Attractions

The Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Around 1.5 million bats live underneath the bridge and on evenings from March to November, they all seem to emerge at once, covering the sky in a pulsating black cloud.

Coming to see the emergence of the bats is a popular activity in Austin. Shortly before the sun begins to set, crowds gather on the grass on the banks of the river and along the Congress Avenue Bridge. Just as the sky starts to darken, they emerge. First it’s just a few black specks and then more and more until it seems like the whole colony has taken to the skies. They move according to hidden instructions or maybe instincts, heading off in the same direction as the crowd points and cheers.

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Founded in 1982, the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is home to public gardens, woodlands and meadows display and provide research for native Texas plants in their natural setting.

LadyBird Johnson, one of our former First Ladies, came up with the idea to introduce people to the beauty and diversity of wildflowers and other native plants.

Lady Bird Johnson

The Center’s Mission is to:

Increase the sustainable use and conservation of native flowers, plants and landscapes.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Wildflower Center has an online database gallery with over 23,700 plant images.

Conservation and Education are the impetus for several big programs and projects at the Center. Landscape restoration and a consulting operation to builders are important ecological missions actively pursued.

Lady Bird Johnson Aquaduct

It’s a great place to explore, take photos or rent out for a wedding reception or other event!

I’ve seen beautiful bridal portraits taken there.

And they have an online shop with unique gifts to celebrate Native Texas plants and flowers.

The Texas Union opened in 1933 on the University of Texas campus.

Texas Union in 1933

Although primarily a place for University of Texas students, alumni & faculty, anyone can use the many benefits this building has to offer.

There are, of course, plenty of lounges, meetings rooms & student organization offices, as well as a large offering of vendors for food and beverages.

You can rent ballrooms and other large rooms as well as use the Texas Union Catering Service.

The Cactus Cafe is a full bar and live music venue inside the Texas Union with a national reputation. Billboard mMgazine listed the Cactus as one of fifteen “solidly respected, savvy clubs” nationwide “from which careers can be cut, that work with proven names and new faces.”

The only way to tour the infamous UT Tower is through reservations at the Texas Union.

Our favorite spot in the Texas Union, besides the beautiful outdoor courtyards, is The Ungerground, where you can play billiards, glow-in-the-dark bowling, use your computer at the laptop longe, play fooseball or air hockey, and enjoy many games and big screen TVs.

We’ve rented out space in the bowling area for several children’s birthday parties.

The Texan Union is more than just a building.  It’s a part of the University’s history, and an important resource for students and all who live in Austin.

Texas Union

Every year in March, Austin hosts the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo.

Live Action.

Live Music.

Live Stock.

This year’s dates are March 13th through the 28th at the Travis County Exposition Center.

There’s so much to do at the rodeo…like rides at the carnival fair, cook offs entertainment and shows inside and out.  All kinds of competitions can be found along with pony rides and souvenirs to buy.

But, the biggest treat, in my opinion, is the actual rodeo itself.

There’s bareback riding.

Rodeo Bareback Riding

Steer Wrestling.

Rodeo Steer Wrestling

Mutton Busting.

Rodeo Mutton Busting

Team Roping.

Rodeo Team Roping

Saddle Bronc Riding.

Rodeo Saddle Bronc Riding

Tiedown Roping.

Rodeo Tiedown Roping

Barrel Racing.

Rodeo Barrel Racing

and Bull Riding.

Rodeo Bull Riding

And don’t forget the rodeo clowns!

Rodeo Clown

Photos curtesy of Rodeo Austin

Zilker Park is Austin, Texas’ most loved park.

Definitely the most visited…with the most things to do.

Zilker Park

Zilker Metropolitan Park is 351 acres in the middle of Austin.

It has sports tournaments, kite festivals and musical festivals…

Barton Springs pool

Barton Springs in Austin, Texas

botanical gardens, the Zilker Zephyr miniature train,

Zilker Zephyr in Austin, Texas

canoe rentals for Ladybird Lake, hike &  bike trails, full-service picnik areas, the Austin Nature & Science Center, Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, Austin Sunshine Campe, the Zilker Hillside Theater, a large fun playground, and much, much more.

