subject: Enjoying Austin For Free: Your Guide To The City's Free Attractions [print this page] Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in not only Texas but the country. With more homes being built and people moving in, its no wonder that lots of people are looking for things to do in Austin. If you are looking for somewhere to go or something to do that wont break the budget, look no further than these free activities in and around Austin.
Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol is a great place to visit at least once, especially if you have school age children. The capital is located at 1100 Congress Avenue. There are daily tours of the Capitol building and morning tours of the Governors Mansion, all for free. The Capitol grounds contain 22 acres with 17 monuments in addition to the Capitol building itself.
The Congress Avenue Bats
For this free activity, youll have to time your visit between March and early Fall. Each summer approximately 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats come to Austin and comprise the largest urban bat colony in North America. They reside underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue bridge. Stand on the bridge near dusk and then witness the bats come out after dark.
University of Texas Campus and Museums
The UT campus itself is a great place to visit for free. The campus is historic for its architecture and history. View the University of Texas tower and the Littlefield Fountain. The Harry Ransom Center is a free museum that houses the worlds first photograph and an authentic copy of the Gutenberg bible. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum also houses many historical and cultural exhibits. Finally, UT is home of the Texas Memorial Museum which includes real dinosaur tracks.
Zilker Botanical Gardens
This garden park is located in the Barton Springs area and houses 21 acres of park. There are many themed gardens on the grounds, including romantic rose garden, the butterfly garden and the Japanese garden. There is also a prehistoric garden that reflects this areas past as a major dinosaur roaming grounds during the Cretaceous period.
Blues on the Green
If youre blues music enthusiast, youll appreciate this free concert series every summer. Sponsered by 107.1 KGSR, Blues on the Green is normally held in Zilker Park (although 2009s festivities were in Waterloo Park due to construction projects). Local musicians like Marcia Ball, Los Lonely Boys and Jimmy Vaughan have all been part of the event in the past.
Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park
During the months of May through August you can catch this free concert series held at the Hartman Concert Park. Classical music, pops, jazz and film scores are played by ensembles from the Austin Symphony.
Movies in the Park at Republic Square
The Austin Parks foundation sponsors this event each summer at Republic Square Park. The films are projected onto an outdoor screen and residents are encouraged to bring their blankets, lawn chairs and picnic tables. The movies start at dusk.
by: Joe Cline
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