City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 2310 San Gabriel St.
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
33. Austin Nature and Science Center
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (512) 327-8181
Address: 301 Nature Center Dr.
Description: A perfect place to enjoy Austin’s great outdoors, the Austin Nature and Science Center in the Zilker Park Nature Preserve features 2 miles of trails with cliffs and a scenic outlook. But the facilities here go far beyond trails. In the Visitor Pavilion, guests will learn about the two ecosystems—Hill Country and Caves, and Grasslands—that meet right smack in the middle of Austin. Displays also provide information on two minor ecosystems found throughout Central Texas: Ponds and Creeks, and Woodlands. Wildlife exhibits and a birds of prey exhibit are just a couple of the attractions found at this wonderful spot. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon through Sat, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sun throughout the year. Admission is free.
34. Philosophers’ Rock Sculpture
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: This exquisite bronze sculpture by artist Glenna Goodacre depicts three of Austin’s illustrious figures engaged in animated conversation—just as they were accustomed to doing in life. Life-size images of historian Walter Prescott Webb, naturalist Roy Bedichek, and J. Frank Dobie, humorist and folklorist, are presented in this large work, installed November 21, 1994. Webb stands fully clothed next to the rock (he never swam), while Dobie and Bedichek are seated, wearing swimming trunks. As you view this lively sculpture, it’s difficult not to wonder what these three great “philosophers” are discussing.
35. Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: This larger-than-life bronze statue of the late blues/rock legend stands near the site where Vaughan played his last Austin concert on Auditorium Shores. The sculpture by artist Ralph Helmick depicts Vaughan in a relaxed pose wearing his trademark black hat and holding his guitar like a walking stick in his left hand. A long bronze shadow trails behind. When it was dedicated on November 21, 1993, Vaughan fans gathered in tribute to the Austin-based music man who died in a helicopter crash in 1990. The piece continues to draw admirers of both the artist it depicts and the artist who created it.
36. Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (512) 445-5582
Address: 605 Robert E. Lee Rd.
Description: The outdoor setting of this wonderful sculpture garden combines Austin’s love for the outdoors and for the arts. Acclaimed artist Charles Umlauf, whose works are on display in museums and public collections across the country, lived in Austin from 1941 until his death and was a University of Texas professor until 1981. The garden is the perfect outdoor setting for dozens of Umlauf’s bronze and cast-stone pieces. The museum is open Wed through Fri 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sat and Sun 1 to 4:30 p.m. There is a nominal admission charge.
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 2220 Barton Springs Rd.
38. The Republic of Texas Museum
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (512) 339-1997
Address: 510 East Anderson Lane
Description: This fascinating space, which is meticulously run and cared for by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, is packed with Texas history. Here visitors will learn about the men and women who fought for Texas independence and led the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1846. The museum features award-winning permanent exhibits and a variety of touring shows. One outstanding section is called Great Grandma’s Backyard, where visitors get to see and touch the household implements used by families in the mid-19th century. The museum also features an excellent collection of guns from that period, portraits and statues of Texas leaders, and much, much more.
39. St. Edward’s University
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (512) 448-8400
Address: 3001 South Congress Ave.
Description: Don’t miss the beautiful Gothic Revival–style Main Building and the other great attributes of this 180-acre campus. The Main Building is one of Austin’s most stunning landmarks—a grand structure in the Southwest when it was built in 1889 and just as grand today.
40. South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (512) 440-8318
Address: 1516 South Lamar Blvd.
Description: A true Austin original, this funky little space it worth a stop by any visitor who wants to view some of the music posters and other graphic art that were created during the 1960s psychedelic era, the 1970s cosmic cowboy era, and into the 1980s.
41. Austin Zoo
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (512) 288-1490
Address: 10807 Rawhide Trail
Description: Located on the edge of Hill Country about 20 minutes from downtown Austin, the Austin Zoo is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here visitors get a close-up view of domestic and exotic animals as well as a relaxing, enjoyable experience in a natural setting.
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 400 Barsana Rd.
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 4801 La Crosse Ave.
44. Cypress Valley Canopy Tours
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (512) 264-8880
Address: 1223 Paleface Ranch Rd.
Description: The patriarch of a former Austin family decided to open up a canopy tour in the cypress-covered area near his family’s new home about 35 miles northwest of downtown Austin. The adventurous can choose between the Canopy Tour or the more advanced Canopy Challenge. Check the website for details, as there are minimum and maximum weight requirements as well as other restrictions. There is also an option of staying overnight among the trees—and zipping to your room!
City: Austin, TX
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 802 San Marcos St.