Top 8 Historic Places in the Austin

Austin, Texas, has a lot to offer with its lively live music scene, delicious BBQ, and beautiful outdoor attractions, but it’s also a city with a fascinating past just waiting to be uncovered. Preserving the past: from historic sites and museums to iconic landmarks and hidden gems, Austin mirrors the past.

No matter if you are an avid history buff, a first-time tourist or a local wanting to learn more about your city, these top historic spots in Austin will be on your must-see list.

1. Texas State Capitol

One of the most ideological monuments to Texas, the Texas State Capitol, is proudly located in Austin, at the center of everything. It has been the seat of its government since 1888. Constructed from sunset-red granite, this architectural work is taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Guests can wander through the grand rotunda, historic legislative chambers, and the Texas House of Representatives. Free guided tours offer fascinating glimpses into the building’s history, architecture, and role in Texas politics. So are the Capitol Grounds, which are dotted with statues and monuments, plus the lovely walking paths, which are well suited for an afternoon stroll. For an authentic Texas history experience, this is the place to begin.

2. The Bullock Texas State History Museum

If you’re looking for an encyclopedic dive into Texas history, the Bullock Texas State History Museum is a top pick. Named after Bob Bullock, a former Texas lieutenant governor, this interactive museum tells the story of Texas through artifacts, exhibits and films.

One of its features is an IMAX theater, which plays educational films as well as historical documentaries including “The Star of Destiny,” a dramatized retelling of key events in Texas history. In addition, visitors can view the Goddard Space Capsule, examine Native American artifacts, and find out about Texas’ bid for independence.

Whether you’re visiting solo, with family, or on a guided tour, the Bullock Museum is one of the best venues to learn about the unique part of the state.

3. The Driskill Hotel

One of Austin’s oldest sites, a visit to The Driskill Hotel is obligatory while in town. Built in 1886 by the cattle baron Jesse Driskill, this sumptuous hotel has welcomed presidents, celebrities, and countless travelers in the years since.

The Driskill, with its grand architecture, marble columns, stained-glass dome, and rich wood interiors, provides a window into Austin’s past. This is part of what adds to the mysteriousness of the place with many believing the hotel is haunted.

Whether you plan to spend the night, drop in for a drink at the famous Driskill Bar, or just gaze at the decor, it’s a must-see for anyone wanting to experience old-world Texas hospitality.

4. The French Legation

Built in 1841, and the oldest intact building in Austin, the new French Legation is located in east Austin. Constructed in 1841, it became the diplomatic outpost of the French government in the Republic of Texas.

Today, visitors can get a preview of 19th-century life in Texas at the French Legation Museum. The meticulously refurbished house is filled with antique furniture, period decor, and artifacts detailing the beginnings of Texas’ foreign affairs. The gardens surrounding it offer a tranquil retreat and are great for a leisurely afternoon walk. It’s a hidden jewel in Austin for fans of history that shouldn’t be passed up.

5. Congress Avenue Bridge

The Congress Avenue Bridge is not a historic site per se, but it bears a prominent place in the history of Austin. This bridge, originally built in the early 1900s, is famous for hosting North America’s largest urban bat colony.

Every night from March to October, thousands of spectators swarm the bridge to watch more than 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats leave their roost at sunset. It’s an experience, not to be forgotten, merging history, nature, and Austin’s enjoyment of the unusual. To mark it, grab a bridge-view spot or take a bat-watching boat tour along the Colorado River for bat watching.

6. Oakwood Cemetery

For history buffs, this is one of the most historic places in Austin. Founded in 1839, it is the burial site of many of Texas’ early pioneers, governors, and leaders.

As you walk through the cemetery, you will come across Victorian-era tombstones, historic mausoleums, and beautifully sculpted statues that tell the stories of the city’s evolution. Many ghost tours in Austin stop here, circulating ghostly tales with an interesting twist in the history of this area.

On the National Register of Historic Places, Oakwood Cemetery is an unconventional stop for those trying to unearth Austin's history in a more contemplative space.

7. The Texas Governor’s Mansion

In the heart of downtown, a few blocks from the Texas State Capitol, the Texas Governor’s Mansion is the official residence of Texas governors and has been since 1856. This Greek Revival-style mansion is the oldest continually occupied governor’s residence west of the Mississippi River.

The mansion is open for free public tours, and visitors can roam through the gracious interiors, antique furnishings, and historic portraits of past governors. If you’re into political history and architecture, this is a good stop on your Austin itinerary.

8. The Neill-Cochran House Museum

The Neill-Cochran House Museum was built in 1855 and is one of Austin’s oldest Historical surviving homes. It offers a glimpse at domestic life in the 19th century, cared-for period furniture, rotating exhibits, and an exploration of Texas’ architectural history.

It served many functions over the years, including as a temporary Confederate hospital during the Civil War. These days, it serves as a beautifully preserved museum where visitors can step back in time at one of Austin’s lesser-known historic sights.

Some More Historic Sites

The Elisabet Ney Museum

This historic museum in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood, formerly the home and studio of the famed 19th-century sculptor Elisabet Ney, is a must-see for lovers of art and history. Ney, a native German, arrived in Texas in the 1880s. She became well known for her life-like statues of historical figures, often Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin.

