate. I spent maybe 40 min just sitting and praying in the section on freedom. Yes God!!! Freedom!!! For ALL. Humanity and dignity for ALL. “To whom much is given, much WILL be required.” “Our society must welcome, value, and protect everyone. To recognize our nation’s full potential, we must foster independence, reward innovation, and replace poverty with prosperity.” George W. Bush “The best public policy is one that shows compassion for others.” “Public service, to me, means serving something greater than yourself and helping other people.” Freedom. Accountability. Opportunity. Compassion. I’ve gone back to John Winthrop’s sermon about “a city on a hill” so much, as I live in Massachusetts, where those words were spoken. Winthrop said that we would lose the blessing of God if we turned aside from humanity to greed. I believe this is true. Thanks for quoting Winthrop and so many freedom fighters and thinkers!!! We need this history now more than ever: American history!!!

Overall, I was impressed by this presidential museum. The most interesting parts were the replica of the oval office when George W. Bush was president and the decision table game. However, the rose garden was underwhelming since there were only a few roses there, which might've been a seasonal thing but otherwise a neat addition to the experience.

Such good reminders of what's important. The kids are learning SO much about the 3 branches of govt, the constitution, world issues Bush encountered, gifts to America on display, Oval office, paintings he's done, and so much more!

Very nice Museum, or Presidential Center. This is my tenth Presidential Museum and this is a good one. I knew a lot about GWB before entering the museum, but still got a better sense and feeling about the man after leaving it. It does a real nice job incorporating Laura Bush into the Museum. I spent about two hours there, could have spent a little more time. People working there were very knowledgeble and friendly. Thanks for a great visit. Only bad thing is they charge you for parking....really?

We love visiting presidential libraries,, and were excited to add this one to the list. It is located in the downtown Dallas area, on the SMU campus. There is a designated parking lot, which is important because, as the case is on many college campuses, most of the lots require special permits. One thing I really liked about this library is that there are many very helpful docents throughout. One near the ticket desk shared with us the history of the three dimensional presidential seal that hangs from the ceiling directly over the ticket desk. It was originally commissioned to hang in a building owned by Trammel Crow, a very well known Dallas developer. Apparently, it is the only 3-D presidential seal in existence. In the ticket lobby you also get to see many display cases of gifts given to the president during his term of office. The library itself is very well laid out, following the timeline of his presidency. There was quite an interesting section devoted to his election, the hanging chad's, and the Supreme Court involvement, that was hugely interesting. The section on 9/11 is very moving and well done. You get to also view the oval office as it was when he was in office. Another docent shared with us that the presidential seal on the front of the desk in the oval office has the eagle's head facing in the "incorrect" direction. The desk was created before a law was put in place design designating which way the eagle's head was to face. In the oval office, you had the chance to sit behind the desk and take photos. The library also has a professional who will take a photo for you, that will be printed and waiting for you at the ticket desk to purchase. When you leave the oval office, be sure to exit the building and check out the replicated rose garden. A docent shared with us that George and Laura intend to be buried in this area when they pass. At the end of the tour, don't miss the video created by their daughters, it is a humorous look at a more personal side of his personality. We enjoyed our visit to the library immensely. To be honest, I would say his father's library, and the Reagan library, were much better experiences, but overall, we were very happy with our visit.

My in laws wanted to check this out while we were in town. Im not going to lie that my kids weren't overly excited to go to a museum for a president they weren't familiar were, but a little history lesson never hurt anyone. I was more impressed than I expected to be. It brought me back to my 20s when Bush was president and I even learned a few things about his presidency and his family. It was all interactive which made it tolerable for the kids and they loved sitting in the mock oval office. The entire museum itself is well done and beautiful. We didn't get to eat at cafe 43 (43rd president - get it?), but the Yelp reviews looked solid. The museum itself it also located on SMUs beautiful campus, which was nice to see. It was a one and done experience for our family, but an enjoyable and interesting morning. It's also the only presidential library I've visited, which made me curious to check out more!

Third museum stop in one day. Hard to find at first. Saw parking lot and asked a student on the sidewalk where it was. A sign would be helpful. Watched a video and read about the life if George W or dubya Bush. There is a replica room of the oval office how it looked when George W was president. Also gifts from visitors from around the world, white house China, first lady Laura's gowns and more. It was a nice museum. The only hiccup and complaint is if you enter the gift shop, you cannot go back in the hall. You need to go outside and reenter through armed security checkpoint. Review 9 in 2025.

