It's been a while since our last visit to the Austin Capitol Visitor Center, and it was nice to be…read moreback! Such a great stop before or after exploring the Capitol Building. The folks here are super friendly and welcoming, and the little museum and gift shop are worth a quick look. We had a relaxed Sunday morning here--definitely worth the two-hour drive from San Antonio! We'll surely be back this fall when our NJ guests come to visit.

This is where you stop at the Capitol for tour information…read more Helpful and friendly folks to provide answers to any questions on self-guided tours (free). This is the starting point for touring the Capitol and also the starting point for guided tours. Those tours are also free. Located in the General Land Office Building. Gift shop is here too.

Watching thousands of bats pour out from under a bridge is one of those experiences that sounds a…read morelittle strange until you're standing there thinking, "Okay, this is actually really cool!" The Austin bat bridge on Congress Ave. is such a unique experience, and even better, it's completely free! It definitely isn't a secret, though. A lot of people gather to watch the bats emerge, so I'd recommend getting there early if having a good viewing spot matters to you. Personally, I prefer watching from under the bridge. From that vantage point, you can actually see the bats coming out from underneath, which is the part of the experience I enjoy most. Another plus is that this doesn't have to be your only activity while you're in the area. There are plenty of other places nearby to check out, so it's easy to make the bat viewing part of a larger outing rather than your entire plan. PROS * Completely free * Such a unique Austin experience * Fun to watch the bats actually emerge from beneath the bridge * Plenty of other places nearby to explore CONS * It draws a lot of people, so arriving early is important if you want a good spot BOTTOM LINE: This is one of those simple experiences that's worth doing at least once when you're in Austin. It costs nothing, it's memorable, and there's something pretty impressive about seeing that many bats emerge at once. I'd absolutely come back and do it again, preferably from underneath the bridge.

Fun & FREE Austin Experience - watching thousands of bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue…read moreBridge at sunset. The bats start flying out non-stop to hunt for food at around 7.30pm, summer time. The best viewing spots are under the bridge and along the east side of the trail. One thing to know, you can definitely smell the bats, it's part of the experience. I recommend pairing this with a walk on the Roy and Ann Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along the river. You can enjoy the trail, see the Austin skyline, and then watch the bats take off. A great way to spend an evening in Austin.

The University of Texas at Austin tower (UT Tower) sits at the center of the University of Texas at…read moreAustin. Every path seemingly leads toward the Tower. The UT Tower was completed 1937 (307 feet tall). The Tower has long been the visual focal point of UT since I can remember...generational link between students, faculty, alumni and visitors. The inscription across the front state, "Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free." I remember being on campus when the Tower rang for the first time...it's distinctive...it's memorable. It commands attention. The first time I heard the UT Tower clock ring, I immediately stopped. Also, it is absolutely nothing like experiencing the UT Tower lit up in orange after UT wins an athletic game. For students, the burnt orange glow becomes an emotional symbol for unity (one student body...one unified purpose), achievement (game won) and pride (as a student you can walk by another UT student and nod to them...each knows what it means). The UT Tower was originally constructed to house the university's central library stacks. Today, it is a working building filled with administrative offices and specialized collections. Unfortunately, the tower also represents an unpleasant memory. The University of Texas Tower shooting occurred on August1,1966, when a gunman fired from the observation deck of the UT Tower onto the campus below killing 15 people on campus and injured many others. UT survived this horrific incident and bonded even more so as a community. UT Austin is undergoing a multi year, $70 million restoration project to preserve and renew the Tower. While the UT Tower is built from materials, for me, it will always be a symbol of pride and hope.

While there was some construction around the UT Tower we were able to get close enough to it to get…read moresome good pictures we also learned the history of the building and the tragic mass shooting in 1966 when we took the city bus tour a few days before. The building is very impressive and really stands out on the campus. I imagine decades ago it would be more visible at other vantage points but even when I was in Austin about twenty years ago for the first time it didn't seem nearly as built up as when we were here on our latest visit and I do realize I have heard all sorts of comments that Austin is a city growing in leaps in bounds ( or was several years ago, pre-covid) but with all of the new buildings the UT Tower may be just a tad more obscured than it may once have been. Anyway I definitely recommend taking a look at it as it is a slice of Austin history.

