Austin, TX

Named after Texas' former Lieutenant Governor, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum expertly tells the "story of Texas" throughout its three floors of educational, interactive exhibits. The museum's exhibits center on the three themes: Land,

Named after Texas' former Lieutenant Governor, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum expertly tells the "story of Texas" throughout its three floors of educational, interactive exhibits. The museum's exhibits center on the three themes: Land, Identity and Opportunity.

Housed on the first floor, the Land Exhibit explores the first meetings between Native Americans and European explorers as well as early missions, settlers and soldiers in Texas. The Identity Exhibit demonstrates Texas' history, from becoming the 28th state to the 1936 Centennial. The exhibit's centerpiece is an impressive 60-foot-tall video wall showcasing the state's historical timeline. Lastly, the Opportunity Exhibit explores the preservation of Texas' land and the social and economic role of ranching and oil drilling, as well as how key Texas cities physically and culturally bring the state together.

Other museum highlights include the Texas Spirit Theater, the largest multimedia special effects theater in Texas. The 200-seat, three-screen theater shows the "Star of Destiny" special effects show twice an hour daily. Also in the museum is Austin's only IMAX theater, which features the signature film Texas: The Big Picture.

Several museum spaces may be rented for private events. Capable of hosting 1,200 guests, the beautiful Grand Lobby features a four-story-tall rotunda, grand staircase, 40-foot-wide terrazzo floor design and 50-foot-wide granite floor map of Texas. Located on the museum's fourth floor, the 18-person boardroom is the perfect venue for an intimate meeting. The 400-seat IMAX theater, 118-seat museum caf and Texas Spirit Theater may also be rented for private events.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from noon to 6 PM. Admission to exhibits is $4 for children ages 5-18 and $7 for adults. Additional charges apply for other attractions; combination rates are available.

One of Austin's most popular attractions is also one of its most unique. Each year, more than 100,000 people gather on the downtown Congress Avenue Bridge to watch the world's largest urban bat colony of over 1.5 million bats emerge. Every summer,

One of Austin's most popular attractions is also one of its most unique. Each year, more than 100,000 people gather on the downtown Congress Avenue Bridge to watch the world's largest urban bat colony of over 1.5 million bats emerge. Every summer, the Mexican bat colony makes the bridge - now an eco-tourism protected destination - their home and come out at night to feed. During a nightly flight, it's estimated that the bats eat 10,000 to 20,000 pounds of insects and agricultural pests.

The best place to view the bats' flight is from the observation area located at the southeast corner of the bridge. Peak viewing months are June to August, as most bats are in Mexico during the off-peak months. Interpreters are stationed at the bridge Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August.

As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is home to more than 200 live music venues that showcase a wide range of musical genres and musicians. Austin's Sixth Street, the city's entertainment and live music center, is most likely Texas'

As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is home to more than 200 live music venues that showcase a wide range of musical genres and musicians. Austin's Sixth Street, the city's entertainment and live music center, is most likely Texas' best-known street. The seven-block thoroughfare is located in the heart of downtown Austin, just southeast of the Capitol. An eclectic mix of bars, live entertainment venues, tattoo parlors, art galleries, cafes and restaurants, Sixth Street draws a diverse crowd ranging from University of Texas students and musicians to celebrities and politicians.

Live music of every genre, including jazz, blues, country, rock, hip hop, progressive, metal and punk, can be heard along the street, where restaurants and bars are known for serving up such regional staples as chili, steaks and Tex Mex fare. Lined with many historical houses and commercial buildings dating from the late 1800s and 1900s, this live music mecca is also the site of the annual Austin Mardi Gras, Pecan Street Festival, Republic of Texas Bikers Rally and Halloween celebration. For a slightly quieter, yet still unique Sixth Street experience, West Sixth Street is home to an array of antique stores, art galleries, salons, restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops.

Regarded as one of the nation's most distinguished state capitol buildings, the Texas State Capitol is a shining example of late 19th century Renaissance Revival architecture. Completed in 1888, the building is situated atop of one of the city's

Regarded as one of the nation's most distinguished state capitol buildings, the Texas State Capitol is a shining example of late 19th century Renaissance Revival architecture. Completed in 1888, the building is situated atop of one of the city's highest points and finished with an exterior of "sunset red" granite. The building underwent a $75 million expansion in 1993, doubling the functional square footage for occupants, while in 1995 a $98 million restoration project improved and refurbished the building's exterior and interior. Final renovations occurred in 1997 with an $8 million upgrade to the 22 acres surrounding the building.