This was the third stop on our quest to visit all 13 Presidential Libraries affiliated with the National Archives. My Yelp BFF Justin T. and I were eager to get another stamp in our Presidential Library Passports. The GWB Presidential Library is located on the campus of SMU. We were disappointed that parking wasn't free ($10 for the first four hours). Additionally, the admission fee was more expensive ($25) compared to the other two presidential libraries in TX. The staff at this museum were extremely friendly and very helpful. At times, I felt like some staff members were giving us a private tour. Some of them were very knowledgeable (the woman in the Oval Office Replica and the gentleman who gave a talk on the Situation Room). We attended the presentation on The Situation Room. The gentleman that gave the talk (I think his name was John), was very informative and passionate about presidential history. Next to the conference room was the actual Situation Room from GWB's administration. I thought it was a replica, but everything was the original except for the president's chair. Fun fact: Whenever an item like the Situation Room or Air force One are decommissioned/upgraded, that president has the option to save it for their library. GWB was offered the Situation Room after it was renovated in 2007. Apparently the only other library with a Situation Room is Reagan's. Everyone was respectful when touring the Situation Room and I was surprised that they allowed photos. It was really cool to learn that the Situation Room began during the Kennedy administration after the Bay of Pigs incident. It was bare bones compared to today's Situation Room. I did not realize that each seat is designated by cabinet position. It was awesome to see photos of Secretary Condoleezza Rice and the progression of her seat assignment as she moved up the ranks. I found the Freedom Matters section to be fascinating and extremely relevant. I didn't know there were different types of democracies (direct and representative). The section dedicated to 9/11 was very poignant. It was so moving to see an actual mangled beam from the WTC in the middle of the museum. I also enjoyed the section that showcased Laura Bush's work in literacy and education. It was cool to see posters from previous National Book Festivals in D.C. I have yet to attend the National Book Festival, but I have attended the Texas Book Festival in Austin a few times which she co-founded. We went out to the rose garden, but the flowers weren't in bloom yet. George and Laura have a plot in the garden that they will be buried at (just like George H.W. and Barbara at their library in College Station). Out of the three libraries in Texas, this is the only one with a restaurant on site (Café 43). I was expecting it to be a more casual grab and go café, but this was a full service restaurant. We ate lunch there and it was very good! If you have a Presidential Library Passport, you can get it stamped at the front desk. You can also get it stamped in the gift shop, but I was happy to be able to do it when we arrived so I could get it out of the way. Just as I felt when visiting Bush 41's library, it is a strange yet interesting experience to visit a museum that showcases artifacts and events that happened in your life time. If you enjoy US history, go visit this library.

On our first ever trip to Texas our family visited 2 Presidential Libraries. George H.W and W, both Father and Son! The George W. Bush Library is located on the campus on SMU in Dallas. Parking is easily located across the street and was $10. The George W. Bush Library is not as big as his father's library in College Station, but it was still a nice library to visit. 2 sections of the library that I thought were nicely done is the 9/11 memorial. There is a huge piece of wreckage displayed next to several walls that hold the names of everyone who lost their life that day. A very sad, but honoring tribute. The other area is the full replica of the Oval Office. In some of the other libraries that I have visited, there is an oval office desk, but not all of them have a full replica of the office. In this room you can take pictures sitting at the desk. There is a staff member that will also take a professional picture of you that you can purchase at the end of the tour. They are not allowed to hold your phone, so if you want a group picture you have to purchase it. They will let you take your own photos, but that means someone sits out from your group. Compared to other Presidential Libraries, this one is small but done well. We spent about 2 hours here on our last day, before heading to the airport. There is a cafe here that you can eat at. We didn't get a chance to stop here, but you can make reservations. One of the staff told us that Laura Bush often stops by when she is there.

One of my friends during my Dallas trip loves visiting museums and historical sites, so this was on his must see. Definitely did not regret going as I was amazed at all of the stuff they put in including his oval office, the situation room, and even one of the metal beams from ground zero. The entire museum is simply well put together on Bush's administration and his achievements. You're going to want to put at least two hours aside in order to see everything. Well worth the visit.

President Bush is 43rd president in my lifetime. The museum has started with his life when he moved to the political field in 2000 elections. It was very close race with laser thin victory in Florida. His 2004 election is a big win in comparison to 2000 elections. During his presidency, the museum show the 9/11 terrorist attack. It was a sad day during that time. The museum shows healing and the war on terror begins. The war includes global terror war over the earth that includes Iraq war. The museum includes the new policies that he has achieved. These policies include no child left behind and homeland security. He also has some problems such as social security, medical care, growth in business sectors. The museum also includes some humor side of the president narrator by his daughter.