Her former home, Formosa, now has a museum that holds her original works, personal artifacts, and exhibits on her art and women’s history. The museum occupies 2.5 acres of picturesque land, providing a tranquil escape from the city noise.

A visit to the Elisabet Ney Museum gives a one-of-a-kind view into Austin’s artistic sherlock while paying tribute to one of Texas’ early female sculptors. And all ages are welcome and all can attend for free.

O. Henry Museum

The O. Henry Museum, which is in downtown Austin, is dedicated to the life and work of William Sydney Porter, the famous short story writer better known as O. Henry. Most famous for his twist endings, O. Henry’s stories, including The Gift of the Magi, are still literary classics.

Before he was a celebrated author, Porter lived in this small Victorian-style cottage in Austin, where he worked as a bank teller and as a journalist. Now preserved as a museum, the home features original furniture, manuscripts, and personal belongings, offering an intimate look inside his life.

The museum even hosts each year the O. Henry Pun-Off, a quirky showcase of wordplay and humor that he would have admired. Whether or not you’re a devotee of classic literature, this historic site is worth visiting, as well, if only to read the Halloween pun.

The Bremond Block Historic District

Nestled in downtown Austin, the Bremond Block Historic District is a well-preserved row of Victorian-era mansions constructed between the 1850s and 1910s. This historic district, once home to wealthy merchants and powerful families, is a glimpse into Austin’s Gilded Age past.

The homes, which feature elaborate woodwork and wrought-iron balconies, along with sweeping porches, are splendid examples of 19th-century architecture. Although these buildings are now private properties, a walking tour will take visitors past their exteriors and introduce them to the families that helped shape early Austin.

Roaming through the Bremond Block Historic District feels like a walk into antiquity, a stark contrast to the modern skyline that encircles it. This hidden gem is an under-the-radar historic treasure in Austin and a must-see for history buffs and architecture lovers.

Pioneer Farms

If you’d like to get an up-close-and-personal look at Texas history, visit Pioneer Farms, a living history museum just outside downtown Austin. This 90-acre site is an expansive leap back in time to 19th-century Texas, with historic homesteads and farmsteads, in addition to working blacksmith shops.

Costumed interpreters recreate the past, showing traditional crafts such as woodworking, farming, and weaving. A log cabin village and recreated Tonkawa Native American campsite can be explored, and visitors can take a horse-drawn wagon ride. The farm also offers seasonal festivals, storytelling experiences, and ghost tours, making it an entertaining and educational experience for the entire family.

Those curious about early settlers’ livelihoods in Austin and Central Texas can explore Pioneer Farms, an immersive village-like experience that brings the past to life and makes history itself feel tangible.

Austin History Center

For anyone wanting a thorough look at the history of Austin, the Austin History Center is an essential resource. Housed in a beautiful neoclassical 1933 building, this historical research library contains thousands of photographs, maps, newspapers, and documents chronicling the city’s development.

Visitors can peruse exhibits about Austin’s history, from its beginning as a small settlement to its development into a vibrant cultural center. Whether you’re studying your own Austin family roots, brushing up on Texas history, or just looking to view rare historical images, the Austin History Center is a rich resource.

The center, part of the Austin Public Library system, is free to visit and frequently has talks, special exhibitions, and community history events. For those seeking out hidden tales of Austin that go beyond the standard tourist guide.

The Susanna Dickinson Museum

In a charming 19th-century stone cottage, the Susanna Dickinson Museum recounts one of Texas’ most famous women’s stories, Susanna Dickinson, who survived the Battle of the Alamo. After the fall of the Alamo in 1836, she was spared by Santa Anna and sent to warn Sam Houston of the Mexican Army’s advance, playing a role in shaping Texas’ fight for independence.

It is now a museum and provides a fascinating view of her life and struggles as well as her contribution to Texas history. The museum includes original artifacts, period furniture, and interactive displays that whisk guests back to early Austin.

With a story both tragic and redemptive, Susanna Dickinson, as one of the few women to survive the siege of the Alamo, makes this museum a must-see for visitors who want to know more about Texas’s revolutionary history.

How to Experience Austin’s Historic Side

Austin is a city best discovered at your speed, whether on a walking tour, through self-guided visits, or small group explorations. Below are some tips for getting the most out of your historic outing:

Book a Guided Tour:

There are plenty of local companies running walking tours that guide you to some of the major places of interest in the city, including the Texas State Capitol and Congress Avenue.

Self-Guided Tours:

Want to explore on your own? Pick up a map and stroll the historic sites at your own pace. The city is easily walkable, and many sites are close.

Visit Museums and Cultural Centers:

Meeting the Bullock Texas State History Museum and Texas Memorial Museum will offer important historical context for your visit.

Look for Special Events:

Many historic sites post reenactments and guided tours that offer deeper context for the city’s past.

Conclusion

Whether you’re standing in the grand halls of the Texas Capitol, crossing the Congress Avenue Bridge, or walking the quiet paths of Oakwood Cemetery, every corner of Austin, Texas, has a story to tell.

Next time you’re in Austin, step away from the vibrant nightlife scene and mouth-watering tacos to check out some of its historic sites. So whether you’re a history buff or simply interested in what our forefathers were up to, Austin’s landmarks, museums, and historical neighborhoods provide an experience to remember.

Ready to explore? Discover the best of Austin, Texas, one iconic site at a time with Austin tours with See Sight Tours!