Top 15 Must-Visit Attractions in Downtown Austin

Downtown Austin, originally established on a six-hundred-acre plot and comprising merely fourteen blocks, has evolved significantly over two centuries. Now, this vibrant area, bordered by the expansive Colorado River, encompasses eight distinct districts and occupies a much larger space than the original town layout.

As the central business hub of Austin, this locale offers an abundance of diversions. In fact, the variety of stimulating and enjoyable activities available far exceeds what would fit into a mere listing of fifteen notable attractions in Downtown Austin.

Downtown Austin boasts one of the premier nightlife scenes in Texas, a flourishing culinary landscape, remarkable cultural experiences, and delightful water activities. Expect to stay longer than a week to truly enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer.

Let us delve into the top experiences in Austin:

1. Austin Duck Adventure

Embark on a tour of Downtown Austin aboard a vehicle that stands out. Although the Duck may resemble a medium-sized mini-bus, it is a Hydra-Terra, fully amphibious and guaranteed to provide a thrilling splash.

Commence your journey at the Austin Duck’s boarding area on East 4th Street near the Austin Visitors Center, where you will glide past significant landmarks while enjoying a guided narration followed by a float on Lake Austin.

The tours extend for just over an hour, providing a delightful introduction to the wonders of Downtown Austin.

2. Congress Avenue Bridge Bats

Experiencing a natural phenomenon in the heart of an urban setting such as Downtown Austin is a rare occasion; therefore, this should not be missed.

During sundown from April to October, stroll onto the Congress Avenue Bridge and not only witness an exquisite Texan sunset but also observe approximately a million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from their colony and ascend into the night sky.

This truly surreal encounter resembles a scene from a live Alfred Hitchcock film.

3. Upstairs Circus

Located on West 2nd Street, the Upstairs Circus functions as a bar where patrons can craft their own unique souvenir of Downtown Austin while enjoying a circus-themed specialty cocktail.

Choose a Strongman’s Punch while creating a wrap bracelet or opt for a Coco Contortionist while designing nail and string art. With a selection of project types accommodating various skill levels, including novice crafters, you can produce wine bottle tumblers, concrete coasters, or even a collar for your dog.

Consult the Upstairs Circus schedule prior to your visit to Downtown Austin; you may find a Making-n-Mimosas session coinciding with your arrival.

4. Austin Fire Museum

The Austin Fire Museum, situated on East 5th Street, pays homage to the history of the city’s firefighters, tracing the lineage from the service’s inception to the contemporary era.

Housed within a functioning fire station, the museum features a display of uniforms dating back to the 19th century, photographic exhibitions, and a collection of memorabilia.

This museum operates on a voluntary basis and is open only on weekend afternoons.

5. Double Decker Austin

Explore Downtown Austin with ease using the open-top, Double Decker Austin hop-on-hop-off bus service.

This bus features six convenient pick-up and drop-off points located near major attractions. Opt to remain on board for the complete hour and a half narrated tour to absorb historical insights from a qualified guide or disembark to visit attractions or enjoy lunch before rejoining the tour when the bus returns after an hour and a half.

6. Congress Avenue Kayaks

Rent a kayak from Congress Avenue Kayaks at the Waller Creek Boathouse on Trinity Street and paddle upriver to admire the Downtown Austin skyline from the water.

The kayaks accommodate one, two, or three individuals and can be rented by the hour or for half-day excursions, depending on your upper body strength. Navigate the Colorado River, discover murals hidden beneath bridges, or venture into the open waters of Lady Bird Lake. Whichever path you choose, kayaking is an exceptional way to enjoy time outdoors.

During bat season at Congress Avenue Bridge, Congress Avenue Kayaks offers two-hour guided sunset kayak tours, which provide the opportunity to witness the bat flight at dusk while floating on the river.

7. Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ

Indulge in traditional Texas-style cuisine at Cooper’s Old Time Barbecue Pit, located on Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin.

This eclectic, rustic ranch-style establishment features décor of horse heads and saddles, serving up barbecued ribs, chops, and brisket by the pound, complemented by sides of coleslaw, potato salad, or pinto beans.

Save room for dessert, as Cooper’s is renowned for its delectable cobbler selections, including peach, pecan, apple, or blackberry, all accompanied by live music on weekends.