Bush President Library is the president in my lifetime. I have experience the same country experiences during my prime time. One thing that captures our time during his presidency is the 911. This disaster brings everyone to tear then the healing begins. At the museum, there a piece of the world trade center steel beam located in the middle of the hall. During the Bush era, there are few good things happening in the country. His policy includes no child left behind, homeland security, immigration, social security, and medicare. During his presidency, there is a fight of global terrorist. This includes the Iraq war. The museum includes many gift from different countries. It also show how he described to run for president. The first term narrow election and the second term large win elections. Overall, he our 43rd president. The only thing is he needs to really improve is reducing our national debt. That was not happening.

This museum is laid out nicely with so much to see. It gives in depth information on Former President Bush from his childhood, to the Florida recount, to 9/11 and beyond. We enjoyed our visit and all the museum had to offer.

The Oval Office recreation was really cool! They put a lot of attention to detail in there and it's supposed to be spot-on! The most moving part was the 9/11 exhibit and the metal beams that they had from the twin towers. They are huge and all twisted and broken from the event. The staff here is very knowledgeable and friendly. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty empty. Plenty of room to see the exhibits though and we were never cramped or rushed through. I think the price is a bit high, at $25 a person. They do offer a discount for active duty and military veterans though.

I wouldn't consider myself a history buff by any means, but the presidency of the United States has always fascinated me. One of my personal goals is to visit all 13 of the presidential libraries all over the country. Joining me on this goal is my Yelp bestie Tiffany J. This library is the third for me and the final Texas one. We decided to make a day trip out of it and arrived shortly after they opened. Like the other Texas libraries, this one was located within a university campus, this particular one being Southern Methodist University. Located right off the highway, it was easy to find among this pretty campus. Unlike the other libraries, parking came with a fee here. The staff here was incredibly welcoming and ready to assist at every corner. There was definitely some true southern hospitality here. The building itself is great to look at but did not have the wow factor of the other two Texas libraries. Being the latest library to be made, I was expecting a little more. Size wise, this was the smallest out of the three. I have a connection to George W. Bush because he was on the ballot when I was first able to vote. I also saw him as a wartime president after 9/11. It was cool to see some of the things from his childhood, his elections and even things from 9/11. They had a whole section of the tour that showed things from the World Trade Center including large, tangled beams from all the debris. There were many things from the White House including an Oval Office replica. One of my favorite exhibits and informational talks was the Situation Room. Whenever something is retired or changed in the White House, that president has the option to have it saved for libraries like this. The other libraries had presidential vehicles and what not, but this library had the actual situation room, complete with furniture and wood paneling on the walls. They brought everything piece by piece from the White House. If only those walls could talk. There is also a café which we took part in and a gift shop. Overall, this was the library I was really looking forward to in Texas and I left quite happy with the visit. It wasn't as cool as the other ones, but I did not feel like it was a wasted trip. It should definitely be checked out atleast once!

Regardless of your politics, I recommend going to the presidential center. It has a lot of great artifacts documenting the President's time in office. There was a great exhibit about 9/11. Also, I liked the interactive exhibit where a challenging scenario the president faced (Hurricane Katrina response, Financial collapse, etc.). The scenario presents you with multiple perspectives of what to do and you have to make a decision. At the end, they share what President Bush did. This is a good example of critically thinking about challenges faced that I think helps to trigger healthy discussion, something desperately needed in our hyper polarized political climate. Last, military members get free admission!

I enjoy visiting Presidential Museums throughout the country and this is my 3rd one. I'm familiar with Dubya's history and remember his presidency pretty well. The museum provided some new details about his life I wasn't aware of. There's plenty to see and read throughout the museum and the presentation and flow is well designed. My favorite attractions were: 9/11 displays: It was a somber reminder of a rough time for Americans. The production was informative and professionally done. Oval Room: This exact replica was super cool to check out and makes one feel like they're in the White House. There's a photographer there to take your pic at the President's desk for you to purchase later if you like. Yep, I did it lol Presidential Decision Making Room: This interactive group attraction was a blast. With touch screens, the group is presented with a real event which required a Presidential decision. Your answers were matched with President Bush's decision. Our case study was the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Definitely give it a run. The gift shop had plenty of great Dubya souvenirs and clothing. I have to give a major shout out to the staff. They were super friendly at every point of contact. They would engage with the crowd and all were very knowledgeable about the displays. Super Kudos! Definitely swing by if you're in the SMU area. =)

We didn't know what to expect, and found ourselves spending two hours taking in the exhibits. They do a nice job having different elements of Bush's Presidency called out with exhibits that were easy to navigate. The replica of the Oval Office is neat to take in (be aware the photos taken by the photographer are for purchase). The Situation room presentation over near the exit of the museum was probably our favorite. The volunteers did a great job talking about the history of the Situation room over a number of Presidents and helped you appreciate the fact what they have at the museum is the real thing.

