Austin's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Landmarks & Culture
Places: 21 POIsDistance: 17.54 miDuration: 1h:19m
Tour #2630
About this English self-guided 1h:19m driving tour in Austin
Welcome to Austin, Texas — the live music capital of the world, a city where history, creativity, and pure Texas spirit meet on every corner. I’m your UCPlaces guide, and together we’re about to explore the best of what makes Austin so unforgettable.
This tour takes you through the heart of the city — from the iconic UT Tower and the Bullock Texas State History Museum to the soulful East 11th Street district, the grand Texas State Capitol, and the legendary Driskill Hotel. You’ll roll past Congress Avenue’s classic skyline views, through the charm of South Congress, and down to Zilker Park, where locals gather for music, festivals, and sunshine by the water.
Along the way, you’ll see everything from art murals like “I Love You So Much” and “Greetings from Austin,” to cultural landmarks such as the Mexic-Arte Museum, the Paramount Theatre, and the Texas State Cemetery — resting place of the state’s most remarkable figures. And of course, we’ll stop by the famous Congress Avenue Bridge, home to Austin’s beloved bats, and pay tribute to music legend Stevie Ray Vaughan at Town Lake Park.
We’ve designed this route carefully so you can enjoy the best possible experience, with smooth navigation and great timing for each stop. To get the full effect, make sure to follow the designated route in your app. You might notice we circle around a few times — that’s intentional! It’s all part of the plan to help you catch the best views, hear each story in the right place, and truly get to know Austin from every angle.
So buckle up, keep your eyes open, and get ready to discover Austin — a city of bold ideas, legendary music, and endless charm. Let’s get started!
On your right is the UT Tower and Main Building, the beating heart of the University of Texas at Austin — one of the largest and most respected public universities in the country.
The Tower, built in 1937, stands over 300 feet tall and can be seen from nearly every corner of the city. It’s more than just a landmark — it’s a symbol of Austin itself. When the Longhorns win a championship, the entire tower glows burnt orange, and that bright number one at the top shines like a Texas-sized exclamation point.
The Main Building beneath the tower was once the university’s central library, and it still houses important offices and ceremonial halls. Together, they mark the historic and emotional center of campus.
On your left is the South Mall, a grand, tree-lined walkway leading down toward Littlefield Fountain. The bronze statue of George Washington that stands nearby feels almost like a guardian of the university’s traditions.
The University of Texas isn’t just a school — it’s a city within a city. With more than fifty thousand students, it drives Austin’s energy, culture, and innovation. Many of the city’s music, tech, and start-up scenes trace their roots back to people who studied or worked here.
From here, ideas born in classrooms have turned into companies, songs, and inventions that shaped the world — and that’s why so many people call Austin not just the capital of Texas, but the capital of creativity.
Turning Toward University Avenue & Littlefield Fountain
As you turn right onto University Avenue, look to your left — that’s the Littlefield Fountain, one of the most iconic landmarks at the University of Texas.
It was commissioned in the 1920s by Major George Washington Littlefield, a proud UT benefactor and Civil War veteran, to honor the students and alumni who served in World War I.
The sculptor, Pompeo Coppini, filled it with powerful imagery — bronze horses, figures, and sea creatures that represent struggle, victory, and peace. When the fountain’s flowing, it creates a dramatic, almost cinematic view looking up toward the Tower.
University Avenue itself has always been a ceremonial route — the university’s front door to the city. Parades, processions, and graduation walks have all rolled down this stretch toward the Capitol in the distance.
It’s where Austin’s academic world meets its civic one — and where thousands of students take that symbolic first step into their futures.
Follow the navigation on our way to the Blanton Museum of Art
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1UT Austin Tower
Place 2Turning Toward University Avenue & Littlefield Fountain
Place 3Bullock Texas State History Museum and Blanton Museum of Art
Place 4The Texas State Capitol (First Glimpse)
Place 5East 11th Street — Austin’s Historic Soul
Place 6Texas State Cemetery
Place 76th Street Entertainment District
Place 8The Driskill Hotel
Place 9Congress Avenue and the Texas State Capitol View
Place 10The Paramount Theatre
Place 11Mexic-Arte Museum and Austin Visitor Center
Place 12Rainey Street Historic District
Place 13Congress Avenue Bridge and Austin’s Famous Bat Colony
Place 14South Congress Avenue (SoCo)
Place 15"I love you so much" Mural
Place 16Warren Wildlife Gallery
Place 17Greetings from Austin Mural
Place 18Town Lake Metropolitan Park and the Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue
Place 19Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River
Place 20Zilker Park / Barton Springs Pool
Place 21Farewell at Zilker Park
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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).