Photo: Daniel Mayer, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our 10 Best Things to Do in Austin, Texas takes a look at the capital city of Texas. There is something for everyone in this fantastic and remarkable city. While in Austin, Texas, you can go swimming at the Barton Springs pool, hiking, and camping at the McKinney Falls State Park. Additionally, the great city of Austin has several trails that you can use for biking, jogging. It also homes to wildlife such as lions, tigers, bears, and alpacas, which stay at the Zoo within the city.
Further, several farmer’s markets where fresh produce, cheese, artisan foods, and baked goods are sold. Austin, Texas, is home to various museums that you can visit during your stays to view art, fossils and understand the region’s history and the entire united states. Austin, Texas, covers an estimated area of 704 square kilometers. The population of people staying in Austin, Texas, is estimated to be around 950,807, according to the population census of 2019. As of August 2020, the unemployment rate in Austin, Texas, was 5.6%. This great state has impressive buildings, parks, museums, gardens, and zoos where everyone can visit during various times of the year.
Here are the ten best things to do in Austin, Texas.
# 10 – Lady Bird Lake
This fantastic lake is part of the Colorado River, and it was named after President Lyndon Johnson’s wife. Lady Bird Lake has one of the oldest hikes and bike trails. Additionally, the lake covers a vast area of around 416 acres, and it is a flowing reservoir. It is one of the best places to visit if you want to spend time outdoors while in the region. You can visit Lady Bird Lake for activities such as biking, walking, jogging, and running.
# 9 – Zilker Park
Zilker Park hosts various facilities like Zilker Botanical garden, Zilker Metropolitan Park, and Austin Nature & Science Center, among other facilities. The Zilker Botanical garden is found on the south bank of the Colorado River. The botanical garden covers 26 acres which consist of mixed topography and native plus exotic plants. There are various gardens in the botanical garden. The gardens are roses, herbs, lilies, succulents, and even the Japanese garden, which features waterfalls, streams, and fish ponds. The Zilker Metropolitan Park covers around 351 acres, and it is an excellent place for taking walks, jogging, and relaxing.
Further, Austin Nature and Science Center covers 80 acres, and it aims at raising awareness to both visitors and residents of the natural environment. In the nature center, you will find local wildlife and fossils. Besides, Zilker Park offers various educations programs.
# 8 – The Bullock Texas State History Museum
If you want to learn about Austin, Texas, then The Bullock Texas State History Museum is perfect for visiting while in the region. There are varieties of outstanding and interactive exhibits in this museum and audio-visual displays and films depicting the city’s history. Some of the Permanent exhibits include Story of Texas, which features artifacts and displays about the defining events of Texas history. Additionally, there are artifacts about the La Belle, the ship that was shipwrecked at the Mississippi River’s mouth that has been preserved since the 17th century. Other exhibits on display in this museum are Tejano culture, Alamo’s fall, and the Texas oil industry history. The Bullock Texas State History Museum also hosts various events during the year. This museum is located at 1800 Congress Ave. in Austin, Texas.
# 7 – Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller
If you are in Austin, Texas, and want to interact with the residents and get to know the culture and various things about the area, you should visit Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller. Although there are other markets within Austin, Texas, this farmers market is one of the notable ones. It is also the best place to go shopping while in the area. Some of the stuff sold by more than 40 vendors in this market includes fresh vegetables, fruits, artisan foods, cheese, meat, and baked goods. Besides, the market also hosts live music and various activities. Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller is located at 4209 Airport Blvd in Austin, Texas.
# 6 – University Of Texas Museums
The Blanton Museum of Art features more than 17,000 works of different artists from all over the globe. The artistic works include European masters, American and Contemporary art, and Latin American art, among other places. Besides, this museum also features temporary exhibits, and it has displays and galleries plus educational programs. It is located at 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Austin.
At the Harry Ransom center, there is a permanent collection of literature and printed materials. Moreover, this center has various temporary exhibits and collections. Some of the exhibits featured at Harry Ransom Center include a Gutenberg bible from the 15th century and the first Photograph created by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce that was created in 1827. At Texas Memorial Museum, you will find several dinosaurs displays, fossils, gems, and minerals representing the vast collection representing the natural and cultural history of the Lone Star State. The Texas memorial museum is located at 2400 Trinity St, Austin.
# 5 – Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Ten miles from downtown Austin at 4801 La Crosse Ave. lies Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. If you love plants and nature, you should not fail to visit this facility while in the area. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a research unit that is focused on native plants. Inside this facility, there are more than 700 plant species that originate from central Texas. Additionally, there are temporary exhibits inside this 279-acre facility. Walking trails, outdoor sculptures, and research paintings are also found in this 279-acre facility.
# 4 – Austin Zoo
The Austin Zoo is located at 10808 rawhide Trail in Austin, Texas. This 15-acre Zoo is found at the edge of Austin on the southwest. This Zoo’s main aim is to rescue and rehabilitate animals and educate the general public about challenges and animal needs. Inside this Zoo, around 300 animals are representing more than 100 species. Some of the animals found in this facility include lions, tigers, bobcats, bears, wolves, monkeys, reptiles, birds, and domestic animals. Additionally, alpacas, emus, and longhorn also call this Zoo home.
# 3 – Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is among the most visited places in Austin. This facility features over 45 million historical documents and papers about president LBJ’s career. Some of the documents are about his time in office and information about the rise of the civil rights movement. This facility also hosts several exhibits related to the history of the United States throughout the year. It is open daily except on major holidays. Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is located at 2313 Red River Street.
# 2 – McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls State Park is located 13 miles from the State Capitol building. This park has one of the best waterfalls in the United States, and it is found in the southeastern corner of Austin. The park features a 2.8-mile Onion Creek trail, Rock Shelter Trail, and over 80 campsites, making it suitable for activities such as include hiking, camping, biking, geocaching, rock climbing, fishing, and swimming, among others. You can also go for a picnic in this state park. This park is located at 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy in Austin, Texas.
# 1 – Texas State Capitol
Visiting Austin, Texas, without stopping by at this building will make your tour of the region incomplete. This building is among the most impressive state capitol in the entire country. The Texas state capitol, which is located in Austin, Texas, is the home to the state governor’s office and chambers of the Texas state legislature. The 308-feet tall building was completed in 1888. The floor space of this building is 360,000 square feet covering 2.25 acres. Additionally, this breathtaking building has around four hundred rooms and nine hundred windows. This building also has portraits of all presidents and governors from Texas. The State Capitol is located at 112 east 10th Street in Austin, Texas.
