Local Attractions Austin, TX

Austin Texas Local Attractions Austin Austin has a lot to show, here are just a few of the attractons that will keep you busy exploring: Lake Travis Waterfront Parks Arboretum /Ice Skating /Shopping Lakeline, Highland, Northcross Mall Hill Country Flyer Train Excursion University Of Texas Campus LBJ Presidential Library & Museum State Capitol Of Texas 6th Street Entertainment District Lady Bird Wildflower Research Ctr. Zilker Park /Bartonsprings / Town Lake Bull Creek Hike And Bike Trail Wild Basin Wildlife Preserve San Marcos Factory Outlet Stores SWT University Campus San Antonio/Riverwalk State Capitol Building and Governor's Mansion State Capitol Building As the Capital City of Texas, it's only natural that the State Capitol Building is the cornerstone of Austin's sights. The centrally-situated capital complex stands higher than even the nation's capitol in Washington D.C., and onlookers can observe policy being shaped while the legislature is in session. Additional state monuments and historical places include the Governor's Mansion, Texas State Cemetery, a variety of state offices, and more. Address: 11th and Congress, (512) 463-0063. When the Legislature is in session, onlookers can watch policy and sometimes history in the making. Free tours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free admission. Governor's Mansion Address: 1010 Colorado, (512) 463-5518. Since 1856, every Texas governor has called this gracious antebellum dwelling home. Free tours Monday through Friday, 10 to 11:40 a.m. (every 20 minutes). Closed at the discretion of the Governor's Office. Call for information on group tours (reservations required). The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum This is the top of the list of interesting and must see museums in Austin. There is also the Austin History Center, George Washington Carver Museum, Austin Art Museum at Laguna, Mexico-Arte Museum, O. Henry Museum, Elisebet Ney Museum, and the Texas Memorial Museum, just to name a few. University of Texas University of Texas Begin to explore the University area at the main campus of the University of Texas. Founded in 1883, the original campus contained only 40 acres. Now a 357-acre main campus, the university welcomes approximately 60,000 students annually. Town Lake and Riverboat excursion Lone Star Riverboat Take a Town Lake excursion on a relaxing paddle wheel boat. The Lone Star Riverboat is a tour of Austin's colorful river history. Excursions are 90 minutes and no reservations are required. The riverboat is docked between the Congress and South First Street bridges on the south shore. Departure schedule: June through August, Tuesday through Sunday at 5:30 p.m., Friday Moonlight Cruise at 10:30 p.m.; September through November, Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., (512) 3271388. Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail Joggers and strollers on the beautiful Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, just at the foot of Congress Avenue, trod across the same soil that once supported the small settlement of Waterloo, founded by Jacob Harrell in 1835. And they generally circle past the mouths of Waller, Shoal and Barton Creeks as those rivulets drain into the Colorado River. Bats Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. At last count, an estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats were hanging around beneath the historic Congress Avenue Bridge that crosses Town Lake. Between March and November, these bats emerge nightly en masse at dusk, delighting visitors to the Austin area who line the bridge, the river walk and area cafe patios to see the spectacle. For more information, call (512) 327-9721. Sixth Street (Old Pecan Street) East Sixth Street National Register District, between Congress and IH-35. Seven blocks of historic buildings are woven together by charming restaurants, boutiques and all the live music one could hope to hear. It is Austin's most celebrated entertainment district. Yearly events include spring, fall and Christmas arts and crafts festivals and a Halloween street bash that draws 60,000. Don't miss the Texas Walk of Stars. Old Bakery and Emporium 1006 Congress Ave., (512) 477-5961. Newly restored, the 1876 building has served continuously as a bakery. Visitors now find home-baked goods and items handcrafted by Austin senior citizens. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission. Scholz Garten Scholz Garten was founded in 1866 by August Scholz, a German immigrant and Confederate veteran who proudly labeled the place with his German heritage. Located just two blocks from the stadium, it's the site of UT football's first victory party, and still home to many rowdy Longhorn fans. It's also home to the Wurst Band, a 33-member brass ensemble that has pumped out German music since 1871. While it is always a good spot to catch a sporting event on TV, there is nothing quite like the crowded social scene after a UT football game. Scholz Garten is Texas' oldest German beer garden. 474-1958 Music Auditorium Shores Concert Series For almost 100 years, the Austin Federation of Musicians has organized free evening concerts on outdoor stages in Austin. Music legends like The Fabulous Thunderbirds and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn have been launched on the stage at Auditorium Shores. On consecutive Sundays and Wednesdays during May and June, the public turns out in droves for the free live concerts. For more information, call (512) 440-1414. Live Music Capital of the World Austin lives up to its nickname, the "Live Music Capital of the World," with live entertainment seven days a week in many of its restaurants and music venues. There are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, from a walk on the hike-and-bike trail to a turn on Town Lake in a rowboat. The city supports five centers of higher education, as well as a number of high-tech companies. While Austin's music heritage traces back to frontier days, it was not until 1991 that blues musician Lillian Standfield, returning from a gig in Houston, saw a city limits sign and thought the City needed a slogan to promote music. She approached the City's Music Commission with the idea of Austin becoming the "Music Capital of the USA." City staff research found that Austin had more live music venues per capita than such music hotbeds as Nashville, Memphis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas or New York City.