Capitol / Congress Walking Tour
Austin Tours
What You'll Do
Starting at the Capitol front door, take a stroll down Congress Avenue, Austin’s main street. Hear about the beginnings of Texas and Austin, and the deeds of local heroes. See Austin’s two National Historic Landmarks (the highest honor awarded by the U.S. Parks Service) and more National Register sites.
Age & Fitness
All ages welcome! Please note: Level terrain, leisurely pace – approx. 90 minutes.
Meeting Location
This tour is offered on Fridays and Saturdays at 9am. It meets on the capitol steps at the south main entrance of the Texas State Capitol Building (1100 Congress Ave.) Your guide will have a sign with the name of the tour.
When To Arrive
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time, your guide will have a sign with the name of the tour.
Parking
Capitol Visitor Parking Garage; E 12th St. between Trinity St. and San Jacinto Blvd. First two hours are free - $1 for each 1/2 hour thereafter. Maximum charge is $12.00 and there is no overnight parking. There are occasional garage closures for large public celebrations. Limited parking on and near Congress Avenue.
Cancellations & Refunds
Reservations can be rescheduled but not refunded.
"Capital/ Congress Walking Tour"
February 14, 2020 - M.
The breadth & depth of his knowledge of the history & architecture of Austin are amazing. We got personalized attention & were able to ask a number of questions, which he almost always knew the answer to.
"Great experience "
January 25, 2020 - L.
Harrison the tour guide was fantastic! He was extremely friendly making the tour really enjoyable. On top of this he was born and raised in Austin and has been giving tours for many years so he was very knowledgeable about Austin’s history. I would definitely recommend taking this tour to give you an introduction to Austin, it’s state Capitol and the downtown area.
"History bought Alive"
December 7, 2019 - T.
Fantastic introduction to Austin that gave me insights I wouldn’t have otherwise had. Highly recommended
"My overall experience was great."
October 27, 2019 - R.
I really enjoyed the tour. Harrison was great and very knowledgable and took great care in pointing out the various buildings and sights. A very big thank you for a job well done.
"We loved it"
September 20, 2019 - R.
10 out of 10
"Fantastic!"
August 3, 2019 - R.
Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Definitely learned a bunch and felt welcome in the city. Thank you!
"Capitol/Congress Walking Tour "
June 7, 2019 - G.
Wonderful tour. Tour guide was very knowledgeable about the capitol building and the history. 1
"Very Good"
June 3, 2019 - S.
Harrison was a great tour guide. Full of historical information. We really enjoyed learning about the capital square and Congress Street from Harrison! He is a wealth of information and very personable too!
"Tour"
May 25, 2019 - r.
Elizabeth was a Great guide
"Grest"
May 24, 2019 - O.
Great tour knowledgeable guide
"Guide was good "
May 23, 2019 - C.
We waited from 8:30 until after 9:00 for a guide. He did not show up. There was a substitute guide, who was very good. What I don’t understand is how the original guide did not know about tour. Perhaps he needed the 4 email reminders I received.
"Very positive "
April 14, 2019 - B.
Knowledgeable and entertaining guide.
"Fantastic!"
April 13, 2019 - S.
This tour was such a great way to get to know some of Austins rich history. Thank you to our wonderful guide Harrison Eppright.
"Very interesting, entertaining and educational"
April 5, 2019 - S.
Nice mixture of history, amusing anecdotes, and thoughts from an Austin local. Gary was very nice and knowledgeable.
"A Vault of Knowledge!"
April 2, 2019 - J.
This is a great tour for those seeking detailed historical information.
"Ok, slow pace "
March 31, 2019 - R.
Tour guide very knowledgeable.
"Excellent"
March 25, 2019 - M.
Harrison was knowledgeable about all things Austin and led a great door. Would recommend.
"Great Tour!"
March 22, 2019 - K.
Our guide Harrison was very friendly and knowledgeable about Austin’s history. He gave a comprehensive tour with just the right amount of information including recommendations on other sights and locations to visit after the tour. Highly recommended!
"Great tour"
March 16, 2019 - H.
The history of Austin was told as a story and made it extremely interesting. We had a small group so it was wonderful to be able to hear the entire time and have our tour guide give us recommendations and share the history of this beautiful city.
"Fantastic!"
March 2, 2019 - I.
A wonderfully knowledgable guide!
"Excellent tour! "
December 30, 2018 - N.
We are a family of 4 and loved this! It’s an excellent overview of the Austin history and also local grounds and events. Highly recommend.
"Great"
December 22, 2018 - G.
Great
"Excellent"
December 14, 2018 - H.
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour that Harrison gave us. He was very knowledgeable and an excellent ambassador for the city of Austi.
"Fantastic"
October 20, 2018 - R.
Harrison gave a great tour. He was extremely knowledgeable and interesting. He did a great job of linking the varied architecture to the personalities and events of Austin’s history. I’m glad I took the tour and would definitely recommend it to others. Thanks!
"Great show"
September 17, 2018 - J.
Wonderful evening Enjoyed the political humor and the magic acts Very talented folks
"Super informative"
September 17, 2018 - P.
Great tour. Learned so much about the history of Austin. Would highly recommend it!
"Great walk through the history of Austin"
September 15, 2018 - L.
We had a very enjoyable walking tour today. Started at the Capital and then down Congress surrounded by the history of each location as we progressed. Great value, wonderful informative guide.
