From the Astrodome in Houston to Frost Tower in Austin, we have some pretty impressive architecture in the Lone Star State that continues to wow both tourists and locals alike. You will be amazed by the sights when you see any of these places. Here are 10 of the most brilliant pieces of architecture in Texas that you will find when you go exploring.
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science - Dallas
Wikipedia/Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Rodney/Flickr Designed by Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, the large cube structure floating over a landscaped base and the stone roof featuring drought-tolerant greenery was designed to provide a real-life example of technology, engineering, and sustainable practices working together in harmony. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a sight to be seen! Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple - Stafford
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Katie Haugland/Flickr
Wikipedia/BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir This breathtaking traditional Hindu temple built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a denomination of Hinduism, was constructed over a 28 month period and consists of 33,000 pieces of hand-carved marble and Turkish limestone. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple was built to fit sacred Hindu scripture and the grounds spread over 22 acres. It’s one of the most stunning buildings in Texas. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 4601 State Hwy 161, Irving, TX 75038, USA
- Texas State Capitol - Austin
Kumar Appalah/Flickr
Fourth photography/Flickr The largest state capitol building in the country, the Texas State Capitol spans 360,000 square feet (not including the Capitol Extension). The grand structure has nearly 400 rooms and stands proudly at 308 feet tall. Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Pennzoil Place - Houston
WIkipedia/Pennzoil Place Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, these two 36-story towers in downtown Houston constantly win awards for their innovative design. Pennzoil Place consists of two 495-foot tall trapezoidal towers placed ten feet apart and encased in dark bronze glass and aluminum. The buildings are mirror images of one another and create optical illusions depending on where you stand. So when you visit, be sure you walk around to get the full effect. Pennzoil Place, Houston, TX 77002, USA
- The Alamo - San Antonio
Rob Gross/Flickr One of the most iconic structures in Texas, The Alamo is built almost entirely of limestone. It was recently deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of the classic examples of the best architecture in Texas. The historical significance is simply unmatched. The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
- Hunt Consolidated Tower - Dallas
Wikimedia Commons The 15-story-high Hunt Consolidated Tower in downtown Dallas really catches your eye with the giant glass “H” in the front. Hunt Consolidated, Inc., 1900 N Akard St Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
- Astrodome - Houston
Ed Schipul/Flickr Talk about famous architecture in Texas! While not in use currently, The Astrodome is still notable for being the world’s first domed stadium and was nicknamed “The Eighth Wonder of the World.” It is definitely worth a visit to see the famous structure. Astrodome, Houston, TX, USA
- Frost Bank Tower - Austin
Wikipedia/Frost Bank Tower
Andrew Nourse/Flickr The Frost Bank Tower is the third-tallest building in Austin. This impressive skyscraper stands at 33 stories and 515 feet tall. It is easily one of the most photographed buildings in Austin, and when you see it, you will certainly see why. Frost Bank Tower, 401 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Fountain Place - Dallas
Mahesh Punyamurthula/Flickr
Bill Lile/Flickr This multi-faceted prism with slanted sides was designed by award-winning architects Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and was completed in 1986. The very impressive Fountain Place was named after the 172 fountains surrounding the building at its base. This building will make everyone who visits stop and stare! Fountain Drive, Fountain Dr, Dallas, TX 75224, USA
- Armstrong-Browning Library at Baylor University - Waco
Wikipedia/Armstrong Browning Library
Texas Tongs/Flickr Dr. A. J. Armstrong, the founder of the Browning Collection, sought to create “the most beautiful building in Texas.” He made his dream come to life with this magnificent three-story Italian Renaissance-style building, decorated with sixty-two stained glass windows and detailed ceiling designs. Many travelers come to Armstrong-Browning Library just to take pictures of the astoundingly beautiful interior and to relish in the tranquility it offers visitors. Armstrong Browning Library, 710 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706, USA
Also, if anyone is interested, I wrote about beautiful castles in Texas that most people don’t know about a while back. Since we’re talking about architecture and all, I figured I’d mention it.
Wikipedia/Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Rodney/Flickr
Designed by Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, the large cube structure floating over a landscaped base and the stone roof featuring drought-tolerant greenery was designed to provide a real-life example of technology, engineering, and sustainable practices working together in harmony. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a sight to be seen!
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Katie Haugland/Flickr
Wikipedia/BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
This breathtaking traditional Hindu temple built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a denomination of Hinduism, was constructed over a 28 month period and consists of 33,000 pieces of hand-carved marble and Turkish limestone. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple was built to fit sacred Hindu scripture and the grounds spread over 22 acres. It’s one of the most stunning buildings in Texas.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 4601 State Hwy 161, Irving, TX 75038, USA
Kumar Appalah/Flickr
Fourth photography/Flickr
The largest state capitol building in the country, the Texas State Capitol spans 360,000 square feet (not including the Capitol Extension). The grand structure has nearly 400 rooms and stands proudly at 308 feet tall.
Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
WIkipedia/Pennzoil Place
Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, these two 36-story towers in downtown Houston constantly win awards for their innovative design. Pennzoil Place consists of two 495-foot tall trapezoidal towers placed ten feet apart and encased in dark bronze glass and aluminum. The buildings are mirror images of one another and create optical illusions depending on where you stand. So when you visit, be sure you walk around to get the full effect.
Pennzoil Place, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Rob Gross/Flickr
One of the most iconic structures in Texas, The Alamo is built almost entirely of limestone. It was recently deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of the classic examples of the best architecture in Texas. The historical significance is simply unmatched.
The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Wikimedia Commons
The 15-story-high Hunt Consolidated Tower in downtown Dallas really catches your eye with the giant glass “H” in the front.
Hunt Consolidated, Inc., 1900 N Akard St Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Ed Schipul/Flickr
Talk about famous architecture in Texas! While not in use currently, The Astrodome is still notable for being the world’s first domed stadium and was nicknamed “The Eighth Wonder of the World.” It is definitely worth a visit to see the famous structure.
Astrodome, Houston, TX, USA
Wikipedia/Frost Bank Tower
Andrew Nourse/Flickr
The Frost Bank Tower is the third-tallest building in Austin. This impressive skyscraper stands at 33 stories and 515 feet tall. It is easily one of the most photographed buildings in Austin, and when you see it, you will certainly see why.
Frost Bank Tower, 401 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Mahesh Punyamurthula/Flickr
Bill Lile/Flickr
This multi-faceted prism with slanted sides was designed by award-winning architects Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and was completed in 1986. The very impressive Fountain Place was named after the 172 fountains surrounding the building at its base. This building will make everyone who visits stop and stare!
Fountain Drive, Fountain Dr, Dallas, TX 75224, USA
Wikipedia/Armstrong Browning Library
Texas Tongs/Flickr
Dr. A. J. Armstrong, the founder of the Browning Collection, sought to create “the most beautiful building in Texas.” He made his dream come to life with this magnificent three-story Italian Renaissance-style building, decorated with sixty-two stained glass windows and detailed ceiling designs. Many travelers come to Armstrong-Browning Library just to take pictures of the astoundingly beautiful interior and to relish in the tranquility it offers visitors.
Armstrong Browning Library, 710 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706, USA
What other buildings or structures should I have added to the list? Have you been to any of these impressive and beautiful buildings? Which one was your favorite? Let me know in the comments section!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Architecture in Texas December 11, 2022 Danielle Schwartz Where are the most beautiful churches in Texas? The most beautiful churches in Texas are all across the Lone Star State. Check out these gorgeous structures:
San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio St. Joseph Parish in San Antonio All the lovely churches in Pflugerville
What is the most beautiful building in Texas? The most beautiful building in Texas just might be the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. This museum is pretty inside and out. Spend time in the striking courtyard outdoors before going in to enjoy the exhibits in the art galleries. Where is the most beautiful library in Texas? The most beautiful library in Texas is the Tyrrell Historical Library in downtown Beaumont. It has been standing since 1926. It used to be a church and you can see the evidence in the intricate stained glass windows. You can learn about Texas history here by taking a look at all the artifacts inside.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Architecture in Texas
December 11, 2022
Danielle Schwartz
Where are the most beautiful churches in Texas? The most beautiful churches in Texas are all across the Lone Star State. Check out these gorgeous structures:
San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio St. Joseph Parish in San Antonio All the lovely churches in Pflugerville
What is the most beautiful building in Texas? The most beautiful building in Texas just might be the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. This museum is pretty inside and out. Spend time in the striking courtyard outdoors before going in to enjoy the exhibits in the art galleries. Where is the most beautiful library in Texas? The most beautiful library in Texas is the Tyrrell Historical Library in downtown Beaumont. It has been standing since 1926. It used to be a church and you can see the evidence in the intricate stained glass windows. You can learn about Texas history here by taking a look at all the artifacts inside.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The most beautiful churches in Texas are all across the Lone Star State. Check out these gorgeous structures:
- San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio
- St. Joseph Parish in San Antonio
- All the lovely churches in Pflugerville
What is the most beautiful building in Texas?
The most beautiful building in Texas just might be the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. This museum is pretty inside and out. Spend time in the striking courtyard outdoors before going in to enjoy the exhibits in the art galleries.
Where is the most beautiful library in Texas?
The most beautiful library in Texas is the Tyrrell Historical Library in downtown Beaumont. It has been standing since 1926. It used to be a church and you can see the evidence in the intricate stained glass windows. You can learn about Texas history here by taking a look at all the artifacts inside.