A popular attraction for Capitol visitors, the surrounding grounds feature 17 monuments honoring such Austin figures as heroes of the Alamo, volunteer firemen and soldiers. It is also home to the Great Walk, a black-and-white diamond-patterned pavement walk shaded by trees. Nearby, the Texas State Capitol Visitor's Center is housed in the General Land Office Building, the oldest state office building in Texas. The three-story, castle-like building features exhibits on famous Austin writer O. Henry, a Capitol timeline covering six eras of Texas history, and an 80-inch-tall, 40-inch-wide eye-level replica of the Texas State Capitol dome.

The Texas State Capitol Visitor's Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Free guided tours of the Capitol run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM and Sunday from noon to 3:30 PM. Tours and admission to both the Capitol and visitor's center are free.

The centerpiece of Austin's Zilker Park, the beautiful 31-acre Zilker Botanical Gardens are visited by more than 300,000 people every year. Situated along the south bank of the Colorado River, the grounds are home to numerous gardens including the

The centerpiece of Austin's Zilker Park, the beautiful 31-acre Zilker Botanical Gardens are visited by more than 300,000 people every year. Situated along the south bank of the Colorado River, the grounds are home to numerous gardens including the Green Garden. Here, guests can stroll a collection of nine different garden designs showcasing native and adapted plants that require fewer pesticides and less water. The three-acre, breathtaking Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden features a Japanese teahouse and "Bridge to Walk Over the Moon." Expertly positioned, the bridge reflects a high moon in the water that follows guests as they walk across.

A visitor favorite, the Hartman Prehistoric Garden was constructed after the 1992 park discovery of more than 100 tracks made by six or seven dinosaur-era reptiles. The garden features life-size dinosaur sculptures and an array of dinosaur-era plants, including ferns, horsetails, magnolias and palms. The garden's surrounding moat is stocked with gar, an ancient fish that still survives to this day. Other gardens include the Cactus and Succulent Garden, Herb and Fragrance Garden, Mabel Davis Rose Garden and Doug Blachly Butterfly Trail and Garden.

The gardens have private rental space in both indoor and outdoor locations. The Zilker Botanical Gardens are open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM. Admission is free. On-site parking is free on weekdays and $3 on weekends.

The Austin Museum of Art is such a huge part of the city's culture that the museum is housed in two locations. The original home, known as Laguna Gloria, is a recently-restored 1916 Italian-style villa. Located just 15 minutes away from downtown

The Austin Museum of Art is such a huge part of the city's culture that the museum is housed in two locations. The original home, known as Laguna Gloria, is a recently-restored 1916 Italian-style villa. Located just 15 minutes away from downtown Austin, Laguna Gloria showcases the museum's temporary contemporary exhibits. Surrounded by 12 acres of lush grounds overlooking Lake Austin, the villa features a front oval lawn with a cascading fountain and fieldstone-terraced amphitheater nestled among towering oak and elm trees.

In downtown Austin, the museum's primary exhibition site houses an array of 20th century and contemporary American art. Exhibitions include paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and prints by historic and contemporary Texas artists, often supplemented by films and listening/reading stations. In the effort to accommodate the museum's ever-growing collection, preliminary designs have recently been unveiled for a second $23 million museum facility to be built downtown. The 40,000-square-foot, three-story building is set for a 2011 completion.

The Austin Museum of Art offers several venues for private rentals, including the downtown facility's private 1,100-square-foot Community Room. Here, event guests enjoy private access to exhibitions and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook downtown Austin. The museum's Laguna Gloria facility offers indoor and outdoor event space, including the 200-seat amphitheater and the fountain lawn with space for up to 400 guests.

The Laguna Gloria villa is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM; its grounds are open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The downtown Austin Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Laguna Gloria's suggested donation for admission is $3. Admission to the downtown museum is $5 for adults and $4 for students. Admission for guests under 12 is free, while Tuesday admission is just $1 for adults and students. On-site garage parking is available.

