Explore the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum
George W. Bush served as President of the United States for eight years (2001-2009). He was president when terrorists attacked the country on American soil on that fateful September 11, 2001. He’s also known for the “No Child Left Behind Act”. But there are many things about this president that I wasn’t aware of until I visited the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum during a trip to Dallas, Texas.
Here’s a rundown on what you’ll find at the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum so you can plan your visit accordingly.
Tickets and Directions to the George W Bush Presidential Library
Tickets must be purchased online in advance of your visit. Visit tickets.bushcenter.org and select the day you plan to visit on the calendar. Indicate the entry time of your visit, which are listed in 30-minute increments from opening until about 1.5 hours before closing. After selecting the number and type of tickets you need (adults, seniors, children, etc.), add them to the cart and then complete the checkout process.
Here are the ticket prices, as of Dec 28, 2022:
- $26 for adults (18+)
- $23 for seniors (62+) and non-SMU college students
- $24 for teens (ages 13-17)
- $20 for children (ages 5-12)
- Children under 5 are free, along with SMU students, faculty and staff
- $10 for retired military
- Active Duty military are free.
The Dallas CityPASS includes admission to this venue, along with a few others popular spots in Dallas. If you plan to visit multiple locations, be sure to look into the CityPASS to see if it’ll save you money.
The George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the east side of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus. I took an UBER from my hotel in Grapevine to Dallas and was dropped off near the parking lot and entrance of the museum. There are also public transit options using the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Orange, Red, or Blue lines.
If you’re driving your own vehicle, the parking lot is across the street from the north entrance of the museum. Fees for that parking lot are $5 for the first hour, and $0.75 for each additional 30 minutes after that. Payment is made at the machine as you exit the parking lot. If that lot is full, there are other parking lots and garages nearby on the SMU campus.
Learn about His Guiding Principles and More
When you first enter the museum, you’ll need to go through a security checkpoint. No weapons are allowed in the museum and large bags must be checked in at the coat room. After clearing security, show your tickets at the main counter and then you can begin your visit through the permanent or temporary exhibits of the museum.
When you enter the first exhibit area, take the time to read some of the highlights of George W. Bush’s life. It includes insights into his family growing up, his wife and kids, his early political interests and involvements. He also outlines his guiding principles that are vital to him and his wife.
Don’t pass up the chance to watch a short video in the Intro Theater about the life of President Bush. If you miss the start of the showing, just come back to the theater when you can. It’s worth it.
The next major exhibit area is “Empowering Americans”. Here you can learn about some of the legislations he was passionate about during his tenure as president. The biggest one was probably the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. You can read all about his efforts to reform the education system in an effort to improve schools. I’ve heard of the Act, but I’m not very familiar with the details of it – so it was interested to read about.
Another interesting exhibit was a glass case with several autographed baseballs in it (see the photo near the end of this article). I didn’t realize he was such a big baseball fan.
September 11, 2001 and Defending Freedom
I was a 21-year-old college student living near Salt Lake City, Utah, when planes were hijacked by terrorists and flown into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. September 11, 2001 was a day that I still remember. There were a lot of emotions that surrounded that day, and I can’t even imagine what it was like for President George W. Bush as the events unfolded.
The September 11 exhibit begins with some twisted steel beams that once supported the Twin Towers in New York City. You can watch TV screens and see multiple artifacts surrounding not only that day, but the days and weeks that followed.
RELATED POST: Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City
I associate two images with President Bush and September 11. The first is when he was informed of the attack while at a classroom in Florida. The second is him standing at Ground Zero with a megaphone speaking to those supporting recovery efforts. As seen in the photo above, that iconic megaphone is on display at the museum, along with other documents and artifacts from those events.
After September 11, 2001, President Bush worked to defend freedom at home and abroad. You can read about many of the efforts with that goal in mind. But be sure and explore the map of the world indicating places where terrorist attacks were thwarted and sadly, where some still occurred. It’s a scary world out there, and hopefully future attacks will be prevented to protect everyone.
The Oval Office and Life in The White House
Similar to almost every other presidential library and museum, this one includes a replica of the Oval Office as furnished by President Bush during his tenure. Take a seat behind the Resolute Desk and pretend to make a phone call as acting president of the United States. I looked at all the names President Bush had on speed dial and laughed at the one listed as “41”. Most of the others had names, but any guesses at who 41 was for?
During my visit, they had a photographer setup in the room to capture a more professional photo of me sitting at the desk. I didn’t purchase it at the end, but it’s an option you can consider. Regardless, take your time and even speak with a docent to better understand WHY he chose the art he chose in furnishing the Oval Office.
Once you’re done exploring the Oval Office, make your way to the next exhibit area to learn more about “Living in the White House.” There are several artifacts on display, from formal wear worn at various events, to statues of the family dogs that wandered the hallways of the house.
One exhibit area caught my attention – a torch from the 2002 Winter Olympics, which were held in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s always great to see something from home while visiting other areas of the world.
You can also step into the White House Theater to watch some footage of life in the White House during the tenure of President Bush.
And if you don’t know what the 41 stood for on the speed dial, here’s a hint: George W. Bush was the 43rd president of the United States. Do you remember who was the 41st? 😉
“Liberty is the Right and Hope of All Humanity”
Every president faces challenges. Some are political issues. Others may be natural disasters or war. The final section of the museum shares how President Bush addressed issues facing not only the American people, but people around the world.
A large map on one wall shows what appears to be a disproportionate layout of the continents. The Americas are small and narrow, while Africa is bulging at the seams. It’s a representation of diseases that plague the world, like AIDS, malaria and more. Read about PEPFAR (Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which is the largest international health initiative to focus on a single disease – in this case, HIV/AIDS.
RELATED POST: Visit the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston
Some of the other issues included Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis of 2008. When President Bush took office, several issues were already on the docket – Medicare reform, Social Security and immigration.
If you want to try your hand at resolving some issues, step into Decision Point Theater and take a seat. Follow the prompts on the large screen and make your decision on the touchscreen in front of you. How well do you do at addressing those national issues? If you did well, maybe you should try running for president in the next election. 😉
Special Exhibits and More
On the opposite side of the main lobby is a Special Exhibits area. During my visit, there was an exhibit on humor in the White House – Liberty & Laughter: The Lighter Side of The White House. I think most people assume the White House is all business. But based on the quotes, footage and stories on display in this exhibit, there were some fun and silly times to be had among friends and colleagues. Check out the caricatures and bobbleheads for some of the presidents, First Ladies and more.
However, that humor exhibit ends on December 31, so we’ll have to see what the next special exhibit area is.
Located on the grounds of the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum is Native Texan Park. It’s a 15-acre urban park that’s free and open to the public. There are a few benches and walking trails so it’s a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at one of the two cafes at the museum. Cafe 43 is a full-service restaurant, and you don’t have to purchase admission tickets to eat here. Reservations are recommended. The Courtyard Cafe offers daily specials, soups, salads, sandwiches, and beverages and is located in the Ceremonial Courtyard with outdoor seating only.
The Details
Address: 2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205
How long to spend: About 1-2 hours
Cost: $26 for adults (18+); $23 for seniors (62+) and non-SMU college students; $24 for teens (ages 13-17); $20 for children (ages 5-12); Children under 5 are free, along with SMU students, faculty and staff; $10 for retired military; Active Duty military are free. The Dallas CityPASS includes admission to this venue, along with a few others in Dallas.
Hours: Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Website: https://www.georgewbushlibrary.gov/
Phone: (214) 200-4306
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