Area Attractions

Austin and Central Texas has something to offer for everyone. Museums, music, food, shopping, nature, and more. Here’s a small sampling of what Austin has in store for you!

• Texas State Capitol – A grand & historic building offering free tours. It’s one of the most iconic architectural and political landmarks in the city.
• Congress Avenue Bridge Bats – From spring through fall, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at dusk from under the bridge. It’s an unusual and iconic Austin spectacle.
• Barton Springs Pool – A spring-fed, natural pool with water around 70°F year-round.
• Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) – Great for walking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and enjoying the “Hike-and-Bike” trail along its shores.
• Zilker Park (which includes Barton Springs and is adjacent to the lake) – A large urban park often hosting events, picnics, and outdoor activities.
• Bullock Texas State History Museum – A well-curated museum telling the story of Texas, with interactive exhibits and films.
• LBJ Presidential Library & Museum – Focused on President Lyndon B. Johnson’s life and era (1960s), with exhibits on civil rights, the Vietnam War, and more.
• Blanton Museum of Art – Located at the University of Texas, the Blanton holds an extensive art collection (modern, Latin American, etc.).
• Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum – An outdoor museum showcasing works by sculptor Charles Umlauf, in a tranquil garden setting near Zilker Park.
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Around 10 miles southwest of downtown, a large botanical garden and arboretum focusing on native Texas plants.
• Mount Bonnell (Covert Park) – A popular hilltop viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of Austin, Lake Austin, and the surrounding hills.
• Zilker Botanical Garden – Inside Zilker Park, this 28-acre garden features themed sub-gardens (Japanese, cactus & succulent, rose garden, etc.).
• Circuit of the Americas (COTA) – A major motorsports facility hosting Formula 1, MotoGP, concerts, and driving experiences.
• Austin Nature & Science Center – A free, family-friendly museum and nature center located in Zilker Park with exhibits, live animals, and hands-on learning.
• Elisabet Ney Museum – The former studio/home of sculptor Elisabet Ney, now a museum of sculpture and art history.
• The Contemporary Austin (Jones Center & Laguna Gloria) – Contemporary art museum with two locations: downtown (Jones Center) and a lakeside villa/gallery (Laguna Gloria).
• Austin Zoo – A smaller, non-profit rescue zoo in Southwest Austin.
• Deep Eddy Pool – A historic, spring-fed swimming pool (smaller and typically less crowded than Barton Springs).
• South Congress Avenue (SoCo) – A lively street of shops, cafés, murals, music, street performances, and iconic Austin flair. Don’t forget to take a selfie with the “I Love You So Much” mural on the side wall of Jo’s Coffee or the “Greetings from Austin” mural at 1720 South 1st Street.
• Austin Aquarium – An aquarium in Austin featuring marine life exhibits, interactive experiences, and touch tanks.
• Pennybacker Bridge (360 Bridge) – A scenic bridge over Lake Austin, known for its striking arched design and great photo opportunities (especially at sunset).