TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
- Austin Helicopter Tour
- ATX Sculpture at Whole Foods
- Austin Aquarium
- Austin Brewery Tour
- Austin Zoo
- Cathedral of Junk (unique and eclectic art structure)
- Circuit of The Americas (Auto Race Track)
- Driveway Austin Motorsports (Drive Experience)
- HOPE Outdoor Gallery – the grounds are open to the general public but you need a permit to paint.
- Horseback Riding
- Lake Travis Zip-lining
- Lone Star Riverboat Cruises – Take a sunset tour on the Colorado River. If you come in the summer, you can do a bat watching tour.
- Murals – I love you so much, You’re my Butter Half, Love from Austin, Greetings from Austin, SprATX Art, and more (full post coming soon!)
- NLand Surf Park – great place to learn how to surf since the waves are consistent. Joel was a great instructor and helped me understand what I was doing right or wrong.
- The Oasis – dining over Lake Travis. A beautiful restaurant that’s all over Pinterest.
- Pennybacker Bridge – Local Tip: best photos are from the NE cliff or NW cliff.
- Pinballz Arcade – personal pinball collection turned into an arcade
- Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue, Auditorium Shores – Auditorium Shores is a nice place to shoot the skyline too
- Texas State Capitol Building + Visitor Center – really beautiful architecture.
- University of Texas – Littlefield Fountain + UT Tower in the backdrop is picturesque. You can also see a UT home football game in the fall.
MUSEUMS + MEMORIALS
- Austin Nature and Science Center
- Blanton Museum of Art
- Bullock Texas State History Museum
- Harry Ransom Center at UT – archive, art, library, and museum.
- LBJ Presidential Library
- Mexic-Arte Museum
- Museum of the Weird
- Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata
- O. Henry Museum
- Radha Madhav Dham Temple
- Sitagu Buddha Vihara Temple
- Sparky Park – electrical sub station turned into eccentric art
- Texas State Cemetery
- The Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria / the Jones Center / The Contemporary Austin Jones Center (Your $5.00 admission also gets you into the Laguna Gloria)
- Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum at Zilker Metropolitan Park- look for the bamboo forest
- Xiang Yun Temple (also called the International Buddhist Progress Society / IBPS)
- Zilker Botanical Garden at Zilker Metropolitan Park
photo: Erin & Caroline
URBAN PARKS + OUTDOORS
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail – trails run along the lake and take you through Zilker Park, Butler Park, Auditorium Shores, and Long Center for the Performing Arts.
- Austin Bouldering Project
- Barton Creek Greenbelt – Great for hiking, bouldering, and climbing. You can also swim at Twin Falls, Campbell’s Hole and swimming holes along the Gus Fruh Trail. Sculpture Falls is a one-mile hike and used to be more hidden but is now packed. Check out Seismic Wall aka Maggie’s Wall and see other popular climbs here.
- Commons Ford Ranch – lakefront park on Lake Austin.
- Deep Eddy Pool – It’s the oldest swimming pool in Texas. It’s a spring-fed pool, not as crowded as Barton Springs Pool.
- Barton Creek Spillway – free alternative to the popular Barton Springs. Local Tip – water is rushing sometimes, which means you want to be a strong swimmer. Bring river shoes and goggles.
- Barton Springs Pool – natural spring fed swimming pool. Local Tip: Upper Barton Springs is free and way less crowded. It’s 1200 ft upstream from Barton Springs Pool.
- Bob Wentz Park – a popular spot for scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, and swimming in the summer. See park fees here.
- Bull Creek Greenbelt – There are lots of great secluded swimming holes, hiking trails, and a short, wide waterfall.
- Emma Long Metropolitan Park – swimming hole with a true beach off Lake Austin. See entrance fees here.
- Hippie Hollow Park – great swimming and the only legally recognized clothing optional public park in Texas. Must be 18+. See park fees here.
- Mount Bonnell, Covert Park – Great photo spot and a view of the city. It’s 102 steps from the parking lot but overlooks Downtown, Lake Austin, and hill country. Best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Lady Bird Lake (aka Town Lake by locals, also the former name) – Go on a cruise, kayak, or SUP. It’s illegal to swim, and there is a $150 fine. If you want to photograph Lady Bird Lake and the skyline, popular spots are at the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, the Hike-and Bike trail boardwalk near Joe’s Crabshack entrance, and the Lamar Street Bridge.
