Austin Travel Guide
The Live Music Capital of the World, where Congress Avenue bats, Tex-Mex breakfast tacos, BBQ pilgrimages, and Lady Bird Lake trails power a city that bills itself weird and keeps getting cooler.
🏛️ Sights and Attractions in Austin
- Texas State Capitol — A 1888 granite capitol building taller than the U.S. Capitol, with free guided tours of the rotunda, legislative chambers, and grounds.
- Congress Avenue Bridge Bats — Home to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats from March to November, emerging at dusk in a spectacular cloud — the largest urban bat colony in the world.
- Zilker Park — A 350-acre park in central Austin with Barton Springs Pool, the Zilker Botanical Garden, and the Austin City Limits festival grounds.
- Bullock Texas State History Museum — The official history museum of Texas, with three floors of exhibits from Native American cultures to the oil boom and space exploration.
- Mount Bonnell — A 775-foot limestone bluff overlooking the Colorado River, offering the best sunset view in Austin after a short 100-step climb.
- South Congress Avenue — A vibrant strip of vintage shops, food trucks, music venues, and the iconic "I love you so much" mural at Jo's Coffee.
- LBJ Presidential Library — The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum on the UT campus, with exhibits on the 36th president, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Act.
- The Driskill Historic Building — A 1886 Romanesque Revival hotel built by cattle baron Jesse Driskill, with original stained glass and a famous bar with live music.
- Blanton Museum of Art — The University of Texas art museum with 21,000 works, famous for its contemporary collection and Ellsworth Kelly's Austin building.
- Austin City Limits Experience — The ACL Live at The Moody Theater venue, home to the longest-running music show on PBS, with nightly concerts.
🥾 Trails and Hikes in Austin
- Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail — A 10-mile paved loop around Lady Bird Lake through downtown Austin, with skyline views, boardwalks, and access to Zilker Park.
- Barton Creek Greenbelt — A 7-mile trail through limestone canyons and swimming holes, popular for hiking, biking, and cliff jumping when the creek flows.
- Mount Bonnell Trail — A short 0.2-mile climb up 106 stone steps to the summit of Mount Bonnell, rewarded with panoramic Colorado River views.
- River Place Nature Trail — A 5-mile out-and-back trail through a canyon in west Austin with waterfalls, ferns, and a boardwalk over the creek.
- Walnut Creek Trail — A 15-mile trail through northeast Austin parks and along Walnut Creek, popular with mountain bikers and trail runners.
🍽️ Restaurants in Austin
- Franklin Barbecue — Aaron Franklin's legendary BBQ joint where the line starts at 8 AM, serving brisket that won a James Beard Award and draws BBQ pilgrims worldwide.
- Uchi — Tyson Cole's acclaimed Japanese restaurant in south Austin, with innovative sushi, omakase, and a James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest.
- La Barbecue — A east Austin BBQ truck with pitmaster John Lewis, serving mesquite-smoked brisket, beef ribs, and sausage with minimal wait times.
- Torchy's Tacos — An Austin-born taco chain with creative tacos like the Democrat (shredded beef) and the Brushfire (Jamaican jerk chicken), started from a food truck.
- Joe's Bakery — A family-run Tex-Mex institution since 1962, serving breakfast tacos, menudo, and homemade tortillas from 6 AM on East 6th Street.
- Kemuri Tatsu-ya — A Japanese-Texan fusion restaurant on East 6th, combining izakaya and smokehouse traditions with brisket ramen and smoked fish.
- Suerte — A modern Mexican restaurant in east Austin by Chef Fermín Núñez, with house-made masa, suadero tacos, and a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
- Launderette — A trendy all-day bistro in east Austin by Chef Larry McGuire, with a raw bar, wood-fired dishes, and a popular weekend brunch.
🍸 Bars and Nightlife in Austin
- White Horse — An east Austin honky-tonk with two-step dance lessons, live country music, and a PBR-and-whiskey crowd that draws locals and tourists alike.
- Scoot Inn — One of Austin's oldest bars (est. 1871), an outdoor east Austin venue with live music, fire pits, and a laid-back beer garden.
- Whisler's — A cocktail bar on east 6th Street with a curated drink list, a mezcaleria in the back, and a popular patio with food trucks.
- Craft Pride — A Texas-only craft beer bar on east 6th with 50+ taps of Texas brews, a denim shop in the back, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Golden Tiger — A tiki-inspired cocktail bar on east 6th with tropical drinks, a hidden atmosphere, and a popular late-night scene.
