Congress Avenue Austin

Experience the beauty of Austin at twilight on a sunset cruise, with a guide and hotel transfer included. See the city's top sites like the Willie Nelson Statue, Paramount Theatre, and the Texas Capitol lit up at night. Join a bat-watching tour during March-October. Be greeted by your guide at your downtown Austin accommodation and begin your evening tour in the comfort of a Mercedes Metris van. At dusk, cruise on Austin's Lady Bird Lake and watch the changing skyline. Learn about the city’s culture and friendly locals. Take this tour between March and October, witness Austin's famous Congress Bridge bats. Join your guide on a bat-watching excursion to see fabled Mexican (or Brazilian) free-tailed bats take flight from underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. Witness the bats under the bridge where a colony of 1.5 million bats reside, one of the biggest colonies of urban bats in the world. Be awestruck at the sight of these bats flying across the colorful evening sky, with speeds of 60 miles per hour. Hop back into the van to enjoy a narrated drive with stops at several iconic landmarks including Pfluger Bridge, Texas State Capitol, the Willie Nelson statue, and Paramount Theatre illuminated at night. Get local insights into the surrounding area from your guide before being taken back to your downtown Austin hotel.

Get to know Austin on a leisurely morning walk with a storyteller as your guide. Learn little-known stories about the city, get insider tips on the best coffee shops, restaurants, and live music venues, and explore the city like a local. Begin your tour in downtown Austin, following your guide to the 2nd Street District (aka Warehouse District) on the west side of Congress, including the Moody Theater with Austin's iconic statue of Willie Nelson. Next, walk through the Warehouse District straight to Guytown and the first railroad depot in Austin (circa 1871), formerly the Spaghetti Warehouse. Continue to Congress Avenue and go by the speakeasy tavern, formerly the Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph Company (circa 1886). Northbound on Congress Avenue, go across the famous Sixth Street to the Angelina Eberly statue and hear a fantastic story about how she saved the city back in 1842. From there, cross Congress with a beautiful view of the state Capitol just two blocks away. Discuss some of the history of the Capitol and then move to the Driskill Hotel from 1885 where you will tour the beautiful lobby and the Driskill Bar and Lounge. Watch as your guide points out points of interest on Sixth Street as you head east passing great music venues and Voodoo Donuts. Venture down San Jacinto past new and old buildings. Take a right at Vince Young's Steakhouse, back to Congress Avenue. Then, walk to the Pearl House Hotel to 2nd Street with Austin's famous bat bridge in site. Make a stop to talk a little bit about the bat phenomenon in Austin.

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 19+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Austin in 3-4 hours. Once downloaded, your tour begins at Mount Bonnell, which offers panoramic views of the city. Next, you’ll cruise around the outskirts of the city, seeing plenty of parks, nature preserves, and botanical gardens and learning more about the founding of this weird and wild capital city along the way. At Barton Springs, you’ll have a chance to take a dip in this beautiful natural pool or rent a kayak to row down Austin’s gorgeous river. Then you’ll cross Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the largest urban bat colony in America. Hear why bats roost here and how to see them take flight as you cross into Austin’s urban core. Learn the story behind the iconic slogan “Keep Austin Weird,” then park by the Texas State Capitol building and stroll along its historic grounds. Next, you’ll walk down Congress Avenue, flush with preserved historic architecture, quirky shops, and amazing restaurants. Finally, you’ll reach Austin’s famous 6th Street, the buzzing nightlife center of the city. Your tour concludes here.

Experience Austin's culinary diversity and support local, family-owned eateries that define Austin as a haven for food enthusiasts. Our 2 hour guided food walking tour offers a tantalizing array of local favorites, a culinary journey through Texas flavors. Explore scenic stops along the tour, such as the historic Congress Avenue. Marvel at the grandeur of the Texas Capitol Building and discover the rich history of this iconic street. Experience the tranquility of Town Lake, a serene oasis amidst the bustling city life. Take a stroll down Congress Avenue Bridge, and learn about Austin's famous bat colony and the best spots to witness these fascinating creatures at dusk. Food you'll experience on the Austin Tour: Savor Authentic Texas BBQ: Indulge in mouth-watering brisket, savory sausage, and the classic sides mac & cheese and potato salad. Taste Traditional Mexican Flavors: Enjoy delicious barbacoa tacos and cowboy-style beans that reflect Austin's rich Mexican heritage. Refresh with Austin Smoothies: Conclude your tour with a healthy, fruit-filled smoothie, showcasing Austin's commitment to fresh and organic ingredients. Featured Food Destinations: Lamberts Downtown Barbecue (meeting location) Kickstart your culinary adventure at Lamberts, a celebrated Texas BBQ joint, housed in a historic 1870 building. Relish their Texas All Beef Hotlink and learn about the history of Texas barbecue. Veracruz All Natural Nestled near Congress Bridge, Veracruz All Natural offers a taste of Mexico in Austin. Founded by Mexican sisters, it's a tribute to their heritage and culinary expertise. Don't miss their famed barbacoa tacos. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que A must-visit for BBQ enthusiasts, Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is renowned for its “Big Chop” and open pit. Enjoy a scenic view of the Capitol building as you savor their brisket and sides. Juiceland End your tour at Juiceland, a testament to Austin's commitment to sustainability and health. Enjoy a refreshing, organic smoothie in an artistic setting, celebrating local talent and eco-conscious values. Join us on this Downtown Austin Food Tour today and indulge in the flavors that make Austin a culinary hotspot!

Escape the hustle and bustle of Austin's tourist hotspots and get off the beaten track as you explore Lady Bird Lake on a bicycle tour. See more of the city in less time, visit famous locations, and enjoy entertaining commentary from your local guide along the way.  Meet your guide at the meeting point, receive your helmet and bike, and set out on your tour. Head down to the famous Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park area and learn about Austin's largest park and its significance. Then head towards the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue and the Congress Avenue bridge. The itinerary includes sites like the old Mopac railroad bridge, Austin's newest library, the Pfluger pedestrian bridge, and of course the iconic boardwalk for perfect photo opportunities of the Austin skyline. Listen as your guide provides insider tips about life in Austin and gives you informative tidbits about the locations that are on the tour’s itinerary.  

If you’re a fan of a good drink and a great story, this experience is for you! Let our five-star pub guides take you on an adventure through some of Austin’s (not so easy to find) pubs, while enjoying the rich tapestry of Austin’s history dating from the 1870s, and of course, a few haunted tales! Drinks are not included in your ticket purchase, however, each stop has various specials exclusive to the Pub Walk Austin tour! This three-hour tour visits four of Austin’s awesome pubs. Beginning at the Speakeasy Tavern on iconic Congress Avenue, you’ll journey through historic “guy town,” the “warehouse district,” a hidden pub on Brazos Street, the Driskill Hotel, and of course, a stop on Austin’s famous Dirty 6th!