Austin's Best Free Attraction 2008

More than a century of legislators and governors have passed through the doors of this historic building.

Reviews:

• “Nice Capital”
• “Kids Love It – Great Location”
• “What A Capitol”
• “Lots of fun”
• “historypreserved”

Tips: The grounds are open 24 hours a day and make a great spot for a romantic stroll after a night downtown.

Texas State Capitol

Austin’s 400-acre crown jewel, featuring beautiful gardens, outdoor concerts and plenty of room for fun in the sun.

Reviews:

• “Great for Kids and Adults”
• “Everything”
• “One Stop Shop for Fun”

Tips: The north side of Zilker Park makes a great starting point for a walk on the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail.

Zilker Park

Austin’s musical ambassador to TV Land.

Tips: Call the Austin City Limits hotline at (512) 475-9077 to find which artist is taping and what radio stations to listen to. Free tickets are given out one to three days in advance.

Austin City Limits

Start and finish a night on the town on this boulevard of bars, dance clubs and more.

Reviews:

• “Sixth Street Tips”
• “Question”
• “Great!…on the right night”
• “ToNs Of FuN!”
• “Quantity over Quality”

Tips: Sixth Street is blocked off on weekends during big events and holidays, such as New Year’s, Halloween and the Old Pecan Street Festival.

Sixth Street

Urban greenspace takes on a while new meaning at these lush, exotic and varied gardens.

Reviews:

• “Mother of all Aloe”
• “Dead Animals Are Cool!”

Tips: Although they seem like the perfect place for a picnic, you can’t bring food into the gardens.

Zilker Botanical Gardens

A monument to the life of one of Austin’s best-known political legend.

Reviews:

• “Interesting History”

Tips: Don’t miss the display on Johnson the humorist or the seven-eighths-size replica of the Oval Office, complete with three-screen TV console.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

Beneath this Austin roadway resides the largest urban bat colony in North America.

Reviews:

• “Weird but cool”
• “What A Bat-y Night”
• “Love those bats!”
• “EVERYTHINGS BATTY”
• “Bats and boats”

Tips: When the bat population is at its peak (in August, the newborn bats, or pups, begin foraging with their mothers), it may take up to 45 minutes for all the bats to go out on the prowl.

Congress Avenue Bridge

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