Attractions

Just north of the State Capitol and downtown, the University features a main campus of 357 acres and 120 buildings. Information Center in Sid Richardson Hall, adjacent to the LBJ Library and Museum, provides information and maps for campus attractions. Open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Blanton Museum of Art — Recognized among the country's top university fine arts collections, this museum is on the University of Texas campus. Galleries feature contemporary Latin American, Renaissance and Western art. Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Fri., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. and 1–5 p.m. Sun. Admission charge, but free on Thursday. Martin Luther King Boulevard at Congress Avenue. 512/471-7324. www.blantonmuseum.org.

Harry Ransom Center — One of the world's finest cultural archives, the center houses a rare Gutenberg Bible, printed in 1455. Other exhibits include 30 million literary manuscripts, 1 million rare books, 5 million photographs and more than 100,000 works of art. The facility showcases changing exhibits from permanent holdings. Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue., Wed. and Fri.; 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Thu.; and noon–5 p.m. Sat.–Sun. On University of Texas campus, 21st and Guadalupe. 512/471-8944. www.hrc.utexas.edu.

Texas Memorial Museum — This facility explores the natural history of Texas. Includes the fossil remains of a Pterosaur, the largest flying creature ever found, with a wingspan of more than 40 feet. It lived in Texas 65 million years ago. Other exhibition items range from gems and minerals to fossils and meteorites. Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Sat. and 1–4:45 p.m. Sun. Closed major holidays. Free. 2400 Trinity St. 512/471-1604. www.TexasNaturalScienceCenter.org.

UT Tower — Enjoy the spectacular view from atop the University of Texas' most famous landmark. Tours are available through reservations, usually a week in advance. University of Texas campus. Call or check online for schedule. 512/475-6633. www.utexas.edu/tower.