The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

The Sixth Floor Museum occupies the upper floors of the former Texas School Book Depository at 411 Elm Street in downtown Dallas, the building from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired on President Kennedy's motorcade on November 22, 1963. The museum documents the assassination, its investigation, and its aftermath through photographs, film footage, artifacts, and an audio tour narrated with a restraint that suits the subject.

The permanent exhibition follows a chronological arc from Kennedy's presidency through the events in Dallas to the Warren Commission and the cultural impact that followed. The corner window from which the shots were fired is preserved behind glass, and the view down to Dealey Plaza below remains essentially unchanged. The audio tour is included with admission and adds approximately 30 minutes to the visit, with commentary that provides context without editorialising. Temporary exhibitions rotate and typically explore related themes in twentieth-century American history.

The museum handles a difficult subject with institutional care. There is no sensationalism, no conspiracy indulgence, and no attempt to dramatise events that carry their own weight. The result is a visit that is both educational and genuinely affecting.

Know before you go

Online tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $20 for youth. Door prices are slightly higher. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm and is closed Monday and Tuesday. Photography is not permitted inside the exhibit. The museum is located in downtown Dallas, approximately 35 to 40 minutes south of PGA Frisco.

What stands out

Dealey Plaza is one of the most historically significant sites in the United States, and the museum treats it accordingly. The combination of location, curation, and subject matter creates an experience that stays with visitors well beyond the two-hour visit. For anyone with even a passing interest in American history, this is essential.