Tour the Texas State CapitolMust-See SightsThe Texas State Capitol is free to walk through and a bit taller than Washington D.C.'s. Worth a quick lap inside the rotunda, especially if you're already downtown.0 Add to listTour the Texas State CapitolMust-See SightsThe Texas State Capitol is free to walk through and a bit taller than Washington D.C.'s. Worth a quick lap inside the rotunda, especially if you're already downtown.0 Add to list
Walk the Lady Bird Lake TrailMust-See SightsA flat, well-maintained trail looping around Lady Bird Lake right in the city center. Easy to pick up from multiple points and good any time of day.0 Add to listWalk the Lady Bird Lake TrailMust-See SightsA flat, well-maintained trail looping around Lady Bird Lake right in the city center. Easy to pick up from multiple points and good any time of day.0 Add to list
Watch the Congress Avenue BatsMust-See SightsSummer · FallFrom late spring through fall, over a million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk. Go just before sunset and watch from the south side of the bridge.0 Add to listWatch the Congress Avenue BatsMust-See SightsSummer · FallFrom late spring through fall, over a million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk. Go just before sunset and watch from the south side of the bridge.0 Add to list
Explore South Congress AvenueMust-See SightsSouth Congress is Austin's most walkable stretch — food trucks, shops, murals and the 'I Love You So Much' wall. Good for an hour of browsing any time of day.0 Add to listExplore South Congress AvenueMust-See SightsSouth Congress is Austin's most walkable stretch — food trucks, shops, murals and the 'I Love You So Much' wall. Good for an hour of browsing any time of day.0 Add to list
Spot the UT Tower Glowing Burnt OrangeMust-See SightsThe University of Texas Tower is easy to spot from the main campus drag. It glows burnt orange after Longhorn wins — check the schedule if timing matters to you.0 Add to listSpot the UT Tower Glowing Burnt OrangeMust-See SightsThe University of Texas Tower is easy to spot from the main campus drag. It glows burnt orange after Longhorn wins — check the schedule if timing matters to you.0 Add to list
Climb Mount BonnellMust-See SightsA short staircase climb to Austin's highest point with river and hill country views. Quick stop, no real hike needed — takes about 20 minutes.0 Add to listClimb Mount BonnellMust-See SightsA short staircase climb to Austin's highest point with river and hill country views. Quick stop, no real hike needed — takes about 20 minutes.0 Add to list
Hit the Sixth Street Music SceneMust-See SightsSixth Street is Austin's live music strip, best on weekend evenings when most venues open early. You can bar-hop without a cover charge on most nights.0 Add to listHit the Sixth Street Music SceneMust-See SightsSixth Street is Austin's live music strip, best on weekend evenings when most venues open early. You can bar-hop without a cover charge on most nights.0 Add to list
Find Daniel Johnston's Hi-How-Are-You FrogFun Side QuestsDaniel Johnston's 'Hi How Are You' frog is painted on the side of a building at Guadalupe and 21st, near UT campus. A quick, low-key stop if you know his music — easy to walk right past if you don't.0 Add to listFind Daniel Johnston's Hi-How-Are-You FrogFun Side QuestsDaniel Johnston's 'Hi How Are You' frog is painted on the side of a building at Guadalupe and 21st, near UT campus. A quick, low-key stop if you know his music — easy to walk right past if you don't.0 Add to list
Worship at the Cathedral of JunkFun Side QuestsCheck AccessVince Hannemann's Cathedral of Junk is a three-story backyard sculpture made from 60 tons of welded bikes, toys and junk in a quiet neighborhood. Call ahead to confirm it's open before you go — it's a private property visit.0 Add to listWorship at the Cathedral of JunkFun Side QuestsCheck AccessVince Hannemann's Cathedral of Junk is a three-story backyard sculpture made from 60 tons of welded bikes, toys and junk in a quiet neighborhood. Call ahead to confirm it's open before you go — it's a private property visit.0 Add to list
Watch a Million Bats Fly From Congress BridgeActiveSummer · FallThe Statesman Bat Observation Center on the southeast side of Congress Bridge is the best free spot to watch 1.5 million bats pour out at dusk from spring through fall. Look up from the observation area rather than down at the water.0 Add to listWatch a Million Bats Fly From Congress BridgeActiveSummer · FallThe Statesman Bat Observation Center on the southeast side of Congress Bridge is the best free spot to watch 1.5 million bats pour out at dusk from spring through fall. Look up from the observation area rather than down at the water.0 Add to list
Drink at Lala's Little Nugget's Year-Round ChristmasFun Side QuestsLala's Little Nugget on Justin Lane is a cash-only dive bar that has never taken down its Christmas decorations — tinsel, elves, the whole thing, year round. Perfectly low-key.0 Add to listDrink at Lala's Little Nugget's Year-Round ChristmasFun Side QuestsLala's Little Nugget on Justin Lane is a cash-only dive bar that has never taken down its Christmas decorations — tinsel, elves, the whole thing, year round. Perfectly low-key.0 Add to list
