11 Best Things to Do in Austin

#1
Barton Springs Pool

#1 in Austin

Local Pick: Must-see

Nestled in Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool is a favorite locale among visitors and residents alike. Native American settlers once believed the springs possessed spiritual healing powers, and professional travel writers still refer to Barton Springs as the soul of Austin.

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Swimming/Pools Type

1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

Nestled in Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool is a favorite locale among visitors and residents alike. Native American settlers once believed the springs possessed spiritual healing powers, and professional travel writers still refer to Barton Springs as the soul of Austin.

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#2
Zilker Metropolitan Park Free

#2 in Austin

Local Pick: Must-see Free

Sitting across the river from downtown Austin, this beloved 351-acre park buoys Austin's reputation as one of the Best Places to Live. Zilker Metropolitan Park shelters some of the city's most popular attractions – from art museums to swimming holes – as well as several athletic fields and plenty of open space for strolling. Whether you choose to swim, canoe or dig for fossils at the Austin Nature and Science Center's Dino Pit, you'll find a range of options – a particular point of praise for recent visitors.

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Parks and Gardens Type

2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

Sitting across the river from downtown Austin, this beloved 351-acre park buoys Austin's reputation as one of the Best Places to Live. Zilker Metropolitan Park shelters some of the city's most popular attractions – from art museums to swimming holes – as well as several athletic fields and plenty of open space for strolling. Whether you choose to swim, canoe or dig for fossils at the Austin Nature and Science Center's Dino Pit, you'll find a range of options – a particular point of praise for recent visitors.

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#3
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum

#3 in Austin

Local Pick: Must-see

While the thought of visiting a presidential library may sound like a bore, this one is an exception. Dedicated to the 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson's library houses all the expected artifacts – including presidential papers – as well as several more quirky exhibits that are just as interesting as the president himself. From presidential holiday cards to photographs chronicling the Civil Rights era and an LBJ robot, this museum uses all types of mediums to narrate the president's life and political career. According to recent visitors, the library provides an interesting view of American history during President Johnson's tenure.

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Museums Type

1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum

While the thought of visiting a presidential library may sound like a bore, this one is an exception. Dedicated to the 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson's library houses all the expected artifacts – including presidential papers – as well as several more quirky exhibits that are just as interesting as the president himself. From presidential holiday cards to photographs chronicling the Civil Rights era and an LBJ robot, this museum uses all types of mediums to narrate the president's life and political career. According to recent visitors, the library provides an interesting view of American history during President Johnson's tenure.

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#4
State Capitol Free

#4 in Austin

Local Pick: Must-see Free

Standing stoically in the heart of central Austin is Texas's legislative center, the State Capitol. Opened in 1888, this pink-granite landmark stands 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Much of the capitol, including the 218-foot rotunda, the chamber of the Hall of Representatives and the governor's receiving room, still look the same as they did when the capitol opened.

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Sightseeing Type

1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

Standing stoically in the heart of central Austin is Texas's legislative center, the State Capitol. Opened in 1888, this pink-granite landmark stands 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Much of the capitol, including the 218-foot rotunda, the chamber of the Hall of Representatives and the governor's receiving room, still look the same as they did when the capitol opened.

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#5
Austin Bats Free

#5 in Austin

Local Pick: Must-see Free

According to experts, Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Approximately 1.5 million bats have made the Congress Avenue Bridge their home. The bats settled here after a renovation of the bridge in 1980 created crevices that were perfect for bats to take refuge in against predators. Every spring the Mexican free tailed bats migrate north to the bridge to give birth and raise their offspring. Come summer time, the bats can be seen each evening at dusk as they emerge for their nightly excursions to rid the city of pesky insects before heading back to central Mexico in the fall.

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Natural Wonders Type

1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

According to experts, Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Approximately 1.5 million bats have made the Congress Avenue Bridge their home. The bats settled here after a renovation of the bridge in 1980 created crevices that were perfect for bats to take refuge in against predators. Every spring the Mexican free tailed bats migrate north to the bridge to give birth and raise their offspring. Come summer time, the bats can be seen each evening at dusk as they emerge for their nightly excursions to rid the city of pesky insects before heading back to central Mexico in the fall.

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#6
Blanton Museum of Art

#6 in Austin

Local Pick: Recommended

Sheltered on the University of Texas campus, the Blanton Museum of Art a must-see for any art enthusiast. Known as one of the largest university art museums in the country and home to more than 17,000 works of art – ranging from Renaissance and baroque pieces by renowned artists such as Rubens and Poussin to a sizeable collection of contemporary Latin-American art. The Blanton Museum of Art also features the largest private collection of master works in the United States. Recent visitors said the museum was smaller than they expected, but the unique collections are worth a look.

