Things to do in Austin
Sort
Austin Haunted Ghost & Murder Tour: Downtown's Darkest StoriesThis 2-hour walking tour covers roughly 2 miles through downtown Austin's most haunted and historic sites, led by a live guide in English (minimum age 13). You'll visit The Tavern—a Prohibition-era speakeasy where a young girl named Emily is said to linger—along with the Texas Capitol, Paramount Theatre, and Driskill Hotel, each with its own paranormal history. The guide shares documented stories of the Servant Girl Annihilator, the UT Tower shooting, Angelina Eberly's fight to keep Austin the capital, and real paranormal photo evidence woven through the city's darker chapters.Is it for me?Two hours is short enough to fit into an afternoon without derailing the rest of your day, but long enough to walk the full downtown loop and hear the real stories behind each haunted site—the kind of detail a self-guided walk would miss.
Lake Travis Sunset Cruise: BYOB Boat Tour & Live GuideYou’ll feel right at home as you board your Lake Travis sunset cruise with new friends, cool drinks in hand, and a local captain sharing stories along the blue limestone shores. Enjoy 90 minutes of easy conversation, iconic views, and those little moments — like laughter echoing off the water — that stick with you long after you’re back on land.
Austin: Brewery Bike Tour with Local Murals & Texas CemeteryYou’ll pedal through Austin’s east side with a local guide—pausing for craft beers at three unique breweries, wandering among historic gravestones at Texas State Cemetery, and snapping photos of bold murals along the way. Expect small hills (and big laughs), plus plenty of stories you won’t find online.
1 hr Lake Austin Boat Cruise: BYOB shared tourA one-hour shared boat cruise on Lake Austin departs from the 360 bridge boat ramp with a live captain, USCG-approved life vests, Bimini shade and a cooler. The boat holds multiple passengers and runs on a fixed schedule; you bring your own drinks and pay a separate $5 cash entrance fee at the boat ramp booth, plus gratuity to the captain at the end of the tour.Is it for me?Choose this shared boat if you want live English commentary without waiting for a translator, and pick your time slot based on what suits you—sunrise for wildlife, midday with partial shade, sunset for views, or evening for the bar scene.
Lake Austin Private Boat Cruise: 2 Hours, Swim & Float PadA 2-hour private pontoon boat cruise on Lake Austin with a captain, departing from Oysters Landing near downtown Austin. The boat carries up to 15 people and includes a foldable canopy, cooler with ice, floats, and an 18-foot lily pad for swimming; you bring your own drinks. Restrooms are available at the dock, and the captain can stop at a midway point if requested.Is it for me?Two hours is enough for the full 22-mile route without eating into the rest of your day—the captain handles navigation and timing, so you arrive back at the dock with the afternoon still open. If you need longer on the water or want to explore beyond the main lake, this cruise leaves room for a second activity afterward.
Lake Austin scenic pontoon tour: Fully shaded, 2-hour cruiseA 2-hour scenic pontoon boat tour on Lake Austin in Austin, Texas, where you sit under a dual-canopy shade and listen to a captain's live narration about the lake's history, landmarks and waterfront homes. The boat stays on calm water, making it stable for all ages; life vests are provided for children under 13, and bottled water is complimentary. You'll pass the Pennybacker Bridge, Tom Miller Dam, limestone cliffs and private estates, with several spots to photograph the scenery. The tour departs from Loop 360 Boat Ramp (entry fee in cash, paid on arrival) and runs mornings, afternoons or at sunset.Is it for me?The tour is entirely seated and shaded, so there's no walking, no sun exposure and no physical demands—it suits anyone who wants to be on the water without the effort of swimming, hiking or arranging their own boat. The fixed 2-hour schedule and captain's narration mean you don't have to plan what to look at or how long to stay; the day is built for you.
Austin: Private Pedicab Tour Downtown, Capitol & Driskill HotelYou’ll cruise Austin in a private pedicab with hotel pickup downtown, rolling past landmarks like the Texas Capitol and Driskill Hotel. Hear stories from your local guide, snap photos with Willie Nelson’s statue, and watch millions of bats take flight at sunset—a weirdly moving moment you might not forget.
Austin: Private Brewery Pedicab Tour & Beer FlightsYou’ll ride through East Austin by pedicab with a local guide, stopping for beer flights at three microbreweries—Lazarus Brewing, Hops and Grain, and Zilker Brewing—with time for snacks or food along the way. Includes hotel pickup and all your drinks. Expect laughter, good music, and a taste of real neighborhood life.
Austin: Bicycle Tour of Lady Bird Lake, State Capitol & MuralsYou’ll ride through Austin’s lively neighborhoods by bike with a local guide—feel the breeze along Lady Bird Lake, pause for murals and street art, hear stories at the Texas State Capitol, and catch glimpses of daily life most travelers miss. Expect laughter, small surprises, and maybe even a new favorite spot you wouldn’t have found on your own.
