Austin

The permanent collection of more than 13,000 works here ranges from ancient to contemporary art. — Michelin Guide

Dominating Austin's skyline, the Renaissance Revival-style capitol was built in 1888 (Elijah E. Myers) of red granite and limestone. — Michelin Guide

A municipal park located on the western edge of the city above Town Lake... making it a popular spot for surveying the surrounding area. — Travel + Leisure

More than 45 million pages, an extensive collection of audio recordings, and 2,000 interviews fill a four-story glass-encased research room from floor to ceiling. — Travel + Leisure

This 744-acre state park is 13 miles southeast of downtown Austin. — Fodor's

Enjoy the native gardens and plants. The center uses solar power, has a green roof, and offers community outreach programs to restore the environment. — Travel + Leisure

The Harry Ransom Center’s holdings are vast, varied and ever-growing, from Frida Kahlo paintings to Woodward and Bernstein’s Watergate notes to Robert De Niro’s papers. — Travel + Leisure

Named after an illustrious Texas lieutenant governor, this sunset-red expanse of granite, framed by a 35ft-tall bronze star and the six flags of Texas, has three floors of exhibits. — Michelin Guide

While you’re waiting for the bats, make sure not to miss the view to the West as the sun drops below the jagged skyline of the Texas Hill Country. — Fodor's

Pack your picnic baskets and head out to Zilker Park for an evening of live, local music. — Afar Magazine

The German portrait sculptor Elisabet Ney made Austin her home in 1892. The studio and home became a museum after her death. — Condé Nast Traveler

This museum will be of interest to children up to 12 years old...Tots enjoy the low-tech but creative playscapes; older kids take on a variety of "creation stations." — Frommer's

The Austin Nature & Science Center, located in Zilker Park, has a range of family friendly activities and hands-on exhibits. — Travel + Leisure

Emma Long Metropolitan Park is the only city-owned park that offers camping—and the only one that has a beach. — Time Out

Nature, organized. Japanese garden and roses are must-sees. — Not For Tourists

A gleaming copper dome, a soaring rotunda, and a 35-foot-tall bronze star out front set the tone for this museum, devoted to Texas boosterism; it’s as bold as the state itself, and loads of fun — Frommer's

You'll find a quiet, beautiful garden that's home to works by the 20th century American sculptor Charles Umlauf, who taught for many years at UT. — Travel + Leisure