Being there reminded me again on how proud I am to be an American and all the sacrifices others made to enable us to have the freedom that we enjoy.

My visit to the GWB presidential library and museum was awesome, the whole experience was like a walk down memory lane for me and my family. I'm a New Yorker who was there for the whole September 11 tragedy and remembering how the President did his best to handle the aftermath of it all. Seeing two of the metal beams from the building was emotional because a lot innocent Americans lost their lives that day. However, it also reminded me of how unified we were as a nation and patriotic we were during this time and that I will never forget. In all, it was great to see what the museum had to offer and walking through the replica of the president's Oval Office. God bless the United States of America and keep us all safe please. Amen.

Another great presidential library. The Bush library hold essential artifacts, movie clips and information on the events that was going on leading up to his administration, during and after. A piece of a twisted I- beam from 911, the Oval Office while he was in office, his launch of the No Child Left behind and more. Take a stroll in the garden park outside the library.

I came to Texas on a business trip, and I was given free time for a day, so I was thinking about where to go. I found the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum not far from the hotel I stayed at, so I drove to visit here. At the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, you can learn more about the biography of President George W. Bush and his dedication to America as president. Except for the security guard at the entrance, most of the guides to the museum were people of the age as grandparents. I was moved by all of them, despite their age, were passionate about their duties, and explained hard the achievements of President Bush. I thank and applaud them once again. Anyway, I had a great time here at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. When I get married and have children later, I will have to visit again with my family.

I wanted to visit because I have never been to a presidential library so I had never been to one. It was better than I imagined. I thought it would be a little dry like history can be but I was very wrong. So much of his presidency was filled with big events. The 9-11 section brought back that day so vividly. There were policies and causes he championed that were new to me. I have always loved Laura Bush so seeing some of her gowns and her work for the American children was inspiring. It was a great visit and well worth the admission price

I decided to finally visit this museum after living here for a year and then it was closed during the federal shutdown the last time we visited Dallas as I enjoy visiting presidential libraries. I have visited the following libraries 1. Ronald Regan 2. Richard Nixon 3. Lyndon B Johnson 4. George Bush Sr You do need to buy tickets online and make a reservation for time. You do need to wear a mask coming here even after Texas has opened up for 2 years. If you forgot one like me, well they will provide you one. You then go through security. The place overall has a fancy feel towards this on the outside and looks really nice. To the right hand side they have a big exhibit of presidential humor which was just okay. They show the funny side of the presidents that one is a big room, but really nothing too much to show for. On the left hand side shows George Bush's life how he became president and controversial recount, 9/11, recession, family life, oval office, his policies with Aids and no child left behind. I got a picture of myself in the oval office, but they wanted $35 dollars for the photo. Overall, I got through the museum in 2 hours. I took my time reading the important stuff and sitting down and watching the videos. It is just a 1 and done experience for me.

Fun place to check out. Staff are super friendly and they have several discounts for veterans and many more. The place is super clean and full of knowledgeable workers who guide and answer all your questions. The Oval Office is really cool and you can take pics in it. The 911 exhibit is really a site to see along with all the newsreel. The history was great and lots on interacting exhibits. It was a lot smaller that I expected and you have to pay for parking. Gift shop is good and you can't bring in any drinks or snacks

It's like Graceland, but it's for George W. It's worth visiting because it's a glimpse into their preferred narrative, but that narrative needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I'm guessing that's the case with other presidential museums.

