Downstairs, animated movies and interactive exhibits explain the science of hydrocarbons, petrochemicals and oil extraction in a fairly entertaining fashion; upstairs exhibits cover the Spindletop discovery and the growth of the state's oil industry – these are well done, with live-action mannequins.
Texas Energy Museum
Gulf Coast & South Texas
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
21.58 MILES
The Stark Museum of Art has collections focused on artworks depicting native birds and wildlife (including works by John James Audubon), Native American…
28.14 MILES
This park of more than 4000 acres includes vast marshlands north of TX 87 and over 5 miles of beaches south of the road. The wetlands are popular with…
Spindletop & Gladys City Boomtown Museum
3.58 MILES
Several prospectors saw promise in the Spindletop salt dome, but it took nearly a decade before an exploratory well leased by Anthony Lucas blew a…
21.65 MILES
The carefully restored WH Stark House reveals the lifestyle of turn-of-the-century society families. The elegant 1894 Victorian home – one of the last and…
17.41 MILES
This is a splendid museum that covers the natural, geological and cultural history of the region from 'Jurassic to Janis Joplin.' A large section is…
1.17 MILES
Visit this fabulous 1906 beaux-arts/colonial-revival mansion to see the excess made possible by the Spindletop oil boom. Members of the McFaddin family…
15.03 MILES
Feed the gators, photo-op with small reptiles and watch a live edutainment show put on by this local animal-rescue outfit. You may have seen the Gator…
Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
20.74 MILES
Combination flower garden and open-air art gallery, the grounds of Shangri La are a fantastic place to spend a sunny afternoon. The 'Outpost Tour' boat…
Nearby Gulf Coast & South Texas attractions
0.05 MILES
Built in 1903 as the First Baptist Church, the building was purchased in 1923 by Captain WC Tyrrell and donated to the city for use as a library. Step…
2. Art Museum of Southeast Texas
0.11 MILES
This museum manages to pack a surprisingly diverse collection of rotating fine- and folk-art exhibits into its small display space, and the emphasis on…
0.22 MILES
When the local energy company found itself with half an empty substation, it devoted the station, of course, to the great inventor: Thomas Edison. Though…
1.17 MILES
Visit this fabulous 1906 beaux-arts/colonial-revival mansion to see the excess made possible by the Spindletop oil boom. Members of the McFaddin family…
5. Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum
1.46 MILES
Serious sports fans may recognize the name of Babe Didrikson Zaharias, named Female Athlete of the Century by the AP and Sports Illustrated. The small…
6. Spindletop & Gladys City Boomtown Museum
3.58 MILES
Several prospectors saw promise in the Spindletop salt dome, but it took nearly a decade before an exploratory well leased by Anthony Lucas blew a…
15.03 MILES
Feed the gators, photo-op with small reptiles and watch a live edutainment show put on by this local animal-rescue outfit. You may have seen the Gator…
17.13 MILES
Built in 1906 by real-estate dealer/banker/mayor RH Woodworth, this historic home is currently open to the public only by appointment, except for special…