The award-winning III Forks in Austin specializes in Texas French cuisine, parti cularly USDA prime steaks, fresh fish and coldwater lobster. Elegant and sophisticated, III Forks' interior is finished in mahogany with marble accents and stately crown

The award-winning III Forks in Austin specializes in Texas French cuisine, parti cularly USDA prime steaks, fresh fish and coldwater lobster. Elegant and sophisticated, III Forks' interior is finished in mahogany with marble accents and stately crown molding. Menu favorites include New York pepper strip steak, veal loin chop, Austrian lobster tail and Alaskan halibut. All entrees are served with duchess potatoes, off-the-cob cream corn and fresh vegetables.

The restaurant houses three private rooms for events. The Governor's Room, with a tiered ceiling and gilded chandeliers, has space for 60 guests; the Captain's Room has space for up to 45 guests; and the intimate Poker Room accommodates up to 12 guests. III Forks in Austin serves dinner Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 PM. Entrees range from $28 to $54.

One of Austin's favorite dining locales, the quirky Chez Zee combines a Parisian-style bakery with a casual American bistro. The family-owned restaurant is known for such dishes as chicken breast stuffed with spicy jalapeo cornbread and applewood

One of Austin's favorite dining locales, the quirky Chez Zee combines a Parisian-style bakery with a casual American bistro. The family-owned restaurant is known for such dishes as chicken breast stuffed with spicy jalapeo cornbread and applewood smoked pork chops with black coffee barbeque sauce and sweet potato pudding. Diners should leave room for such signature desserts as lemon rosemary cake, chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake and mocha fudge torte. With an interior accented by string lights, yellow walls and dark wood tables, Chez Zee caps off the experience with nightly live piano performances.

Chez Zee offers several private dining rooms, including the Crescent Room with space for up to 45 people; the South Side room with space for 30 people; and a private dining room with space for up to 120 people. Outdoor seating for 40 people is available in the courtyard area or the gallery patio. Chez Zee serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5 PM, while dinner is served Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10:30 PM, Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11:30 PM and Sunday from 5 to 10 PM. Brunch is offered every Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Entrees range from $15 to $30.

A favorite among locals and tourists alike since its 1989 opening, Shoreline Grill offers a casual atmosphere with an unparalleled view of Town Lake and the Colorado River. Shoreline Grill's cozy interior boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed

A favorite among locals and tourists alike since its 1989 opening, Shoreline Grill offers a casual atmosphere with an unparalleled view of Town Lake and the Colorado River. Shoreline Grill's cozy interior boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed brick, low lighting and honey-colored wood. Specializing in classic American cuisine, the restaurant's menu favorites include alder wood plank salmon with cilantro beurre blanc and whipped potatoes, parmesan-crusted chicken on penne pasta, and seared sea scallops with pistachio goat cheese polenta.

Located just a short walk away from the Austin Convention Center, Shoreline Grill offers three private rooms for 50 to 200 guests. With a soothing fountain and vine-covered trellis, the outdoor courtyard is equally ideal for up to 100 people. Shoreline Grill serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM and dinner Monday through Friday from 5 to 10 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 9 PM. Entrees range from $22 to $47.

The wildly popular Uchi, meaning "house," combines local seasonal ingredients with seafood from around the globe to create traditional Japanese cuisine with a twist. Voted the best new chef in America in 2005 by Food & Wine magazine, Executive

The wildly popular Uchi, meaning "house," combines local seasonal ingredients with seafood from around the globe to create traditional Japanese cuisine with a twist. Voted the best new chef in America in 2005 by Food & Wine magazine, Executive Chef Tyson Cole oversees the restaurant in a refurbished cottage-style home, similar to many traditional sushi houses in Japan.

Flying in fresh seafood from the Tsukij market in Tokyo daily, the restaurant features a combination of raw sushi and sashimi dishes and a variety of hot and cold dishes called "tastings," all served family style. Favorite tastings include the toro huta, made of bluefin toro, and the shiromi nabe, which consists of tempura whitefish, shiitake mushrooms, fresh ginger and Japanese eggplant frites.

