Overview
Downtown Austin is a district of Austin, Texas, west of IH-35, north of Lady Bird Lake, and south of MLK Street (19th street).
5 sights · 14 things to do · 14 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 10 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Downtown
The Texas State Capitol
A must-see for new visitors to Austin. A large source of pride for the city and the state, the State Capitol is a beautiful building wrapped in Texas pink granite. Independent-minded Texans take pride in the fact that th…
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
This is one of the nicest museums in Austin. There is probably more than you want to know about Texas history here. They have free lockers and the IMAX theater is also here.
The Contemporary Austin
Reflecting the unconventional spirit of Austin, AMOA-Downtown offers informative and informal art experiences oriented towards the interests of a broad general audience. The galleries serve as the Museum's primary exhibi…
Austin bats
Yes, that's right, bats. Austin's Congress Avenue bridge is home to about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. This is the largest urban bat colony in the world and one of the largest Mexican free-tailed bat colonies in…
Mexic-Arte Museum
Focused on the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.
Paramount Theater
Feature a wide variety of plays and acts, from Broadway touring shows to Chinese acrobats to plays and unique dance companies.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Oct. (climate data from nearby Austin)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- AUS Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Austin — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- GRK Killeen Regional Airport / Robert Gray Army Airfield, Fort Cavazos — 55 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $29–$159 a night (typical $119), from 5 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$270.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Texas State Capitol, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, IMAX Theatre
- Lunch Scholz Garten
- Afternoon Mohawk, Stubb's BBQ
- Dinner Texas Chili Parlor
- Evening The Iron Bear
Day 2
- Morning The Contemporary Austin, Paramount Theater, The Hideout
- Lunch Leaf
- Afternoon Mexic-Arte Museum, Antone's
- Dinner Burger Bar
- Evening Oilcan Harry's
Day 3
- Morning Austin bats, Austin City Limits
- Lunch Corner
- Afternoon milk + honey spa, Austin Film Society
- Dinner Osteria Pronto
- Evening Rain
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get around
Austin has a vibrant pedicab community of bicycle taxis that operate during the evening hours on and around the 6th street entertainment district. A pedicab can be a fun way to get around as well a scenic experience. Over 200 pedicabs operate in Austin; they charge a fare based on tips.
See
In addition to the specific attractions listed below, the Downtown skyline is itself an attraction, worth viewing day and night. If you would like to view it from within the area covered by this article, your best bet is probably to go east from the part of Lady Bird Park on the north side of Lady Bird Lake, starting close to North Mopac Expressway.
See The Texas State Capitol
A must-see for new visitors to Austin. A large source of pride for the city and the state, the State Capitol is a beautiful building wrapped in Texas pink granite. Independent-minded Texans take pride in the fact that the State Capitol is actually 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Unlike many other state capitols in America, Texas's is as welcoming as the state's people, and is completely open to the public seven days a week. It's interesting to stroll through the halls, look at the paintings and sculptures, and peek into the legislative chambers. And it's free! In addition, it is worthwhile to stroll around the grounds and look at the monuments. The Texas African American History Monument, somewhat to your left if you are approaching the Capitol from the south, is particularly large and impressive, and presents interesting information about important African American Texans and Black Texans' fights for Texas and for equal rights. There are several other monuments, including a nice one of a cowboy, one of a pioneer woman, one to Tejanos and a large memorial to Confederate soldiers. You can see some little official photos of all the memorials at the Capitol Grounds Monuments page.
See The Contemporary Austin (Austin Museum of Art)
Reflecting the unconventional spirit of Austin, AMOA-Downtown offers informative and informal art experiences oriented towards the interests of a broad general audience. The galleries serve as the Museum's primary exhibition site and present continually changing exhibitions and education programs that showcase an array of twentieth-century and contemporary art. To complement the art on view, the Museum presents a broad range of accessible, interdisciplinary, and hands-on public education programs for school children, families and adults. AMOA-Downtown also features the Community Room, a place for activities and private functions with gallery access.
