George W Bush Presidential Museum, Dallas: Opening hours, tickets, and how to plan your visit

The George W Bush Presidential Museum is located within the George W Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical information.

Quick facts

George W Bush Presidential Museum opening hours

The George W Bush Presidential Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00, and Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Occasional early closures occur for special events.

Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.

George W Bush Presidential Museum ticket prices

Adult admission (ages 18–61) costs $26. Youths aged 13 to 17 pay $24, whilst youths aged 5 to 12 pay $20. Senior citizens aged 62 and over pay $23. Children aged 4 and under enter free.

Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more. Timed entry tickets are recommended and can be purchased online in advance or on the day of visit. Changes to ticket orders are permitted without additional charge, but refunds are not offered. Admission includes access to all permanent and special exhibitions. Museum members visit free at all times.

Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.

How to get to the George W Bush Presidential Museum

The George W Bush Presidential Museum is located on SMU Boulevard on the campus of Southern Methodist University in the University Park area of Dallas. The museum is approximately 4 miles north of downtown Dallas. Visitors driving from downtown Dallas should follow North Central Expressway (US 75) north to the Mockingbird Lane exit, then follow Mockingbird Lane east to SMU Boulevard.

Bus services operate to the SMU campus. Route numbers and schedules are available via Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The nearest DART rail station is Mockingbird Station on the Red and Blue Lines, approximately 1 mile from the museum. The walk from Mockingbird Station takes approximately 20 minutes.

Parking at the George W Bush Presidential Museum

On-site parking is available at the George W Bush Presidential Center. Parking costs $10 for the first four hours and $1 for every subsequent 30 minutes. The main visitor car park is located just north of the museum building. Accessible parking spaces are available close to the entrance. Drop-off points are located near the main entrance.

How long to spend at the George W Bush Presidential Museum

The museum recommends allowing 45 minutes for a brief visit covering key highlights, or 4 hours or more to view all exhibits in detail. Most visitors spend between 2 and 3 hours. The permanent exhibition occupies 14,000 square feet and includes multiple interactive exhibits. Additional time should be allowed for temporary exhibitions, the Decision Points Theater, and the Oval Office replica. Café 43 provides on-site dining options for extended visits.

Accessibility at the George W Bush Presidential Museum

All areas of the George W Bush Presidential Museum are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge from the box office on a first-come, first-served basis. Borrowed wheelchairs must remain within the museum area and cannot be taken to Café 43, the museum shop, or outside the building. Visitors may bring their own manual or motorised wheelchairs or electric mobility scooters for use throughout the entire Presidential Center, including Café 43 and the museum shop.

Accessible toilets are located throughout the museum. Visitors are encouraged to download the Bush Center app (available on the App Store and Google Play) and bring headphones to experience audio tours of the exhibitions. The museum recommends contacting Guest Services in advance if visitors have specific accessibility concerns.

Security procedures at the George W Bush Presidential Museum

All visitors pass through airport-style security screening and metal detectors. As a federal facility, the museum enforces strict security procedures. Weapons of any type are not permitted. Bags and backpacks are not allowed. Only one purse or nappy bag per person is permitted, with a maximum size of 17 x 26 inches (43 x 66 centimetres). Food and drink cannot be taken through security. Only animals defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act as service animals are permitted entry.

What to see at the George W Bush Presidential Museum

The permanent exhibition in the Boeing Company Exhibition Gallery traces the presidency and leadership of President George W Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. The exhibition is arranged chronologically and thematically across 14,000 square feet.

The September 11 exhibition presents a detailed account of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and the government’s response. The display includes artefacts from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Video footage and personal testimonies document the events of the day.

The Decision Points Theater provides an interactive experience in presidential decision-making. Visitors respond to the same intelligence briefings and policy options that President Bush faced during critical moments of his presidency, including responses to Hurricane Katrina, the financial crisis, and international conflicts. Voting panels allow visitors to compare their decisions with those made by the administration.

A full-scale replica of the Oval Office recreates the president’s workspace as it appeared during the Bush administration. Visitors can view the Resolute Desk and furnishings. Professional photography services are available for visitors wishing to have their photograph taken seated at the desk. Physical and digital photograph options can be purchased at the admissions desk.

Exhibits on domestic policy cover education reform through the No Child Left Behind Act, faith-based initiatives, and responses to Hurricane Katrina. The foreign policy sections address the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, relations with Africa and Latin America, and global health initiatives including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

A First Lady’s Gallery documents Laura Bush’s work on education and literacy initiatives. Displays include her advocacy for the preservation of cultural heritage sites in Afghanistan and support for women’s rights globally.

Practical visitor tips

Frequently asked questions about the George W Bush Presidential Museum

Things to do near the George W Bush Presidential Museum

Perot Museum of Nature and Science is located at 2201 North Field Street in downtown Dallas, approximately 4 miles south of the Bush Museum. The museum features 11 permanent exhibition halls covering topics including natural history, palaeontology, engineering, and space exploration.

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is located at 411 Elm Street in downtown Dallas, approximately 5 miles south of the Bush Museum. The museum examines the assassination of President John F Kennedy on 22 November 1963. The exhibition occupies the sixth and seventh floors of the former Texas School Book Depository building.

The Dallas Museum of Art is located at 1717 North Harwood Street in the Dallas Arts District, approximately 3.5 miles south of the Bush Museum. The museum houses collections spanning 5,000 years, including European paintings, contemporary art, African art, and decorative arts.

Reunion Tower GeO-Deck is located at 300 Reunion Boulevard East in downtown Dallas. The observation deck stands 470 feet above ground level and provides 360-degree views of Dallas.