Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey PlazaAbout Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a museum in Dallas, Texas, located on the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository. It is focused on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 and its aftermath.
Exhibits document the events of November 22, 1963, present forensic and documentary evidence, display the Zapruder film and explore the historical context and public response. The museum’s interpretation centers on primary-source material and timelines and uses the sixth-floor setting and windows to relate exhibits directly to Dealey Plaza and the motorcade route.
The building originally housed the Texas School Book Depository; Lee Harvey Oswald was apprehended later the same day in connection with the shooting. The site was later adapted and furnished as a museum to preserve and interpret the events and materials associated with the assassination.
The museum sits at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, adjacent to the John F. Kennedy Memorial and close to the Dallas County Courthouse and the western edge of the central business district. It directly overlooks Elm Street and the grassy area of Dealey Plaza where the motorcade passed.
- Location significance: The museum occupies the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository, the building associated with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
- Tickets and access: Timed-entry tickets and audio tours are commonly used; check the museum website for current ticketing, opening hours and visitor rules before you go.
- Best viewing point: The sixth-floor windows give the clearest on-site view of the Elm Street motorcade route and the Grassy Knoll, making them the principal photo and observation points for visitors.
What to See#
- Sixth-floor exhibition: Exhibition galleries on the sixth floor occupy the area associated with the Texas School Book Depository and present chronological displays about President Kennedy, the events of November 22, 1963, forensic evidence, eyewitness accounts and the Zapruder film.
- Observation windows / Dealey Plaza overlook: A set of windows on the sixth floor provides the direct view down Elm Street and across Dealey Plaza to the presidential motorcade route and the so-called Grassy Knoll, used in interpretive displays and public viewing.
- Museum shop and research holdings: A museum shop and an on-site research resource contain reproductions, publications and reference materials related to the assassination; the museum also maintains archival holdings for research purposes.
Nearby Attractions to Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Best Time to Visit Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Weekday mornings are less crowded; combine a museum visit with a guided walk of Dealey Plaza when possible.
Weather & Climate near Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 36°C. Moderate rainfall (940 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 2° - 13° | 5° | 49 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 4.0 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.1h |
| February | Very Good | 4° - 16° | 10° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 8° - 21° | 15° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 4.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 13° - 25° | 19° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 4.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Very Good | 18° - 29° | 23° | 131 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 4.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.7h |
| June | Very Good | 22° - 33° | 30° | 89 mm | some cloud | 67% | 3.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.1h |
| July | Excellent | 24° - 36° | 33° | 59 mm | mostly sunny | 61% | 3.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.9h |
| August | Excellent | 24° - 36° | 32° | 55 mm | mostly sunny | 58% | 3.1 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Excellent | 20° - 32° | 26° | 94 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 3.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 14° - 26° | 20° | 101 mm | some cloud | 66% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 8° - 19° | 14° | 62 mm | some cloud | 71% | 3.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 3° - 15° | 7° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 4.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
How to Get to Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The museum is located in downtown Dallas at 411 Elm Street, adjacent to Dealey Plaza. It is a short walk from the West End and the DART St. Paul Station; parking garages are also nearby.
Tips for Visiting Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- Book tickets online with a timed entry to guarantee access during busy months.
- Allow at least 90 minutes to take the exhibits, the 6th-floor vantage, and the audiovisual programs in full.
- Arrive early for quieter periods and the clearest view down Dealey Plaza from the sixth-floor window.