See Austin bats (Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge)
Yes, that's right, bats. Austin's Congress Avenue bridge is home to about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. This is the largest urban bat colony in the world and one of the largest Mexican free-tailed bat colonies in North America. The bats are generally active at dusk every evening between March and November. In years when there has been a drought, the bats leave early (when there is still light), and can be a quite impressive sight. In years when there has been plenty of rain, they leave so late it is difficult to see much. Best place to see them is near the Austin American Statesman's parking lot, or you can pay for boat tours to see them from underneath the bridge. Towards the end of bat season, when the colony's young are flying for the first time, pedestrian crowds can become rather dense. Try to arrive at least an hour before dark if you want to have a good, unobstructed view.
Do
Theaters
Music
Film
Do The Alamo Drafthouse
Four locations. A movie theater with full restaurant service. Downtown always has an eclectic array of cult and foreign films and a good beer and food menu, and serves liquor. They also have a dizzying number of specialty shows and film festivals. Their other locations show more first run movies with the same excellent food and beer menu.
Buy
Eat
Eat Austin Land and Cattle (ALC)
Delicious steaks in a relaxed atmosphere (for a steakhouse). Great bar, appetizers, and sides too. Not especially cheap, but some of the best steaks in town.
Eat Burger Bar
Feast on ground flat-top burgers, inventive handspun shakes and addictive fry creations in a stylish sidewalk setting. Be sure to try their signature Big Mouth Burger, topped with blistered peppers, jalapeno jam, bacon and zesty cheddar.
Eat Casino El Camino
Over 21 only. Bar that serves juicy 3/4 pound patties of certified Angus Beef. Also available: chicken sandwiches, hotdogs, veggie sandwiches, etc. Everything is slooooow-cooked so expect 45 min. to an hour waits for food at peak times, but it's worth it. Dark decor, eccentric jukebox, and nice back garden.
Eat Corner
Combining regional ingredients and recipes from every corner of Texas with crafted tequila cocktails and locally-sourced beers, Corner brings a modern, uptempo spirit to a laid-back space overlooking the South Congress neighborhood. Don't miss the Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder Sandwich, accompanied by quince jelly and manchego cheese or the festive Taco Bar.
Eat Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken (Gus's fried Chicken)
Fried chicken.
Eat Iron Works BBQ
Decent BBQ very close to the Austin Convention Center downtown. BBQ plates, sandwiches, and side dishes.
Eat Koriente
Asian fusion restaurant with many vegetarian and vegan options, including summer rolls, vegetarian curries, and sweet potato noodles. Tofu is available on most entrees.
Eat Leaf
This eatery is focused on serving fresh, tasty salads. Choose from the menu or make your own! A few of their soups are vegetarian and/or vegan.
Eat Opal Divine's Austin Grill
Serving up American food menu at three Austin locations, all of which have large outdoor decks for those who prefer to dine or enjoy an adult beverage with nature.
Eat Osteria Pronto
Indulge in authentic, quality Italian food hand crafted with passion and served with class. Don't miss the signature Pollo Al Mattone, the inventive pizza selections and the impeccable wine list.
Eat Scholz Garten
The oldest continuously operating restaurant and also the oldest business in Texas, started just after the Civil War. Good German and other hearty fare. As the name implies, Scholz Garten also has a biergarten and serves many different types of beer. A traditional Democratic party hangout where Ann Richards is supposed to have plotted her successful run for governor. In the middle of it all, the Capitol is a few blocks away and the University of Texas is just north.
Eat Stubb's BBQ
Quintessential BBQ joint located near downtown. In addition to the great BBQ, the kitchen turns out some great side dishes, which are often overshadowed by the smoked meats. This unique venue has two concert venues, one indoor and one outdoor that can accommodate over a thousand people.
Eat Texas Chili Parlor
Get your red on. Serves the national dish of Texas, chili, in all heat ranges as well as other great Texan-American fare. This downtown neighborhood chili parlor is reportedly the local Republican hangout when "The Lege" is in session. Featured in Quentin Tarantino's movie "Death Proof."
Eat Whole Foods Market Cafe
Drink
Drink Halcyon Coffee Bar & Lounge Cafe
More of a bar than a coffee house, serves smores.
Gay and lesbian
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Nearby
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