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The Texas State Capitol
Taller than the U.S. Capitol (because everything is bigger in Texas), and remodeled in the 1980s, the Capitol Complex is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Stop at the Capitol Visitors Center first (112 East 11th Street) to get on a free guided tour, or pick up literature for a self-guided tour.
Call the Visitors Center at (512) 305-8400 or the Tour Guide Office at (512) 463-0063. Visitor parking available at San Jacinto and 12th Street.
Click here for tour information.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
This large, 3-story museum has 7 areas that house permanent and traveling exhibits and theatres, including an IMAX theatre. Don’t miss the original Goddess of Liberty statue that originally stood atop the State Capitol, the tribute to Austinite Lance Armstrong, and the rhinestone-encrusted Caddy! Located on the SW corner of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. and N. Congress Ave. An easy walk from the north side of the State Capitol. Call (512) 936-8746 or toll free (866) 369-7108.
Click here for website.
Texas State Governor’s Mansion
Next to the Capitol, this mansion has been home to every Texas Governor since 1856. Open for public tours with advance reservations.
Located at 1010 Colorado. Call (512) 463-5516 for tour information, or (512) 463-5518 to make reservations.
The Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
The Congress Avenue bridge in downtown Austin is the spring and summer home to about a million and a half Mexican free-tailed bats, the largest urban bat colony in North America. Each night around sunset, black clouds of bats emerge from under the bridge, sometimes taking as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge! The bats reside under the bridge from March through October, but best viewing is usually in August, after the pups are born and join in to the nightly insect foraging. In 2005, the first (hopefully annual) Bat Fest was held, offering “21 bands, 100 booths with artisans, and 2 million bats”. Call the Bat Hotline for best viewing times, (512) 416-5700 ext. 3636.
Ride the ‘Dillo
The ‘Dillo (short for armadillo) is a free commuter service downtown. These reproduction trolley cars service downtown Austin, the Capitol Complex, University of Texas campus, Congress Avenue, and Town Lake, among other places. For route info, call (512) 474-1200 or (800) 474-1201.
Waterloo Park
A 10-acre park in the heart of downtown, home to many festivals and concerts throughout the year. Waller Creek runs through the middle. Located at 403 East 15th. For more info, call the Austin Parks & Recreation Dept at (512) 440-5150.
Treaty Oak
Legend has it that Stephen F. Austin signed a treaty with the Indians under this tree in the 1800s. In 1937, the city bought the land surrounding Treaty Oak to save it from destruction. Famously, in 1989, the tree was deliberately poisoned and nearly destroyed, but extensive measures to save the tree were at least partially successful, and about half of the tree still stands today. Located on Baylor Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, west of Lamar Blvd.
University of Texas Tower
Built in 1936, the tower is the heart of the U.T. campus. It’s 27 stories high, taller than the Capitol Building. The building glows orange and the bells ring to celebrate U.T. victories. The tower’s infamous history includes the Charles Whitman sniper shootings in 1966 that killed thirteen and closed down the tower to tourists. In 1999, the tower’s Observation Deck reopened with a safety lattice. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, access now is granted only during guided tours. Call (512) 475-6633 for more information about tickets and tours.
Click here for website.
Sixth Street & The Warehouse District
One of the best known streets in the country! Austin, officially known as the “live music capitol of the world” offers up much of that entertainment along seven blocks of east 6th street, from Congress Avenue to Interstate I35. On any given night, hundreds of local bars and clubs feature live music. Take your pick from hard rock, soulful blues, jazz, country or hip-hop. Like the rest of casual, funky Austin, there is no dress code, and you’ll see it all – tuxedos to tattoos, cowboy boots to heels, jeans or shorts, and everything in between. Great place to people watch!
In general, the college kids tend to dominate Sixth Street, and the 30+ crowd migrates to the Warehouse District, around 4th Street, where they mingle in jazz bars and upscale dining establishments.
Originally called Pecan Street, 6th Street is home to many annual festivals, such as The Old Pecan Street Festivals (Spring and Fall), Mardi Gras, Halloween, New Years Eve, and the Victorian Christmas on 6th Street.
Barton Springs Swimming Pool
Classic Austin! The best swimming hole in town. 900+ feet long, located centrally in Zilker Park. Needs to be experienced on a weekday, when the “serious swimmers” show up (year round, regardless of weather!) and on summer weekends, when it’s the place to see and be seen.
Click here for more info.
Bluebonnets!
The official State Flower, bluebonnets, is cause for celebration in Spring. Blooms first appear in March and peak in April. It’s almost state law that kids must have their photo taken annually sitting in a patch of bluebonnets! Call the Wildflower Center (512-832-4037) or the Texas Department of Transportation hotline (March through May, 800-452-9292) for up-to-date info on the best sites for photo ops.
Mount Bonnell
Located in Austin, rising 200 feet above Lake Austin, this natural limestone “mountain” is a favorite spot for views, a short hike, and photography. From downtown, take Mopac north to 35th street, then go west to Mount Bonnell Road.
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