Top Austin How to Get Around

One of the best ways to see Austin’s famous bat colony is from the water, and this guided kayaking experience makes it easy. Avoid the hassle of sourcing equipment or figuring out where to go, with kayaks, paddles, and life jackets included. Led by a guide, the trip takes you directly to the best spots for watching the bat colony departure—with no research or planning required.

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.

Grab your favorite people, head to Lake Austin, and get ready to soak up the sun with this private party boat adventure just for your guests. Hop aboard your pontoon boat just a stone's-throw from Downtown Austin, and let your captain safely pilot the boat while you spend time enjoying your friends and admiring the views. You can cruise to Lake Austin Party Cove to meet up with fellow partiers, see Mt. Bonell, and of course, enjoy the Texas sunshine.

Austin after dark with a local storyteller — haunted bars, hidden history, rooftop views, and the city’s most infamous ghost stories. This isn’t a scripted history lecture or a crowded tourist trap. Part ghost tour, part nightlife experience, the night is built around immersive storytelling, eerie legends, and the darker side of downtown Austin after midnight. From the Driskill Hotel to hidden alleyways and historic pubs, you’ll hear the stories that still linger through downtown after dark. -Two hours of vivid storytelling, history, and hauntings -Explore historic bars and landmarks with a local storyteller -Drinks available for purchase at each stop -Built for a social, interactive, and more personal group experience

Discover how Austin got its “weird” reputation on this guided city tour. Get a comprehensive look at the city and its culture including history, music, and food. Plus, a local musician joins you for the ride to strum up singalong classics and original tunes. Stroll across Lady Bird Lake, and snap plenty of photos of local murals and the downtown skyline.

Approximately 45 minutes southwest of Austin lies the Driftwood/Wimberley area of the Texas Hill County. Here, you'll find rustic charm, winding roads, rolling hills, and amazing wine. You'll travel in a Mercedes Sprinter van and friendly local guide with a maximum of 10 people. Sample the wines and soak in the ambiance at three award-winning wineries (tasting fee not included.) Tour is 4.5 hours, leaving at 1:30, returning at 6 pm.

Avoid crowds and traffic with this scenic private boat trip across Lake Austin. With views of Texas Hill Country highlights, you can enjoy lots of great photo opps—including million-dollar mansions, the vibrant Little Italy neighborhood, cliffs, and lush greenery. Also, as it’s a private trip, you can ask the captain questions and enjoy plenty of space to relax with your group.

There’s no need to worry about how to get around downtown if you’re drinking when you book this Downtown Austin Pedal Pub Crawl Experience. Ride with your others aboard this fun, electric pedal mobile as you sip drinks as you go. This experience stops at up to three bars where you can also purchase a drink if you choose to do so.

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.

Guests of all ages are welcome to our Ghosts of Austin tour, combining history with hauntings for a fun and family-friendly outing. After an introduction to Austin's haunted past, we'll visit some of Austin's spookiest locales: the Texas State Capitol, The Driskill Hotel and the Texas Governor's Mansion. As we unearth some of their histories, you'll hear about the ghosts, ghouls, apparitions and phantoms that haunt their grounds. Expect an outing that will make your spine tingle!

Try out Austin's craft brewery scene without thinking about transportation on this private microbrewery tour by pedicab. Enjoy Austin's famously warm weather as your guide pedals you to three of Austin's award-winning breweries. Choose to pay for beers as you go or opt for the all-inclusive option for a tour without any additional expenses.

Six barbecue stops in East Austin — including a MICHELIN One Star joint and two Bib Gourmand smokehouses — with skip-the-line access at every one and an air-conditioned ride between them. No walking in Texas heat, no three-hour queue, and enough food that most guests tap out before the last plate. la Barbecue holds a MICHELIN One Star and a line that wraps the building. Micklethwait Craft Meats is a Bib Gourmand honoree and one of Food Network's 25 Best Food Trucks. KG BBQ is chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, a James Beard semifinalist, smoking lamb with Middle Eastern spice. Mum Foods makes the pastrami Texas Monthly's barbecue editor calls the best in the state. Parish Barbecue brings Louisiana heat from a pitmaster who cooked at Franklin. Then a sixth stop we don't announce. It's sweet. You'll think you're finished eating. You aren't. Between plates, your guide tells you how East Austin was built and why these blocks became America's most argued-about barbecue. Come hungry.

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.

Experience the serene waters of Lake Austin with a self-captained electric donut boat, designed for fun and relaxation. Perfect for up to 10 guests, this unique floating lounge allows you to navigate at your own pace without the need for a boating license. With a built-in table, comfortable seating, and a Bluetooth speaker, you can enjoy your own music and bring along your favorite food and drinks (no glass). Choose from 1, 1.5, or 2-hour rental options to create a memorable outing whether for a birthday celebration or a casual day with family and friends. - Private electric donut boat rental for up to 10 guests - No boating license required for self-captained fun - Flexible rental durations of 1, 1.5, or 2 hours - Amenities include a center table, shaded umbrella, and Bluetooth speaker Enjoy a safe and relaxing cruise in a designated no-wake zone near Mozart’s Coffee Roasters.

Just a short drive from Austin is the intriguing history, culture and attractions of San Antonio. Come check it out with a local guide who will take you to some of the best sights of the city, including The Alamo, a river cruise, the Tower of the Americas and Mission San Jose. You'll learn about the city on your drive from Austin and be full of great memories on your drive back.

Sample Austin brews and enjoy live music from local artists with this stress-free package. Traveling aboard a comfortable bus with a band, make two stops at three local breweries in the city. At each location, sample the included tastings, learn about the differences in varieties and how each brew is produced. Plus, a small meal from a local food truck is also included.

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.

If you’re looking for the flexibility to take a tour through Austin whenever your group wants to and is ready to go, book this Austin Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour. This audio tour gives you hours of stories about history and Texas culture as you ride around to different areas of Austin, including downtown, in the comfort of your own private vehicle. Plus, the easy-to-use app means you can play this audio tour any day at any time.

Explore Austin via a relaxing open-air pedicab tour. Pass by downtown sites including the Texas State Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Pecan Street, Lady Bird Lake, and more. Travel at your own pace on this tour that's individually tailored to meet your group’s interests. Choose between two convenient departure locations or arrange for pickup in front of your hotel.

Get to know Austin on a leisurely morning walk with a nationally acclaimed storyteller as your guide. Learn little-known stories about the city, get inside tips on the best coffee shops, restaurants, and live music venues, and explore the city like a local. This tour helps you avoid tourist traps to make the most of your visit to Austin. Great for kids and adults alike, learn about the city in a fun, low-key way.

It can be tricky to choose the best spot to watch an Austin sunset without doing lots of research, but this tour makes the decision for you and showcases magnificent sunset views from the water. Sail out along the clear waters of Lake Travis on a small-group boat tour and enjoy captain commentary about local sights and Austin’s history.

Experience a ghost tour with a difference on this themed adults-only (16+) tour that focuses on murders and hauntings in Victorian-era Austin. Instead of spending hours researching the city’s ghost stories, this tour takes you to places known for their poltergeists and paranormal activity. Notable locations that the tour passes include the Millett Opera House, the University of Texas Tower, and the Driskill Hotel.

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.

Lady Bird Lake is a popular nature escape in the heart of downtown Austin, complete with scenic footbridges, lakeside parks, and skyline views. Ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts, this cycling tour allows you to escape city traffic and cruise around the Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trail, which spans 10 miles (16 kilometers) and loops around the lake’s shoreline.