Uchi serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 PM and Saturday from 5 to 11 PM. Tasting dishes range from $5 to $19, while sushi and sashimi selections range from $3 to $18 per piece.

Austin's award-winning Wink is known for its innovative use of the freshest ingredients. With seafood flown in daily from the East and West coasts and produce, herbs and cheeses sourced from local farms, Wink's contemporary American fare is made with

Austin's award-winning Wink is known for its innovative use of the freshest ingredients. With seafood flown in daily from the East and West coasts and produce, herbs and cheeses sourced from local farms, Wink's contemporary American fare is made with infused oils and sauces based on fresh vegetable purees and essences. Wink favorites include seared veal sweetbreads with black pepper gnocchi, antelope with rosa Bianca eggplant, and seared foie gras on vanilla corn puree. The food-friendly wine list of 70 bottle selections and 50 wines by the glass are carefully chosen to complement the daily-changing menu.

Wink serves dinner Monday through Saturday starting at 6 PM. Entrees average $30.

The Austin Children's Museum expertly creates innovative learning experiences that appeal to children and parents alike. Founded in 1983, the museum features such educational exhibits as Kid Metro, a child-sized version of an Austin Capital Metro

The Austin Children's Museum expertly creates innovative learning experiences that appeal to children and parents alike. Founded in 1983, the museum features such educational exhibits as Kid Metro, a child-sized version of an Austin Capital Metro bus where passengers can examine maps and learn about the environmental benefits of public transportation. The three-level Funstruction Zone is stocked with kid-friendly construction materials, tools and operable equipment, while the Global City Exhibit invites kids to work as a doctor at the health clinic, order lunch at the diner or shop in the grocery store.

Staying true to Austin's reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World, one of the most popular museum exhibits is the Austin Kiddie Gallery where kids can dress up in costume and perform a song by one of 12 featured Texas artists onstage. The Austin Children's Museum also offers daily programs and activities, including story time and crafts ranging from making kazoos and guitars to building and observing penny parachutes.

The Austin Children's Museum offers private event rentals throughout its 12,500 square feet of exhibit space for up to 300 guests. The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Wednesday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Admission is $6.50 for guests ages 2 and up and $4.50 for infants ages 12-23 months. Admission is free for children under 12 months. The museum charges admission by donation every Wednesday from 5 to 8 PM, while Sunday admission is free from 4 to 5 PM. On-site garage parking is available.

At 180,000 total square feet, the renowned Blanton Museum of Art, operated by the University of Texas at Austin, is the largest university art museum complex in the United States. But the museum's size isn't its only impressive asset - its expansive

At 180,000 total square feet, the renowned Blanton Museum of Art, operated by the University of Texas at Austin, is the largest university art museum complex in the United States. But the museum's size isn't its only impressive asset - its expansive collection of 17,000 European, Latin American, American and contemporary works is regarded as one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind.

Museum highlights include the Suida-Manning Collection of 230 paintings and 400 drawings in the Renaissance and Baroque style, as well as the Latin American collection of more than 1,800 pieces from over 600 artists from Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean. The museum's collection of modern and contemporary American art includes more than 4,000 paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture and new media dating from the mid-19th century to the present.

The $83.5 million Blanton Museum complex, which opened in 2006, features the 124,000-square-foot Mari and James A. Michener Gallery Building and 56,000-square-foot Edgar A. Smith Building. The Michener Gallery houses the permanent collection and temporary exhibits, while the Smith Building is home to the museum caf, shop, classrooms, auditorium and offices. The Blanton Museum's spacious 145,000-square-foot public plaza and garden is lined by 100 cedar and elm trees that perfectly frame the plaza's view of the Texas Capitol dome.

The light-filled, sleek and modern Blanton Museum of Art is the perfect venue for private events. Museum rental spaces include the Osborne Seminar Room, with space for up to 40 people, as well as the breathtaking, elegant Rapoport Atrium, which features a 50-foot-tall ceiling, several skylights and space for up to 300 people. The entire Michener Gallery Building can also be rented for up to 500 guests.