My last Presidential Library visit review! Have been to the George W. Bush Presidential Library several times, so it's way past time that I complete the Presidential Libraries before the Obama & Trump libraries open! Located on the Southern Methodist University campus (Mrs. Laura Bush's alma mater), paid parking is right across the main drag into SMU. Making my way in and admission were pretty painless. After the introductory movie, the exhibits went directly into Administration accomplishments, 9-11, the showcase of Global War on Terror. 9-11 & GWOT were the most significant events of my life. Like most people my age, I remember exactly what I was doing when I found out about the 9-11 attacks. And the sinking feeling that my life would change afterwards. And it did. In six months we were helping to get the first Hawaii Army National Guard units to deploy in nearly 30 years. In a few years it would be my turn, deploying with my old unit. Followed by attendance at a military course that among other things delving into the actions and mindset of the movers and shakers who initiated GWOT. Later being promoted to my last rank in the Army and deploying back to Kuwait as a tailgate assignment before retirement. I have a lot of mixed feelings about it all that I still haven't unpacked yet. Back to the tour. A replica of the Oval Office followed. This is probably the best replica I've seen among the Presidential LIbraries. It hasn't been roped off and there are one or two docents specifically stationed there to answer questions or to take a picture of you by the presidential desk. Another favorite of mine, the years before they became President: growing up in Midland, college at Yale, campaigning for his father, co-owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team, seeking & becoming Governor of Texas, and his presidential campaigns. An exhibit featuring Congressional Medal of Honor awardees; and a special exhibit entitled "Liberty and Laughter." In closing the 13 Presidential Libraries have encapsulated modern American history as viewed through a lens of the individual administrations of the Presidents who lived them; as well as their private lives before and during their Presidency. Sometimes the view has been heavily filtered, sometimes even revised the further from the respective Presidency it has been. And I got a neat little keepsake for visiting all 13! Highly recommend and will repeat selective Presidential Libraries!

Museum displays: A, Situation Room presentation A++, crowd management D- Overall, we really enjoyed our visit at the library and highly recommend it. The displays range from curiosities (every day life in White House, gifts from foreign dignitaries etc.) and reminders of more serious historical events. The 9/11 area was especially moving. Whether you are a fan of the Bush family or not, the museum is engaging and thought provoking. There is a nice balance between written information, movie clips and artifacts, very well organized and well presented. Our favorite was the presentation on the situation room given by one of the docents. He was so knowledgeable and charismatic, I learned a lot about the presidential library system and about crisis management in the White House, absolutely fascinating. This presentation is only given a few times a day, don't miss it. I had to take one star away because staff seemed completely overwhelmed by the large number of visitors. Did nobody realize that on solar eclipse weekend, there would be larger crowds? How could the library not be prepared at all. At opening time, two large lines formed in the courtyard. We thought the shorter one would be for people already with tickets but no, there was no rhyme or reason and everyone was pushing into the same small entrance door. Fortunately we did end up in the shorter line. The bottleneck was created by the fact that there was only one scanner and two security guards operating it. There was no staff in sight anywhere outside. If staff had come out, created a single line, or separated out those with tickets, or those who had no purses, the process could have been sped up. When a lady working there finally appeared, she looked frazzled and ran back inside without making any announcements. The same lady later gave us the wrong information as to where to line up for the docent presentation and if we hadn't seen the docent walk by we would have missed it. Please do some basic training how to manage visitors. Parking is in a gated lot across the street and costs a flat fee of 10 dollars.

Parking lot right across the street. We paid about $8 and were at the museum for a couple hours. Well organized museum, informative docents, interactive exhibits, and lots to learn and relive! Remember to look at the rules online such as size of bags, reserving tickets online, etc.

Housed on the SMU campus is the President George W. Bush Library. It's located close to Highway 75 and you can even take the DART light rail to the Mockingbird Station and take the Museum Express bus to the campus. The bus schedule is posted on the website for planning purposes. Otherwise you will pay for parking. It was about $5 by credit card at the kiosk as you drive out. The parking lot is directly across the street from the library. The Presidential Library had a special exhibit with portraits of immigrants that Bush Jr had painted. The exhibit was well done with an explanation of immigration policies, problems, and contributions to American society. The main Presidential Library seemed quite small compared to his father's and Clinton's. It really was just a highlight reel of the most memorable moments that defined his time in office. As I went through it, I realized how long ago all of this happened. Much of it felt like a distant memory, but so much of what happened during his term changed our lives forever. Thankfully the exhibit finishes on a high note with the replica of the oval office. You can go in and sit at the desk and take selfies. There is a lighthearted movie clip of Bush poking fun at himself at the White House Press dinner. It is definitely entertaining. The gardens outside are supposedly beautiful, but we didn't venture out as it was cold and wet the day we went. I'll probably return to visit the rose garden. It's outside and free to visit; whereas the library has a somewhat steep admission of $26 per adult. You can get a discounted price if you buy the City Pass which might be worth it if you plan to visit several top attractions in the area over the course of a few days.