Try a Migas Taco at Veracruz All NaturalLocal FoodLocal RitualsMigas tacos are an Austin breakfast staple — scrambled eggs with tortilla chips, cheese and salsa in a flour tortilla. Veracruz All Natural is a reliable spot to try one.0 Add to listTry a Migas Taco at Veracruz All NaturalLocal FoodLocal RitualsMigas tacos are an Austin breakfast staple — scrambled eggs with tortilla chips, cheese and salsa in a flour tortilla. Veracruz All Natural is a reliable spot to try one.0 Add to list
Book a Tour of the Ephemerata MuseumFun Side QuestsPaid · Check AccessThe Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata is a private collection in someone's home on Singleton Avenue — Marilyn Monroe's cigarette butt, a bent fork from a 'telekinetic.' Email ahead to book a visit before showing up.0 Add to listBook a Tour of the Ephemerata MuseumFun Side QuestsPaid · Check AccessThe Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata is a private collection in someone's home on Singleton Avenue — Marilyn Monroe's cigarette butt, a bent fork from a 'telekinetic.' Email ahead to book a visit before showing up.0 Add to list
Sit In on the Argument at Philosophers' RockFun Side QuestsPhilosophers' Rock at Barton Springs features three bronze Texas writers mid-argument under a pecan tree. Quick and easy to find on the way to or from the pool.0 Add to listSit In on the Argument at Philosophers' RockFun Side QuestsPhilosophers' Rock at Barton Springs features three bronze Texas writers mid-argument under a pecan tree. Quick and easy to find on the way to or from the pool.0 Add to list
Find the Stevie Ray Vaughan StatueFun Side QuestsThe Stevie Ray Vaughan bronze statue sits on Auditorium Shores along the hike-and-bike trail. Easy to find, worth a look if you're already walking the waterfront.0 Add to listFind the Stevie Ray Vaughan StatueFun Side QuestsThe Stevie Ray Vaughan bronze statue sits on Auditorium Shores along the hike-and-bike trail. Easy to find, worth a look if you're already walking the waterfront.0 Add to list
Spray Paint the Walls at HOPE Outdoor GalleryFun Side QuestsHOPE Outdoor Gallery on Dalton Lane has exterior walls open for anyone to spray paint over. Bring a cheap can — your art survives until the next person paints over it.0 Add to listSpray Paint the Walls at HOPE Outdoor GalleryFun Side QuestsHOPE Outdoor Gallery on Dalton Lane has exterior walls open for anyone to spray paint over. Bring a cheap can — your art survives until the next person paints over it.0 Add to list
Find the I Love You So Much MuralFun Side QuestsThe 'I Love You So Much' mural is painted on the side of Jo's Coffee on South Congress. One of Austin's most photographed spots — usually a short queue for the photo on weekends.0 Add to listFind the I Love You So Much MuralFun Side QuestsThe 'I Love You So Much' mural is painted on the side of Jo's Coffee on South Congress. One of Austin's most photographed spots — usually a short queue for the photo on weekends.0 Add to list
Run the Lady Bird Lake Trail at DawnActiveLocal RitualsThe Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is a 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake. Early morning is cooler and less crowded; the over-water Boardwalk section is the best stretch.0 Add to listRun the Lady Bird Lake Trail at DawnActiveLocal RitualsThe Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is a 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake. Early morning is cooler and less crowded; the over-water Boardwalk section is the best stretch.0 Add to list
Swim Barton Springs Pool Before 8amActiveLocal RitualsCheck AccessBarton Springs Pool is a three-acre spring-fed outdoor pool at a steady 68 degrees year-round. Free before 8am most days — check the city parks website for closures and current hours.0 Add to listSwim Barton Springs Pool Before 8amActiveLocal RitualsCheck AccessBarton Springs Pool is a three-acre spring-fed outdoor pool at a steady 68 degrees year-round. Free before 8am most days — check the city parks website for closures and current hours.0 Add to list
Ride the Rainbow-Tunnel Mini Train in Zilker ParkFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidThe Zilker Eagle is a small train that loops Zilker Park and goes through a rainbow-painted tunnel. About six dollars a seat — good for young kids, quick and easy.0 Add to listRide the Rainbow-Tunnel Mini Train in Zilker ParkFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidThe Zilker Eagle is a small train that loops Zilker Park and goes through a rainbow-painted tunnel. About six dollars a seat — good for young kids, quick and easy.0 Add to list
Get Soaked at the Thinkery's Water LabActiveWith KidsPaidThe Thinkery in Mueller has water-play stations where kids can build dams and channels. They offer smocks but pack a spare shirt anyway — everyone gets wet. Admission required.0 Add to listGet Soaked at the Thinkery's Water LabActiveWith KidsPaidThe Thinkery in Mueller has water-play stations where kids can build dams and channels. They offer smocks but pack a spare shirt anyway — everyone gets wet. Admission required.0 Add to list
Whisper Across the Capitol Rotunda StarFun Side QuestsWith KidsStand on the terrazzo star at the center of the Texas State Capitol rotunda and speak in a normal voice — it echoes back to you in a way that's hard to explain. Free on the self-guided tour and reliable every time.0 Add to listWhisper Across the Capitol Rotunda StarFun Side QuestsWith KidsStand on the terrazzo star at the center of the Texas State Capitol rotunda and speak in a normal voice — it echoes back to you in a way that's hard to explain. Free on the self-guided tour and reliable every time.0 Add to list
