Self-Guided Tours
In addition to the guided walking tours offered by the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau , the ACVB publishes seven excellent, free self-guided tour booklets. Five tours (Bremond Block, Hyde Park, Congress Ave. and E. Sixth St., Texas State Cemetery, and Oakwood Cemetery) require foot power alone. The other two (West Austin and O. Henry Trail) combine walking and driving. They make for interesting reading even if you don't have time to follow the routes.
If you'd prefer to have a knowledgeable personal guide with you while you drive (along with, or as opposed to, a know-nothing friend, spouse, or significant other), consider buying the Hit the Road Austin audio tour CD ($19). They are for sale at the ACVB visitor center. You'll be escorted from downtown Austin through Zilker Park, along Wild Basin Preserve, to Mt. Bonnell, through Clarksville, the University of Texas, the capitol, and various other points of interest. The narrators have the requisite Texas twang, and their stories are accompanied by such interesting audio effects as music, military drumbeats, and birdcalls. Along with the CD, you'll get a printed map of the tour route, so be nice because you might still have to rely on that person in the navigator seat.
Guided Walks
Whatever price you pay, you won't find better guided walks than the informative and entertaining tours offered free of charge by the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) (tel. 866/GO-AUSTIN or 512/454-1545; www.austintexas.org), from March through November. Ninety-minute tours of the historic Bremond Block leave every Saturday and Sunday at 11am; Congress Avenue/East Sixth Street is explored for 1 1/2 hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting at 9am, Sunday at 2pm. The hour-long Capitol Grounds tour is conducted on Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 9am. All tours depart promptly from the south entrance of the capitol, weather permitting. Be warned, though: Come even a few minutes late and you'll miss out.