My first Presidential library trip and it was really a delightful visit. Not too over-the-top with too much clutter and information not relevant. Just right. Simple. Easy and very interactive. Don't forget to walk into the Oval Office and sit in the Commander-In-Chief's chair while curators speak about the room. And the Freedom of Documents area is a must as well. Do you know what the Magna Carta is??? Probably why we have the freedoms we do in America today from more than 700 years ago.

Polite and presentable staff, from security to all of the volunteers who made themselves very available and visible to the public. Venue was very well kept. The tribute to and memorial of the 9/11 heroes were solemn and respectful.

We went to the Laura Bush natural garden on a Sunday and it was very beautiful and peaceful. Nice walking trail, some benches, a dry creek bed, and lots of wild flowers. The only thing I did not like was having to pay $10 for parking on a Sunday when parking is not ordinarily monitored. Other than that, it is definitely a nice way to spend a couple of hours in peaceful beauty.

This place didnt really have much to offer despite the fact that he was in office for 8 yrs. He is as clueless as ever even though he was surrounded by top notch advisors. 9/11 & hurricane katrina were the highlights of this library which happened to be his biggest blunders. Nonetheless, its in dallas supported by many patriotic southerners. The entrace is $26, it comes with an american pin made in china.

I had a few hours before catching a flight at Love Field. I had originally intended to do a city tour that started in downtown at JFK memorial. But some of the activities on the tour were closed on Mondays and I didn't feel really comfortable leaving all of my luggage in my rental car so I looked for a different activity to do. The GW Bush Presidential Museum was a great choice! Ten dollar parking at the museum that I felt comfortable with my rental car and all of my luggage. The Museum itself was an interactive masterpiece! There were things to read, watch, touch, listen to etc. I appreciated that there were different levels of media/reading for adults as well as kids. The situation room was impressive and I really liked the Oval Office picture opportunity. I was moved the most by the 9/11 exhibit. I cried my way through it. I lived a few miles away from the Pentagon that day and I felt the fear and terror all over again. Another nice museum goer turned to me and said, "Its okay to revisit that day every once in awhile". I was able to spend three hours enjoying the exhibits and probably could have stayed longer if my flight wasn't on time. I didn't get a chance to go in the Rose Garden because it was too hot for me (bring a sweater, the museum was actually a bit too cool for me). I am now inspired to visit more Presidential Museums. My only regret??? Not getting the presidential library passport.

The building is very well organized - everything flows. The lighting is muted, it's spacious, it was not crowded. Enjoyed where their two daughters talked about his sense of humor. Had lunch in the "cafe". It's really an upscale restaurant with a limited menu. The food was OK. It was not clear whether we could go to the back building (the library or not, so we didn't).

What an absolute phenomenal place to visit! The replica of the oval office is incredible! And to see the hour by hour and minute by minute timeline of 911 is a surreal experience

I was not expecting a lot from this visit. I have never been to a presidential library before and this was more interesting than I thought. There are a lot of cool pieces that the Bushes were gifted during the presidency and interesting artifacts from that time and from 9/11 with videos, letters and a piece of the structure. The best parts were the recreation of the oval office where you get to "be" the president at his desk and the history throughout the presidency section featuring funny things that presidents have done and said. Overall, an interesting way to spend an afternoon if you're bored.

No matter your political affiliation this was an enjoyable library. Interesting facts and accomplishments as well as initiatives that are still successful today. Moving tribute to 911 as well as plenty of artifacts from that time. Great job of celebrating a life of public service as well as a Texas family.

The museum was interesting, but much smaller than other presidential libraries I've visited. We were impressed with the four wall projection show in the lobby, we'd not seen anything like it before. The staff was knowledgeable, kind and welcoming during our visit. We recommend checking out the museum, if you're in the area. FYI complimentary admission for active duty military members and their immediate family.

Vacations are made for exploring and absorbing. This museum highlights the years Bush was in office during 9/11. There is s model of the Oval Office to take pictures. Yes, everyone sits at the Presidential desk. There's a cute, funny video the daughters compiled of their dad. It gave us a glimpse into their personal lives during his Presidency. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Worth the trip.

