Places to visit in Austin

Austin, Texas, has a lot of attractions to offer for tourists who are seeking a fun-filled and jam-packed day of activities.

For more options of activities and attractions in Austin, you can visit getyourguide.com.

Here are some recommendations of activities tourists should try in Austin.

Austin: Kayaking Tour through Downtown to Barton Springs

Uniquely discover downtown Austin. Ride a kayak and paddle on the water in this guided kayaking tour to Barton Springs.

Feel the thrill and explore the clear waters of Barton Springs and Lady Bird Lake. Capture picturesque and breathtaking views of Austin's downtown skyline. Encounter local wildlife creatures like the Barton Springs salamanders and more.

Follow your guide on a fun-filled kayaking journey and admire the stunning views of downtown Austin.

Beginners are welcome to join the tour. Local guides will give a brief safety instructions before setting off the waters.

Meet your guide at 74 Trinity St, Austin, Texas, and gear up with your kayak, paddle, and life vest.

Pass under the Congress Avenue Bridge, explore Lady Bird Lake, and paddle your way into Barton Springs, wearing high-quality gear.

Return to your starting point at the end of your tour.

Austin: Two-hour Sightseeing Bike Tour

Biking enthusiasts would surely love to join this tour as they pedal along the trail that runs through Zilker Park and around Lady Bird Lake, heading toward the Texas State Capitol building and into downtown Austin.

This is a two-hour bike tour to some famous spots around downtown Austin and the riverfront. A guide will lead you to a local route, and along the way, you will discover why they like to "Keep Austin Weird" in this cultural hub.

The tour begins at the famous Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, Barton Springs Pool area, and Zilker Park. Then, stop at the South Congress Avenue Bridge and learn about the history of the most significant urban colonization of bats in North America. Then, head towards the new boardwalk for the beautiful view of the Austin skyline. Visit Austin's hottest entertainment district and Rainey Street.

Finish your tour by heading north to the Texas State Capitol. Take some photos before returning to the newly renovated Shoal Creek Trail. The time will end at the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge.

Austin: City and Hill Country Non-Stop Tour in a Mercedes

A resident will show you around Austin and its surroundings on this guided tour. This is a non-stop tour that covers 30 miles of Austin.

Discover and explore more than 50 major tourist spots in 90 minutes and pass by lively parks, trendy shopping districts, and the Hill Country’s lakes and vistas.

Sit back, relax and enjoy your ride in a 14-passenger Mercedes-Benz sprinter as you feed your eyes with Austin's attractions and landmarks.

Visit local hangouts, and learn about the live music and the city’s extraordinary gastronomic place. Stop at the Six Square District in East Austin, where you will learn more about Austin’s Black music, arts, and cultural history.

Austin: Haunted History Ghost Tour

Enjoy an after-dark tour and scare yourself with Austin’s most haunted hotspots. Explore the paranormal history of Austin, from the "Museum of Weird" to the haunted streets of South Congress.

This ghost tour will let you visit haunted locations such as The Omni Hotel, the William Sidney Porter House, the Museum of the Weird, spooky restaurants, and old shops.

Join other lurking spirits as you take this one-of-a-kind activity. This will show you Austin’s unique way of encouraging eccentric behavior with its infamous element of the weird.

You will learn about the shocking stories of the capital of Texas’ forbidden lovers, heartbreaking suicides, brutal murders, and freak accidents.

You may encounter some of these historic ghosts on tour, but they are playful and harmless. Some are pretty wicked and have committed some horrific crimes in their lifetimes.

Stroll around the "City of Bats" on this ghost tour and explore the dark side of the city's downtown streets. You will also discover the history that lives on in each high-rise building.

Do not forget to bring your cameras and keep them ready because you might capture some spooky footage on these expeditions. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the suicide brides lurking around the Driskill or witness the legendary "Man with the Cigar" around the Paramount Theater.

Many legendary tall tales will reveal Austin’s history, but some are true stories that have been carefully fact-checked and researched.

Texas: Austin and Hill Panoramic Tour with Stops

Listen to Austin’s history and culture with an expert guide on this bus tour. Take advantage to snap as many photos as possible on the panoramic view of Austin’s hillside.

Spot famous landmarks like the State Capitol, Austin University, The Driskill Hotel, and the stomping grounds of legends like Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Central Library. Experience Austin's refreshing nature at Barton Springs and Mount Bonnel.

Grab a convenient seat location in a luxury convertible Mercedes tour vehicle and take a 360-panoramic view as you explore the metro.

