Texas Capitol
1100 Congress Ave
The #2 tourist attraction in Austin. There are free self-guided or guided tours. It is a gorgeous pink granite building full of history and Texas-related artwork. Be sure to look up into the interior of the rotunda to see the Texas star!
Riverboat Cruise & Bat-Watching
208 Barton Springs Road or 208 Barton Springs Road
Take a cruise from either Lone Star Riverboat or Capital Cruises on Lady Bird Lake at sunset to see Austin’s #1 tourist attraction, our Mexican free-tail bats! An amazing experience to see them fly out in a massive plume out from under the Congress bridge. This is a Do Not Miss experience unique to Austin. Mid-March to Mid-October is “bat season”.
Mount Bonnell
3800 Mount Bonnell Rd (in Covert Park) – Google for exact GPS directions
A short stair climb to one of the best views in Austin — great photo op. Pro-tip: try to time it near sunset.
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 West 35th Street (in Covert Park)
A hidden gem right in the middle of Austin. The gifted mansion and grounds have a stipulation that no part can ever be sold….and thus it remains a lovely park for all to enjoy. There are community gardens, nature trails, koi ponds, and best of all a heritage flock of peacocks roaming around freely.
Austin Public Library – Central Branch
710 W. César Chávez St.
Not your ordinary library, this is a crown jewel in Austin. It is a beautiful modern space with art exhibits, events, rooftop garden, and a huge kids’ area.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Village
2700 West Anderson Lane
Offers the latest movie releases and best of all, you can eat and enjoy craft beers/wine/cocktails inside the theater! The have yummy burgers, pizza, salads and more. Try a boozy milkshake!