What you hear is true. With vibrant entertainment, art and culture, inspiring cuisine and stunning outdoor experiences, Austin lets you create a soundtrack all your own. So take a look around, and put the Live Music Capital of the World on your playlist. Quaint houses, boutiques, long-standing restaurants & new eateries by some of the city's top up-&-comers populate this lively part of town.
Find decadent dining, dive bars, museums, cafes, music venues, tons of vintage shopping and the University of Texas campus. Find shopping, dining & nightlife, in this vibrant & upscale family friendly area that offers all that downtown has and more. Elegant resorts, waterfront dining, Hill Country day trips & sunset gazing all make for a tranquil stay in West Austin.
Find decadent dining, dive bars, museums, cafes, music venues, tons of vintage shopping and the University of Texas campus. Find shopping, dining & nightlife, in this vibrant & upscale family friendly area that offers all that downtown has and more. Elegant resorts, waterfront dining, Hill Country day trips & sunset gazing all make for a tranquil stay in West Austin.
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Unique trips are an Austin specialty. When you plan a trip to a city with this much to do, it can be hard to pick and choose. That's why we asked around and made a list of the things that visitors love and locals can't get enough of.
From stand-up paddle boarding and music venues for every taste to eclectic restaurants and vintage shopping finds, exploreour favoriteactivities, events and things to doon the Austin Insider Blog thenstart planning a trip you won't be able to stop talking about.Let us help you plan your next trip with resources like our VisitorGuide.
From stand-up paddle boarding and music venues for every taste to eclectic restaurants and vintage shopping finds, exploreour favoriteactivities, events and things to doon the Austin Insider Blog thenstart planning a trip you won't be able to stop talking about.Let us help you plan your next trip with resources like our VisitorGuide.
Getting to and from the airport - and all around town - is easy. Most major rental car and ride-hailing companies are available atAustin-Bergstrom International Airport, and other standard transportation options are available. Austin's various transportation providers have put into place new safety guidelines to help guests travel responsibly and comfortably.
Easy to get to (only 7.5 miles from the Austin Convention Center) and easy to get through, passengers enjoy exceptional customer service Austin-style, free Wi-Fi(for up to 90 minutes),art exhibits, local food (frombreakfast tacos to brisket and Shiner Bock beer) and1,500 live music performances annually.
The Live Music Capital of the World plays to a diverse population of cultures, political leanings and lifestyles. The Mexican American Cultural Center anchors theLatinocommunity, as does the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Centerfor the city'sAfrican-Americancultural district, Six Square.
Just like the hippies and cosmic cowboys who made Austin weird, our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community brings a distinct and irreplaceable energy to this city. Whether it's trying Tex-Asian barbecue or visiting Ai Weiwei's latest piece at The Contemporary, you'll find how deeply ingrained the AAPI community is in every aspect of the Austin experience.
Reviews (20)
Ted G.
Dec 31, 2021
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Located just down the street from our hotel, this was an excellent resource for us as we wanted to learn more about the city.
They have a very relaxing environment with all of the necessities for any tour or Austin gifts, they also have some wonderfully friendly people working there whom are more than willing to help you in any way.
More cities should put time and attention into what Austin has done.
Cheers!
They have a very relaxing environment with all of the necessities for any tour or Austin gifts, they also have some wonderfully friendly people working there whom are more than willing to help you in any way.
More cities should put time and attention into what Austin has done.
Cheers!
Chayo S.
Jan 28, 2021
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Pj C.
Dec 04, 2019
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One of the worse visitor centers I have been in. Almost no information of use. It appeared their main interest was in selling tours and souvenirs.
I asked them for any information on biking and they said they had nothing. A day later I was in a different tourist spot with information and sure enough they had bike maps.
The workers were unhelpful and put off by my questions. Seems like they are in the wrong job!
I asked them for any information on biking and they said they had nothing. A day later I was in a different tourist spot with information and sure enough they had bike maps.
The workers were unhelpful and put off by my questions. Seems like they are in the wrong job!
Megan W.
Sep 16, 2019
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Tara K.
Jul 12, 2019
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The Austin Visitor Center is like a little oasis. The staff's pretty chill, they had free wifi and plugs to charge your phone, a cute shop to buy all things Austin-related, and the bathrooms were absolutely clean. What a luxury!
We waited there for the Double Decker Bus tour and it was really great that they had an abundance of information on-hand, not to mention the many, many brochures they had on display.
We waited there for the Double Decker Bus tour and it was really great that they had an abundance of information on-hand, not to mention the many, many brochures they had on display.
Janni S.
May 26, 2019
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Very clean center. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. I called in to ask if there were hop on hop off tickets still available and they let me know there were so I stopped by to buy one. The explained the different types of ticket options they had available. They also have an entire wall with brochures of things to do and places to see. Their restroom is super clean. They had fun country music playing on the overhead speaker. And they have a retail section where you can things like shirts, post cards, mugs, etc.
Shani S.
Jan 30, 2019
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Such a Cute set up with such friendly people. A lot of the tours book out of this location, but while you're waiting there's a store with snacks and things you can do while you wait.
You can get all sorts of items with Texas written on it or Austin written on it. Little things to take home as gifts.
The people there are great and really know the city. Stop in to get free maps and advise!!!
