Top Austin Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Avoid traffic and swap busy city sightseeing tours for something a bit more peaceful—a relaxing sunset cruise on Lake Austin. This tour showcases views of Mount Bonnell, Mr “Alright, Alright, Alright’s” Lake House, and a place nicknamed “Little Venice” with luxurious mansions. Ride in a comfortable pontoon boat equipped with a cooler and ice, so you can BYOB and enjoy a laid-back ride on the lake.

Discover the beauty of Lake Austin with ease, thanks to this scenic boat adventure. Instead of encountering expensive bar tabs, you can benefit from the flexibility of a BYOB experience, so you can bring your favorite drinks with you. On board, enjoy plenty of amenities, including an ice cooler, bottled water, and a speaker to play your favorite tunes.

Save time looking up bus schedules and opt for this hassle-free Austin sightseeing bus tour instead. Travel on a loop around the city that passes by top landmarks in Austin’s downtown area. Along the way, listen to commentary from a guide, get great photos from the top deck, or sit in the climate-controlled lower deck. Highlights include 6th Street, The Driskill hotel, Texas State Capitol, and the Texas Governor’s Mansion.

If you want to see the hordes of bats that fly through Austin each night but don’t want to do so from the Congress Avenue Bridge, book this Downtown Austin Sunset and Bats Kayak Tour that lets you view the bats and the beautiful sunset from the water. A guide leads you and others out in your kayaks and knows the best areas to stop for viewing. Plus, all necessary equipment is provided for you.

Escape busy local buses and see Austin in style, with this private highlights tour. Enjoy the thrill of traveling in an open-top Ford Bronco, and check off lots of key landmarks—such as Lady Bird Lake, the grounds of the Texas Capitol, and Mount Bonnell. Also, as it’s a private trip, you can ask questions throughout and get a more personalized service.

Get a comprehensive overview of Austin on this sightseeing tour. See famous landmarks along with hidden gems, real neighborhoods, and food trucks. Learn about Austin's history and culture with commentary from your guide and hear fun facts about the city that even the locals don't know. Plus, choose a morning or afternoon departure to easily fit this tour into your schedule.

Experience the best of Lake Austin on this BYOB Sunset Cruise. Relax as your captain navigates past Mount Bonnell, Austin Country Club, and the iconic 360 Bridge, with music, cold drinks, and unbeatable views. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and groups, this cruise blends chill vibes, golden-hour scenery, and local flavor into one unforgettable Austin experience.

Ideal for foodies and hungry visitors, this Austin food tour lets you explore the city’s culinary scene without hours of research. Join a guide and small group to sample numerous foods—from barbecue brisket to Austin-style breakfast tacos and even an Italian cannoli. Choose from two areas: downtown or South Congress, and discover some of the city’s popular sights and attractions as you stroll the streets.

This is our star tour, showing the very best speakeasy bars Austin has to offer—each with its own unique theme. We begin right at sunset at a hidden speakeasy disguised as a travel agency just outside downtown. This tiki-themed venue features vibrant, exotic décor, theatrical drinks, and unmatched creativity. From there, we head to a hidden luxury speakeasy tucked inside a casual Mexican restaurant, where the atmosphere and décor are breathtaking and the aesthetic alone is enough to consider this location one of Austin's best speakeasies! We then journey through the heart of downtown, sharing Austin’s rich history while passing landmarks such as the Texas State Capitol and the famously haunted Driskill Hotel. Then we slip into an exclusive speakeasy—accessible only by invitation—hidden in a back alley behind the Driskill. Intimate and luxurious, it serves some of the most unforgettable cocktails you’ll ever taste. This isn’t just a tour—it’s Austin’s ultimate speakeasy experience.

Many of the bat tours that set out on Lady Bird Lake in Austin are filled with so many people, it can be hard to see where your guide is leading you, but not with this Austin Bats Sunset Small-Group Kayak Tour. This tour sets out at sunset with just 12 for a more intimate experience. Take in views from your kayak of the Mexican free-tailed bats as they fly above Congress Avenue Bridge.

Head off the usual tourist trail to uncover Austin’s sinister side on this guided walking tour through the city's most haunted and historic sites, covering about 2 miles (3.2 km) of the downtown area. Begin at The Tavern, once a Prohibition-era hotspot and now home to ghosts, before visiting eerie landmarks like the Texas Capitol, Paramount Theatre, and the Driskill Hotel, famous for its haunted bridal suite and lingering spirits. Along the way, hear chilling accounts of the "Servant Girl Annihilator", the UT Tower shooting, and whispers of the modern-day “Rainey Street Ripper.”

