Texas Military Forces Museum — Attraction in Austin

January 2024:

Sometimes I have to go to Camp Mabry for business and this time took time to see the Texas Military Forces Museum. Getting on the installation only requires identification for all guests like a drivers license. The museum is free and they get funding by having guests sign a log.

The outside may not have looked much but the inside was impressive and updated with modern exhibit presentations. It was a lot to see and read. They covered all military conflicts from when Texas was established up to current events. There was all sort of equipment and hardware on display. I definitely needed more time to read about it all.

The big vehicles and aircraft were cool to see and takes you back in time. Kids would love to see these up close and get to touch a real life tank outside. The people working there are very nice and friendly and they have a gift shop.

After spending an hour and half inside I walked around where found a graveyard of old military vehicles. This is where can knock on a tank and feel how thick it was. Solid steel and surprised it can be moved with early 20th century engine power. There are a wide range of tanks and other military hardware like artillery and support vehicles. The outside was not well taken care of where signs are faded and muddy paths but gave that authentic feel where these vehicles have been.

Don’t be scared to enter the base where this museum is definitely worth...

Two of the people who worked there were really rude and wouldn't let people touch the tanks outside in the sun on display with no fences. I was feeling the hull of the M60 and the woman talking to another guy who I assumed worked there rudely said "Don't touch the tank!" I assumed it was only that tank because it was somewhat rusted on the front. I apologized and moved on. I came to the M1 Abrams and I was looking at the side panel armor. I looked at the hinge and literally "pinched" it to feel how sturdy it was and the guy by her screamed "SHE TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH THE TANKS". Those two should be fired for that attitude and could've just kindly said "Hey could you please not touch the tanks" and include the reason of as to why not to touch them. There were signs on all of them except for two that said keep off but nothing about not being able to touch them. Overall a bad experience. The inside of the museum was cool but didn't have that much stuff. (Edit: by there not being that much stuff in the museum I should've clarified hands on stuff. And thank you for the reply. I had went on a Friday when this incident happened. The guy next to the girl had a black shirt with some sort of logo on the top left of the shirt. I guess the girl must've been part of the construction crew or something? But I'm not sure as to why she told me to not...

A very well arranged museum with artifacts and vast information about both world wars, Texas' involvement in every major war and campaign around the world. Plenty of military vehicles, both American and foreign. According to the information, they say people spend 1 to 2 hours, I stayed for 3 and a half hours, and I still did not see everything. The information boards were like a book, a lot of information. I'm going to Google a lot of the information I read and research the information thoroughly, I may even buy books on these topics. I grew up in the sixties and seventies, even served my country from 1975 to 1980, and there is so much history I did not know. The youth of this country need to learn about all this history and never forget. Millions of people gave their life for this great country, and good or bad, everybody needs to know the history of this great land. Plan on 4 to 5 hours to really appreciate this museum. The time spent is well worth it. I am also amazed it is free of charge. This is a hidden gem in the Austin area, and coincidentally, there is a lot of information about the Alamo and Stephen Austin. A must see for tourists and locals. I'm not sure if local school districts take field trips here, but...