You can get all sorts of items with Texas written on it or Austin written on it. Little things to take home as gifts.
The people there are great and really know the city. Stop in to get free maps and advise!!!
Alison M.
Jan 28, 2019
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This is a well-placed, clean, easy to find (huge Austin sign high on the building) and well-kept visitor center.
It has the usual touristy Texas and Austin-themed items for sale as well as a few cool artists works (like the Willie Nelson and other famous singers) mirrored prints by the bathrooms, but mostly it's the little stuff you get for friends and co-workers to take home.
The bathrooms are really nice, new, clean and updated and open to all and there is a huge waiting and seating area for those who are booking or taking city bike or Duck tours.
It's worth a stop if you have
It has the usual touristy Texas and Austin-themed items for sale as well as a few cool artists works (like the Willie Nelson and other famous singers) mirrored prints by the bathrooms, but mostly it's the little stuff you get for friends and co-workers to take home.
The bathrooms are really nice, new, clean and updated and open to all and there is a huge waiting and seating area for those who are booking or taking city bike or Duck tours.
It's worth a stop if you have
Matthew J.
Jul 07, 2018
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Danielle S.
May 14, 2018
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Everyone who works here was super nice and helpful. They didn't push me or make feel pressured into doing tours. They helps answer questions and was so willing to help me. I did a tour and they called it the "bucket list" tour it's called Austin tour it takes u all around Austin. I also lost my ID and I'm out of state so I needed it badly. Someone told me to check back in with the visitor center and see if it was there and the lady at the counter said "if you didn't come back I was gonna find you on Facebook. I understand how important it is to have an ID and
N. Y.
Mar 10, 2018
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Great space to buy souvenirs, although like any visitors center, a bit more $. I found a great drawing of a colorful guitar representing Austin by a local artist and they had cool T- Shirts. Was hoping to find a bit more generic Texas stuff, more hot sauce choices, maybe some BBQ sauces to take home, but no such luck...
Teresa W.
Feb 02, 2018
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Natalie C.
Oct 17, 2017
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Charley C.
Jun 17, 2017
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The Austin Visitor Center is more of a gift shop and a meeting point for people to jump on the tour buses to tour Austin and see all the wild things around town nice enough not much printed matters for us readers who want to follow along and drive our way around town to the so many sites that exist in this fine town. Parking is on street and can be a bit tricky there is public parking around the corner it's a good time in Austin every time and thank you Austin Visitor Center
Dawn V.
Jan 25, 2017
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It's not your average visitor center and you should start your trip here.
If your looking for souvenirs, you're better off starting or ending here to avoid the cheaper looking but more expensive ones elsewhere. (The airport has many of the things here for almost double)
Also, hipster food and shopping guides for free on the table. (Like Edible, vs the all-ads thing in the hotel)
The young man behind the register is really nice but the older guy by the tourist table is not so welcoming. Skip him and just ask the register guy if he's free.
If your looking for souvenirs, you're better off starting or ending here to avoid the cheaper looking but more expensive ones elsewhere. (The airport has many of the things here for almost double)
Also, hipster food and shopping guides for free on the table. (Like Edible, vs the all-ads thing in the hotel)
The young man behind the register is really nice but the older guy by the tourist table is not so welcoming. Skip him and just ask the register guy if he's free.
Gwendolyn P.
Nov 06, 2016
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Brittany V.
Jul 27, 2016
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The air conditioning was amazing but the center itself seemed to be lacking. I could only see information about bus/walking tours and the staff weren't that helpful, i think they were new. The store didn't really have anything that made me want to purchase. Overall it was a nice place to meet up for a tour but to find information about the variety of things to do in Austin, I would ask a local.
Sokha S.
Jun 25, 2016
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Took the Downtown, West of Congress 90 minute walking tour with Ms. Elizabeth Garzone. It was $10 a person. We lucked out no one else signed up for the tour so it turned into a private tour.
We met at the Capital Building on the steps facing 11th and Congress. We learned alot about the history of the buildings in Austin. Walked by several beautiful buildings and was surprised with an inside tour of the Womens Club. This four story building is currently still used for events such as weddings. We also learned that some of the buildings are apparently haunted. The tour ended on 8th and Congress
We met at the Capital Building on the steps facing 11th and Congress. We learned alot about the history of the buildings in Austin. Walked by several beautiful buildings and was surprised with an inside tour of the Womens Club. This four story building is currently still used for events such as weddings. We also learned that some of the buildings are apparently haunted. The tour ended on 8th and Congress
Heather P.
Dec 12, 2015
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This place was within walking distance from my hotel, and I thought that since it has glowing reviews and I was in need of suggestions, this would be a great place. I was correct. The lady who helped me was very informative. I even learned that some of the local tours leave from here. I decided on the Duck/boat tour, but I wouldn't do that tour over again.
They also have ATX souvenirs. I walked away with a t-shirt and a bat night light... because you can't leave Austin without seeing the bats under Congress Bridge and you shouldn't leave Austin without some sort of bat memorabilia
They also have ATX souvenirs. I walked away with a t-shirt and a bat night light... because you can't leave Austin without seeing the bats under Congress Bridge and you shouldn't leave Austin without some sort of bat memorabilia
Brandy W.
Sep 11, 2013
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