The Congress Avenue bridge in downtown Austin spans Lady Bird Lake and is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Each night the bats emerge from under the bridge to forage for food. With a colony estimated at 1.5 million bats, this is a spectacular attraction. Plan to arrive 90 minutes before sunset to get a good viewing spot as this is a popular event. There is some free parking on the Southwest corner of South 1st street and Lady Bird Lake. Paid parking is available in the Hyatt parking garage across the street, as well as at the Austin American Statesman and Palmer Events Center. Capital Cruises features a Sunset Bat Watching excursion which fills up during bat season so book in advance. Use this link to learn more about Capital Cruises and buy tickets.
Austin Duck Adventures offers an amphibious tour including downtown Austin and Lake Austin in Hydra Terra vehicles. This is a popular tour so book tickets online ahead of time.
Live Love Paddle offers kayaks, canoes, nucnaoes and paddle boards for rent on Lady Bird Lake, as well as various tours (bat watching, full moon night tour etc.)
Austin Detours offers a selection of city tours including Austin and Hill Country which travels through historic neighborhoods and gives views of the lake and Austin hills, Austin’s Art and Architecture which looks at the city’s most iconic buildings and public art installations, and Offbeat and Hidden Austin which gives a glimpse into Austin’s music scene. If you’re short on time their Very Best of ATX City Center Panoramic Tour will give you a great introduction to the city in 90 minutes.
Austin Wine Tours works exclusively with wineries in Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg and Marble Falls and is committed to providing the finest wine the Hill Country has to offer.
Lake Travis Zip Line Adventures offers 5 zip lines, the last three of which are the longest and fastest zip lines in Texas.