"Fun history lesson"
October 9, 2017 - M.
The tour was informative and interesting. Our guide shared historical fact laced with personal stories. It was charming. Just too short!
"Exciting info, history and architecture"
October 9, 2017 - P.
Elizabeth was so well informed and distilled the history to a few essentials. She highlighted the buildings downtown and the capitol grounds with ideas for future treks around the area.
"Great experience! "
October 4, 2017 - P.
It was a great tour. Harrison was a really good tour guide. Very enthusiastic and full of information.
"5 Star Review !"
August 19, 2017 - S.
We both enjoyed our Saturday morning walking tour down Congress Avenue with guide Elizabeth. Elizabeth really knows her Austin history and loves to share it! The walk is at a slow pace and appropriate for all ages. B & E Kerrville Texas.
"Another awesome experience in Austin!"
August 15, 2017 - G.
Elizabeth did a fantastic job laying out history of Austin and highlighting downtown locations. Highly recommend!
"Excellent tour"
July 9, 2017 - Y.
Very informative! Learned a lot about Austin and Texas history.
"Very fun and informative!"
June 10, 2017 - J.
Harrison was very knowledgeable and friendly. It was very obvious the pride he takes in his job and nativ city.
"Fun"
May 14, 2017 - p.
Great!
"Austin Downtown Tour"
May 13, 2017 - J.
Very kowledgable and. Helpful tour guide
"Loved it...over and over!"
May 6, 2017 - F.
We continue to bring our guests to tour with Elizabeth. It never disappoints!
"Very enjoyable"
April 24, 2017 - D.
Our guide was Harrison, very amiable and knowledgeable. Tour did not cover a lot of ground, per see, a stroll up to 6th St, but encouraged you to look up at building facades, or into bank foyers to see stately architecture of last century.
"Great, informative walk"
April 15, 2017 - E.
Mr. Eppright gave us a fantastic walking tour. He is so knowledgeable and has a real enthusiasm for what he does. I would recommend this tour to everybody!
"Best Tour of Austin"
April 9, 2017 - B.
Sonny gave us an amazing tour of Austin, it was such an authentic exploration of the different neighborhoods that make up the city. We just wish we had done the tour earlier on in our trip so that we could have had time to enjoy some of the things that Sonny had recommended! We'll just have to come back to Austin....Thank you!!
"Amazing"
April 9, 2017 - M.
Loved our guide Elizabeth. So incredibly knowledgeable and such a great story teller! Highlight of our trip
"Excellent"
April 7, 2017 - I.
Very interesting with many fun facts
"Excellent"
April 7, 2017 - m.
Harrison was terrific and tour covered what was promised. Would have enjoyed more info about current Austin neighborhoods and living here experiences.
"Walking Tour"
April 1, 2017 - T.
Very informative - Tour Guide knew her history!
"Very knowledgeable guide"
March 27, 2017 - T.
Our tour guide Patsy was extremely informative and knowledgeable about the history of Texas. Really learned a lot about Texas and thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
"Fun and Educational"
March 4, 2017 - M.
Harrison was great!
"Congress Ave Tour"
January 16, 2017 - E.
I sent my review in text message earlier. Great tour; very much appreciated. Real flavor of Austin.
"Very informative and Harrison was a delight. "
January 13, 2017 - V.
Wonderful
"Wonderful, informative tour!"
December 30, 2016 - H.
Harrison was a delight. Thank you!
"Informative and fun"
December 10, 2016 - M.
The tour guide was interesting and well informed. Great way to start a visit to Austin
"Downtown Tour"
November 30, 2016 - D.
Very friendly
"Very interesting"
November 20, 2016 - T.
We thought the information was fabulous and the guide new a ton about Austin and Texas history. Well worth the tour.
"Excellent"
November 14, 2016 - T.
Patsy was great and very knowledgable! The tour was very good value for all the sites we got to see.
"Great!"
November 13, 2016 - L.
Really enjoyed
"great"
October 26, 2016 - T.
Harrison was very professional and knowledgeable, and really brought the stories to life.
"Very Interesting"
October 3, 2016 - R.
Elizabeth did an awesome job on our tour - lots of interesting stories. She obviously has a passion for history, and she was a good sport to host the tour even though we were the only two who signed up. Thanks again!
"Great History"
September 9, 2016 - W.
Our guide Harrison gave us a great overview of Texas history as we walked from the Capitol and down Congress Ave
"Great experience!"
September 4, 2016 - M.
Patsy was a great guide and the tour was very informative. Would definitely recommend!
"One of the best walking tours I ever attended"
August 17, 2016 - F.
The guide was very dedicated and I learned a lot about the city.
"Very informative!"
July 11, 2016 - M.
I enjoyed the mix of history with architecture. The tour was the right length in distance & time. Our tour guide, Elizabeth, was personable and informative.
"Our tour guide was awesome "
June 19, 2016 - G.
Also, she was entertaining, knowledgeable and fun. My children and I really enjoyed the tour and we will be back for more.
"Good"
June 10, 2016 - H.
The guide was knowledgeable but it was a little slow and took 1 hour and 45 minutes instead of 1.30. It was good information but there was a lot about architecture rather than the capital building. If we come back I would skip the guided tour and do the free tour inside the capital building.
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