Congress Avenue Bridge (South Congress Bridge) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Congress Avenue Bridge. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Best of Austin Small-Group Driving Tour with Local Guide

• Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Tour

• Double-Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour

• Austin in a Nutshell Bike Tour with a Local Guide

• Austin Good Vibes E-Bike Tours

While it’s free to stroll or cycle across the bridge, many travelers opt to visit as part of a guided tour of Austin or enjoy the views from the water. Walking tours of the city start at US$25 per person, and evening kayaking tours to watch the bats start at US$49.

Yes, the Congress Avenue Bridge is one of Austin's most unique sights, most notably for harboring the largest urban bat colony in the US. While you can admire the bridge and enjoy views of Lady Bird Lake on any number of Austin walking, bike, and hop-on hop-off bus tours, the best way to spot the bats in action is on a sunset kayaking tour.

Per one customer who booked the Congress Avenue Bat Bridge Kayak Tour in Austin, "Great experience! Great way to spend the evening, kayaking was great, and Reid did a great job explaining everything, and was very knowledgeable about the bats as well. We got a great spot to watch the bats, a pretty unique experience, definitely recommend it if you're in Austin. Also, a great spot to take pictures of the skyline. Would definitely come again!"

The Congress Avenue Bridge (South Congress Bridge) in Austin is famous for being home to one of the world’s largest urban bat colonies. From spring to fall, around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under the bridge at dusk, creating a spectacular sight known as the Austin Bat Colony.

The best time to see the bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge is around sunset, however timings can range from anywhere between 7:30pm and 9:45pm. Watching the bats emerge from the bridge can take up to 45 minutes, leaving plenty of time to take photos.

Yes, there are several viewing spots along and near the Congress Avenue Bridge that offer excellent vantage points for watching the bat emergence. Popular locations include the middle and north end of the bridge, or adventurous travelers can rent a kayak and watch the bats from the water.

Yes, there are plenty of guided tours available for viewing the bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge. Opting for a tour instead of visiting alone is beneficial to get tips on the best observation spots, plus will provide commentary about the behavior and ecology of the bats to enrich your experience. Tours include group kayak or paddleboard tours, walking tours, and e-bike trips.

Yes, it’s generally safe to stand on the Congress Avenue Bridge to watch the bats. However, it's crucial to be mindful of traffic and other pedestrians, particularly during peak bat-watching times when the bridge can become busy with spectators. A less crowded alternative may be a viewing from the water on a boat tour.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Congress Avenue Bridge. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Austin:

• Texas Capitol

• 6th Street

• Driskill Hotel

• Lady Bird Lake

• Barton Springs

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Austin.