Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World — and also a swimming-hole city, a bat city and a barbecue city, all with a skyline that keeps rising over Lady Bird Lake. This guide gathers the best of Austin, with the places and tours our readers love most.
Zilker, Barton Springs and the Greenbelt
Zilker Metropolitan Park is 351 acres of pure Austin joy, and at its heart bubbles Barton Springs Pool — 68 degrees year-round, the city’s natural swimming paradise. Behind it runs the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Austin’s wild green ribbon of trails and cliff-lined pools.
Lady Bird Lake and Mount Bonnell
Lady Bird Lake and its Boardwalk are Austin’s favorite front porch — run it, paddle it, watch the skyline from it. For the big view, climb to Mount Bonnell, Austin’s best free viewpoint at 775 feet over the river bend.
The Capitol and South Congress
The Texas State Capitol stands taller than the nation’s and opens to everyone, free. Walk out its front door down South Congress Avenue, Austin’s most storied street — boots, bats (under the bridge) and the famous “Greetings from Austin” mural.
Hamilton Pool and the Wildflower Center
Texas hides a jade-green grotto at Hamilton Pool Preserve, a collapsed cave with a waterfall straight out of a dream. In spring, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center puts Texas in full bloom, and the peacocks of Mayfield Park wander Austin’s prettiest gardens.
Lake Austin cruises
Take the city from the water: the Lake Austin scenic history cruise tells two hours of stories in the shade, the sunset boat cruise sails one golden hour past Mount Bonnell, and the Donut Boat lets you captain your own floating lounge — no license needed.
Bats, kayaks and the glow of the river
Austin’s signature spectacle: 1.5 million bats pouring from Congress Bridge at dusk. Watch them best from the water on the sunset kayak tour or the original bat watching kayak tour, and paddle a glowing river on the clear kayak sunset glow tour in San Marcos.
BBQ, wine country and live music nights
Skip every line on the Austin BBQ tour — six tastings, Michelin stars, zero waiting — or ride the Hill Country wine shuttle to three wineries with zero driving. After dark, crawl three real venues on the Austin live music crawl, then find the city’s hidden doors on the secret speakeasies tour.
Planning your days? Our Austin itineraries — from one perfect day to five — map out the springs, the lake and the music hour by hour. And subscribe to the Happy City News newsletter for Austin’s best events, every week.
