Austin Insider Blog

This blog, written and curated by Visit Austin staff, shares the things that visitors love and locals can't get enough of.

View the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Austin

On the afternoon of April 8, 2024, join the crowds gathering on rooftops, city parks and in the Texas Hill Country to watch the solar eclipse. It will be an exciting time to be outside and see the moon pass over the sun on the eastern edge of its path from Texas to Maine. In Austin, the partial…

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Pedernales Falls Hiking Guide

Pedernales Falls State Park has arguably some of the most beautiful and unique scenery in the Texas Hill Country. While the river itself is reason enough to visit the park, scenic trails wind through forests, atop ridges, and along the riverside. Walk the sandy shores of the Pedernales River and…

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Stand up Paddle Boarding in Austin

Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is a popular way to while away the day in Austin, and with a steady influx of outdoor enthusiasts visiting the city, the beginner-friendly sport has gained even more steam in Central Texas. With an abundance of rivers and lakes, perfect for flat-water paddling, you'll…

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Where to See Longhorns In Austin

Perhaps no state mammal is associated with its “home state” as quickly as the Texas Longhorn. Weighing in at up to 1,500 pounds and standing up to six feet tall, these bovine beauties certainly catch the eye. But it’s their titular longhorns, sometimes reaching eight feet from tip to tip, that…

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Day Trip Destination: Bastrop

Visitors travel across Texas in search of serene vistas and wide-open skies… but that road trip isn’t necessary. Austin is lucky enough to be just 30 minutes away from neighboring Bastrop, a city whose charm cannot be overstated. Just a hop, skip and a jump from the heart of Austin, Bastrop feels a…

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Day Trip Destination: Lake Travis

Any day you’re on the lake is a good day and Lake Travis is a perfect getaway for those looking to get out on the water. The businesses that have sprung up around the lake in far west Austin, Lakeway and other nearby towns are seemingly all designed to get you to relax, have fun, and indulge in a…

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Visiting Reimers Ranch Park

For the outdoor enthusiast or the casual sunbather, Milton Reimers Ranch is the best of the Texas Hill Country. Located just a quick 30-40 minute drive from downtown Austin, this place feels like a world away! About Reimers Ranch This gorgeous property once belonged to fourth generation Texas…

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Electric Vehicle Charging Spots Near Things to Do

Exploring Austin in an electric vehicle? We highly recommend it as the city is stupendously EV-friendly. So if you’re looking for a place to park and charge while you wander, eat, recreate or explore, we’ve got you covered with where to find electric vehicle charging stations in Austin, including…

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Runner's Guide to Austin

Want to log a few miles during your stay in Austin? We don’t blame you. It’s a colorful and lively city to explore by foot whether you’re pounding the pavement or hitting the trail, tracking your pace or counting your steps. Indeed, there are plenty of places to run and walk around the city other…

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Your Guide to Paddling Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake is the epitome of the Austin lifestyle. Every day of the week, the lake is filled with people taking advantage of this stretch of dammed-off Colorado River that offers endless recreation opportunities. Backdropped by the downtown Austin skyline on one side, Zilker Park and Auditorium…

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