Tours and Excursions
Free Walking Tours:
Learn about the history and architecture of downtown Austin on free, guided walking tours, which depart from the south entrance of the Texas State Capitol, March-November. Downtown Austin Tour: 11th & Congress Ave., Austin TX 78711 -- 478-0098 -- 472-5143
Capitol Grounds— View the lawns, gardens and statuary, and learn interesting facts about the statehouse. Sat., 2 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m. Capitol Grounds: 11th & Congress Ave., Austin TX 78711
Congress Avenue & East Sixth Street—A 90-minute tour focusing on the architecture and history of downtown. Thurs.-Sat., 9 a.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.
Bremond Block—Stroll through one of the city’s Victorian neighborhoods to view the homes of the John Bremond Sr. family. Sat. & Sun., 2 p.m.
Other Tours:
Tour Austin with a “splash” aboard Austin Duck Adventures. Amphibious vehicles roll along city streets and past historic sites before splashing into Lake Austin.Two departures daily,Wed.-Sun. from Austin Visitor Center at 201 E. Second Street. Austin Duck Adventures: 201 E. Second Street, Austin TX 78701 -- 477-5274
Departing from the shores of scenic Town Lake behind the Hyatt Hotel, Lone Star Riverboat offers bat watching tours, sight-seeing cruises, and private charters. Lone Star Riverboat: 208 Barton Springs, Austin, TX 78704-- 327-1388
Hop aboard a ‘Dillo Trolley for a sightseeing trip through downtown Austin. Free. The Dillo: 478-0098
Walk in the tracks of ghouls and ghosts with Austin Promenade Tours through downtown. Austin Promenade Tours: 617 Congress Ave., Austin TX 78701 -- 695-7297
The “Eyes of Texas” are certainly upon you during the UT Prowl, a special nighttime tour across the University of Texas campus. UT Prowl: University of Texas Campus - Main Building, Austin TX 78712
Hill Country Excursions:
Tour the Central Texas Wine Country with stops at several award-winning wineries:
Fall Creek Vineyards on Lake Buchanan Fall Creek Vineyards: 1820 CR 222, Tow, TX 78672 -- 512-476-4477
Becker Vineyards in the scenic countryside at Stonewall; Becker Vineyards: 464 Becker Fm Rd., Stonewall, TX 78671 -- 830-644-2681
Bell Mountain Vineyards along Hwy. 16 north of Fredericksburg; Bell Mountain Vineyards: 463 Bell Mountain Rd., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 -- 830-685-3297
Climb the country’s second-largest granite dome at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, considered a sacred Native American site, near Fredericksburg. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area: 800-792-1112
Soothing waterfalls are the main attraction at Pedernales Falls State Park, a Hill Country respite offering nature trails, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and camping facilities. Pedernales Falls State Park: 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636 -- 800-792-1112
Established in 1832, Bastrop is one of the oldest towns in Texas. More than 130 homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Local attractions include the Bastrop Opera House, McKinney Roughs Natural Area, Bastrop and Buescher state parks. City of Bastrop: 512-321-2419
The countryside around Burnet erupts into a palette of color with spring wildflowers. Longhorn Caverns State Park shelters a lot of Texas history and underground beauty. City of Burnet: 6211 Park Road 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611 -- 512-756-6976
Incredible scenery and abundant wildlife set the backdrop for the Vanishing Texas River Cruise on Lake Buchanan. From Nov.-March, expect to see migratory American Bald Eagles. Vanishing Texas River Cruise: 443 Swiss Dr., Burnet, TX 78611 -- 512-756-6986
Take a trip back in time aboard the Austin Steam Train’s restored locomotive and vintage passenger cars on a nostalgic ride from Cedar Park to Burnet. Austin Steam Train: 410 FM 1431, Cedar Park, TX 78613 -- 477-8468
Fabulous shopping, historic homes and buildings, seven area golf courses, charming restaurants and Lake Georgetown make Georgetown a popular getaway, just 25 miles north of Austin on IH-35. City of Georgetown: 800-436-8696
Beneath the land of Central Texas lies an amazing network of caves and caverns. Inner Space Cavern features the remains of prehistoric mastadons, saber tooth cats and other Ice Age animals. The cavern is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and other formations. Open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Inner Space Cavern: 4200 S IH 35, Georgetown, TX 78626 -- 512-931-CAVE
Lockhart, the “Barbecue Capital of Texas” and home of nationally famous Kreutz Market, sits just 20 minutes south of the Austin- Bergstrom International Airport.Tour the historic district for antiques and collectibles. City of Lockhart: 512-398-2818
Discover San Marcos, where the historic downtown and Texas’ largest outlet centers draw thousands of visitors daily. Just 25 miles south of Austin, there are bargains galore at some 200 factory and outlet stores. City of San Marcos: 888-200-5620
