Central Austin & The University Region

Hotels, Venues and Offsite Activities Near the University of Texas at Austin

Central Austin’s culture is a mix of young and old. History is captured at some of the city's best museums just north of the Texas State Capitol, while the energy radiating from the University of Texas at Austin campus keeps this area of town lively and active. 

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Hotels

Take your pick between boutique properties, modern hotels and well-appointed accommodations with an attached conference center within Central Austin's University Hotel Collection. AT&T Hotel and Conference Center is located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, with 85,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel has four culinary concepts and a connected conference center, making hosting meetings a breeze. The Otis Hotel and AC Hotel share a building but offer two separate vibes. The Hampton Inn & Suites Austin at The University/Capitol makes the perfect home for smaller meetings that want cozy, in-house space. Boutique property Hotel Ella is one of Austin’s landmark estates housed in the historic Goodall Wooten House. The warm hospitality and bespoke decor make events feel like a meeting and vacation all in one. Steps away from the Texas State Capitol is DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin, where guests will be delighted with welcome cookies and a newly renovated sleeping and meeting room experience. 

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Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. Courtesy of Waterloo Greenway.

Venues

Moody Center is Austin’s premier arena venue that plays host to Texas Longhorn Men’s & Women’s basketball during their regular season, as well as live music for headlining acts year-round. Waterloo Greenway is more than just a park, it’s a 1.5-mile park system connecting Austin’s greenspace from 15th Street to Lady Bird Lake. Within Waterloo Park sits Moody Amphitheater, with year-round concerts, cultural events, community festivals and more. Neill-Cochran House Museum is one of the city’s oldest residences and former enslaved people’s quarters. Their venue rental program supports the operation of the museum and the development of inclusive narratives to tell the history of the site. 

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Attractions

The University of Texas is an incredible asset for the city. The UT Speakers Bureau gives planners access to a star-studded roster of thought leaders and experts for keynotes and seminars. Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin trains new physicians, provides treatment in their teaching hospital and conducts research onsite to expand the knowledge of medicine and medical technology.

Austin’s newly completed capitol mall connects the Bullock and Blanton Museums with the Texas State Capitol allowing visitors to walk from destination to destination on shaded pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. 

LBJ Library Great Hall. Courtesy LBJ Library, Credit Lauren Gerson.

Things to Do

Explore Austin’s museum district and learn more about art and Texas history. The Harry Ransom Center is the university’s humanities research center and houses works from some of the finest writers and artists. Explore the life and legacy of President Lyndon B. Johnson at the LBJ Library and Museum.  

This area of town comes alive at night with iconic music venues supporting local artists seven nights a week. Hang at Scholz Garten, around since 1866, to cheer on the Longhorns and snack on German food favorites. Find your next favorite band at Hole in the Wall and snap a pic with the Bob Dylan mural on the side of the building. Play a round of chicken sh*t bingo at Little Longhorn Saloon and then stick around for a live music performance in the low-key honky tonk.