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Things to do in Austin

Our most recommended things to do in Austin

Austin: Evening Boat Cruise with Guided Night Tour

1. Austin: Evening Boat Cruise with Guided Night Tour

Experience the beauty of Austin at twilight on a sunset cruise, with a guide and hotel transfer included. See the city's top sites like the Willie Nelson Statue, Paramount Theatre, and the Texas Capitol lit up at night. Join a bat-watching tour during March-October. Be greeted by your guide at your downtown Austin accommodation and begin your evening tour in the comfort of a Mercedes Metris van. At dusk, cruise on Austin's Lady Bird Lake and watch the changing skyline. Learn about the city’s culture and friendly locals. Take this tour between March and October, witness Austin's famous Congress Bridge bats. Join your guide on a bat-watching excursion to see fabled Mexican (or Brazilian) free-tailed bats take flight from underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. Witness the bats under the bridge where a colony of 1.5 million bats reside, one of the biggest colonies of urban bats in the world. Be awestruck at the sight of these bats flying across the colorful evening sky, with speeds of 60 miles per hour. Hop back into the van to enjoy a narrated drive with stops at several iconic landmarks including Pfluger Bridge, Texas State Capitol, the Willie Nelson statue, and Paramount Theatre illuminated at night. Get local insights into the surrounding area from your guide before being taken back to your downtown Austin hotel.

San Antonio: Scenic Night Tour and River Walk Cruise

2. San Antonio: Scenic Night Tour and River Walk Cruise

Get to know San Antonio's nightlife during this night tour that features one-of-a-kind views of the city skyline illuminated at night from the Tower of the Americas, a relaxing River Walk cruise, and a narrated drive. Begin your night out with your tour guide greeting you directly outside the front of your hotel in San Antonio or Austin before heading out to the first stop of your night tour. First, take your view of San Antonio to new heights. Get whisked away up 190 m (623 ft) and marvel at magical views of the illuminated city skyline from the Tower of the Americas Observation Deck, the tallest observation tower in Texas. Once your feet are back on the ground, embark on an enchanting nighttime river cruise, passing multiple points of interest such as the historical Old Mill Crossing and La Villiata, the city’s first neighborhood. After your cruise, go on a drive with your tour guide to explore San Antonio’s cultivating nightlife. Experience an immersive 45-minute narrated drive through the illuminated streets to learn more about the city’s history and culture, pointing out multiple points of interest. Once your tour is complete, enjoy a safe return transfer back to your downtown hotel or arranged drop-off destination, where you can relax after your exciting night out.

Austin: Single or Double Kayak Rental

3. Austin: Single or Double Kayak Rental

Explore the capital of Texas on a relaxing single or double kayak adventure. Take your time as you explore the city in either a single or double kayak and check out the views as you float along the calm waters of Lady Bird Lake. Discover multiple man-made outlets that can take you all the way from Congress Avenue Bridge to Barton Springs all while exploring on your own. Alternatively, relax and enjoy the towering sights of Downtown Austin while on the relaxing waters of Lady Bird Lake. A driver's license per kayak will be required when checking in on site. A waiver will also be required and can be filled out at the dock.

From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle

4. From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle

Meet your guide in downtown Austin at the visitor center, then board your shuttle bus for the day and head out into the sprawling Texan countryside. The first stop of the day is Austin’s most famous BBQ joint, Salt Lick BBQ. At the BBQ, enjoy a tasting session of some of the very best meat and food that Texas has to offer, and soak up this friendly atmosphere. The tour does not include the cost of the tasting. It's recommended to budget $35 per person for your meal, however, you can bring your own alcohol to enjoy with your food. After the BBQ, you'll wind through the hills and stop at two different wineries so that you can sample delicious Texas wines - all while taking in those gorgeous hill country views.

Austin: Lake Austin Guided Boat Tour

5. Austin: Lake Austin Guided Boat Tour

Admire the incredible natural beauty of Lake Austin on a guided cruise. Enjoy an affordable way to experience the lake with other passengers, without renting an entire boat. As you cruise around the 22-mile shoreline of the lake, you'll see elaborate privately-owned waterfront and cliffside homes, and popular shoreside restaurants. Take social media-worthy pictures of Lake Austin's unique clear, constant-level water and its beautiful scenery, like the iconic Pennybacker Bridge and Little Italy. You may even catch sight of Austin's own professional wake-surfing celebrities, Ashley Kidd and Raleigh Hager! This activity is ideal for individual travelers, couples, and small groups or families.

