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.

Black Austin Tours

Every city has a unique story to tell, and Austin is no different. And with its rich history, diverse culture and vibrant communities, Austin's story is bound to leave you with something memorable. Black Austin Tours is dedicated to ensuring that Black histories, experiences and contributions are…

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Visiting the Zilker Botanical Garden

If Zilker Park is the heart of Austin, then surely the Zilker Botanical Garden is the heart of the city’s favorite park. This 28-acre expanse of lush greenery, flowers, and streams welcomes over 150,000 visitors every year to wander the grounds and enjoy a peaceful respite from the city. Over the 6+…

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16 Day Trips & Hill Country Towns to Visit

Buckle up and get ready to cruise the incredibly scenic Texas Hill Country. We’ve rounded up 16 towns worth a day trip for browsing charming shops, touring historic landmarks, dining on true Texas barbecue, floating on pristine rivers and catching a live show at a dance hall. Winery in Driftwood…

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Visiting the Paramount & State Theatres

Established in 1915, the historic Paramount Theatre has stood as a Congress Avenues staple for more than 100 years. Then in 1935 State Theatre, the first theatre in Austin specifically designed to screen movies, was built right next door. The duo shares year-round programming with over 550 events…

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Visiting the Elisabet Ney Museum

On the edge of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood sits an unusual building. Although it’s made of abundant local Texas limestone, its neoclassical portico and two-story tower stand out in a community of Victorian homes and Craftsman bungalows. It’s the Elisabet Ney Museum and, just like the woman…

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20 Iconic Austin Restaurants

While Austin may be known for its legendary Tex-Mex, tasty breakfast tacos and juicy barbecue, there's so much more to the capital city's food history to explore. Austin's celebrated dining scene has evolved with lightning speed over the last few decades, but don't forget to pay homage to the greats…

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Things to Do for Halloween in Austin 2023

If you're looking for a good ghost story, not only does Austin have some ghoulish ones to tell, the city is also full of festive ways to celebrate Halloween. From scary movies, haunted houses and parties at your favorite local bars to kid-friendly events like corn mazes and Boo at the Zoo, here are…

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Historic Austin: Congress Avenue

Congress Avenue isn’t just Austin’s main street – it is the main street of Texas. Mirabeau Lamar, successor to Sam Houston as president of the newborn Republic of Texas, directed that a city be built here in 1839, specifically for the seat of government. His plan called for a 120-foot wide…

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Day Trip Destination: Round Rock

Just 20 minutes north of Austin, Round Rock is known for historic sites, a walk-able downtown, great shopping, and professional and amateur sports offerings. Get to know this destination and plan your day trip from Austin with our guide to the top things to do, see and eat in Round Rock. Downtown &…

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