The Blanton Museum of Art is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM. The monthly event known as B Scene, held the first Friday of each month, features open exhibitions, cocktails and live music from 6 to 11 PM. Public gallery tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM, Thursday at 12:30 PM and at 7 PM and during each month's B Scene Event. Admission to the Blanton Museum of Art is $3 for guests ages 13-21 and $7 for adults. Admission for children under 12 is free. Thursday admission is free for all visitors.

Since 1980, the George Washington Carver Museum has been a key source of the collection, preservation and exhibition of African-American historical and cultural material. Texas' first African-American neighborhood museum, it was named after George

Since 1980, the George Washington Carver Museum has been a key source of the collection, preservation and exhibition of African-American historical and cultural material. Texas' first African-American neighborhood museum, it was named after George Washington Carver, the American hero who rose from slavery to become one of the 20th century's greatest scientists.

The 36,000-square-foot museum examines Austin African-American families who have contributed to the Central Texan landscape, as well as famous African-American scientists and investors. As the museum's core exhibit, the Juneteenth Gallery celebrates the history and evolution of the Texas-born day of celebration that marks the end of slavery in the United States.

The George Washington Carver Museum offers private rentals in its three conference rooms, each with space for six to 25 people, during normal business hours. The George Washington Carver Museum is open Monday and Friday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM, Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 8 PM and Saturday from 1 to 5 PM. Guided tours of the museum are offered Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission to the museum is free and on-site parking is available.

Operating the only authentic, double-decked paddlewheel riverboat on Austin's beautiful Town Lake, Lonestar Riverboat Tours offer both public and private sightseeing and sunset cruises. Lone Star Riverboat's fleet includes the signature Lone Star,

Operating the only authentic, double-decked paddlewheel riverboat on Austin's beautiful Town Lake, Lonestar Riverboat Tours offer both public and private sightseeing and sunset cruises. Lone Star Riverboat's fleet includes the signature Lone Star, a 56-foot-long, 18-foot-wide authentic riverboat; the Little Star, a one-level, 32-foot-long electric pontoon cruiser; and the Southern Star, a one-level, 35-foot-long pontoon cruiser. Each craft can hold 80 people, 34 people and 60 people, respectively. The Lone Star's weekend sightseeing tour is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, taking passengers past such Austin points of interest as the Texas Capitol Building, Zilker Park and Barton Creek.

Private cruises on the Lone Star for up to 80 guests can be arranged year-round. Lasting an hour and a half, the weekend sightseeing tour operates every Saturday and Sunday, March to October, at 3 PM. Public cruise schedules of other cruises vary based on cruise type. Weekend sightseeing tours are $6 for children under 12 and $9 for adults. Daily, one-hour baywatching and sunset cruises on Little Star and Southern Star are $5 for children under 12 and $8 for adults.

Regarded by many as Austin's crown jewel, the 351-acre Zilker Park is home to a variety of recreational activities and cultural sites that appeal to visitors of all ages and interests. For the sports enthusiast, Zilker Park offers hike and bike

Regarded by many as Austin's crown jewel, the 351-acre Zilker Park is home to a variety of recreational activities and cultural sites that appeal to visitors of all ages and interests. For the sports enthusiast, Zilker Park offers hike and bike trails, two sand volleyball courts, a nine-hole disc golf course, nine soccer fields, a rugby field and two multi-use fields. Guests can also canoe or kayak on Town Lake or ride the Zilker Zephyr miniature train.

Residents and tourists alike flock to the park's Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring-fed pool with a year-round average temperature of 68°F. The three-acre pool is fed from underground springs, the largest of which pumps an average of 27 million gallons of water per day. Admission to Barton Springs Pool is $1 for children ages 11 and under, $2 for youths ages 12-17 and $3 for adults.

Zilker Park is also home to the popular Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, which features various works by the 20th century American sculptor Charles Umlauf and other contemporary artists, many of which were Umlauf's students at the University of Texas. The sculptures are nestled along tree-lined paths, bridges and an arbor overlooking a water lily pond.

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum offers several venues for private events, including the outdoor covered terrace for up to 200 guests and glass-enclosed conservatory for up to 40 guests. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4:30 PM. Admission is $3.50 per guest, while children under 6 receive free admission.

Zilker Park is open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM. Admission to the park is free and on-site parking is available.