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
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Marshall's Point

Though Marshall's Point might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Lake Travis and Volente Beach Water Park.

Marshall's Point
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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
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
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
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
Austin Southpark Hotel
Austin Southpark Hotel
3.5 out of 5
4140 Governors Row, Austin, TX
The price is ¥16,034 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥16,034
¥19,245 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"Nt"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Austin Southpark Hotel
citizenM Austin Downtown
citizenM Austin Downtown
4 out of 5
617 COLORADO ST, Austin, TX
The price is ¥15,939 per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
¥15,939
¥19,021 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
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! (1,832 reviews)
"Very fun and welcoming"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

citizenM Austin Downtown
Orangewood Inn & Suites Midtown
Orangewood Inn & Suites Midtown
2 out of 5
9121 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX
The price is ¥8,335 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥8,335
¥10,387 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,503 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Orangewood Inn & Suites Midtown
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! (380 reviews)
"Good stay overall. Check-in was very easy. As a local, I can say it’s in a good location."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Placemakr Downtown Austin
Sentral East Austin at 1614 E. Sixth
Sentral East Austin at 1614 E. Sixth
4 out of 5
1614 E 6th Street, Austin, TX
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Austin. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 coffee shops/cafes, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (249 reviews)
"property was in a fantastic location, check in was easy. the staff was amazing."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Sentral East Austin at 1614 E. Sixth
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! (406 reviews)
"Clean, spacious , awesome view"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Austin Condo Hotel
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Austin

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4702
5 - Excellent 51%
4 - Good
3349
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
891
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
164
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
101
1 - Terrible 1%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Cost of living extremely expensive and don't do enough for minorities and Austin is to greedy to feed the needy. Not really impressed when your city sucks the life out of you and wants you to accept it and be happy.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

I was thrown off the property for a reason that was not legit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Outside of Austin city limits is beautiful, but downtown Austin was terrible, dirty and I wouldn't stay downtown.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We went when things were still pretty much shut down so there wasn't much to do. This was the day the protests and rioting/looting started as well. Luckily, we left 6th St minutes before a car was set on fire

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

I love Austin overall but this hotel is in Cedar Park area.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Expensive

Cities near Austin