The GWB Library is a must visit. I love spending money on things, but I learned several years ago that the money you spend on experiences often has a more lasting impression. Because of that, I try and take my kids on mini adventures that expose them to new areas, interesting places, and hopefully impart life long memories. My trip here was one of those mini adventures and I strongly recommend it. In fact, this trip killed two birds with one stone as I was able to take my oldest on a tour of SMU even though it may be a bit out of the price range for this dude. It has been a very long time since I have been to a presidential library. Back in 05 I visited the JFK library in Boston and it had a lasting impression. This visit was equally impactful for me, and I think my teenager as well. Despite what you think of the man, GWB served as president during some difficult times. His library does a good job documenting those times, particularly for someone who was too young to remember them when they happened. I wont go into too great a detail on every display, but there are a few that deserve mentioning. Gifts - Each president gets gifts from world leaders. None can be kept personally, but they end up in presidential libraries. The Bushes received a a bunch of cool things which are displayed here. I particularly liked the gift from Kazakhstan (Wah wa wee wah). Find it and you will see for yourself. 9/11 - Seeing that piece of the WTC brought back vivid memories of that day. Our nation had been attacked. I got up, went to work, and will never forget that day. Seeing those reminders was significant for me. Seeing my child see those things in person having only read about them in books was even more significant. Saddam Hussein - I had no idea he had a Glock 18 on his person when he was captured. That very Glock is on display here. Oval Office - I have always wanted to visit the oval office. Since Trump isn't inviting the world champion rando anytime soon, visiting this exact replica was pretty cool. Plus I got to explain to my kid all about the Resolute desk and we got pictures like we were the president. Baller status achieved. I really enjoyed my visit here. I think you will too. One word of caution though. If you are so ingrained in your political beliefs that you cannot respect the office of the president regardless who occupies it, this is probably not the place for you. For me though, I will gladly visit any and all presidential libraries. Merica!

A while back I sent this place an email, explaining that I had framed a Bush campaign poster from the 2000 election; it was a California campaign poster, and It was my intention to bring it personally to them as a donation, and also to visit the facility. Instead of getting a kind response to an eager and generous donor, I received a rather curt and ungrateful reponse, detailing all the things I should not expect to receive in return for this donation, and all the little bullshit rules they had applied to gifting. I can't fucking believe I had actually planned on wrapping that framed campaign poster, flying to Texas with it as my carry-on to prevent damage, and hand delivering it to the museum. I was so incensed by this shitty response, and seeing how the Bush clan acted during President Trump's tenure in office, I unceremoniously dumped it off at a GOP headquarters in a nearby city.

Lovely display of memorabilia and great for people of all ages. When I visited there were grade school kids on a field trip and their interest was awe-inspiring. The Bush family is one classy family and you can catch glimpses throughout. The 9/11 display really takes you back to that time and the unity and strength that was born out of that tragedy. First Museum I've been to where you are encouraged to touch the building remnant from 9/11. Super friendly and helpful staff. Awesome to see passion in one's job. The lighter side of the White House was priceless. So thrilled I chose this museum on my Dallas City Pass options. Would have loved to dine at the cafe which smelled delish however I was on a tight time schedule. Highly recommend!

This was a great museum! Enjoyed it! I'm not gonna rate the museum low for this because I don't think it's the museums fault, but the security guard was a total jerk! To save you some problems , don't take anything with you, no bags, no food or drinks or fluids of any kind in your bags. She was rude and her behavior was totally uncalled for. With that said , support this museum! Awesome history experience!

Not much to this presidential library. The Oval Office is interesting if you have not seen it in other President libraries. Minimal artifacts and it does remind you of his failed policies. Not worth the $26 admission plus $10 parking fee.

