Austin Sightseeing Tour: Explore Local Culture & History
4.7
810 Ratings
Austin
Discover the best of Austin's culture and history on a 1.5-hour sightseeing tour. Explore iconic landmarks, cultural districts, and the stunning Central Texas Hill Country.
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • AO Tours Austin - Meet at the starting point for our tours.
  • 2nd Street District - 2nd Street District centers around Austin’s best mix of local retail, restaurants, living and entertainment. It’s a vibrant area of walkable downtown shopping, dining and enjoyment.
  • Willie Nelson Statue - Get a look at the Willie Nelson Statue on Willie Nelson Blvd (formerly 2nd St).
  • The Moody Theater - See where Austin City Limits is filmed!
  • Austin City Hall - Check out Austin’s City Hall, constructed in 2004.
  • Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching - It wouldn’t be a trip to Austin without going over the Bat Bridge. From March to September, you’ll find people flocking to watch as the bats put on a memorable show in the sky.
  • Long Center - The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts venue located along Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas.
  • Palmer Events Center - The Palmer Events Center is a multi-purpose venue nestled next to Butler Park with a gorgeous view of downtown.
  • Auditorium Shores Dog Park - You’ll see plenty of dogs enjoying their time in this off-leash dog park along Lady Bird Lake.
  • Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail - We’ll pass by the Colorado River, Texas’s longest river.
  • Zach Theatre - See the Zach Scott Topfer Theatre, the oldest continuously active theater company in Texas!
  • Green Mesquite BBQ - This local favorite was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives show on the Food Network.
  • Chuy’s - Hear about how Jenna Bush almost got in trouble at this restaurant once upon a time!
  • Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum - The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum is home to the largest collection of American sculptor Charles Umlauf’s work.
  • Barton Creek - Feel a sense of calm looking out as this spring-fed creek that feeds into Lady Bird Lake.
  • Barton Springs Pool - Pass by one of Austin’s most beloved attractions, and popular spot to cool off in the warmer months by locals and tourists alike.
  • Zilker Metropolitan Park - Zilker Metropolitan Park is considered “Austin’s most-loved park.” This 351-acre metropolitan park is home to a variety of recreation opportunities, facilities and special events for individuals and families.
  • Wild Basin Preserve - Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve consists of 227 acres of native Texas Hill Country habitat west of Austin, Texas in Westlake Hills. The preserve maintains 2.5 miles of hiking trails.
  • Austin Country Club - Golfers will appreciate a glimpse of this private golf course, situated within the Austin Country Club, founded in 1899.
  • Pennybacker Bridge - The Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Bridge in Austin, Texas, is a through-arch bridge across Lake Austin which connects the northern and southern sections of the Loop 360 highway, also known as the “Capital of Texas Highway.” The road is widely considered one of the most scenic urban drives in Texas, in large part due to this arched weathering-steel bridge and the rolling hills that flank the road.
  • Lake Austin Boulevard - Lake Austin
  • Bull Creek District Park - Bull Creek
  • Mount Bonnell - Mount Bonnell, also known as Covert Park, is a prominent point alongside the Lake Austin portion of the Colorado River in Austin, Texas. It has been a popular tourist destination since the 1850s. The mount provides a vista for viewing the city of Austin, Lake Austin, and the surrounding hills.
  • The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria - Austin Modern Art Museum
  • Westwood Country Club - Private club
  • Mayfield Park - Keep your eyes peeled for peacocks! Mayfield Park and Preserve is an island of restful respite located in the middle of Austin, Texas. Mayfield Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This entire estate was presented to the city of Austin in 1971 by Mary Mayfield Gutsch for all Austinites to enjoy as a park.
  • Clarksville District - Historic Freedmen’s Community
  • Austin High School - Among many of the surprising landmarks you get to see, this is the oldest high school west of the Mississippi.
  • Seaholm Power - Seaholm Power Plant
  • Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library - Austin Public Library
  • Austin City Hall - Pass by the “Frontside”
  • Halcyon - Coffee Shop in Warehouse District
  • Cedar Street Courtyard - Warehouse District
  • Oilcan Harry’s - Warehouse District
  • Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab - Warehouse District
  • Mexic-Arte Museum - Historic Congress Ave
  • The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center - Modern Art Museum
  • Texas State Capitol - Texas Capitol
  • University of Texas at Austin - UT Main Campus
  • Texas State Cemetery - See historically significant figures final resting place.
  • French Legation State Historic Site - French Legation
  • Moonlight Towers - Historic towers around town
  • The Driskill - Historic hotel on Brazos St
  • 6th Street - Famous entertainment District
  • Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail - downtown walking trail
  • Town Lake - downtown lake
  • Texas Military Forces Museum - Texas National Guard Base & Museum
  • Republic Square - city park
  • Texas Governor’s Mansion - governor’s mansion
  • LBJ Presidential Library - LBJ Library
  • Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium - UT Stadium
  • The Blanton Museum of Art - art museum
  • Texas Memorial Museum - natural history museum
  • Bass Concert Hall - performing Arts
  • Harry Ransom Center - museum
  • Bullock Texas State History Museum - museum
  • Oakwood Cemetery - cemetery
  • O. Henry Home & Museum - museum
  • Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum - museum
What's Included
  • Narrated tour with a combination of live commentary and scripted content
  • Signature PinkTag Partner Souvenir luggage tag
  • Tour in a luxury air conditioned vehicle
  • Whistle-stop, Austin in a nutshell, comprehensive city overview
What's Not Included
  • Downtown hotel pickup and drop-off is not included when booked as a private tour
  • State required child safety seat for infants & young children
  • Gratuities
  • Parking fees
  • Food and Beverage not included, but you can bring your own food/beverage
Additional Information

Avoid the hassle of hunting for the best activities in Austin and allow genuine locale experts to guide you through the city’s rich history and diverse culture, coupled with a taste of the renowned Central Texas Hill Country. This classic Austin journey encompasses 30 miles, over 50 points of interest, executed in a continuous 90-minute (1.5 hours) circuit. (The route is liable to adjustments due to any closures).