Photos curtesy of bdwaydive1, jslander & .imelda at Flickr Creative Commons

FUN FACT:  Did you know that the Downtown Austin streets named for Texas’ rivers actually mimic the order they flow on the Texas map?

Austin is an interesting city with lots to do and lots to see.

Want a fun way to explore and learn some Texas history?

You need to take an ride with Austin Duck Adventures!

Now, it’s not a ride on a real duck.

It’s an amphibious vehicle that can go on land and in the water…just like a duck.  It was originally a military vehicle called a British Alvis Stalwart. It can go a max of 40mph on land and 6 knots in the water.

British Alvis Stalwart Amphibious Vehicle

The land-tours take you through downtown Austin, showing you the State Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion, historic Congress Avenue, festive 6th Street and much, much more, including the highlight SPLASH into Lake Austin at the end.

Austin Duck Adventures in Lake Austin

The tour guides work to entertain you with historical tidbits and interesting facts.

Amphibious Vehicle Tour in Austin, Texas.

It’s a unique (and fun!) way to see Austin.

Laguna Gloria is a beautiful spot on the shores of Lake Austin.

It was once a spot for Native Americans to visit, near a natural spring.

Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas

Then, in the 1800’s, Stephen F. Austin owned the land.

Laguna Gloria

In 1914, Hal Sevier and his new wife, Clara Driscoll bought the land where they built an Italian villa and designed terraced gardens.

In the 1960’s, the villa and land was turned into Laguna Gloria Art Museum and a spot for the art school.

Villa at Laguna Gloria

In the 1990’s, the institution changed its name to the Austin Museum of Art and moved its primary exhibition space to the heart of downtown Austin. Laguna Gloria remained the site of The Art School, and in 2003, the Driscoll Villa was renovated and again became an exhibition space, focusing on local and regional artists.

I’ve been there quite a few times over the years when I lived in Austin.

I posed there for my bridal portrait.

I took my son there for art classes.

I’ve walked aimlessly, enjoying nature and taking photos.

It’s a must-see landmark in Austin, Texas.

Mount Bonnell, also known now as Covert Park, is one of the highest points in Austin, Texas with gorgeous views of the  beautiful Lake Austin and Texas countryside.

View of Lake Austin from Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas

Mount Bonnell was named after early Texas newspaper publisher George W. Bonnell, who moved to Texas in 1836 and published a local paper The Texas Sentinel and was prominent in early Texas affairs.

Historic Marker on Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas

Legend has it that Mount Bonnell was once called Antoinette’s Leap, after a young woman who leaped to her death to avoid capture from Native Americans that killed her fiancé.

Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas

It’s a romantic spot to watch a sunset or sunrise.  It’s a scenic spot for photos of families, the newly engaged, or children.  It’s a really great place to hide in the bushes and make out…

Ahem, I mean, a great place to be tranquil, writer in your journal, sketch and be one with nature.

I sometimes day dream about being a hobo and hopping freight trains throughout the U.S.

Don’t you?

No?

Ahem, well, here’s a more classy way to travel by train, if you’re interested.

A community-based, non-profit organization, Austin Steam Train Association uses refurbished 1920’s coach cars on their historic railroad tours of the Texas hill country.

Seriously.

Isn’t that cool?

Austin Steam Train

The trains have cool titles, like the Bertram Flyer, the Bluebonnet Flyer and the Spring Hill Country Flyer.

Ok, maybe the names could be a little more original.

Around Christmas, they offer a North Pole Flyer where they tell stories, serve hot chocolate and Santa & Mrs. Claus make an appearance.

On Valentine’s Day, sweethearts can take an evening train ride that includes a tasty meal, beer and wine, and on board entertainment. Train departs at 7pm for a romantic three hour journey through the Texas Hill Country.

In February they offer a Mardi Gras Murder Mystery party on the three hour hill country round trip ride.

On Halloween they have another murder mystery party and a Halloween ghost story trip.

Check out their special events for one that works for you!

Makes some new memories or share some old ones!

And, if you see my hiking along the tracks with my stick bundle, don’t tell my husband, ok?

He thinks I’m at home doing laundry and cleaning all day.

hehe