Lake Austin: Private Party Boat, Swim & BYOB Lily PadYou’ll step onto your own private party boat on Lake Austin—music playing, drinks in hand—and cruise past iconic bridges and lakeside mansions before anchoring for a swim on the floating lily pad mat. With a friendly captain guiding your group and plenty of shade overhead, it’s an easygoing two-hour escape where laughter comes naturally and time slows down just enough to notice.
San Antonio from Austin: Alamo, River Walk & Tower CruiseYou get picked up from your Austin hotel, driven to San Antonio, and guided through the Alamo's 1836 history and Mission San José's colonial architecture. You ride an elevator 750 feet up the Tower of the Americas for panoramic city views, then float the River Walk on an electric barge with entry included. Transport, all admissions, and return drop-off are handled—you just show up ready to go.Is it for me?A good fit if you're staying in Austin and want to see San Antonio's main landmarks without arranging your own transport or buying separate tickets—the 7-hour structure and included van mean you leave your hotel and return to it without logistics in between.
Austin: Art & Architecture Bike Tour with Local StoriesYou’ll pedal beside Lady Bird Lake, pause at bold murals tucked into side streets, and hear stories about Austin’s quirky architecture from a local guide. Expect laughter over odd details (like armadillo carvings) and quiet moments beneath the Capitol dome. This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s feeling Austin move around you.
Lake Austin Boat Cruise: BYOB Tour Past Mount Bonnell & 360 BridgeYou’ll glide past Mount Bonnell and under Pennybacker Bridge on this Lake Austin boat cruise—BYOB style, with your own playlist and a local captain steering the way. Expect laughter over lakeside legends, close-up views of mansions (maybe even McConaughey’s), and quiet moments where Hill Country feels endless.
Austin: Lady Bird Lake Bike Tour & Zilker Park Trail RideYou’ll pedal along Austin’s Town Lake Trail with a local guide, pausing at spots like Barton Springs and the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue. Expect laughter, small surprises (maybe cold water on your hands), and stories about Austin’s quirks—all while riding classic bikes with water included. You’ll finish feeling connected to both city energy and those quieter green corners locals love.
Lake Austin Sunset Boat Cruise: BYOB & Hill Country ViewsYou’ll board right off North Capital of Texas Highway for a laid-back BYOB sunset cruise on Lake Austin. Drift past limestone cliffs at Mount Bonnell, spot local wildlife, and see those famous lakeside estates up close. Your captain handles group photos and keeps things relaxed—it’s more like hanging out with locals than a tour. You’ll leave with wind in your hair and probably a new favorite memory.Is it for me?Book this one if you want to see the Hill Country sunset without driving yourself or arranging a guide—the boat leaves on the hour from the 360 Bridge, and you bring your own drinks to keep the evening relaxed and affordable.
Austin Congress Avenue Bridge: Evening Bat Kayak TourYou’ll paddle through downtown Austin by kayak as sunset colors hit the skyline, then watch millions of bats burst from Congress Avenue Bridge with your local guide sharing stories. The city lights on your return feel almost surreal—a little wildness right in town.
Austin South Congress Food Tour: Tacos, Sweets & Local DinerYou’ll walk South Congress with a local guide, tasting diner classics, street tacos, fizzy sodas, and circus-sweet treats along the way. Expect laughter over Texan words, colorful boot shops, graffiti photo stops—and maybe that quiet moment when your cookie is still warm in your hand.
Austin: Weird City Tour with Live Musician & Local SnacksYou’ll laugh at wild Austin tales from your local guide, snack on something unexpected, stroll across Lady Bird Lake with city sounds all around, and snap photos by famous murals—plus there’s always live music playing somewhere nearby. This tour feels less like sightseeing and more like jumping straight into Austin’s quirks for a few hours.
San Marcos Clear Kayak Tour: Wildlife & Spring SwimmingYou paddle a clear-bottomed tandem kayak on the San Marcos River with a licensed guide who points out wildlife and teaches you about the springs. The kayak's transparent bottom lets you watch fish, crawfish, and the riverbed in real time. You get a chance to swim in the spring water, and the tour includes all gear, sunscreen, and bug spray. The whole experience takes a few hours and requires moderate fitness.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the river's wildlife and underwater life without arranging your own gear or transport — the guide and the clear kayak handle the logistics, and the spring water swim is included in the pace.
Austin Hill Country: BBQ at Salt Lick & 3 Winery TastingsYou're driven from Austin to Salt Lick for Texas BBQ lunch, then to three Hill Country wineries for tastings with vineyard views. The tour covers transport and a local guide; you pay for meals and tastings on-site as you go. Small groups keep the pace relaxed, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the driving between stops, so you can focus on eating and tasting without worrying about navigation or parking.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the Hill Country wine experience without arranging your own transport, navigating between wineries, or worrying about driving after tastings — the small group size and fixed stops mean you show up and the day unfolds on schedule.