Most boat tours on Lake Austin are aboard loud, stinky gas-powered pontoons or motorboats—and with summer temperatures easily reaching past 100°F (38°C), they can also be stifling. Treat yourself to a more serene and comfortable experience on this hour-long private cruise in an electric Duffy boat. Enjoy panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of waterfront mansions from the fully enclosed, climate-controlled glass cabin.

Lake Austin is especially scenic at sunset, but organizing a boat rental or navigating the water yourself takes effort. On this small-group cruise, a captain handles the steering while you relax on the water and enjoy sunset views over the Texas Hill Country. With a BYOB setup and plenty of space to relax, you can unwind and take in the scenery without the crowds of larger sightseeing boats.

In 1885, America’s first serial killer stalked the streets and alleyways of the city of Austin. He came to be known as the “Midnight Assassin,” but his identity remains a mystery. On this guided evening walking tour, explore historic Austin including West 6th Street, Guy Town, and the Warehouse District, plus stop for a drink at the Driskill Hotel, as you learn about his crimes.

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 Downtown Austin Skyline, and check out the famous Barton Springs!

Austin is filled with stories of the past, which is what makes it a great city. Instead of exploring the city with your nose in a guidebook, book this engaging historical walking tour. Discover Downtown Austin's rich history and its transformation into a vibrant city. Hear intriguing stories of bold Austinites who shaped Texas' capital, while exploring historic sites and architectural treasures.

If you’re wanting to save yourself the hassle of planning a night out in Downtown Austin, book this Austin VIP Bar and Club Crawl Experience that’s planned and led by a guide. Visit up to five popular venues, including the Coyote Ugly Saloon and Buck Wild, with shots included and cover charges all covered. Plus, get a chance to ride a mechanical bull, play drinking games, and more.

Hear stories about Austin’s Old West history and spooky unexplained happenings—and discover many of its most atmospheric drinking dens—on this two-in-one Old West ghost tour and pub crawl. Meet your guide in the evening in central Austin and get ready to explore. Visit multiple bars and historical landmarks over the course of the tour, with a dose of storytelling—and chances to buy drinks—at each stop.

Save on costs without sacrificing quality on this small-group Lake Austin boat tour. Enjoy a social atmosphere as your captain shares insightful commentary and enhances your experience on the water. Cruise past top landmarks such as the Austin Country Club, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, and Tom Miller Dam while you relax and take in the beautiful lakeside scenery.

This small group tour combines authentic Texas BBQ with visits to three scenic Hill Country wineries. Guests enjoy beautiful vineyard views, relaxed wine tastings, and a comfortable ride from Austin while exploring one of Texas’ fastest growing wine regions.

Cruise Lake Austin on a private pontoon party boat reserved exclusively for your group, with time to swim, float, relax, and enjoy your favorite drinks on the water. Perfect for birthdays, bachelorette and bachelor parties, graduations, and fun lake days with friends and family. Enjoy a spacious, comfortable ride with an experienced, boat safety–certified captain, full or partial overhead shade, and a flexible itinerary tailored to your group’s pace. Anchor in a calm cove to swim and lounge on the included Aqua Lily Pad, or cruise past the Pennybacker Bridge, waterfront homes, and popular lakeside spots. Lake Austin’s constant water level provides ideal conditions for swimming and floating, while the private boat setting lets you play music, socialize, and celebrate without sharing space with other guests. Bring your own beverages and snacks and enjoy a relaxed, customizable lake experience just minutes from downtown Austin.

Experience the heart and personality of Austin on this guided food tour through South Congress (SoCo), one of the city's most iconic and energetic neighborhoods. Combining delicious local flavors with Austin's famous creative spirit, this tour takes travelers beyond the typical sightseeing experience and into the culture that makes SoCo a must-visit destination. Sample Austin favorites such as tacos, BBQ, food truck specialties, sweet treats, and local beverages while discovering colorful murals, quirky shops, historic landmarks, and the unmistakable "Keep Austin Weird" atmosphere. With a local guide leading the way, you'll enjoy an easy-paced walking experience that blends great food, local stories, street culture, and authentic Austin character, making it ideal for first-time visitors, couples, solo travelers, families, and small groups.

If you want to see more of Austin in less time—without getting jammed into a tour bus—book this e-bike tour perfect for seeing the sights, while enjoying Austin's fantastic weather. Hop on your pedal-assist e-bike, and follow your guide to Austin's famous murals, city landmarks, and University of Texas buildings. Along the way, take in views of the downtown skyline, and visit the Texas State Capitol building.