Things to do in Austin, Texas
- Austin is the only city in the world that operates a public moonlight tower lighting system, a technology dating back to the late 19th century.
- The city is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, which resides under the Congress Avenue Bridge from spring through autumn.
- Austin does not have a professional sports team in the 'Big Four' leagues, a rarity for a city of its population size.
- The 'Keep Austin Weird' slogan originated in 2000 as a movement to protect local businesses against encroaching national chains.
- Texas state law mandates that no building in the city may obstruct the view of the State Capitol dome from specific vantage points.
About Austin, Texas
Austin serves as the capital of Texas and acts as a major hub for technology, music, and government in the American Southwest. The city is defined by its extensive network of green spaces, including Zilker Metropolitan Park and the sprawling Zilker Botanical Garden. Cultural life is anchored by institutions like the Blanton Museum of Art and the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which chronicle the state's complex past. Visitors can explore the city's unique personality through historic venues such as The Paramount Theatre or by relaxing in local green corridors like Mueller Lake Park.
Highlights of Austin, Texas
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Exhibits provide a comprehensive timeline of Texas history from prehistoric times to the modern space race.
Parks
This massive park serves as the primary gateway to Barton Springs Pool and the city's hike-and-bike trail network.
Parks
The garden features diverse ecosystems including Japanese gardens and a rose garden nestled within a natural hillside.
Museums
The museum houses a significant collection of European paintings and contemporary art on the University of Texas campus.
Parks
Visitors can wander through historic gardens and view free-roaming peacocks in this former estate.
Venues
This historic venue hosts high-profile live performances and classic films in a preserved 1915 theater.
Museums
A curated collection of oddities and macabre artifacts occupies this quirky downtown storefront museum.
Parks
The park offers a modern community hub built on the site of the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport.
Top things to do in Austin, Texas
The 165 highest-rated places in Austin, Texas, ranked by travellers.
1
Museums
The Bullock Texas State History Museum is the official history museum of Texas, located just blocks from the State Capit...
2
Parks
Zilker Metropolitan Park serves as the primary recreational hub for Austin, occupying 351 acres along the Colorado River...
3
Parks
Mueller Lake Park is a 30-acre urban greenspace centered around a large man-made lake within the Mueller master-planned...
4
Parks
Zilker Botanical Garden is a 28-acre public garden located on the south bank of Lady Bird Lake within Austin’s Zilker Pa...
5
Museums
Thinkery is an interactive science and technology museum located in the Mueller neighborhood of Austin, Texas. The facil...
6
Parks
Auditorium Shores is a premier waterfront park located on the south bank of Lady Bird Lake, functioning as a primary hub...
7
Parks
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park is a 293-acre municipal park located in North Austin featuring an extensive network of mu...
8
Parks
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve is a 21-acre historic site in Austin, Texas, featuring a cottage built in 1874 and lus...
9
Museums
The Blanton Museum of Art is one of the largest university-affiliated art museums in the United States, housing a perman...
10
Parks
Pease District Park is a 84-acre public greenspace spanning the Shoal Creek greenbelt in central Austin. The park is hom...
11
Parks
Butler Metro Park is a 13-acre urban green space located on the south bank of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. The par...
12
Parks
Emma Long Metropolitan Park is a 1,146-acre park situated on the shores of Lake Austin, known for its extensive waterfro...
13
Venues
The Paramount Theatre is a historic 1,200-seat performance venue on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin. Built in 1915, i...
14
Parks
Typhoon Texas Waterpark Austin is a regional aquatic facility featuring a wide array of high-speed water slides, a large...
15
Museums
The Museum of the Weird is a specialized collection of cryptids, paranormal artifacts, and sideshow curiosities housed i...
16
Parks
Bull Creek District Park is a riparian green space in Northwest Austin centered around a limestone-bedded creek. The par...
17
Natural attractions
Mt. Bonnell is one of the highest points in Austin, rising 775 feet above sea level. It sits on the eastern shore of Lak...
18
Museums
The Texas Toy Museum and Arcade is a privately owned collection located on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin. The museu...
19
Parks
Republic Square is a historic public plaza in downtown Austin serving as a venue for community events, including the lon...
20
Venues
ZACH Theatre is the longest continuously running theatre company in Texas, established in 1933. It operates out of a thr...
21
Venues
The Long Center for the Performing Arts is a multi-venue cultural hub built into the foundation of the former Palmer Aud...
22
Museums
The LBJ Presidential Library is one of 15 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Admin...
23
Parks
Katherine Fleischer Park is a community-focused green space managed by the Wells Branch Municipal Utility District in no...
24
Parks
Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park is a 380-acre urban park situated along the southern banks of the Colorado Riv...
25
Parks
Pfluger Park serves as the central hub for the Pflugerville park system, situated along the banks of Gilleland Creek. Th...
26
Museums
Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a seasonal retail gallery in Austin, Texas, exclusively featuring works from regional artists a...
27
Temples
Saint Mary Catholic Cathedral serves as the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Austin. The building features Frenc...
28
Parks
Mills Pond Recreation Area is a community park centered around a spring-fed pond managed by the Wells Branch Municipal U...
29
Museums
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum features a permanent collection of over 200 works by American sculptor Charles Umla...
30
Places of interest
The Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge is a curved steel structure spanning Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. It serves as a vit...
Around Austin, Texas
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Austin, Texas on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Austin, Texas
March to May or October to November, when moderate temperatures allow for comfortable exploration of the city's outdoor parks.
3-4 days to balance outdoor activities with museums and downtown nightlife.
Most visitors rely on rental cars or rideshare services as the city is geographically spread out, though the downtown core is relatively walkable.
Stay in Downtown or South Congress for proximity to major landmarks, or choose East Austin for access to the city's rapidly evolving culinary scene.
Mid-range to expensive, with rising costs for accommodation during major festivals and events.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 165 curated attractions in and around Austin, Texas, ranked by traveller ratings.
Bullock Texas State History Museum is the highest-rated place to visit in Austin, Texas right now.
The largest category is parks, with 74 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Boston.
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