Austin, which is the state capital of Texas, is often thought of as the live music capital of the world. In this Texas city, you will find roughly 250 live music venues. In addition, Austin is also the home of the University of Texas. The city boasts more than 300 parks and it is the 11th largest city in the United States. One unique and quirky feature of Austin is that it houses the largest urban bat population in North America. In fact, the city is home to over 1 million Mexican free-tailed bats.
There is a substantial public transportation system available in Austin. What many visitors find is that while this public transportation can get you from place to place, having a good rental car makes trips much quicker and more direct. For a couple that is making a romantic trip to Austin, a premium sedan often makes a great rental choice. If you have a larger group or you’re traveling with family, a multi-seater or an SUV is often a good choice.
- 1. Texas State Capitol Building
- 2. Blanton Museum of Art
- 3. Zilker Park
- 4. McKinney Falls State Park
- 5. LBJ Presidential Library
- 6. Thinkery
- 7. Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
- 8. Austin Zoo
- 9. Cathedral of Junk
- 10. Circuit of the Americas
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in Austin
Must-see attractions in Austin
1. Texas State Capitol Building
This building serves as the seat of government for the state of Texas and houses the chambers for both the state Legislature and the Governor. This building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a National Historic Landmark. To learn more about the building and the history of the state of Texas it is best to go on a guided tour when you visit the capitol.
Address: 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
2. Blanton Museum of Art
This museum sits on the campus of the University of Texas and is one of the largest university art museums in the United States. Beyond the permanent collections here there are also several classrooms and study rooms dedicated to the study of art. The museum contains a collection of more than 21,000 works with a special emphasis on Latin American art.
Address: 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78712
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
3. Zilker Park
For those who want to spend some time outdoors in a great green space, this is the park for you. You will find the park just a short drive to the west of downtown Austin. The park sits at the junction of Barton Creek and Colorado River and covers around 350 acres. The park serves as a hub in this area for many recreational activities including hiking and biking around Lady Bird Lake.
Address: 2207 Lou Neff Road, Austin, TX 78746
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
4. McKinney Falls State Park
This beautiful state park sits just a short drive to the south of downtown Austin. The park sits right at the confluence of both Williamson and Onion creeks. Where the waters meet you will find the amazing waterfalls that are part of this park. There are plenty of places to go swimming plus there are a lot of great trails for hiking.
Address: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
5. LBJ Presidential Library
This is the presidential library of the 36th President of the United States. The library sits on the grounds of the University of Texas. This is one of 13 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. There are tours available of the library to give you more information about the life and work of the former president.
Address: 2313 Red River St., Austin, TX 78705
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
6. Thinkery
If you have brought children along on your trip to Austin, this is a great place to spend a couple of hours. Parents will find that kids of all ages can spend an afternoon at this children’s museum. The museum offers all sorts of interactive displays that will teach and entertain kids. The museum is just a short drive to the northeast of downtown Austin.
Address: 1830 Simond Ave., Austin, TX 78723
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
7. Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
This sculpture garden is based on the works of the American sculptor Charles Umlauf. There is a seasonal schedule of works presented, so depending on which time of year you come here you may see an entirely unique display. This makes a terrific place to simply wander the grounds and marvel at the beauty of the surroundings. The garden is just a short drive to the southwest of the center of Austin.
Address: 605 Azie Morton Road, Austin, TX 78704
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
8. Austin Zoo
For animal lovers, this is a place in Austin that you will definitely want to visit. You will find the zoo just a short drive to the southwest of downtown Austin. The zoo features roughly 300 animals from around 100 different species including several lions, tigers, cougars, and monkeys. One of the highlights for kids here is a small tree ride that they can go on.
Address: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
9. Cathedral of Junk
If you are looking for a quirky place that highlights the varied cultures and styles of Austin, this is it. This is an unusual series of shelters created entirely out of used junk. While this is something that you can wander through, quickly getting pictures here of yourself and your party are memories that you’re going to cherish for a lifetime.
Address: 4422 Lareina Dr., Austin, TX 78745
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Varies daily
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
10. Circuit of the Americas
If you need some speed this is a stop that you want to make when you visit Austin. The track sits just a short drive to the southeast of the city of Austin. The claim to fame of this track is that it hosts an annual F1 race. It also holds a NASCAR race as well as several other races throughout the year.
Address: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin, TX 78617
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: A full day
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Austin
Since the city of Austin has such a varied and diverse culture, it is no surprise that the food and drink scene mirrors that very thing. From upscale dining, to hole-in-the-wall Mexican spots, to bars filled with craft cocktails, Austin has something for everyone.
Franklin’s Barbeque: No trip to anywhere in Texas would be complete without some great barbecue. This local favorite has shown up countless times in several food and travel blogs plus plenty of magazines and TV shows. While the food is something you can’t miss, get ready for long waits at times.
Torchy’s Tacos: While barbecue is certainly a Texas favorite the city of Austin is just as well known for its Mexican fare. This location has a reputation for some unique tacos and some of the favorites here are the Democrat taco and the green chili pork taco with their signature queso on top.
Kerby Lane Cafe: If you are looking for a great brunch spot when you visit Austin this may be just the perfect place. Locals feel that this restaurant does capture the vibe of the city and in addition to great staples such as pancakes, they also offer many vegetarian items.
