Austin Things To Do

After 30 years of planning and acquiring, this 126,000 square-foot tribute to Latino and Native American traditions opened in fall 2007, offering exhibits, performances and classes in the arts.

Located in Zilker Park, the city’s undisputed gem is fed by underground springs. The year-round 68-degree waters are popular with top triathletes and families alike.

Austin hosts North America’s largest Mexican free-tailed bat colony. More than a million of them swoop out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge just after sunset from March until November.

This lake resort is known as one of the top destination spas for its impeccable service, mouth-watering cuisine and Hill Country views over gorgeous Lake Austin.

Of course it’s taller than the U.S. Capitol building – this is Texas, after all. Overlooking Congress Avenue, this stunning example of 19th -century architecture has a “Sunset Red” pink granite exterior and incredible rotunda detailing.

New in 2006, the Blanton houses 17,000 works of art, including modern, Latin American, Renaissance and Baroque pieces, 20th-Century American artworks, and 15th-century prints.

Austinites love this 351-acre park centered around Lady Bird Lake for its walking trails, sports fields, city views, spring kite festival, fall music festival and December Christmas tree.

The flagship of the Whole Foods empire, founded in Austin in 1980, is now an 80,000 square foot mega-store and culinary center with tasting events, cooking classes, and live music on an outdoor plaza. Check the store calendar online for specific events, though the market itself is worth exploring for its sheer size and overabundance of items. For under $100 the staff at the culinary center can remedy any gastronomic deficiency with classes like Cutting Edge Knife Skills and Sushi 101.