About Austin: Get To Know Our Capital City
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Capitol, History and Heritage
When are the tours of the Capitol?
When are the tours of the Governor's Mansion?
Where is the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum?
When are the guided historic walking tours?
What are other downtown historic attractions?
Q: When are the tours of the Capitol?
A: The Texas Capitol is a National Historic Landmark, and the largest in gross square footage of all statehouses. The striking pink granite dome is actually 14 feet taller than our nation's Capitol! So naturally, we can understand why you might like a tour. In fact, with more than 1 million annual visitors, the Texas State Capitol ranks as one of Austin's most popular attractions.
Standard building hours (may be extended during legislative sessions):
Weekdays 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The Capitol Information and Guide Service offers free daily tours, roughly 45 minutes in length, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter. Tour times are available every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends.
Tour Service hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Sunday Noon - 3:30 p.m.
All tours begin in the South Foyer.
For more information on tours and other itinerary ideas, click here.
Q: When are the tours of the Governor's Mansion?
A: As the oldest building in the Texas Capitol Complex, the Governor’s Mansion is currently undergoing extensive renovations. Plans call for these much-needed improvements to be completed in Spring of 2009.
For more information on tours and other itinerary ideas, click here.
Q: Where is the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum?
A: Located at the intersection of Congress Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the story of Texas.
For more information on tours and other itinerary ideas, click here.
Q: When are the guided historic walking tours?
A: The ACVB conducts free guided tours year-round, except on major holidays. Reservations are required.
Tour times:
Congress Avenue & East Sixth Street tour
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, 2:00 p.m.
Bremond Block tour
Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m.
All tours last 90 minutes and depart from the south steps of the Texas State Capitol building. Brochures for self-guided tours can also be obtained at the Austin Visitor Center.
To learn more about Historic Walking Tours, click here.
Q: What are other downtown historic attractions?
A: Popular sites include the Capitol Visitors Center in the historic General Land Office Building at 11th & Brazos, the Old Bakery & Emporium at 1006 Congress, the O'Henry Museum at 409 E. Fifth St., and the French Legation Museum at 802 San Marcos.
To learn more about heritage tourism and Austin’s wonderful historic sites, click here.
