Free Downtown Tours in Austin
March 30, 2006 by Paris and John
Filed under News and Festivals
Who says you can’t get something for nothing? Austin has three historic downtown tours available completely free of charge.
Discover Austin’s rich history with free guided walking tours offered by the Austin Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Featured excursions include Congress Avenue and East Sixth Street, the Capitol Grounds and a stroll through the Bremond Block.
Tours are available from March through November.
Where to Meet: Groups meet and depart promptly from the south steps of the Texas State Capitol building at 9 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, or at 2 p.m. Sunday for the Congress Avenue tour; 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for the Bremond Block tour; and 2 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday for the Capitol Grounds Tour. Walks typically last between 60 and 90 minutes. Reservations are not required.
Congress Avenue and East Sixth Street – This 10-block tour weaves through downtown’s National Register District to reveal the history of Congress Avenue. Participants experience the intended view of the Capitol, as Congress Avenue was originally laid out to provide a monumental approach from the river to the Capitol hill. The tour continues along Old Pecan Street (now Sixth Street), highlighting significant Victorian architecture dating to the mid-1800s. One of the major stops along this portion of the tour is historic Hannig Row. The buildings take their title from Joseph Hannig, a notable Austin furniture maker and husband to Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson.
The Capitol Grounds Tour – Tour guides discuss the Capitol’s monuments and restorations. Participants learn noteworthy trivia about the legendary granite building itself, which stands 14 feet higher than the US Capitol in Washington. At the south entrance to the Capitol grounds, guests are greeted by two howitzer cannons, dating to 1836. The tour continues to pass some lesser-known historic spots on the Capitol grounds such as the ornate reproduction drinking fountain.
Bremond Block Tour – Until the mid-20th century, downtown was primarily residential, and this tour showcases the grand homes of Old Austin. Tourists stop by the Governor’s Mansion, then continue southwest to view elaborate Victorian showplaces, including a family compound built as homes for the elite Bremond and Robinson families. This original section of the National Register District remains an exemplary preservation of a vanished era.
For More Information:
• Call the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau at 866-GO-AUSTIN
• visit the Austin CVB online
