Gary’s Austin guidebook
Sightseeing
The state Capital has great significance to the city, state and the US. It is a must visit!
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Texas Capitol Visitors Center
112 E 11th StThe state Capital has great significance to the city, state and the US. It is a must visit!
Austin's most popular green space, the 351-acre Zilker Park is a favorite recreation area that sits alongside Lady Bird Lake.
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Zilker Metropolitan Park Playscape Shelter
Austin's most popular green space, the 351-acre Zilker Park is a favorite recreation area that sits alongside Lady Bird Lake.
Named after the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, Lady Bird Lake is actually a section of the Colorado River. This flowing reservoir covers 416 acres and has become one of the city's top recreation areas.
If you go out there on Saturdays, there is a live DJ in the delta area where you can stand. You are free to bring beers and alcohol.
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Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailNamed after the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, Lady Bird Lake is actually a section of the Colorado River. This flowing reservoir covers 416 acres and has become one of the city's top recreation areas.
If you go out there on Saturdays, there is a live DJ in the delta area where you can stand. You are free to bring beers and alcohol.
One of Austin's most unique things to do is enjoy the evening flight of the Mexican free-tailed bats that have made the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge their home. The world's largest urban bat colony, up to one-and-a-half million of these insect-devouring critters take to the sky at dusk each evening from March through November.
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Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueOne of Austin's most unique things to do is enjoy the evening flight of the Mexican free-tailed bats that have made the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge their home. The world's largest urban bat colony, up to one-and-a-half million of these insect-devouring critters take to the sky at dusk each evening from March through November.
In addition to being the first of the Texas University System campuses, the University of Texas at Austin is home to several top tourist attractions. The Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art has a permanent collection of 17,000 pieces of European, American, and Latin American art. The museum also hosts numerous temporary exhibits.
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University of Texas at Austin
In addition to being the first of the Texas University System campuses, the University of Texas at Austin is home to several top tourist attractions. The Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art has a permanent collection of 17,000 pieces of European, American, and Latin American art. The museum also hosts numerous temporary exhibits.
Although swimming in Lady Bird lake is prohibited, nearby Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is Austin's favorite place to cool off. This is by far my favorite place to go during a hot summer day. During winter, the water is a bit on the cooler side, but still manageable.
A spring-fed pool along Barton Creek, it covers an area of three acres and has an average temperature of 70 degrees year-round. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the grassy tree-lined perimeter and perfect water that reaches up to 18 feet deep.
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrAlthough swimming in Lady Bird lake is prohibited, nearby Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is Austin's favorite place to cool off. This is by far my favorite place to go during a hot summer day. During winter, the water is a bit on the cooler side, but still manageable.
A spring-fed pool along Barton Creek, it covers an area of three acres and has an average temperature of 70 degrees year-round. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the grassy tree-lined perimeter and perfect water that reaches up to 18 feet deep.
The Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the state's story through a variety of interesting interactive exhibits, along with audio-visual displays and film.
The permanent Story of Texas exhibit is home to artifacts and displays that feature defining events in the state's history. Artifacts include the preserved hull of the 17th-century La Belle, which was shipwrecked at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Other exhibits and presentations include the fall of the Alamo, Tejano culture, and the history of the Texas oil industry.
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Museo de Historia del Estado de Texas Bullock
1800 Congress AveThe Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the state's story through a variety of interesting interactive exhibits, along with audio-visual displays and film.
The permanent Story of Texas exhibit is home to artifacts and displays that feature defining events in the state's history. Artifacts include the preserved hull of the 17th-century La Belle, which was shipwrecked at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Other exhibits and presentations include the fall of the Alamo, Tejano culture, and the history of the Texas oil industry.
One of the most visited attractions in Austin, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum boasts more than 45 million pages of historical documents and papers from President LBJ's lengthy career.
The museum, dedicated in 1971 and refurbished in 2013, contains exhibits relating to the president's time in office, as well as important issues of the day, including the rise of the civil rights movement.
240 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StOne of the most visited attractions in Austin, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum boasts more than 45 million pages of historical documents and papers from President LBJ's lengthy career.
The museum, dedicated in 1971 and refurbished in 2013, contains exhibits relating to the president's time in office, as well as important issues of the day, including the rise of the civil rights movement.
Representing one of the city's largest cultural influences and populations, the Mexic-Arte Museum showcases traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.
Founded in 1983, the museum features rotating exhibits, many of which are thought-provoking statements about current issues, like immigration, border control, and acceptance of Mexican culture in Texas.
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mexic-Arte Museum
419 Congress AvenueRepresenting one of the city's largest cultural influences and populations, the Mexic-Arte Museum showcases traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.
Founded in 1983, the museum features rotating exhibits, many of which are thought-provoking statements about current issues, like immigration, border control, and acceptance of Mexican culture in Texas.