🎯 Activities and Tours in Austin
- Austin Food Tour with Authentic Flavors, Tacos & 5 Food Tastings — Join us on our Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin and let our expert guides and your taste buds take you on a culinary adventure through the bustling streets in the heart of the live music capital of the world. Discover the flavors of Texas as you indulge in a variety of dishes,
- Giant Glow Paddleboarding the Downtown Skyline with Bats — This specific tour is really similar to the kayaking with the bats or giant Paddleboarding with the bats only its more of a VIP experience. You start after most people, stay out longer than most, and you get more photos of your group and you're after dark photos should be amazi
- The Escape Game: Epic 60-Minute Adventures in Downtown Austin — The Escape Game Austin has 8 interactive escape rooms, including our exclusive Classified, which can only be found in two locations around the country, and our newest adventure, Cosmic Crisis. Larger parties can start their experience with up to 59 players at the same time. Each
- The Story of Austin: Downtown History Walking Tour — From cowboys to condominiums, take a walk through the story of Austin, beginning and ending in what was once a roaring red light district turned warehouse district in Austin’s earlier years. Along the way, we'll explore the rich history of Austin and discover how it became the vi
- Kayak Rentals on Lady Bird Lake — Located right in downtown Austin, we offer the most scenic views of Lady Bird Lake. This paddle on your own adventure allows you to see Austin from a whole new perspective from your single kayak. On your journey you will pass under the famous Congress Avenue Bat Bridge, see the D
- Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour — Learn all about Austin and its rich history while enjoying an awesome view of the city from the top of a double-decker bus. You get the best views of Austin from our unobstructed upper deck, making this the best tour for taking photographs. People on the street also love to inter
- Best of Austin Small-Group Driving Tour with Local Guide — Austin’s favorite “bucket list tour” offers an excellent city overview in just 2 hours. Visit major landmarks, lesser-known gems that only a local would know about, real neighborhoods, and even a sweet treat! Your guide’s in-the-know commentary provides more insight than you coul
- Haunted Austin Walking History Tour — Descend into the cover of darkness in the iconic city of Austin, TX with a nationally acclaimed storyteller. Your expert guide will keep your small group scared and entertained during this 90-minute walking tour with historical tales of murder, mystery and of course, ghosts. In a
- Downtown Austin Giant Paddleboard Sunset Tour with Bats — The advantages of the giant paddleboard over a kayak are many. You get to stay with your group on one board for a shared experience. You can stay totally dry if you choose. That saves you a trip to your hotel before and after since you can come dressed as you are and go out s
- Austin Electric Bike Tour: Let it Ride — Too hot for a regular bike tour? Wanna experience Austin in a new and exciting way? This ELECTRIC bike tour is for you! Check out Austin's favorite murals, landmarks, and history on this journey propelled by a pedal-assist E-bike. The " I love you so much" wall, Barton Springs po
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🏨 Hotels and Stays in Austin
- South Congress Hotel — South Congress Hotel is a mid-range hotel in Austin city center, Austin. It offers a practical base for exploring the city for travelers exploring Austin.
- Fairmont Austin — Fairmont Austin is a mid-range hotel in Rainey Street Historic District, Austin. It offers a practical base for exploring the city and access to the waterfront for travelers exploring Austin.
- Four Seasons Hotel Austin — At Four Seasons Hotel Austin, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests. Complimentary internet access is available in the hotel to ensure you stay connected during your visit. Discover the wonders of Austin (TX) with ease by utilizing the services provided...
- Austin Proper Hotel — At Austin Proper Hotel a Member of Design Hotels, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests. For guests with their own vehicle, parking facilities are provided. At the hotel, their tours can even assist you in booking tickets and securing reservations for l...
- The Driskill Hotel — The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt offers top-notch services and amenities, ensuring guests experience utmost comfort.Share your photos and respond to emails at your convenience, thanks to the free Wi-Fi internet access offered by hotel. Taxi offerings at the hotel enhance the ease of d...
- Hotel Saint Cecilia — Located in East Austin. 4-star property. Guest review score: 9.2/10. Rates from $492/night.
- Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt — Experience an abundance of unparalleled facilities and features at Hotel Van Zandt. Maintain seamless communication using the complimentary Wi-Fi at hotel.Guests can avail parking facilities at the hotel. Reception assistance is offered at the hotel featuring luggage storage. At the hotel, utilize t...
- W Austin — Experience an abundance of unparalleled facilities and features at Super 8 By Wyndham Austin North/University Area. Maintain seamless communication using the complimentary Wi-Fi at hotel.For visitors traveling by automobile, complimentary parking is available.During your stay at this fantastic hotel...
- Omni Austin Hotel Downtown — Experience an abundance of unparalleled facilities and features at Omni Austin Hotel Downtown. Maintain seamless communication using the complimentary Wi-Fi at hotel.Guests can avail parking facilities at the hotel. During your stay at this fantastic hotel, the attentive front desk personnel can pro...
- Hyatt House Austin Downtown — Great care is taken to ensure guests experience comfort through top-notch services and amenities.Need some relaxation? Your room features daily housekeeping to make your stay even more comfortable and enjoyable. Crafted for coziness, every guestroom provides an array of features, guaranteeing a tran...
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