Austin attractions

Wander the grounds of Austin’s picturesque Mayfield Park and Preserve, a former privately owned estate that includes a historic cottage, gardens, walking trails, and several resident peafowl—a delight for young and old visitors. Mayfield Park is located next to two other popular city sights: the Contemporary Austin Laguna Gloria and Mt. Bonnell.

The Republic of Texas, as it was known from 1836 to 1845, was host to a diplomatic outpost representing the government of France. The French Legation (now the French Legation Museum) was built in 1841 for Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, who was sent to the Republic of Texas by King Louis Philippe. Today it’s the oldest structure in Austin and an interesting museum.

For a fun and educational family-friendly activity, head for the Austin Aquarium. Highlights include interactive exhibits and diverse animals on view—from stingrays and macaws to coatimundis and sharks. Nature enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the reptiles in the “rain forest,” and young scientists love watching the daily feedings.

First Lady Claudia Johnson (or “Lady Bird” as she will forever be remembered), believed intensely in the importance of wildflowers, natural preservation, and beautification of public landscapes. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center pays tribute to her mission with more than 800 species of native plants displayed in exhibits and floral landscapes that reflect the beauty of her vision.

Stretching between Austin and San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country blends scenic beauty with history and cultural heritage. The region is known for its rolling hills, rivers, and limestone cliffs, as well as charming towns such as Fredericksburg. Visitors come for tastings at award-winning wineries, outdoor pursuits, and to see sites connected to Lyndon B. Johnson—whose roots lie deep in the Hill Country landscape.

Mt. Bonnell, Austin's tallest point, is a smallish mountain on the east side of the Colorado River within Covert Park. The pretty overlook at the top is one of the best places in the city to catch sunsets and broad views of Lake Austin, parts of the Colorado River, and Texas Hill Country beyond.

In the spirit of 19th-century dime museums, the Museum of the Weird in downtown Austin boasts a variety of unusual attractions, oddities, and movie props, such as monsters, mummies, shrunken heads, and Fiji mermaids—a common sideshow feature that is supposedly half mammal, half fish. It also features the Creature on Ice (aka the Minnesota Iceman), who lies in a temperature-controlled refrigerated sarcophagus.

Covering 351 acres of trees and sprawling green parkland in the heart of Austin, Zilker Metropolitan Park is loved by locals and visitors alike. Favorite park activities include walking, biking, swimming, dog walking, and picnicking, and the park hosts various popular events throughout the year.