Another must-visit outdoor attraction in Austin is McKinney Falls State Park, home to one of the best waterfalls in Texas. In the southeastern corner of Austin, this natural landscape provides a perfect place to get away from the city and explore some of the most picturesque scenery in Texas.
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Parque Estatal McKinney Falls
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyAnother must-visit outdoor attraction in Austin is McKinney Falls State Park, home to one of the best waterfalls in Texas. In the southeastern corner of Austin, this natural landscape provides a perfect place to get away from the city and explore some of the most picturesque scenery in Texas.
Dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of American sculpture, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum features a number of works by 20th-century sculptor Charles Umlauf.
Located in the Zilker Metropolitan Park, the outdoor sculptures are on display among the trees, gardens, and ponds that surround the museum. Inside, visitors can see more of Umlauf's work in addition to exhibits about the artist's life and displays of personal artifacts and mementos.
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Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton RdDedicated to the understanding and appreciation of American sculpture, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum features a number of works by 20th-century sculptor Charles Umlauf.
Located in the Zilker Metropolitan Park, the outdoor sculptures are on display among the trees, gardens, and ponds that surround the museum. Inside, visitors can see more of Umlauf's work in addition to exhibits about the artist's life and displays of personal artifacts and mementos.
Of the many best hiking trails in Austin, Mount Bonnell is one of the most popular with tourists because of its numerous photo ops and proximity to the city center. The highest point in the city, it reaches 775 feet and provides views of downtown Austin and the 360 Bridge. It also looks out across the Colorado River and is the perfect place to take photos of Austin's skyline.
Although the lookout deck and pavilion are at the top of 102 stairs, it is not a steep or strenuous climb. Pets are welcome on the path and on the observation deck, and many visitors enjoy picnicking while admiring the view. Expect to encounter crowds if visiting on the weekend.
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Mount Bonnell
Of the many best hiking trails in Austin, Mount Bonnell is one of the most popular with tourists because of its numerous photo ops and proximity to the city center. The highest point in the city, it reaches 775 feet and provides views of downtown Austin and the 360 Bridge. It also looks out across the Colorado River and is the perfect place to take photos of Austin's skyline.
Although the lookout deck and pavilion are at the top of 102 stairs, it is not a steep or strenuous climb. Pets are welcome on the path and on the observation deck, and many visitors enjoy picnicking while admiring the view. Expect to encounter crowds if visiting on the weekend.
Arcade and gaming
Cidercade is my favorite arcade spot in Austin. There are over 48 taps of 24 different hard ciders, hard kombuchas, and hard seltzers with artisan thin-crust pizza, over 150 arcade games, and a lakeside patio.
The best part of Cidercade is all the machines are free to play! There is a $10 entry fee but its well worth it!
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cidercade
600 East Riverside DriveCidercade is my favorite arcade spot in Austin. There are over 48 taps of 24 different hard ciders, hard kombuchas, and hard seltzers with artisan thin-crust pizza, over 150 arcade games, and a lakeside patio.
The best part of Cidercade is all the machines are free to play! There is a $10 entry fee but its well worth it!
One of the best pinball arcades with the biggest selection under 1 roof. The coolest part about this place is the BYOB policy. You can bring your own drinks!
60 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pinballz Arcade
8940 Research BlvdOne of the best pinball arcades with the biggest selection under 1 roof. The coolest part about this place is the BYOB policy. You can bring your own drinks!
Kung Fu Saloon is located in the Domain shopping district. It has one of the coolest interior with good vibes, good drinks, and most importantly a good selection of games.
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kung Fu Saloon
716 W 6th StKung Fu Saloon is located in the Domain shopping district. It has one of the coolest interior with good vibes, good drinks, and most importantly a good selection of games.
Emerald Tavern is one of my go-to places to hang out with my friends to nerd out. It is one of the biggest game cafes that I have ever been to! Emerald Tavern offers one of the largest selection of games and a pretty good selection on draft.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Emerald Tavern Games and Cafe
9012 Research BlvdEmerald Tavern is one of my go-to places to hang out with my friends to nerd out. It is one of the biggest game cafes that I have ever been to! Emerald Tavern offers one of the largest selection of games and a pretty good selection on draft.
Club and bars
The three-story nightclub The Rose Room, provides a great space with great music. This club is complete with table reservations, DJs and plenty of space for dancing. It is my go to place for a good fun night out.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Rose Room
11500 Rock Rose AveThe three-story nightclub The Rose Room, provides a great space with great music. This club is complete with table reservations, DJs and plenty of space for dancing. It is my go to place for a good fun night out.
One of my favorite bars in the 6th street area. This bar is infamous for their mechanical bull riding machine.
Buck Wild
310 East 6th StreetOne of my favorite bars in the 6th street area. This bar is infamous for their mechanical bull riding machine.
Must visit place for all bachelor or bachelorette parties. A must see bull riding experience
WYLD Bar
Must visit place for all bachelor or bachelorette parties. A must see bull riding experience