Local Sights of Austin, Texas
Austin is a friendly town with many interesting sights! Here are some unique and exciting places to visit!
Click on the link for more information about each attraction.
• The Bats of the Congress Avenue Bridge http://www.io.com/house/bats1.html
Each spring thousands of free-tail bats and their newly born offspring leave the shelter of downtown bridges to hunt for night insects. Viewing is available along the bridge or from boats on Ladybird Lake below the bridge.
• The Texas State Capitol http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/capitol/texcap.htm
With an exterior that models the national capitol building, the Texas State Capitol building houses the meeting chambers for the State Senate and State House of Representatives. An awe-inspiring dome hovers over 3 floors of historical artifacts, exhibits and a gift shop. Try out the full-service dining room in the basement—you are likely to mingle with legislators when the Senate and House are in session.
• "Sixth Street" Live Music Capitol of the USA
A stroll down Sixth Street in the heart of Austin’s downtown neighborhood will reward you with sights and sounds from Austin’s thriving music industry. Live music is available at many venues along the way, along with tasty local foods and beverages.
• Broken Spoke Dance Hall
This historic dance hall near downtown offers dance lessons and a variety of country Western tunes to please the listener and dancer alike. Especially lively on weekends.
• Umlauf Sculpture Garden http://www.umlaufsculpture.org/
Imagine a quiet garden accented with bronze statues. This is Umlauf Sculpture Gardens. The artist, Charles Unlauf, was a long-time resident of Austin and his work is open to the public. Art shows and demonstrations are often available at the gardens as well.
• Elizabet Ney Sculpture Studio http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/elisabetney/
The home of sculptor Elizabet Ney, this house exhibits her works of plaster and paint. Sculpting the great men of Texas, she became an important artist in the nineteenth century.
• Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
Showcasing the turbulent and important history of Texas, this museum also contains an IMAX theater and a gift shop loaded with Texas memorabilia. A great stop to learn more about Texas’s colorful past!
• Blanton Art Museum http://blantonmuseum.org/index.cfm?CFID=11782013&CFTOKEN=51302761
This most recent art museum to Austin offers displays of the art collected by James Michner and gifted to the University of Texas. An excellent Western art collection is also housed here in addition to temporary exhibits that have special significance in the art world. Free on Thursdays.
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