Things to do in  Austin

Everything is bigger in Texas, and the Texas Capitol building in Austin certainly follows suit. It's the largest by square footage of any state capitol, and it stands around 15 feet (4.6 meters) taller than the US Capitol. Its rosy hue, which is most vivid at sunset, comes from red granite, which was quarried in the surrounding Texas Hill Country.

Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge is home to roughly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, forming one of the world’s largest urban bat colonies. Summer evenings draw big crowds of spectators, who gather here with cameras to watch the bats fly out from beneath the bridge. The nightly emergence has become a defining Austin experience and a favorite activity for both tourists and locals alike.

Austin’s 6th Street, sometimes known colloquially as Dirty Sixth, is the epicenter for late nights, free-flowing drinks, and all-around good times in the Live Music Capital of the World. This historical neighborhood is lined with bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops, and car traffic is blocked on weekends so pedestrians can take their party into the street.

The oldest operating hotel in Austin, the Driskill has been legendary in Texas since it was built in 1886. Celebrities have visited the historic landmark over the years, including former president Lyndon B. Johnson, who took Lady Bird there on their first date. Today the Driskill Grill and 1886 Cafe & Bakery restaurants are here as well.

The 416-acre (169-hectare) Lady Bird Lake, a river-like reservoir along the Colorado River, anchors a host of outdoor activities in downtown Austin. Locals and visitors alike come to hike, bike, and walk around the lake, as well as to go bird-watching, canoeing, and paddleboarding. It’s even possible to fish for carp, largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish in and around the reservoir.

The LBJ Presidential Library chronicles the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson from 1963 to 1969. Exhibits include multimedia presentations, photographs, and artifacts from the tumultuous social climate of those years, including the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, and LBJ’s Great Society programs.

Stretching more than six city blocks and housing almost 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, the sprawling Austin Convention Center hosts a variety of events and conferences. It’s an ideal location for meetings and conventions, with more than 54 meeting rooms and seven ballrooms, and it’s within close proximity to the hotels, restaurants, and bars of downtown Austin.

The Texas Governor’s Mansion in downtown Austin has been the official home of the presiding governor of Texas and family since 1856, and it’s the fourth-oldest continuously operating governor’s house in the United States. The Greek Revival-style mansion, a national historic landmark, is open for free tours on select days.

A visit to Barton Springs in Austin’s sprawling Zilker Metropolitan Park is a treasured recreational experience for both Austin locals and visitors. The pool, which spans more than 3 acres (1.2 hectares), is the result of a naturally occurring underground spring. Generations have enjoyed the fresh, cool water, which stays at a constant temperature of about 68°F (20°C) throughout the year.

Greeting visitors with a 34-foot (10-meter) bronze star, the Bullock Texas State History Museum invites you to learn about the story of Texas. Its three floors of historical exhibits are as entertaining and engaging as they are informative. Also here are Austin’s only IMAX theater and a separate 4-D theater.

Austin’s South Congress Avenue (SoCo) comprises a slew of hip, funky restaurants and boutiques south of the Congress Avenue Bridge. Stroll down the main drag, people-watch and window-shop, and marvel at the retro neon signs including the Austin Motel and Jo’s Coffee (home of the iconic “I love you so much” mural).

The historic Paramount Theatre in Downtown Austin is a classic revival-style theater. First opened in 1915, the site has undergone many transformations and has hosted major theatrical events and stars over the years, from Houdini and Katharine Hepburn to Ira Glass and Wynton Marsalis. Take in a comedy show or a film screening and experience the history.

The 2nd Street District in Downtown Austin is a trendy area of the city with the motto: “Where Texas Warmth Meets Austin Cool.” Here, you’ll find a variety of trendy and uniquely Austin boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, and dessert shops on six city blocks.

The Texas State Cemetery, in addition to being a somber place for reflection, provides a historical overview of the notable men and women whose legacy continues to shape the Lone Star State. Among the famous interred here are writer James Michener, Civil Rights leader Barbara Jordan, and Stephen F. Austin, known as the Father of Texas.

Mexic-Arte Museum in downtown Austin showcases contemporary Mexican and Latino art and educates visitors through a variety of educational and hands-on programming. The small, nonprofit museum is one of the few in the country with a focus on emerging artists from Texas, the Southwest, and Latin America.