Things to Do in Austin
The state capital, a live music city and a spring-fed swimming hole in the middle of town.
See top-rated activities »About Austin
Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, and on most nights it is hard to argue. Music runs from small honky-tonks to large theaters: the Sixth Street and Red River districts downtown are packed with clubs, South Congress Avenue has the long-running Continental Club, and ACL Live at the Moody Theater is where the public television series Austin City Limits now tapes. Many venues have no cover early in the evening, and free outdoor concerts are common in spring and fall.
At the top of Congress Avenue stands the Texas State Capitol, completed in 1888 from pink granite quarried in the Hill Country. Its dome is a little taller than the one in Washington, a point every guide will mention, and free guided tours run daily through the rotunda and the legislative chambers. A few blocks north, the Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the story of the state from its Native peoples to the oil boom, and the LBJ Presidential Library sits on the University of Texas campus nearby.
Austin's best-known nature show happens under the Congress Avenue Bridge. From roughly March to October, about a million and a half Mexican free-tailed bats live in the crevices beneath it and pour out at dusk to feed, the largest urban bat colony in North America. You can watch from the bridge, from the lakeshore below or from a boat on Lady Bird Lake. The lake itself is a reservoir on the Colorado River, ringed by a 10-mile hike-and-bike trail and busy with kayaks and paddleboards.
On hot days, locals head to Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, a three-acre pool fed by underground springs that stays around 68 degrees all year. Zilker Park also hosts the Austin City Limits Music Festival each fall. South Congress, across the river from downtown, is the place for vintage shops, food trucks and the view of the Capitol straight up the avenue.
Don’t Miss
The 1888 pink granite capitol, with free guided tours of the rotunda and chambers.
Mexican free-tailed bats stream out from under the bridge at dusk, roughly March to October.
A natural swimming pool that stays cool all year, run by the city parks department.
A loop of about 10 miles around the lake, with kayak and paddleboard rentals along the way.
Three floors on the history of Texas, a block from the Capitol.
Exhibits on Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency, including a replica of his Oval Office.
The downtown theater where the television program Austin City Limits tapes its shows.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Austin
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Texas may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in Austin
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »Austin — FAQ
When can I see the Austin bats?
From about March to October, at dusk. Late summer is usually best, when the young bats join the flight. Times shift with sunset, so arrive a little early.
Where is the best live music in Austin?
Red River and Sixth Street downtown have the most clubs, South Congress has the Continental Club, and ACL Live and the Moody Center book large touring acts. Check local listings for who is playing on your dates.
Can I tour the Texas Capitol?
Yes, free guided tours run daily, and you can also walk the public areas on your own. Expect a security screening at the entrance.
More of Texas
