Last weekend I finally made my way for the very first time to Austin, Texas. My best friend was getting married (Congrats Nat & Nic!), and trust me, the wedding was absolutely adorable, however no matter if I visit a new place for a week or just a couple of days, I always look forward to find some attractions that will draw my attention. And Austin has enough activities that will fill out your schedule. Here are my favorites!
- The Texas State Capitol is the capitol and seat of government of the American state of Texas. Located in downtown Austin, Texas, the structure houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas. At one time it was the biggest capital building in the United States. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes should be at the top of your bucket list. The capitol is open daily, free of charge, and provides guided tours around this incredible building.
2. Take a drive or a walk around Austin to see the most colorful murals. Austin is very vibrant and some people say it’s the capital of live music and the best artists. Plenty of dive-in bars, postcard-type greetings murals, and everything to make your stay even more exciting.
3. Learn about the history of Texas at the Blanton Musuem of Art! The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the foremost university art museums in the country, and has the largest and most comprehensive collection of art in Central Texas. The Blanton’s permanent collection of more than 21,000 works is recognized for its European paintings, an encyclopedic collection of prints and drawings, and modern and contemporary American and Latin American art.
4. Take your taste buds to the next level! In Austin you will find japanese, greek, thai – and the most increadible- texmex dishes. Bite into a Mason’s Famous Lobster Roll or try fried ocra and chicken at the Gus’s World Famlous Fried Chicken. Austin is packed with so many great restaurants that will put you in a hunger-based anxiety spiral!
5. Looking for the best hiking trails in Austin? Whether you’re getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities Austin has it. You can choose one of the 133 scening trails in Austin. Pack your hiking shoes and be on your way!
Starting in late March and continuing through early fall, North America’s largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset. The first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge then. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake.
The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can take place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early in order to find parking and get your spot.