- Longhorn Cavern State Park (Limestone Cave)
- Mansfield Dam Park on Lake Travis – popular boating and swimming spot. See park fees here.
- Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve – look for the peacocks!
- McKinney Falls State Park (Swimming Hole) – Has a waterfall, 700 acres of hiking trails, and camping. Travel channel it one of the top 10 swimming holes in the US.
- Red Bud Isle Park, let your dog off-leash here! It’s a great place for dogs to swim in Lake Austin but not dog owners.
- St. Edwards Park for more swimming hole fun, hiking, biking, and running.
- West Lake Beach – great for families. It has a roped off swimming area of Lake Austin. Local Tip: Call ahead. It’s often rented out for private events.
- Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
SHOPPING
- Allens Boots – has more than 4000 boots on display plus cowboy hats and clothing.
- Antonelli’s Cheese Shop
- Big Top Candy Shop
- BookPeople
- City Wide Garage Sale – Austin’s famous vintage market
- East Austin Succulents
- Feather’s Boutique Vintage
- Kick Pleat
- Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (Costume Store)
- Stag Provisions for Men
- Tesoros Trading Company (Folk Arts and Crafts)
- Texas Custom Boots
- TOMS Austin + Cafe serving TOMS Roasting Co
- Uncommon Objects (Antiques)
- Waterloo Records & Video
SHOWS, EVENTS, VENUES
- Antone’s Nightclub (Blues)
- Austin City Limits or ACL Live at the Moody Theater (Live Music)
- Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In
- Broken Spoke – last of the true Texas Dance-halls
- Carousel Lounge (Circus-themed lounge)
- The Continental Club – legendary South Congress club with local rock, country, jazz, and blues acts.
- Donn’s Depot (Piano Bar with Live Music)
- Ego’s (Karaoke)
- The Elephant Room (Underground Jazz bar)
- Esther’s Follies (Comedy)
- Historic Scoot Inn (Live Music) – usually eclectic indie bands
- Little Longhorn Saloon – Play Chicken Shit Bingo
- The Long Center – home to the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Lyric Opera, Ballet Austin, and more. It frames downtown nicely for photos.
- Mohawk Austin (Live Music)
- One World Theater (Music + Theater)
- Paramount Theater – Very underrated. They play a classic movie series in the summer.
- White Horse (Live Country Music)
DAY TRIPS
- Reimers Ranch Park, Dripping Springs (29.6 mi NW / 38 mins away) – Has a nice beach area to swim and sunbathe plus good limestone sport-climbing. See popular climbs here and park fees here.
- Hamilton Pool Preserve, Dripping Springs (30.7 mi NW / 43 mins away) – a natural grotto and swimming hole with a waterfall. Reserve ahead of time ($16 fee) and bring hiking shoes.
- Krause Springs, Spicewood (36.4 mi NW / 46 mins away) – There are 32 springs on their private property. See fees here. Since it’s private, 21+ can drink here.
- Pace Bend Park, Spicewood (35 mi NW / 54 mins away) – Pale Face is a popular cliff jumping spot. You can also find great camping, lake recreation, mountain biking, deep water soloing or water bouldering. See popular climbs here.
- Jacob’s Well Natural Area, Wimberley (36.4 mi SW / 48 mins away) – It’s a popular swimming hole with the biggest underwater cave system. Recreational diving is no longer allowed. Local Tip: Make reservations ahead of time. If they’re already booked, keeping checking back since there are cancellations.
- Blue Hole Park, Georgetown (28.5 mi N / 33 mins away) – another popular swimming hole
- Blue Hole Regional Park, Wimberley (37.7 mi SW / 46 mins away) – scenic swimming hole with green foliage, clear water, and grassy areas for picnics. open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. See admission fees and hours here.
- Pedernales Falls State Park, Johnson City (41.9 mi E / 1 h away) – Great photography spot. See fees here.
- Devil’s Watering Hole at Inks Lake State Park, Burnet (68.7 mi NW/ 1 h 22 min away) – Known for its cliff jumping and swimming. See entrance fees here. Local Tip: water is deep, so bring floaties.
- Guadalupe River State Park, Spring Branch (78.3 mi SW / 1 h 30 min away) – great tubing, swimming, canoeing. See entrance fees here. Local Tip: The Guadalupe River can feel like a giant frat party, whereas San Marcos River and Comal River are less crazy.
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