Things To Do

Check out some of the exciting things to do in the Greater Austin Area...

Family Activities

Austin Children’s Museum  (512) 472-2494
A fascinating collection of hands-on exhibits where kids can touch, play and climb.

Austin Zoo    (512) 281-1490
Like most things in Austin, the Austin Zoo is not your typical zoo.  Designed to rehabilitate displaced animals and educate children, the Austin Zoo has hands-on encounters with a variety of native animals.
 
Bat Emergence  (512) 416-5700
Austin is home to the world’s largest colony of Mexican free-tailed bats, and from April to October you can watch them take flight at dusk.

Texas State Capitol  (512) 463-0063
A replica of the U.S. Capitol, only a little bit larger, the State Capitol building is an impressive site.  View statues of well-known Texas heroes and portraits of the state’s governors.

Zilker Park
Located in Central Austin, Zilker Park has plenty of room to stretch your legs.  This park is home to a beautiful botanical garden, the famous Barton Springs Pool, a huge playscape, picnic areas and even an outdoor theatre.  Take a ride on the miniature train, or tour the park’s Nature Center with hands-on exhibits for children.

Kiddie Acres   (512) 255-4131
Everything you need to put a smile on your child’s face, amusement parks rides, pony rides, train rides, games, and miniature golf.  Ideal for young children.

Pioneer Farms  (512) 837-1215
A working farm that teaches children what life was like for Texans over a hundred years ago, with several hands-on exhibits where children make old-fashioned toys and candy, harvest crops, or even milk cows.

McKinney Falls State Park
Just South of Austin, this peaceful retreat is home to two natural waterfalls, Native American artifacts, camping, swimming and picnic areas.

Inner Space Cavern  (512) 931-CAVE
Between Round Rock and Georgetown is the newest cave discovered in Texas.  Travel down a cable car and view fascinating natural formations and Ice Age animal remains.

The Great Outdoors

Mt. Bonnell  
One of Austin’s oldest tourist attractions.  At 785 feet, the tallest natural landmark within the city limits. 

City Park
One of Austin’s largest and oldest parks, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, otherwise known as City Park offers fishing, camping, swimming, boating, cliff diving and picnicking.  The park is three miles along Lake Austin’s shoreline.

Bull Creek Park
Beautiful scenery of Bull Creek, which feeds into Lake Austin.  Picnic, volleyball, and several hike-and-bike trails.  Upstream from the park is a 100-acre greenbelt great for hikers and cyclists.

Mansfield Dam Park
On Lake Travis, this is a hot spot for camping, boating, scuba diving, swimming, and picnic tables with great views of the lake. 

Lake Georgetown
Along the north fork of the San Gabriel River, three parks offer boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking and camping.

Hotels

The Driskill
Downtown Austin Historic Hotel: (512) 474-5911 

Renaissance Austin Hotel
North Austin Luxury Marriott Hotel: (512) 343-2626

Marriott Austin South Airport
South Austin Airport Hotel: (512) 441-7900

Round Rock Marriott
Northern Round Rock Luxury Hotel: (512) 733-6767

Holiday Inn Georgetown
Central Georgetown Hotel: (512) 868-8555

Shopping

The Arboretum
Located in Northwest Austin, The Arboretum is a vast mixture of dining and shopping, with everything from Barnes and Noble, The Cheesecake Factory and TGI Friday’s, to Pottery Barn, Gap and Banana Republic.

The Domain
In North Austin, The Domain showcases a 10 acre central park, 20,000 square foot community center, 300 hotel rooms, and shops featuring Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's, Betsey Johnson, and Michael Kors, just to name a few.

Allen’s Boots 
Now that you’re in Texas, where do you find that perfect pair of cowboy boots?  Whether you’re a cowboy or a cowgirl, Allen’s Boots, in downtown Austin, has a huge variety of western wear. 

524 North Lamar
Downtown Park and Shop featuring stylish boutiques and exquisite fashions.  Walk up the street a bit and find a wide array of eclectic goods and antiques.

Barton Creek Mall
Over 180 specialty stores such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Pottery Barn, Talbot’s, and Williams-Sonoma, along with Dillard’s, Sears, JC Penney, and Macy’s.  Located in Central Austin / Westlake Area.

The Shops at Onion Creek
Located in South Austin, The Shops at Onion Creek feature many specialty and eclectic shops, boutiques, and thrift stores.

Dining

Hill’s Café (512) 448-4878
American – South Austin

Kerbey Lane Café (512) 451-1436
American – North Austin

Salt Lick 360 (512) 328-4957
BBQ – Central Austin / Westlake

Rudy's (512) 477-1651
BBQ – North, South & Central Austin

Din Ho Chinese BBQ (512) 832-8788
Asian/Chinese – North Austin

Pao’s Mandarin House (512) 263-8869
Asian/Chinese – Lake Travis / Lakeway

Musashino (512) 795-8593
Japanese/Sushi – Northwest Hills

Clay Pit (512) 322-5131
Indian - Downtown

Capitol Brasserie (512) 472-6770
French – Central Austin

Manuel’s (512) 472-7555
Southwestern – North Austin

Chuy’s (512) 474-4452
Mexican – North, Northwest, & South Austin

Fonda San Miguel (512) 459-4121
Mexican - Central

Hula Hut (512) 476-4852
Mexican/Seafood – Central/Lake Austin

The Oasis (512) 266-2442
Mexican – Northwest

Ruth’s Chris (512) 477-RUTH
Steakhouse – Downtown

Austin Land & Cattle  (512) 472-1813
Steakhouse - North Central

Sporting Events

Round Rock Express Baseball  (512) 255-2255
Owned by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, this is Texas League baseball at its best.

University of Texas Recreational Sports  (512) 471-1093
Basketball, baseball, and of course, football, the Longhorns offer quite a show.

Theatre

Zachary Scott Theatre   (512) 476-0541
A full 12-month presentation by the resident theatre group.

Esther’s Follies   (512) 320-0553
Comedy and irreverence, satire, and classical parodies.  Shows change monthly. 

Austin Symphony  (512) 476-6064
A splendid regional orchestra, comparing favorably with larger symphonies.  Performing September through May at the University of Texas Performing Arts Center.

Museums

Austin Museum of Art   (512) 458-8191
Stroll along the stone pathway in the naturally landscaped gardens, and enjoy the museum, where even the building is an artifact.  Built in 1916, the Mediterranean-style villa is home to many exhibits and the annual family art show.

The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum  (512) 721-0200
View a replica of Johnson’s Oval Office, a Vietnam War exhibit, and the personal effects and gifts the president received from other heads of state.

The University of Texas Natural Science Center  (512) 292-4100
Collections of historical, archaeological, and geological artifacts.

George Washington Carver Museum  (512) 472-4809
Alternating exhibits featuring black history and culture, with artifacts, folk art, and photographs.

Texas State History Museum  (512) 936-8746
Telling the story of Texas, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum features three floors of exhibits, exploring Texas from land to opportunity.  The Museum also hosts an IMAX Theatre, Spirit Theater, Cafe, and Shopping.

Public Golf Courses

Forest Creek  512-388-2874
North Round Rock

Crystal Falls  512-259-5855
Northwest Leander

Hancock  512-453-0276
West Central Austin

Riverside  512-389-1070
East Central Austin

Jimmy Clay  512-444-0999
Southeast Austin

Horseback Riding

Bear Creek Stables  512-282-0250
Southwest Austin

Bee Cave Riding Center  512-632-7433
West Austin