About Austin
The capital of Texas, Austin combines the diversity and vibrancy of a university community with a fast-paced technology and business culture and a rich historical tradition. Known for its live music, flourishing arts communities, beautiful setting, and recreational amenities, Austin has been a traditional favorite of first-time and returning visitors to Texas.
Tourist information
The Capitol building
Photo courtesy of the
Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
- Austin District Guide - Including an excellent restaurant guide.
- Local weather
- The Austin Chronicle - Austin's local events newspaper
Tours of Austin
- Austin Duck Adventures: Land and Lake Tours of Austin
- Texas Capitol and Governor's Mansion Tours
- Lone Star Riverboat Tours and Cruises on Town Lake
- Austin Overtures
- Capital Cruises on Town Lake
- Hit the Road Audio Tours
- The University of Texas at Austin Campus Tours
History-related attractions
An 1830 political caricature
from the Hyder Collection
Jamail Center for Legal Research, Tarlton Law Library
The Jamail Center for Legal Research and Tarlton Law Library at the University of Texas is one of the nation's largest research Law Libraries, holding more than one million physical volumes and offering electronic access to millions more documents.
Of specific interest to legal historians are the Library's holdings of Rare Books and Archives and Manuscripts. The two collections hold a wealth of historical information focused on U.S., British, Mexican, and Texas legal history. They also serve as an archive of the University's history and the legal scholars who have been part of the School of Law.
The Law Library houses the Hyder Collection, consisting of over four thousand prints, paintings, and objects of art, many of which concern the history of law and law-making.
Center for American HistoryPart of the University of Texas, the Center for American History is a research collection of American history, specializing in the history of Texas, the South, the Southwest, the Rocky Mountain states, the University of Texas, and Congress.
The Benson Latin American CollectionThis library within the University of Texas is one of the premier collections of material from and about Latin America and the Spanish-speaking people of the United States.
Page from the Ransom Center's
copy of the Gutenberg Bible
Holding thirty million literary manuscripts, one million rare books, five million photographs and over 100,000 works of art, the Ransom Center is one of the world's finest cultural archives. For more information about the Research Center 's many exhibits and events check the Center's calendar of events.
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and MuseumHoused on the UT campus, the library holds forty million pages of historical documents which include the papers from the entire public career of Lyndon Baines Johnson and also from those of close associates. The museum provides a window to American history during President Johnson's life (1908 – 1973) as well as his presidency through its permanent historical and cultural exhibits.
Texas State CapitolThe largest U.S. state capitol, it is an impressive example of late 19th century public architecture. The Capitol provides free tours.
The Texas State History Museum
Photo courtesy of the
Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Located between the Capitol and the University, the museum tells the story of Texas in displays and with the aid of an IMAX theater.
Austin History CenterAs the local history collection of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County.