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1-day Itinerary in Austin
Explore the best things to do in Paris in 1 day based on recommendations from local experts.
Day 1
- 1#7
View all Photos#7 in AustinSwimming/PoolsTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPENDSwimming/PoolsTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND...Read More »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" and many visitors say it's an ideal spot to cool off in the summer.
Formed from underground springs, the 3-acre pool consistently stays between 68 and 70 degrees – perfect for a respite from the sweltering summer temperatures Texas is known for. The grounds also feature bathhouses and an educational exhibit about the history and biology of the Barton Springs. Patrons of the pool say the experience is one of the things that make Austin unique.
Hours vary throughout the year, but generally, the pool is open daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with lifeguards on patrol 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check the City of Austin website to make sure it's not closed for periodic cleaning. Admission costs to Barton Springs costs $9 for adults ages 18 to 62 and between $4 and $5 for children. Free admission is granted to those who visit the pool between late October and early March. You can reach the pool via the No. 803 bus. To learn more, visit the Barton Springs website.
5 minute walk - 2#3
View all Photos#3 in AustinParks and Gardens, FreeTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPEND...Read More »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.
Give yourself a day or two to explore everything Zilker Metropolitan Park has to offer. Art aficionados can peruse the works housed within the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum while nature enthusiasts can stroll among the brightly colored flowers in the Zilker Botanical Garden. And after a day spent strolling the park, cool down with a dip in Barton Springs Pool, a popular swimming hole. The park is also home to several popular city-wide events, including the Austin City Limits Musical Festival and the ABC Kite Fest.
The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and admission is free. Many recent visitors recommend stopping by during the week when there's free parking and fewer crowds. The park is accessible via several public transport options, including the No. 803 bus. For more information, check out the City of Austin website.
10 minutes by car - 3#1
View all Photos...Read More »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.
The structure underwent a large-scale restoration starting in the 1980s, including replacing the zinc statue of the Goddess of Liberty that sits atop the dome with an aluminum one. The restoration also included a 667,000-square-foot underground extension that was completed in 1993 to accommodate how much the state government had grown. Many visitors say it's the most impressive state legislative building they've ever seen, but they also warn it can be crowded at times. If you want to learn a bit of Texas history without having to pay an entrance fee, you can't beat a visit to the capitol building, according to past travelers.
Visitors to the State Capitol are welcome to explore the building and the grounds on their own using the self-guided tour pamphlets provided by the Capitol Visitors Center (also available to download on the State Preservation Board's website), or they can tag along on a free guided tour, which generally last about 30 minutes. Tours are offered daily; Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. The building itself operates on different hours (it's open until 10 p.m. throughout the week and 8 p.m. on the weekends). Travelers can also learn more about Texas's history at the exhibits inside the Capitol Visitors Center located at the southeast corner of the capitol grounds. Parking is free for the first two hours. The Capitol Station bus station sits within walking distance of the capitol, and several routes, including nos. 801 and 803 and the No. 3 make stops there. Hours vary depending on the building and season, so check the State Preservation Board's website to plan your visit.
5 minutes by car; 15-20 minute walk - 4#10
View all PhotosfreeAustin Bats#10 in AustinNatural Wonders, FreeTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPENDNatural Wonders, FreeTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND...Read More »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 summertime, 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.
It's nearly impossible to be unimpressed by the nightly mass exodus. Travelers can catch a glimpse of where the bats make their home by taking a sunset cruise from companies like Capital Cruises and the Lone Star Riverboat that are offered March through early November. Visitors and locals alike who have taken the time to go watch the bats say it's an interesting sight to see if you have spare time on your hands.
The Congress Avenue Bridge is located southwest of downtown Austin in between the Colorado River and Lady Bird Lake. Access to the bridge is free.
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