8. Bullock Texas State History Museum

The Bullock Texas State History Museum, located on North Congress Avenue, narrates the story of Texas.

Featuring three floors, each distinctly themed to highlight various aspects of the state’s rich history, the museum includes engaging exhibitions. Two theaters showcase a range of films throughout the day, aimed at recreating the life and times of the inhabitants of Texas, from Comanche Indians to rodeo riders.

Over seven hundred artifacts are housed within the museum, including captivating documents illustrating Texas’s historical ties to Mexico, antique oil industry equipment, and a NASA mission control console.

9. Container Bar

Innovative bar owners on Rainey Street have raised recycling to a new level. Here, you’ll discover a bar constructed from seven repurposed shipping containers.

Despite its metal box origins, this lively pub exudes vibrancy. Container Bar is regarded as one of Downtown Austin’s premier nightlife spots.

Spacious and inviting, the bar attracts a youthful crowd, offering drinks on the upstairs terrace and lively dancing to music provided by some of the city’s best DJs. It is a perfect destination for an enjoyable night out in Downtown Austin.

10. Austin Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Enhance your sightseeing experience in Downtown Austin by participating in a scavenger hunt. To engage in the Austin Scavenger Hunt Adventure, all you require is a smartphone. Simply download the app and begin solving clues.

Navigate through Downtown Austin’s prominent sites, completing clues step by step while uncovering intriguing historical insights along the way. You can undertake the hunt independently or gather friends, proceeding at your own pace or racing against time.

Comfortable footwear is recommended, as the scavenger hunt spans approximately three hours, excluding breaks for refreshments or meals. Ensure your phone is fully charged prior to starting.

11. Frank C Erwin Center

For major events in Downtown Austin, the Frank C Erwin Center, formally known as the Frank C Erwin Special Events Center, serves as the premier venue.

This arena, accommodating seventeen thousand attendees, hosts significant sporting events such as basketball games, martial arts competitions, and boxing matches. High-profile concerts featuring renowned artists like Kiss, Lady Gaga, U2, and Garth Brooks, as well as bull riding and WWE events, have also taken place here.

The Center provides an extensive range of snack food options, including pizza, burgers, nachos, and ice cream.

12. Austin Panic Rooms

Stimulate your adrenaline with a visit to the Austin Panic Rooms located on Rio Grande Street in Downtown Austin.

Featuring four exciting challenges, these panic rooms will truly test your nerves. Attempt a prison escape while restrained in handcuffs or assume the role of the president in the Oval Office. Alternatively, you could get trapped in a mountain hut during a blizzard or strive to escape before a mad scientist selects you as one of his human trial subjects.

Though they may appear straightforward, you will have only one hour to decipher the clues and make your escape. It is indeed more challenging than it first appears.

13. Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail

The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, stretching ten miles, includes a segment that traverses Downtown Austin.

Access this trail at Congress Avenue Bridge, proceeding west for a leisurely walk or bike ride with Downtown Austin on one side and the Colorado River on the opposite. To the east, a picturesque mile-long boardwalk leads across Lady Bird Lake.

Be sure to observe the thirty-six bronze belt sculptures adorning the railings of the boardwalk, each inscribed with popular lyrics penned or performed by Texan songwriters and musicians.

14. Museum of the Weird

Not all museums in Downtown Austin focus on history or serious subjects. The Museum of the Weird presents an exploration into the macabre, the curious, and the undeniably strange.

Originally established as a gift shop, this museum features an array of unusual artifacts, including a mummified mermaid, a furry trout, and a frozen ice-age man.

A daily live circus sideshow performance adds to the intrigue; however, those averse to seeing hooks dangling from eyes or nails being inserted into noses should proceed with caution.

15. Esther’s Follies

Experience the essence of vaudeville at Esther’s Follies on 6th Street in Downtown Austin. This intimate theater serves as a venue for a delightful evening filled with comedic satire, magical illusions, and classic song and dance performances.

In operation for over forty years, the theater presents two performances nightly, often reaching maximum capacity; thus, it is advisable to arrive early to secure your seating.

The theater features a full bar and offers food from a taqueria located in an outdoor courtyard. Esther’s Follies embodies the spirit of Downtown Austin: diverse, vibrant, and immensely enjoyable. Ensure a memorable time during your visit.