Austin: Guided Small Group Tour with Texas Capitol Visit

6. Austin: Guided Small Group Tour with Texas Capitol Visit

Explore Austin, the state capital of Texas, with a local guide on a van tour of the city's highlights. Enjoy top attractions and visitor experiences while avoiding long lines and wait times on a fully guided and narrated tour with all entry tickets included. Meet your guide at your downtown Austin hotel and begin your fully guided tour in the comfort and style of a Mercedes Metris van. Kick your tour off with a visit of the Texas Capitol - the seat of government for the state of Texas. This Italian Renaissance Revival style building was constructed between 1882 and 1888 and sits atop a hill overlooking the downtown Austin area. Ranked within the top 100 "America’s Favorite Architecture" (2007), it is the sixth-tallest state capitol. Walk around the grounds and visit some of the monuments and statues scattered throughout the grounds such as the Heroes of Alamo, the Confederate Soldiers Monument, or the Volunteer Firemen Monument. After the Capitol, hop back into your van and enjoy a narrated driving tour with stops at several iconic landmarks. Stop at several places to get the best views of the city, including the French Legation — one of the oldest houses in Austin —, Pfluger Bridge — a beautiful pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin —, and Lou Neff Point —a stunning look-out point with a gazebo overlooking the city. At the end of your tour, head back to your downtown Austin hotel.

Austin: 2-Hour Sightseeing Bike Tour

7. Austin: 2-Hour Sightseeing Bike Tour

Embark on a 2-hour bike tour of Austin and pedal down to some of the famous spots around downtown and the river front. A local guide will lead you along a route that also takes back streets and hiking trails beloved by locals. Along the way, see why they like to "Keep Austin Weird" in this cultural hub.  The tour begins by going along the famous Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, Barton Springs Pool area, and Zilker Park. Then, take a stop at the South Congress Avenue Bridge and learn about the largest urban colonization of bats in North America. From there, head towards the new boardwalk for amazing views of the Austin skyline. See Austin's hottest entertainment district, Rainey Street, and learn how it came to be.  Finish your tour by heading up north to the Texas State Capitol, where you'll be able to go inside and admire the famous rotunda. Take time to snap some photos before cruising back towards the shop along the newly renovated Shoal Creek Trail. The tour ends at the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge.

Austin: Electric Bike City Sightseeing Tour

8. Austin: Electric Bike City Sightseeing Tour

Start at the shop and get outfitted to a pedal-assist E-bike. After a quick safety meeting and pre-ride warm-up, head towards the South Congress District and check out many of Austin's most famous murals where you'll have time to stop and snap some photos before heading on to your next adventure. Head towards the new boardwalk and take in the views of the Austin skyline before heading north to check out Downtown Austin. As you enter the downtown area, see some of Austin's most popular entertainment districts including Rainey Street and 6th Street. Continue towards the Texas State Capitol and get a chance to walk inside and check out the famous rotunda. Finish your tour by heading to the University of Texas campus and learn about the school's history. On your way back to the shop, stop at Texas's oldest swimming pool and the gem of Austin, Barton Springs. This natural pool is a recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby a natural spring and sits at 65 degrees year-round.

Austin: Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure

9. Austin: Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure

Be a part of an e-bike biker gang and see the best sights that Austin has to offer. The electric minibikes are fun and super easy to ride. No license is needed. All you need to know is how to ride a bicycle. Your guide will first give you a briefing and initiation before you begin your adventure. The tour will be filled with facts, fun, and photos opportunities. If you're just visiting the city, then it's a great way to see some of the best sights while you're here. If you're a local, then it's the perfect way to fall in love with the city all over again.

Austin: Best of Austin Driving Tour with Local Guide

10. Austin: Best of Austin Driving Tour with Local Guide

Experience all that Austin has to offer on this 2-hour city overview. This 'bucket list' tour will take you to see major landmarks, lesser-known gems that only a local would know about, real neighborhoods, and of course, the food trucks! Ride in-style in an air-conditioned Mercedes Van, with many stops where you can get out, stretch your legs, and explore. Your local Austin guide will share with you stories about art, music, culture, food, history, parks, famous people, and much more. Discover secret spots, hear funny stories, and decipher local legends. Make new memories and laugh a ton as you learn why Austin is known for its motto, 'Keep Austin Weird'. Along with seeing all the top sites, get an opportunity to tour the State Capitol. Learn a little about Texas history and see the beautiful architecture throughout the Capitol. After your guided Capitol tour, head down to the Food Trucks to end your tour with a tasty treat.

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Frequently asked questions about Austin

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Other Sightseeing Options in Austin

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What people are saying about Austin

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 413 reviews

Everything was great. Michael was a great tour guide. I don’t appreciate the push for tips though. We got told in the beginning and end that they accepts tips in different forms. Felt very pressured. The tour isn’t cheap to begin with and we are paying for the service. I am not a fan of being pressured to tip. If he went over and above for us, we are perfectly happy to tip but when people push for tips like that, it puts a sour taste in my mouth.

Our guide was fantastic. We got up the tower quickly, had a nice your of the Pearl area, saw the light show at the cathedral which was awesome, did a quick tour of the Alamo area at night, and had a fun water tour of the riverwalk. Excellent time and service!

Mike was extraordinary! He knew all the stories info and locations of this tour inside out. He is personable, considerate, knowledgeable and very adept at sharing his vast knowledge. My only regret is that it wasn't a week long tour.

Very fun! Evan was so wonderful! We enjoyed his energy and enthusiasm for his job. We really enjoyed all of our stops as well! Highly recommend this. The flights of beer were delicious! Exceeded our expectations!

Alfred was very passionate about everything he showed us. Extremely polite as well.