Austin, Texas Tourist Attractions

Zilker Park

• Zilker Park is a 351-acre park is in the center of the city. The park is the location of many of Austin's outdoor events, including the kite festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Trail of Lights Holiday Festival. Zilker is also the location of Auditorium Shores an outdoor amphitheater that hosts many music events, a life size bronze statue of blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Botanical Garden and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. It is also the location of Barton Springs Pool, a constant temperature, spring fed pool that is open year round. If Zilker Park is the heart of Austin, the pool is the heart beat. Barton Springs Pool is an average of 68 degrees F year-round, so it is very crowded on hot summer days, but the history of the pool goes back to the Native Americans who thought the spring water held healing properties. No visit to Austin is complete without a dip in Barton Spring Pool.

  Zilker Park
  2100 Barton Springs Road
  Austin, TX 78767
  (512) 974-6700

Texas Capitol

• As the capitol of Texas, Austin is the site of the grand Texas Capitol building, the largest in square footage of all state capitols. The dome rises 310 feet, which is about 15 feet higher than the Capitol in Washington, D.C. First opened in 1888, the Capitol underwent a massive renovation project starting in 1990 and was reopened in 1993.

  The Capitol is open daily. Free tours begin at the Capitol South Foyer. The tours are about 45 minutes, and visitors can join one Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  Texas State Capitol
  11th Street and Congress
  Austin, TX 78711
  (512) 463-0063

University of Texas Tower

• One of the largest public universities in the country, the University of Texas covers 350 acres. To get a bird's eye view of the campus, and most of central Austin, visitors should schedule a tour of the UT Tower Observation Deck. The 307-foot tower is one of the most distinguishing features of the campus as it is often lit to celebrate many campus achievements in sports or academics.

  To book a tour of the Tower Observation Deck, interested parties should contact the Texas Union Hospitality Desk, 24th Street and Guadalupe or (512) 475-6633. Tours are available throughout the year, but the hours change with the university schedule, so it is recommended to call to reserve a ticket.

  The University of Texas Tower
  23rd St and Guadalupe
  Austin, TX 78705
  (512) 475-6633