Austin, TX

Travel Guide

Lady Bird Lake featuring a city, a river or creek and a statue or sculpture
Travis Heights featuring landscape views and a city
Downtown Austin which includes a city
South Congress Avenue featuring a city, a sunset and landscape views
Congress Avenue Historic District showing signage and a city

Austin Travel Guide Video

One of the new music capitals of the world, this Texas city also has a great presidential library, handsome Capitol building and pretty parks.

The city of Austin is the home of South by Southwest (SXSW), a huge festival of music, film and other performances by new and established talents. Come for the weeklong festival in March or explore the city’s attractions at any time of year.

Zilker Park is a large public space just west of Downtown Austin. During Austin’s warm spring to fall seasons, swim here in Barton Springs. The stream travels through the city, with a 900-foot (270-meter) long pool created between limestone sides before Barton Creek empties into the Colorado River. The pool itself is a massive 3-acre (1.2-hectare) expanse of water, surrounded by grassy areas for sunbathing and picnicking. Watch closely along the shoreline for several species of endangered salamander.

Visit Austin’s varied museums. The French Legation Museum, an 1841 wooden structure, was once a diplomatic residence. Show your kids your favorite childhood playthings at the Austin Toy Museum, with more than 20,000 pieces from the 1900s onward. Let them have hands-on fun at the Texas Museum of Science and Technology, which features a planetarium and a T. rex skull, among other attractions. Learn about Texas history at the Texas Memorial Museum and the free Brush Square Museums.

Tour the beautiful red-granite, domed Texas State Capitol building. The LBJ Presidential Library reveals the life and times of the 36th president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. A portion of the Colorado River is named Lady Bird Lake, honoring LBJ’s wife. Follow the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail for 10 miles (16 kilometers) along the lake.

While SXSW is one of the city’s biggest musical events, Austin earns its title of Live Music Capital of the World with more than 250 live music venues and 1,900 music acts. Enjoy everything from ballet to blues, rock, Latino, jazz, country, handbell, Gilbert & Sullivan and Indian classical music.

Fly to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport or drive here in just 2.5 hours from Houston or 1.5 hours from San Antonio.

Where to stay in Austin

Downtown Austin showing street scenes and an administrative buidling

Downtown Austin

4/5(3,367 area reviews)

Central business district with high-rise buildings, Downtown Austin offers shopping at Second Street District and Sixth Street, art at Contemporary Austin Jones Center, and sights like Texas State Capitol. Accessible via Capital MetroRail.

Downtown Austin
Sundae with Boba

The Domain

Dubbed as "Austin's second downtown," this high-density center boasts upscale retail stores, diverse dining options, and residential apartments. Explore Domain NORTHSIDE, Rock Rose district, and Q2 Stadium, with easy access to future Broadmoor and McKalla Place stations.

The Domain
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Lago Vista

Lakeside community on the northern shores of Lake Travis, Lago Vista boasts steep limestone hills and canyons. Accessible via RM 1431 and CapMetro bus services, it's near Balcones Canyonlands and tech hubs.

Lago Vista
Austin showing signage

South Congress

4/5(656 area reviews)

Eclectic small retailers, diverse dining options, and vibrant music and art venues define this shopping and cultural district. Hop on MetroRapid Route 801 for easy city access, or explore the square's food trucks for tasty treats.

South Congress
Steiner Ranch which includes a small town or village

Lower Basin Lake Travis

If you're spending some time in Lower Basin Lake Travis, Lake Travis and Hippie Hollow are top sights worth seeing.

Lower Basin Lake Travis
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Bouldin Creek

If you're spending some time in Bouldin Creek, South First Street and Long Center for the Performing Arts are top sights worth seeing.

Bouldin Creek
citizenM Austin Downtown

citizenM Austin Downtown

4 out of 5
617 COLORADO ST, Austin, TX
The price is ¥15,365 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
¥15,365
¥18,336 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,954 reviews)
"Good time"

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

citizenM Austin Downtown
Omni Austin Hotel

Omni Austin Hotel

4 out of 5
700 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX
The price is ¥20,565 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
¥20,565
¥28,790 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,838 reviews)
"We liked everything!"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Omni Austin Hotel
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown

Hyatt Place Austin Downtown

3 out of 5
211 E 3rd St, Austin, TX
The price is ¥16,429 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
¥16,429
¥19,709 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,177 reviews)
"Clean and convenient"

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Hyatt Place Austin Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Placemakr Downtown Austin

Placemakr Downtown Austin

4 out of 5
710 E 3rd St, Austin, TX
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Austin. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Sixth Street and Moody Theater ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (398 reviews)
"A quick trip to attend the vinyl show. It was actually to much room,a"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Placemakr Downtown Austin
Austin Condo Hotel

Austin Condo Hotel

4.5 out of 5
48 East Ave, Austin, TX
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury condo in Austin. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (414 reviews)
"Great place for our stay."

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2025

Austin Condo Hotel
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy East 5th Apartments East Austin

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy East 5th Apartments East Austin

3.5 out of 5
1211 East 5th Street, Austin, TX
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Austin. Enjoy a fitness center, laundry facilities, and concierge services. Popular attractions Sixth Street and Moody Theater ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (284 reviews)
Love the room
"This place was awesome once you get checked in. There is no front desk so you are virtually checking in which did not go off easy. Also the parking is $35 dollars a day 🤔. The apartment was very nice and quiet so due to that I forgot about the check in issues and paying for parking."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy East 5th Apartments East Austin
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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