Downtown Austin Travel Guide

Austin

A city street with a large domed building in the background, surrounded by trees and various vehicles.
A city skyline with a river and bridges.
A modern urban street with tall buildings, traffic lights, and a crosswalk.
A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a pedestrian path, and a river.
A tree-lined urban street with parked cars and a building with a rainbow flag.

This happening area is the place to go for the top-quality entertainment, dining and shopping that has made Austin famous.

Austin is one of the hippest cities in the United States, and Downtown Austin is at the centre of it all. Explore the nexus of the state capital of Texas and discover its inimitable live music scene and interesting shops.

Come to Sixth Street for a night on the town. This is Austin’s undisputed entertainment district for tourists and locals. Listen to live music or go dancing. With dozens of bars lining the street, you have plenty of choice when it comes to finding your favourite drink.

For a more upscale evening of entertainment, visit the Warehouse District, sometimes called “Sixth Street for grown-ups.” Choose from trendy restaurants and swanky clubs, most of which are housed in converted warehouses.

You’ll need several days, or perhaps even weeks, to experience all of Austin’s top entertainment venues. Attend a performance in the historic Paramount Theatre. Look up when you’re inside the art nouveau interior features a gorgeous ornate ceiling. See a headliner performance at the well-known Moody Theatre, where a clever layout ensures you’re never far from the stage. Enjoy delicious barbecue and high-profile entertainment at Stubb’s BBQ.

Purchase a souvenir in the Second Street shopping district. Browse specialty shops, boutiques and high-end stores.

You can’t miss the pink granite Texas State Capitol. Perched on a hill, this magnificent building lords over Downtown Austin. Join a guided tour to learn more about the city and examine the building’s splendid Renaissance Revival architecture up close.

Steel yourself for flying fun at Congress Avenue Bridge. The bridge, which spans Lady Bird Lake, may not look like much at first glance but it is home to one of the largest urban bat colonies in the world. Watch up to 1.5 million bats emerge from the bridge at sundown each night between March and October.

Downtown Austin is in the heart of the city and very pedestrian friendly. Walk to many of the city’s top destinations. If you prefer, take a taxi or Capital Metro bus lines.


Stay near popular Downtown Austin attractions

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Austin

citizenM Austin Downtown

citizenM Austin Downtown

4 out of 5
617 COLORADO ST Austin TX
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,622 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
฿3,622
฿4,323 total
12 Jul - 13 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,633 reviews)
"Fun,modern, stylish property in a great downtown location. Easy to walk to many great restauarsts, bars, 6th St, etc. Factor in about $35 a night to park in a public garage, as this property does not have parking. The breakfast was the usual/simple, but done nicely. I appreciated the chicken sausage ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2026

citizenM Austin Downtown
Hyatt House Austin/Downtown

Hyatt House Austin/Downtown

3.5 out of 5
901 Neches Street Austin TX
The price is ฿3,858 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
฿3,858
฿4,632 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,792 reviews)
"The hotel facilities were clean and my room was very clean and exceeded my expectations. The breakfast was really good. Definetly, I stay again in this property."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2026

Hyatt House Austin/Downtown
Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown

Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown

3 out of 5
68 Eeast Ave Austin TX
The price is ฿4,571 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
฿4,571
฿5,483 total
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Austin. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,213 reviews)
"The outdoor pool on the 5th floor was pretty cool"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2026

Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown
Tommie Austin, part of Jdv by Hyatt

Tommie Austin, part of Jdv by Hyatt

3.5 out of 5
506 San Jacinto Blvd Austin TX
The price is ฿5,948 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
฿5,948
฿7,151 total
5 Jul - 6 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Austin. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,136 reviews)
"What a cute little place to stay for a quick getaway. The location was perfect…a half a block off 6th Street and a couple of blocks from Congress Avenue. The rooftop bar had a great vibe."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2026

Tommie Austin, part of Jdv by Hyatt
Fairmont Austin

Fairmont Austin

4 out of 5
101 Red River St Austin TX
The price is ฿6,604 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
฿6,604
฿9,316 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Austin. Enjoy a full-service spa, 6 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,331 reviews)
"From the moment we arrived, we were treated well and loved all the amenities! You really don’t have leave the hotel."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2026

Fairmont Austin
Thompson Austin, by Hyatt

Thompson Austin, by Hyatt

4.5 out of 5
506 San Jacinto Blvd Austin TX
The price is ฿11,597 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
฿11,597
฿15,275 total
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Austin. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (372 reviews)
"The hotel has a terrible smell upon entrance. Some may be ok with that, however this is a luxury hotel. It should have a luxury ambience. The other part is that the Tommie hotel also connects to it, so you should just book there for half the co. It’s literally the same lobby, bars, pool, etc. You ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2026

Thompson Austin, by Hyatt
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Where to stay in Downtown Austin

Find the best Downtown Austin areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown Austin
Learn more about Downtown Austin

Lower Basin Lake Travis

If you're spending some time in Lower Basin Lake Travis, Lake Travis and Lake Austin are top sights worth seeing.

The Domain

Great live music beloved sports teams and top sights from Domain Northside to Cap City Comedy Club – discover The Domain, a destination also famous for its entertainment.

Lago Vista

Lago Vista is noteworthy for its lake views, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Lake Travis and Lago Vista Golf Course.

South Congress

The abundant dining options and stunning river views are top of the list for many visitors to South Congress. A stop by South Congress Avenue or South First Street might round out your trip.

East Cesar Chavez

While you're in East Cesar Chavez, take in top sights like East Sixth Street and jump on the metro at Plaza Saltillo Station to see more of the city.



Downtown Austin Travel Guide