Whether you're visiting Austin on vacation or have just become a new resident - or even if you've been here years but want to learn more about our city - there's a guided tour of Austin for you. Explore downtown Austin's historical districts, pubs, and music. Visit the Hill Country. See our city by foot, by bus, from the water, or get a grave-side view of Austin history. Some guided tours are free, others require payment and sometimes reservations well in advance.
Walking Tours of Downtown Austin
Tour residential neighborhoods and historic parts of town on foot. March through November take a free guided walk in the Congress Avenue and 6th Street districts. Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau conducts several different downtown area guided walking tours.512-478-0098
Walking Tours of the University of Texas
New students, alumni, and history buffs will enjoy a tour of UT. Take a guided tour of the UT Tower. The Office of Admissions schedules walking tours of the campus. You can only get access to the UT Tower Observation Deck via a tour and space is limited so make reservations in advance.The UT Web site also offers several virtual tours of campus sites and history.
Tower Tours: 512-475-6633
Walking Campus Tours: 512-475-7399
Texas State Capitol Tours
You can wander the halls of the Capitol building on your own, but if you want more insider information, take a guided tour. Guided Capitol tours are available 7 days a week except for some holidays. Group, non-English, and sign language tours available too.512-463-0063
Austin Duck Adventures
Tour Austin on land and in the lake in an authentic amphibious military landing vehicle. Board the DUCK downtown and get a "Duck's-eye-view" of the State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, the LBJ Museum, and 6th Street while listening to facts about Austin and enjoying some of the music that gives the city its nickname "Live Music Capital of the World." Daily tours Wednesday through Sunday. Making reservations 1-2 months in advance is recommended.512-4-SPLASH
Austin Ghost Tours
Walk with the spirits in one of several spooky walking tours that introduce you to the haunted sites and haunting sights of Austin. Find out where the bodies are buried (or not) on 6th Street, at the Capitol, or in the Warehouse District.512-853-9826
Austin Promenade Tours
Enjoy historically-correct tours that are both educational and entertaining. Many walking, bus, and van tours available. Find the unmarked graves of the victims of an 1885 serial killer and hear their story in the "Ghosts, Murder, and Mayhem in Austin, Texas" Tour. Or take the "Graveyard Chronicles Tour" and learn more than you could possibly imagine from the tombstones of the famous and the infamous. Group tours by van, bus, or walking teach you all about "Austin, The Capitol of Texas" or take a 4 hour excursion into the Hill Country with stops in Wimberley and Buda with games and contests to add to the fun. Austin Promenade Tours can design tours especially for individuals and groups, tailored to your specific needs.512-498-4686
Lone Star Riverboat
Many groups rent out this authentic paddle wheel riverboat for weddings, birthdays, meetings, or parties. You can also book a tour on Town Lake or take one of the scheduled public cruises. Bat watching/sunset tours are available from March through October.512-327-1388
SegCity Austin
It's a unique way to tour Austin that combines the ease of a bus tour with the upclose and personal experience of a walking tour. After teaching you how to ride a Segway Human Transporter you'll take off on a guided / glided tour of downtown Austin.512-402-9299
Texpert Tours
Scenic adventure tours with your host Howie Richey, "The Texas Back Roads Scholar." See Downtown Austin including the Capitol, the "Drag" at UT, and Mount Bonnell. You'll learn fascinating facts about Austin and an insider's scoop on the past and present of our city. Departures 9, 1, and 7 most days. Or try a "Pubs and Clubs Nightlife" Tour or a scenic Hill Country drive.512-383-TXTX