Witness landmarks such as the Texas Capitol, and important cultural zones like East Austin’s Six Square District. Enjoy a comfortable ride in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van as you traverse the city and on to the hill country. The sight of these undulating hills lush with greenery leaves even native Texans in awe of their own state!

Refer to the ‘What to Expect’ section below for information on the sights you’ll encounter as your local Austinite guide enlightens you with narratives and suggestions for making the most of your time in this unconventional metropolis. If you prefer some exploration on foot, consider the extended 2.5-hour variant of this tour which includes intermediate stops!

  • Smoking not permitted
  • Infants must be accommodated with legal car seats (not provided)
  • Please note: Adult guests with children younger than eight years of age (unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches) will need to bring a child safety seat, this is Texas State Law
  • Request for special accommodations for wheelchair accessible needs will be addressed by management. Special arrangements may require as long as 72 hours’ notice to secure.
  • As of 05/04/2020 – We are offering tours by reservation only. We are taking the following steps to protect the health of our employees and guests: 1.We are requiring that our guides provide their temperature each day, and they will not be allowed to report to work if ill in any way. 2.We have increased the frequency of our cleanings. We are now fully sanitizing the vehicles after each tour. 3.We are asking passengers to not join us if they currently are ill or if they have had any Covid-19 symptoms with in the last 3 weeks. 4.We will be asking all passengers to make a health declaration stating they’re healthy by signing a waiver that will be sent to you by email. 5.We will be using infrared thermometers to check all passenger temperatures before they board the vehicle. We will ask anyone with a fever or high-temperature to please leave the area immediately, and we will contact them about rescheduling at another time. 6.We are requiring that both our guides and and guest wear masks at all times (this includes the time outside the vehicle waiting to board). 7.Guides will be providing hand sanitizer to each guest as they board the vehicle so that nobody is grasping handles or seat belts with unclean hands as they board and get seated. We reserve the right to reschedule or refuse admittance (without refund) if you can’t comply with requirements 3 through 7. These requirements must be followed to insure the safety of our passengers and guides.
Location
602 E 4th St
East 4th Street
The tour departs from the Austin Visitor's Center at 602 E 4th St, Austin. The parking garage entrance is at 601 E 5th St, Austin, the same building as the Austin Visitors Center.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(810 Ratings)
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Deland
Jun 27, 2024
Tour guide Doug is the best! - Great tour to hit the highlights of Austin and Hill country. Doug kept it informative and humorous and was knowledgeable about favorite spots for eating, etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donna_w
Jun 26, 2024
Austin - There were only two of us on the tour so that kept it nice and quiet so I could hear the guide. He was very informative and putting his own personal experiences, which made it all sort of come to life.
Review provided by Viator
Fal
Jun 22, 2024
David Lee was the best tour guide. Book this tour!! - David Lee was our tour guide. He was charismatic, charming, funny and knowledgeable! The weather was perfect. The van was spacious and comfortable. The sights were clear and pleasant.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oliviard5344lz
Jun 6, 2024
sightseeing tour with douge - douge was absolutely lovely highly recommend! he’s fun loving and a sweetheart. you get to see all around the city and you learn so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dcheeh1984
May 29, 2024
Great Tour, Great Guide - My wife and I, and our friend who had two young children had a great time on the tour! The tour guide, Jaye, was so knowledgeable, and he made the tour so fun with his jokes and energy. We got to see all the important spots and drove through the beautiful hill country. Plus it was 95 degrees + outside so being in an air conditioned van was so money. I would definitely recommend this tour, especially with our tour guide, Jaye!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nikkia_w
May 28, 2024
Floridians in Texas - Greg was a wonderful tour guide! We learned so much about the city and saw so much. 10/10 I definitely recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Sarahelsafty
May 26, 2024
Enjoyable - It was very enjoyable, very beautiful sights, a lot of helpful information, and they recommend some very good restaurants and tourist attractions
Review provided by Tripadvisor
620beatas
May 26, 2024
Great tour in great time! - We covered so much on the tour and I learned a great deal about Austin and Texan history. Our tour guide, Jaye, was very knowledgeable and shared about his own experience as a local. Would go again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traceyevans1964
May 22, 2024
Great tour - Friendly and informative tour. Doug was a great guide with lots of tips and places to visit with current and historical info
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_m
May 21, 2024
Loved it - Love this trip . Very informative and the weather was perfect. Our tour guide Corey was the best. Austin is a beautiful place will recommend it . Take this tour. It
Review provided by Viator
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up to 14 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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