You will be overloaded with Austin information and experiences at the end of the tour.

Austin: True Crime Walking Tour and Pub Crawl

Be a detective or an investigator for a day and unveil Austin’s infamous murder stories on this guided walking tour pub crawl.

Stop, purchase a drink, and enjoy stunning city views in three local rooftop cocktail bars.

Meet your guide at the Westin hotel in downtown Austin and begin to journey into the city's murderous history. Listen as your guide tells you murder stories from Austin's past without skipping the morbid details.

See the city's highlights as you get to three cocktail bars. Have the chance to order some of the city's legendary and hand-crafted cocktails.

Austin: Guided Small-Group Tour with Texas Capitol Visit

See Austin's top tourist sites on a luxury narrated small group tour. Visit the Texas Capitol, Pfluger Bridge, the Willie Nelson Statue, Bremond Historic District, and many more at your own pace.

Enjoy the city’s highlights on a van tour with a local guide. You will be picked up right at your downtown Austin hotel lobby and begin your tour riding on a Mercedes Metris van.

The tour will have its first stop at the Texas Capitol. This Italian Renaissance-designed building was constructed between 1882 and 1888 and sat on top of a hill overlooking the downtown Austin district.

The capital was ranked within the top 100 "America’s Favorite Architecture" in 2007, and it is the sixth-tallest state capitol in the United States.

Visit some monuments and statues at the capitol grounds, such as the Heroes of Alamo, the Confederate Soldiers Monument, or the Volunteer Firemen Monument.

After the Capitol, get back into your van and enjoy a narrated driving tour with plenty of stops at iconic landmarks like the French Legation, Pfluger Bridge, and Lou Neff Point.

You will head back to your downtown hotel at the end of your tour.

Austin: One-Hour Escape Room Adventure

Enjoy a mind-blogging and thrilling activity as you enter numerous elaborately designed rooms in this one-hour escape room adventure.

Interact with your group and immerse yourself in this unique game by completing tasks with a one-hour time limit.

Recover priceless works of art, find lost golds, and escape from prison as you solve puzzles, crack codes, and take an active role in compelling stories.

Your problem-solving skills will be tested as you continue escaping from one room to the other.

After you and your group have solved all the mysteries, enjoy a victory party and celebrate with a bite to eat in the downtown area.

Austin: Museum of Ice Cream Admission Ticket

Have a lovely day in a desert wonderland at the Museum of Ice Cream. Enjoy taking photos in the 12 magical installations, dive into the famous Sprinkle Pool, wander through the Banana Forest, and discover Rainbow Tunnel.

Along the journey through many galleries, you will be given sweet treats to eat.

Start your visit to the museum by tasting its signature pink lemonade popsicle before entering the magic portal to the land of sweets.

Have fun and play at the Museum of Modern Ice Cream, Carnival, Candy Shop, and Magnet Room.

Every gallery offers one-of-a-kind treats, such as pink vanilla soft serve, assorted candies, and pink fluffy cotton candy.

Austin: Sunset Boat Cruise with Guided Evening Tour

Feel the fresh breeze of air as you sail across Lady Bird Lake at sunset and admire Austin's skyline on a scenic boat tour.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful calm water on a sunset cruise.

Meet your guide at your hotel lobby and start your tour by visiting the city's top sites, such as the Paramount Theater, Texas Capitol, and Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge.

At dusk, join the cruise across Austin’s Lady Bird Lake and enjoy the view of the city’s skyline.

Tourists who can book this tour between March to October may witness the nightly show of bats under the bridge, where a large colony of about 1.5 million bats resides. It is one of the enormous colonies of urban bats worldwide.

Next, get back to your transport service and enjoy a narrated drive. Get local insights into the surrounding area from your guide.

You will be dropped off outside your hotel lobby at the end of the tour.

From Austin: Hill Country BBQ and Wine Shuttle

Escape the bustling city and head to the countryside of Austin. Visit the famous Salt Lick BBQ and taste the various flavors of Texas at a popular eatery. Then, wander through the hills and stop at two different award-winning Texas wineries for a wine tasting. ·

Meet your guide in the downtown area at the visitor center. Hop aboard the shuttle bus and head out into the Texan countryside.

Your first stop will be at Austin’s most famous BBQ joint, Salt Lick BBQ. Enjoy tasting sessions of some of the best meat and food that Texas has to offer.

The tour does not include the cost of the tasting. Tourists are recommended to budget $35.00 per person for the meal.

After the BBQ, head up through the hills and stop at two different wineries to taste some delicious Texas wines.