Easily the #1 tourist activity in Austin! Few people know that the city is home to the largest migratory Mexican free-tailed bat colony in the world. This is also the biggest urban bat colony ever. The Mexican free-tailed bats spend winter in Mexico and summer in Austin.
The Texas State Capitol is a striking building and one of the must-see attractions when visiting Austin. The Capitol building is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Capitol is both a patriotic and picturesque site and we recommend it for every Texan.
The Austin Visitor Center is located near the capitol building and it’s the perfect place to stop by for maps, souvenirs and photo-ops! The Visitor Center often hosts live music performances. The Visitor Center gift shop is full of Texas themed memorabilia, souvenirs, toys and more.
Rainey Street Historic District is a street of historic homes in downtown Austin. Most of the historic homes have now been renovated into bars, restaurants, and cafes. We recommend exploring the street on foot during the day for families.
Rainey Street by day and by night are poles apart. This is the city’s premier entertainment district and the nightlife here is legendary. On a visit here, you will know why Austin is known as the live music capital of the world! Local bands play here every week, live music spills out from cafes and night clubs, and free shows are the norm!