Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #1 in Austin, United States

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Tour Facts

Number of sights 15 sights
Distance 6.3 km
Ascend 136 m
Descend 180 m

Experience Austin in United States in a whole new way with our self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.

Activities in AustinIndividual Sights in Austin

Sight 1: Vietnam Veterans Monument

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Vietnam Veterans Monument

The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument, is a memorial designed by New Mexico artist Duke Sundt, installed on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, United States. It serves as a tribute to all Texans who served in the Vietnam War and a memorial to the 3,417 who died. Ground was broken on March 25, 2013 on the northeast side of the Capitol. The monument was dedicated on March 29, 2014.

Wikipedia: Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument (EN)

318 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 2: Texas State Capitol

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The Texas State Capitol is the capitol and seat of government of the American state of Texas. Located in downtown Austin, Texas, the structure houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and of the Governor of Texas. Designed in 1881 by architect Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed from 1882 to 1888 under the direction of civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker. A $75 million underground extension was completed in 1993. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Wikipedia: Texas State Capitol (EN), Website

457 meters / 5 minutes

Sight 3: Central Christian Church

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Central Christian Church is a major church in downtown Austin, Texas affiliated with the Christian Church. Organized in 1847, it is one of the oldest congregations in the city.

Wikipedia: Central Christian Church (Austin, Texas) (EN), Website

663 meters / 8 minutes

Sight 4: Brown Building

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The Brown Building is a ten-story office and residential tower in Downtown Austin, Texas. It is 137 feet (42 m) tall. Completed in 1938 at the southwest corner of 8th Street and Colorado Street, the building was home to many significant companies throughout 20th century Austin, including the holding corporation for the Lyndon Johnson family. The Texas Broadcasting Corporation (KTBC) operated from the building for many years around World War II, counting among its employees humorist Cactus Pryor and future governor John Connally. The engineering company Brown & Root also had its headquarters in the Brown Building at one time.

Wikipedia: Brown Building (Austin, Texas) (EN)

223 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 5: Paramount Theatre

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The Paramount Theatre is a live theatre venue/movie theatre located in downtown Austin, Texas. The classical revival style structure was built in 1915. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 1976.

Wikipedia: Paramount Theatre (Austin, Texas) (EN), Website

251 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 6: Millett Opera House

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The Millett Opera House, home of the Austin Club, is a historic building in downtown Austin, Texas. Built in 1878 by local lumber seller Charles Millett on one of his lots, the house was one of the largest performance spaces in Texas upon its completion. It featured 800 removable seats, 24-inch limestone walls, and the largest enclosed space in Texas. The Opera House was designed by Frederick Ruffini, an architect working throughout Texas.

Wikipedia: Millett Opera House (EN)

117 meters / 1 minutes

Sight 7: Saint Mary Cathedral

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Saint Mary Cathedral

Saint Mary's Cathedral is the cathedral parish of the Catholic Diocese of Austin located in Austin, Texas, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, as St. Mary's Cathedral.

Wikipedia: Cathedral of Saint Mary (Austin, Texas) (EN), Website

324 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 8: J.J. Pickle Federal Building

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J.J. Pickle Federal Building

The J.J. Pickle Federal Building is one of the largest mid-century modern buildings in Texas and has a rich political history. The eleven-story structure is a quintessential specimen of mid-century high-rises with its vertically oriented, uniform exterior grid that "reflects a golden age for civic architecture in the 1950s and 1960s". The building is known for its famous occupants, including Congressman J. J. Pickle and President Lyndon B. Johnson. 

Wikipedia: J.J. Pickle Federal Building (EN)

327 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 9: The Ritz

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The Ritz is a historic theater in the 6th Street district in Austin, Texas. The building's history includes use as a movie theater, music hall, club, and comedy house. It reopened after renovations in fall 2007 as the new downtown location for the Alamo Drafthouse. The venue temporarily closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was permanently closed in 2021 when the Alamo Drafthouse filed for bankruptcy. It now currently serves as Joe Rogan’s comedy club, Comedy Mothership.

Wikipedia: Ritz (Austin, Texas) (EN)

234 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 10: Austin Fire Station Number 1

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Austin Fire Station Number 1

Austin Central Fire Station 1, is a fire station at 401 East Fifth Street in Downtown Austin, Texas, United States. It is a part of the Austin Fire Department.

Wikipedia: Austin Central Fire Station 1 (EN)

383 meters / 5 minutes

Sight 11: Mexic-Arte Museum

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Mexic-Arte Museum is a fine arts museum in Austin, Texas. The Mission of the organization is to enrich and educate the community through the presentation and promotion of traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latino art and culture.

Wikipedia: Mexic-Arte Museum (EN), Website

608 meters / 7 minutes

Sight 12: Willie Nelson Statue

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Willie Nelson Statue Clete Shields (sculpture) / Carol M. Highsmith (photo) / Fair use

The Willie Nelson statue, or simply Willie, is a bronze sculpture of singer-songwriter Willie Nelson, located in Downtown Austin, Texas. The statue was commissioned to artist Clete Shields by the nonprofit organization Capital Area Statues.

Wikipedia: Willie Nelson statue (EN)

258 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 13: Buford Tower

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Buford Tower is a tower standing along the north shore of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. The structure was originally built in 1930 as a drill tower for the Austin Fire Department, but it now serves as a bell tower and landmark. Named after fire department Captain James L. Buford, the structure has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2016.

Wikipedia: Buford Tower (EN)

930 meters / 11 minutes

Sight 14: The Long Center for the Performing Arts

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The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts venue located along Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. The Long Center is the permanent home of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera and Ballet Austin and hosts other Austin-area performing arts organizations.

Wikipedia: Long Center for the Performing Arts (EN), Website

1242 meters / 15 minutes

Sight 15: North Lamar Boulevard

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The Lamar Boulevard Bridge is a historic arch bridge carrying Texas State Highway Loop 343 over Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas, United States. The bridge features six open-spandrel concrete arches spanning 659 feet (201 m) and carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily across the lake. Completed in 1942, the Lamar Boulevard Bridge was the second permanent bridge to cross the Colorado River, and one of the last Art Deco-style open-spandrel concrete arch bridges built in Texas. The bridge was named an Austin Landmark in 1993 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

Wikipedia: Lamar Boulevard Bridge (EN)

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Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

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