About Austin: Get To Know Our Capital City
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Austin Weird and Wonderful
When and where can I see the bats?
Where are Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool?
Where and when can I see wildflowers?
Where should I take my children?
Does Austin have a vibrant performing arts scene?
What is Esther's Follies?
Q: When and where can I see the bats?
A: Between April and October, Austin’s famous colony of Mexican free-tailed bats departs nightly around dusk from the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge just south of downtown. The ideal time of year for bat viewing is August. One of the most popular vantage points is the bat observation area in the Austin American-Statesman parking lot at 305 South Congress Ave . But be careful! You never want to stand beneath the colony when it flies out — at least not without an umbrella: Trust us.
For a closer view of the action, take a bat-watching boat cruise on Town Lake. Capital Cruises and Lone Star Riverboat both offer cruises that depart approximately 30 minutes before sunset from the boat dock located behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 208 Barton Springs Road . Other prime vantage points are from Shoreline Grill (98 San Jacinto Blvd. ), TGI Fridays at the Radisson Hotel (111 E. Cesar Chavez St.) and the lakeside patio of the Four Seasons Hotel (98 San Jacinto Blvd. ).
For more itinerary ideas, click here.
Q: Where are Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool?
A: Zilker Metropolitan Park begins just west of Lamar Blvd. at 2100 Barton Springs Road, and encompasses the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Zilker Playground and the Zilker Zephyr train, The Zilker Botanical Gardens, the Austin Nature & Science Center and Barton Springs Pool.
For more itinerary ideas, click here.
Q: Where and when can I see wildflowers?
A: Wildflowers in Central Texas are most abundant in March, April and May, and bluebonnet season peaks in April. To see wildflowers and native plants year-round, visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. And to learn more about enjoying Central Texas in bloom, click here.
Q: Where should I take my children?
A: Austin is very family friendly! Some of our favorite recommendations include:
• The Austin Children’s Museum, 201 Colorado
• The Austin Nature and Science Center, Zilker Playground and the Zilker Zephyr Train in Zilker Park
• The dancing water fountains and riverside meadow at the recently revamped Town Lake Park along Lady Bird Lake near Palmer Events Center
• Feeding the ducks and swans along the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail
• Barton Springs Pool and Deep Eddy Pool
• Interactive exhibits at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
For more itinerary ideas, click here.
Q: Does Austin have a vibrant performing arts scene?
A: Austin’s newest cultural landmark, the Long Center for the Performing Arts, opened on March 28, 2008. In addition to serving as a permanent, acoustically perfect performance space for Austin Lyric Opera, Ballet Austin and the Austin Symphony, the Long Center will host touring Broadway shows and big-name concerts.
To learn more about the arts in Austin, click here.
Q: What is Esther's Follies?
A: “Part magic show, part vaudeville review, part improv tour-de-force,” Esther's Follies (just “Esther’s” for short) is an Austin Legend. The troupe performs at Esther's Pool at 525 E. Sixth Street (corner of Sixth and Red River) Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
To learn more about the arts in Austin, click here.
