Top Austin Cultural Tours

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.

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.

See many of Austin's highlights in just a few hours on this bike tour. You won't have to worry about navigating if you opt for a guided tour, and you'll cover about 7 miles (roughly 11 kilometers) of ground much faster than by walking. Bike past Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, Congress Avenue Bridge, and attractions such as the Texas State Capitol building.

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.

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.

Experience Austin's live music scene on a tour led by a guide. Visit as many as three iconic clubs and up-and-coming venues and enjoy hearing live music with a group of fun fellow travelers. Don't get caught listening to cover bands, listen to authentic music in one of the world's music capitals.

Enjoy a half-day experience filled with barbecue and wine without having to get behind the wheel after drinking with a wine country and barbecue shuttle from Austin. Your driver takes you to the outskirts of Austin to visit two popular wineries, where you can taste locally produced wines at your own expense, and the Salt Lick BBQ.

Explore the Texas State Capitol on a small group walking tour that brings Austin’s rich history to life. Led by an expert local guide, this engaging 1 hour and 15 minutes tour covers the Capitol's striking pink granite façade and its grand interiors, including the Rotunda and Senate Chambers. Learn about Texas politics, historical figures, and the unique identity of the Lone Star State as you stroll through the scenic 22-acre grounds, pausing at significant monuments like the Tejano Monument and the African American History Memorial. Perfect for both first-time visitors and locals seeking a deeper appreciation of Texas history. - Small group tour for an intimate and interactive experience - Guided exploration of the Texas State Capitol's architecture and history - Visit historic outdoor monuments and the Capitol Gift Shop - Enjoy a comprehensive tour lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes

Discover Austin's live music scene, Texas capital heritage, and BBQ legacy with our self-guided tour, allowing you to explore the Live Music Capital of the World at your own pace. Begin at the Texas State Capitol,. Walk along Congress Avenue to the Congress Avenue Bridge. Explore downtown Austin's 6th Street with 70+ bars and live music venues and the Rainey Street Historic District's converted bungalows. Paddle Lady Bird Lake's 10-mile shoreline trail, swim in Barton Springs Pool's 68°F year-round spring-fed waters, and picnic in Zilker Park's 351 acres. Cross into South Austin's SoCo (South Congress) district with vintage shops, cowboy boot stores, and iconic Austin photo spots. Tour the University of Texas campus including the 307-foot UT Tower, the LBJ Presidential Library, and the Blanton Museum of Art's 21,000-work collection. Feel the fusion of Texas independence, music devotion, and the keep-Austin-weird counterculture that makes Austin America's most unexpected capital.

Explore the eerie side of Austin on a unique haunted tour in a classic Cadillac hearse transformed into a spooky limo. Each night, embark on a 3-hour journey to historic locations known for their paranormal activity, including the Clay Pit and Littlefield House at UT. Guests will enjoy minimal walking while getting out frequently to visit haunted establishments. With complimentary sodas and ice available, guests can also bring their own alcoholic beverages to enjoy responsibly. This tour is perfect for ages 13 and up, making it an ideal experience for thrill-seekers and ghost enthusiasts alike. - Tour operates every night at 7 pm - Discover haunted hotspots in Austin with frequent stops for exploration - Enjoy complimentary refreshments; byob if you wish - Minimum of 2 participants required, accommodating small groups up to 6

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.

Unlike many city tours, this touris capped at just seven travelers, providing an intimate setting for exploration. Ideal for those who want an immersive sightseeing experience. Stops include Mount Bonnell, the Texas State Capitol Building, the Greetings from Austin Mural, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to take photographs along the way, with panoramic views that can't be seen anywhere else.

This historic walking tour takes guests through the beginnings of Austin's Black community through the present. Guests will learn about The City of Austin's 1928 Master Plan and creation of the "Negro District", which is was centered around East 11th Street. We will visit important sites and institutions throughout our one-mile journey. Guests will also be able to engage in dialogue about the changing nature of East Austin and the city's Black community. A large part of this experience is to support local Black owned businesses in the neighborhood.

Visit the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum, a unique outdoor museum dedicated to fostering community and creativity through art and nature. Explore over 40 stunning sculptures set amidst beautiful landscapes, and enjoy rotating exhibitions featuring contemporary artists in the indoor gallery. With engaging activities for children and regular workshops, lectures, and events, this destination offers enriching experiences for art enthusiasts of all ages. Located conveniently next to Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, this museum invites visitors to connect with art and nature in an inspiring environment.

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.

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.

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.

Our tours are experiences - not 'cookie cutter' tour 'products' where the guide has a memorized insert-city-here kind of thing you can do practically anywhere. BikeTexas tour guides are real Austin residents who care about making sure your Austin experience exceeds your expectations. Our guides are passionate about our city and are ready to share with you all the things that makes Austin unique from any other city! You are never lost with a local.

See Austin from a unique perspective on this evening tour of the city's sights. Leave the route planning and traffic navigation up to your guide, as you enjoy a narrated driving tour with a stop at the Texas State Capitol. Pass by the Bremond District, and take in scenic views of Lady Bird Lake and Tom Miller Dam. When in season, cap off your evening with a boat cruise to Congress Avenue Bridge. Watch thousands of bats emerge as the sun sets. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned Mercedes Metris van while avoiding long lines and crowds.

Discover a whole new side of Austin, Texas on this adults-only small-group guided walking ghost tour of the city. Explore haunted hotels, mansions, theaters, and more with a guide who shares grisly tales of creepy cults, urban legends, and serial killers. Enjoy a story-filled stroll through downtown Austin and pass sites like the Texas Capitol, Paramount Theatre, and—when available—step inside the famously haunted Driskill Hotel.

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.

This historical walking tour takes guests through the presence of Black people in the heart of downtown Austin. Since Austin’s establishment in 1839 and before, people of African descent have played an integral part in this city’s development. We journey through centuries of histories, contributions, and experiences that are seldom told. We will explore the history of enslavement in Austin, routes to freedom in Mexico for enslaved persons passing through Austin, and the Black businesses and institutions that once flourished downtown. On this one-mile walk, guests will engage in dialogue about Black people's role in Austin’s development and their continued presence. Please reserve up to 2 hours for this tour to accommodate walking between points of interest and time to discuss topics.

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.