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Museums Type

2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

Sheltered on the University of Texas campus, the Blanton Museum of Art a must-see for any art enthusiast. Known as one of the largest university art museums in the country and home to more than 17,000 works of art – ranging from Renaissance and baroque pieces by renowned artists such as Rubens and Poussin to a sizeable collection of contemporary Latin-American art. The Blanton Museum of Art also features the largest private collection of master works in the United States. Recent visitors said the museum was smaller than they expected, but the unique collections are worth a look.

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#7
Esther's Follies

#7 in Austin

Local Pick: Recommended

Even if you aren't in the mood for live music, head down to 6th Street to get your laugh on. For more than 35 years, the cast at Esther's Follies has kept audiences rolling in the aisles with everything from magic tricks to improv shows. Visitors and locals alike say it's a must-see and the shows are never a disappointment.

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Entertainment and Nightlife Type

1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

Even if you aren't in the mood for live music, head down to 6th Street to get your laugh on. For more than 35 years, the cast at Esther's Follies has kept audiences rolling in the aisles with everything from magic tricks to improv shows. Visitors and locals alike say it's a must-see and the shows are never a disappointment.

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#8
Sixth Street Free

#8 in Austin

Local Pick: Recommended Free

A trip to the "Live Music Capital of the World" wouldn't be complete without discovering some of Austin's up-and-coming talent along Sixth Street. After drastic restoration took place in an effort by the National Register of Historic Places to save the area from its grungy reputation, this area became the hub of Austin's music scene in the 1970s.

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Entertainment and Nightlife Type

2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

A trip to the "Live Music Capital of the World" wouldn't be complete without discovering some of Austin's up-and-coming talent along Sixth Street. After drastic restoration took place in an effort by the National Register of Historic Places to save the area from its grungy reputation, this area became the hub of Austin's music scene in the 1970s.

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#9
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

#9 in Austin

Local Pick: Recommended

Named for its creator, Claudia Alta Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson (wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson), this center is a great place for nature lovers looking to kill time. Mrs. Johnson founded the center to educate fellow botanists about the benefits of planting and nurturing certain types of plants, a project that has revolutionized gardening habits in central Texas.

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Parks and Gardens Type

2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

Named for its creator, Claudia Alta Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson (wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson), this center is a great place for nature lovers looking to kill time. Mrs. Johnson founded the center to educate fellow botanists about the benefits of planting and nurturing certain types of plants, a project that has revolutionized gardening habits in central Texas.

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#10
Bullock Texas State History Museum

#10 in Austin

Local Pick: Recommended

Named for Texas's 38th lieutenant governor, the Bullock Texas State History Museum explores the Lone Star State's vibrant past with artifacts ranging from the original Goddess of Liberty statue that resided at the top of the State Capitol's dome to Astronaut Edgar Mitchell's space suit used in the Apollo 14 mission to the moon. Along with galleries featuring more then 500 artifacts, the museum features rotating special exhibits to reflect the diverse history of the state. The museum is also home to the largest IMAX screen in Texas as well as the 4-D Texas Spirit Theater with special documentary short films, a cafe with an outdoor patio and large museum store to take a piece of Texas history home with you.

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Museums Type

2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

Named for Texas's 38th lieutenant governor, the Bullock Texas State History Museum explores the Lone Star State's vibrant past with artifacts ranging from the original Goddess of Liberty statue that resided at the top of the State Capitol's dome to Astronaut Edgar Mitchell's space suit used in the Apollo 14 mission to the moon. Along with galleries featuring more then 500 artifacts, the museum features rotating special exhibits to reflect the diverse history of the state. The museum is also home to the largest IMAX screen in Texas as well as the 4-D Texas Spirit Theater with special documentary short films, a cafe with an outdoor patio and large museum store to take a piece of Texas history home with you.

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#11
Mexic-Arte Museum

#11 in Austin

Local Pick: If Time Allows

Perched along Congress Avenue, just a couple blocks south of The Driskill, the Mexic-Arte Museum is devoted to the conservation of Mexican and Latin American art and culture. Home to a fascinating permanent collection, which includes photographs from the Mexican Revolution and traditional ritual masks as well as more contemporary works from local artists, the museum also features theatrical and musical performances year-round. Recent travelers said a highlight of their trip was the eclectic gift shop where works from local artists are available for purchase.

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Museums Type

1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

Perched along Congress Avenue, just a couple blocks south of The Driskill, the Mexic-Arte Museum is devoted to the conservation of Mexican and Latin American art and culture. Home to a fascinating permanent collection, which includes photographs from the Mexican Revolution and traditional ritual masks as well as more contemporary works from local artists, the museum also features theatrical and musical performances year-round. Recent travelers said a highlight of their trip was the eclectic gift shop where works from local artists are available for purchase.

... more