Since I moved to Austin almost three years ago (August 2010) I have been asked what there is to do. In fact last year, I was asked to write an article for Dayton Moms, listing my top five favorites. However, with more then 300 historical markers, hundreds of museums, landmarks, murals, nearly 100 statues and dozens of parks. Then there are dozens of festivals through out the year. Looking at the all the annual events it seems that there is one almost every weekend. Throw in all the concerts at literally dozens of venues there is something for everyone, there is a lot to see and do. As a lover of history, I prefer the historical stuff. So I thought, I should revisit the subject on this site and expand it to the top ten. So what are the top ten things to see and do in the great city of Austin, Texas? Well here is what is on my list.
So as you can see there is a very diverse range of things to see and do. Trying to narrow everything down to ten is very hard to do. No matter what you like Austin has it for you. All of which helps make Austin the fastest growing and best American city ever in my book.
- Texas State Capitol
Completed in 1888, it is the main attraction of the 22-acre capital complex. Tours are free and usually 45 minutes long, starting every 15 minutes Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30, Saturday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, Sunday, Noon - 3:30 pm. Capitol tours are conducted daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter. - Attic Film Festival
This Christian film festival is my favorite. My wife and first found out about TAFF last year. Since we didn’t have the money for tickets we signed up to be volunteers, which allowed us to put in a few hours selling tickets at the door after which we were able to attend the rest of the festival free. We even got to meet Micheal Landon Jr. The event is held every spring. 2TourAustin was a 2013 sponsor of this event. - Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
Every night from Mid-March through October hundreds of people line the Congress Avenue bridge to watch as an estimated 1.5 million free-tail Mexican bats emerge from under the bridge at sunset. This is a great way to spend an evening and its free. All though if you drive, you may have to pay to be able to park legally.Of course for $10/adult ($8/senior and $5/kid) you can hop on a bat watching cruise about 30 minutes before sunset. The wife and I still need to make it down to see the bats. - Lyndon B. Johnson Museum
This is a great museum. It was actually the first museum my wife and I visited after moving here. My personal bucket list includes visiting all 14 presidential library/museum. - SXSW
SXSW is probably the biggest and best known of the annual events in town. The event is known for it’s music, film and interactive programs each year. The wife and I attended the interactive portion of the 2013 festival. - Trail of Lights
Every December the Christmas Tree in Zilker Park is lit along with a “trail of lights.” Over all it is said to contain over 1 million lights. It is truly something to see. Although, it is not friendly, in terms of parking for the handicapped. - ACL Fest
Come October, it is time for another big name annual festival. That being the ACL Festival. Everyone knows about the venue Austin City Limits (ACL) from the program on public television, but they also have a huge music festival in Zilker Park. In 2013 the festival will be expanding from one weekend (three days) to two weekends. - Barton Springs Pool
The pool is an artesian spring-fed swimming hole in Zilker Park that is a constant 68 degrees. Open daily 5am-10pm although it is closed Thursdays between 9am-7pm. - Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Located downtown is more then a museum it is also Austin’s premier IMAX Theater. The museum portion tells Texas’ story through exhibits that take up three floors. - Formula 1
On November 16-18, 2012 Formula 1 racing is arrived in the United States. The first American home of this international race (from Circuit of the Americas) is expected to bring an estimated 300,000 fans to the city. The 2013 race is scheduled for
So as you can see there is a very diverse range of things to see and do. Trying to narrow everything down to ten is very hard to do. No matter what you like Austin has it for you. All of which helps make Austin the fastest growing and best American city ever in my book.
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