National Ranching Heritage Center, Lubbock

There's so much history to see and learn about here. Outside, there are real farm buildings filled with time accurate furniture, tools, etc. Inside, there are smaller and more weather sensitive items on display with descriptions as well as written historical information. Related paintings and sculptures can also be found inside. As a historical museum, this is one of the biggest and best I've ever seen. Everything is extremely well maintained and there's so much to see that it takes a few hours to get though. I really can't believe it's free.

It is a nice museum, but be aware that THE OUTSIDE CLOSES AT 4pm; the inside stays open until 5. Now, I know all of y'all go there to see the tiny inside portion, but not we, and we're disappointed when we got there at a quarter to 4 to find out they close the outside at 4. We are from Oklahoma, so we aren't here for a long time, and we were disappointed to find out the real hours. The guy at the desk laughed at us about it.

My favorite thing they do is around Christmas time. They do a candlelight walk thru the whole outside. Its lit up and in each house they have characters acting out what it was like to live in the era. Very nice to bring the kids and reflect on history. Also they have a live band and hot coco and hot apple cider to keep warm. I enjoy it have been going the past 2 years now.

Great place for a history of the early America. Many ranch houses brought from different places for visitors to see.

Fairly cool place. One trip is sufficient, however. It's not usually busy. Just stay away during the holiday light show. Way too many people wandering aimlessly in the darkness.