What To Do In Austin And What To See In Austin

Elisabet Ney Sculpture Of Stephen F. Austin At The Texas State Capital

• Free Stuff Austin
• Attractions And Activities
• Museums And Historic Sites
• Austin Parks And Outdoor Activities
• Swimming Pools And Swimming Holes
• Annual Events
• Bars And Night Clubs

As the state capital of Texas and the home of the University of Texas, Austin has always had it's fair share of visitors and tourists. However, over the past two decades, the number of visitors to Austin has exploded to over 15 million every year, thanks in large part to the growth of Austin as a music and technology center.

Many of the best places to see in Austin center around the University of Texas and downtown Austin areas. The University of Texas alone is home to four major museums that are on any list of what to do in Austin: The Blanton Museum of Art; the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum; the Harry Ransom Center; and Texas Memorial Museum. The Texas Memorial Museum, along with the Austin Childrens Museum located in downtown Austin, are among the top things to do in Austin with kids.

Just south of the University of Texas are the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and Texas State Capitol. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum has three floors of interactive exhibits on the history of Texas, a special effects theater and an IMAX Theatre. The Bob Bullock Museum never gets boring as a place to see in Austin, even for Austin residents, because as a non-collecting institution, the Museum is constantly changing it's exhibits and borrowing different rare artifacts telling the story of Texas.

The IMAX Theatre at the Bob Bullock is the only IMAX theater in Austin and shows many of the latest Hollywood releases in addition to movies about Texas. The Bob Bullock also sponsors special events like the free Music Under the Stars summer series featuring popular Austin musicians.

Within walking distance of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is the Texas State Capitol building. Over one million visitors tour this Texas landmark every year. Originally completed in 1888, the capital is built almost entirely of limestone from the Oak Hill area of Austin and pink granite from the Marble Falls area just northwest of Austin. The four floors of the capitol rotunda features portraits of every person who has served as president of the Republic of Texas or governor of the state of Texas going from most recent on the ground floor all the way up to the top of the building.

Once you are at the Texas State Capitol, the Capitol Visitors Center, located at the southeast corner of the Capitol grounds in the restored three-story castle-like General Land Office building, houses the Texas Department of Transportation's Travel Center. The Travel Center provides free maps and literature on more things to do in Austin and other travel destinations throughout Texas.

Another excellent stop for the Austin tourist is the Austin Visitor Center located at 209 E. Sixth Street in the heart of Austin's 6th Street entertainment district. The Austin Vistor Center is open 7 days a week with the exception of major holidays and provides pamphlets, brochures, Austin travel guides and other information on what to see in Austin.

A “must do” on every list for what to do in Austin is Barton Springs at Zilker Park in the heart of central Austin. Fed by the fourth largest spring in the state of Texas, Barton Springs is a man made swimming pool that maintains a constant temperature of approximately 70 degrees year round. Zilker Park and the adjacent city of Austin parkland known as Auditorium Shores located along the banks of Lady Bird Lake are also home to a number of popular annual events and Austin festivals, including the Austin City Limits Festival, Austin Reggae Fest and the Zilker Kite Festival.

One thing is for certain. If you cannot find plenty of solutions to the questions of what to do in Austin and what to see in Austin, you are not really trying!