The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas is one of the great humanities research libraries in the world, holding 36 million manuscripts, 5 million photographs, 1 million rare books, and major archives of writers, filmmakers, and cultural figures. What makes it extraordinary is that large parts of this collection are permanently on display in beautifully curated galleries.
The highlights for a casual visitor include the Gutenberg Bible, the world's first photograph, extensive archives of Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and rotating exhibitions drawn from the collection. The galleries are free and the building is on the main UT campus near the Capitol. Even a 30-minute visit is worthwhile; the permanent galleries covering the history of books and photography are genuinely outstanding.