I had a list of places that I wanted to visit while in Dallas. I had never been to a presidential library in my life. I saw that there was the George W. Bush one and decided to check it out. This library is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, which is absolutely stunning. I do not understand why I love being on any campus, but I do. Signage was fairly straightforward. I found the parking lot for the library, but I was in the wrong lane to turn into it. I drove around the block and got it right the second time. The lot is small, but there were plenty of spots when I went early in the morning. Parking is $9. I walked across the street to the library. The main entrance and cafe entrances are on the left. The gift store is on the right. I went through the main entrance. As expected, you go through security. My crossbody purse was scanned along with my DSLR camera. I was fine, too. I went to the main lobby, which is where the ticket counter is. I bought my ticket, and got a map of the library and more. I paid with a credit card. The woman helping me with my transaction was nice. There was a brief video presentation happening above our heads in the library. It was a nice touch. I loved this museum exhibit. You learn about George W. Bush as a human being and the challenges he had making key decisions to shape the United States as President. I also learned about his wife, Barbara, and didn't realize that she was a teacher. It explains why she felt strongly about education and initiated a number of educational programs with her husband. I lived in the States when the whole hanging-dangling-whatever chad controversy happened with the Florida ballots, which ultimately determined that George W. Bush was the official winner of that presidential card. I remember going to bed the night before with a clear winner, waking up to find out that things weren't clear, and then having the whole ordeal drag on for what felt like eons. President Bush had a ton to deal with, such as the 9/11 attacks and heightened terrorism. There were tons of displays, interactive decision-making games, and a place where you can share your thoughts about 9/11. With the latter, I spent time reflecting on that day as a Canadian in Minnesota. Even though it was a scary moment for everyone, I still felt safe living in the States. I learned that President Bush loves baseball. He is sensitive, is a family man, and cares about people. He tried his best to make the right calls with research. He wasn't perfect, but he tried his best. That's all anyone could ask for him to do. I had fun sitting at a replica Oval Office and taking a couple of photos. I can never be President of the U.S., but it's fun to play with an old-school phone with roughly thirty buttons to press and pretend! If you want to view and purchase your photos, you go to the gift shop. There was a deal where you can get one of the two photos taken for $25, or both for $28. Naturally, I went with the latter. You also get the digital downloads and matte frames for them. The downside is that you have to wait a couple of days because your digital photos are available for download online. I liked the gift shop. You can get a stuffed Barney plush toy, which resembles their pet dog. Naturally, prices are on the expensive side, but it's perfect if you have folks in mind who would appreciate getting a t-shirt and other fine gift items from this library. Before I left, I popped into the cafe. It features favourite foods that George and Barbara love. It looked fancy, but the prices were steep for sandwiches and soup, which I wasn't feeling like eating. The only downside was leaving the parking lot. Two staff members were there to help with the credit card insertion. It seemed like a good idea. However, the machine requires that you slide your credit card with the black stripe up and facing the right side of the machine. Who thought about that ridiculous design move? One of them inserted my credit card for me and ruined the edge of the black stripe on it. Luckily, the transaction worked. Most cards make you insert them with the chip side first. The damaged side is on the other side, so I am okay for now. If you have three or four hours to spare in Dallas, and you love history and learning, this library is the perfect place for you to visit. (57)

Not terribly impressive.... Just didn't seem like it had much in the museum, considering he was president for 8 years. Daddy's museum at College Station is way better and had way more to look at.

This was my first time here and been to other presidential libraries. There is a parking lot across from it which charges a small fee. When you walk up there is a museum store on the left, and cafe and museum entrance on the right: You go through security and enter the main lobby to find a very impressive area with ultra high ceilings and nice floors. Tickets are purchased here with presidential gifts to view behind glass. The centerpiece is a huge open room with video screens up high around it showing some really cool Americans scenes. Outside I could see a patio and a snack bar. All this is free without having admission. The museum exhibit area is really nice where is goes through historical events when George W. Bush was President. The museum is very high tech where you will find many interactive exhibits. Obviously 911 is a big part of the museum but will see other important events that shaped his presidency. Like any other presidential library there is a replication of the Oval Office. You can even sit behind it and get your photo taken. Behind the Oval Office you will find a replication of the Rose Garden outside. After you exit the museum you are back in the lobby but to get our you enter the museum store through one way door. You will find a little of everything here and can even purchase the same cowboy hat GW wore. You also can purchase your Oval Office photo here too. You do not have to buy a museum admission to shop here. Overall it is a very nice presidential library and museum where you spend about 3-4 hours here.

Very nice museum that helped me.to understand a little more about this president and his accomplishments while in office. Its easy to walk through, doesn't take a ton of time. Not a lot.for little kids, they'd be bored. Plenty of restaurants nearby to frequent after

Came here for a wedding in the evening, so didn't get to tour the entire facility. Just wanted to share that it was a nice venue and it worked out nicely for the quick ceremony and the reception. The entry area approaching the building at sunset made for some nice photos. There was no hassle other than the metal detector screening to get in. I also didn't know Bush painted so it was neat to see that in the hallway.

I don't often visit museums, but this museum caught my attention, and I'm glad it did. This museum has a variety of cool rooms and items. They have rooms dedicated to 9/11, the oval office (pictures below), paintings painted by Bush, gifts given to President Bush from foreign countries, and etc. I found the 9/11 rooms incredibly emotional. There is a gift shop here with cool gift and collection items. The museum is very modern, updated, and clean. I highly recommend visiting this place.