A short 5-minute hike up the hill leads you to the Pennybacker Bridge Overlook. What a treat...you…read morehave the opportunity to see spectacular panoramic views of the bridge with water meandering down Lake Austin and magnificent Texas Hill Country views. This viewpoint has become one of the most photographed spots in Austin, especially at sunset. It is very common to see folks take wedding/engagement, graduation, family and other photos here. It has such a dramatic spectacular backdrop.

This is a beautiful spot on the highway to pull over and see the beautiful city of Austin. The city…read moreis out in the distance, but with the mountains on each side, it just looks like a snow globe picturesque view! There are a few parking spots. But I've seen people park on the side of the highway if the spot are all taken. I did try to view the fireworks from here July 4, 2023, but it was a no go. You can hear them, but you can't see them. But, come any other day, and it's perfect.

This is a 6' x 100' sculpture located along Woodrow Avenue starting at St. John's Ave. It is a…read morefantastic example of artistic ceramic tilemanship. It was created between 2003 and 2008 with help from the residents of the Brentwood and Crestview neighborhoods. Every tile depicts, a family, a business, a school, a person, and churches along with 7 historical narratives. It depicts the history of this neighborhood area including many past and current businesses. Also found within this standing relief are some personal anecdotes that flow along most of the wall. If you're interested in learning some of the local history in this part of town, you should stop by and view this.

Cedar Park is a great spot when you want a break from the busy Austin crowds. It has a really…read morelaid-back, suburban feel but still offers plenty to do. The trails around Brushy Creek are fantastic and super dog-friendly--it's the perfect area to take Benjamin for a long afternoon walk. There are also some solid local bakeries and casual spots to grab a bite. It's clean, easy to navigate, and just a relaxed, easygoing place to spend the day.

I like Cedar Park, such a nice community, with large parks and dog friendly areas. I just moved…read moreclose to the area and I'm slowly driving around this town and getting to know it a little better. A few shops here that I really like and go to often. Hope to learn more and possibly move here soon

The SKy Tower is an interesting structure located on Hart Lane near MOPAC and Spicewood Springs…read moreRoad. One of my Yelp friends said sky Tower was a must see modern structure in Austin, Texas. My hubby and I decided to check it out. It is an interesting structure however we were not so sure why. It looked like a tower, but no other uniquely distinguishing characteristics. The color is a brown rust color, so do very distinctive nor memorable. There was an abstract mural on the side of the building next to the sky tower, which was eye-catching. We were spending Sunday afternoon together to smell the roses, not literally but figuratively. It is nice sometimes, to get out the house, drive some place, get out of the car and take in natural beauty.

This 1933 WWI memorial is a lovely and serence place to rest and relax on the campus of UT…read more(Austin). The sound of the water coming from the fountain expresses calmness in what could otherwise be a chaotic day for some. It's well-maintained and cared for. You just can't beat the imagery of this landscaped moment. Hands down one of the best photo/selfie ops around. I sometimes do a Sunday stroll about campus and stopping at the fountain is always a part of that walk.

I was on University of Texas campus yesterday for a friend's daughter graduation. By the way she's…read morehaving 4 graduations over the weekend (I only attended one...main one). It brought back so many fond memories regarding being on campus. Littlefield Fountain was one of those great memories...it's majesty and beauty. Little fountain is located on 21st Street on the southern portion of the University of Texas at Austin campus. You can see the UT Tower perfectly from the fountain. This beautiful fountain was completed in 1933 and was designed by sculptor Pompeo Coppini. The fountain's quiet water and bronze figure immediately captivates you. Water flows around the main sculpture emitting grandeur and peacefulness. Many graduates and their families gravitated to the fountain to take pictures and celebrate the graduates. This fountain was constructed as a World War I memorial to honor UT students and alumni who lost their lives in this war. While the symbolism of this fountain is sad, the beauty of fountain gives hope. Philanthropist George W. Littlefield commissioned this fountain, and it serves as calming place to sit, meditate and reflect. I sat at this fountain many times as a student in between classes. Very thankful for the beauty and calm of this iconic fountain...