Top Austin Culture in 2026

Discover one of Austin’s coolest and most surprising spaces by reserving an admission ticket for the interactive Museum of Illusions. See more than 50 immersive illusion rooms that skew reality in mind-bending ways. Take fascinating photos and make fun memories with friends or family as you experience unique art and learn about the science behind the illusions.

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.

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.

Get a comprehensive overview of Austin on this sightseeing tour. See famous landmarks along with hidden gems, real neighborhoods, and food trucks. Learn about Austin's history and culture with commentary from your guide and hear fun facts about the city that even the locals don't know. Plus, choose a morning or afternoon departure to easily fit this tour into your schedule.

Hear the historical tales of murder and mayhem that helped make Austin weird on this haunted history tour of Texas's capital city. Join an acclaimed storyteller guide for a group walking tour through Austin's supernatural nooks and creepy crannies, including a tour of the famous Driskill Hotel. The short tour takes place in the evening so you can easily fit it into busy schedules.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Save on costs without sacrificing quality on this small-group Lake Austin boat tour. Enjoy a social atmosphere as your captain shares insightful commentary and enhances your experience on the water. Cruise past top landmarks such as the Austin Country Club, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, and Tom Miller Dam while you relax and take in the beautiful lakeside scenery.

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.

Escape busy local buses and see Austin in style, with this private highlights tour. Enjoy the thrill of traveling in an open-top Ford Bronco, and check off lots of key landmarks—such as Lady Bird Lake, the grounds of the Texas Capitol, and Mount Bonnell. Also, as it’s a private trip, you can ask questions throughout and get a more personalized service.

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.

Step into Austin’s dark past with this Haunted Audio Tour — a self-guided journey through real haunted landmarks and verified history. Explore at your own pace as immersive sound design, cinematic storytelling, and spine-chilling true tales reveal the city’s most notorious spirits. No apps, no groups—just you, your smartphone, and Austin after dark. We painstakingly research, write, record, and edit our tours.

If you want to see more of Austin in less time—without getting jammed into a tour bus—book this e-bike tour perfect for seeing the sights, while enjoying Austin's fantastic weather. Hop on your pedal-assist e-bike, and follow your guide to Austin's famous murals, city landmarks, and University of Texas buildings. Along the way, take in views of the downtown skyline, and visit the Texas State Capitol building.

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.

Whether you’re looking to capture trip pictures or celebrate a special moment, prebook this Austin Photography Experience with a Portrait Photographer to get high-quality photos taken. A local photographer takes you to some of the city’s best areas to use as a backdrop and makes sure you feel comfortable in front of a camera before snapping your photos. Afterward, you’ll receive 30+ edited digital photos from your shoot.

On this haunted walking tour, you’ll hear the dark tales of the city and discover what goes bump in the night. Go at your own pace, stop anytime. Take the tour anytime. It's all outside. The tour never expires. This tour includes a built in EMF ghost detector to show you if any spirits are close by. Simply press the EMF button after the tour starts to enable it. As you walk you’ll see the old Guys town, historic parks and buildings, the wild west churches, the governor’s mansion, the historic centuries old hotels and many more sites. And you’ll hear about the tales of the people that lived here. And why they decided to stick around. Beware, this tour is not for the faint of heart. Our Ghostly adventure begins at the Pierre Bremond House.

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.

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!

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.