We’ve all been there: someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?
That’s exactly what we’re doing. We have 18 of the most recognizable Austin landmarks — from Pennybacker Bridge to the plethora of moontowers. Not only are these local icons easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.
Seaholm Power Plant
Address: 222 West Ave.
Nearby: the Austin Central Library and Lady Bird Lake
The Seaholm Power Plant is highly recognizable due to its iconic art deco architecture, though it hasn’t generated power since 1989. Now, the site is home to offices, residences, restaurants, and sits directly across from the Austin Public Library.
Nearby city of Round Rock is home to a bat maternity colony.
Photo via Texas Parks & Wildlife
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
Address: 100 S. Congress Ave.
Nearby: The LINE Hotel, YETI Flagship, and Fareground
There’s a reason why Austin is known as Bat City — the bridge is home to ~1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. You can catch them coming out for a meal at dusk from late spring to early fall.
Austin Central Library
Address: 710 W. Cesar Chavez St.
Nearby: Seaholm Power Plant, Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, and the flagship Whole Foods Market
Austin’s enormous, six-story Central Library opened in 2017, featuring a rooftop deck, local art, event spaces, a gallery space, a gift shop, and more.
The Driskill
Address: 604 Brazos St.
Nearby: The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center, Mexic-Arte Museum, and Frost Bank Tower
Built in 1886, Austin’s oldest hotel once served as the White House Press Corps for the Lyndon B. Johnson administration and had a suite permanently reserved for him.
The flagship Whole Foods Market
Address: 525 N. Lamar Blvd.
Nearby: Waterloo Records and Book People
This health foods grocer started on the 900 block N. Lamar Blvd. — moving up the block to the current location in 2005 — in Austin well before it went national. The flagship store is known for its rooftop ice skating rink in the wintertime, plus a year-round array of local offerings.
Willie Nelson Statue
Address: 310 W. 2nd St.
Nearby: ACL Live at the Moody Theatre, Austin City Hall, and the W Austin
The 8 ft-tall Willie Nelson statue was unveiled at 4:20 p.m. on April 20, 2013.
Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Statue
Address: 210 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Nearby: Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, Auditorium Shores, and Palmer Events Center
Located at the site of many of the beloved guitarist’s concerts, the bronze statue was erected near the shores of Lady Bird Lake in 1993.
“I Love You So Much” Mural
Address: 1300 S. Congress Ave.
Nearby: The Continental Club and the Austin Motel
This ultra-famous landmark was painted on the wall of Jo’s Coffee by musician Amy Cook as a message to her then-girlfriend and building owner, Liz Lambert.
The mural is so popular, Austin even has a “Hi, How Are You” Day on January 22.
Photo by @eriwinter
“Jeremiah the Innocent” Mural
Address: 408 W. 21st St.
Nearby: Harry Ransom Center, Littlefield Fountain, and Guadalupe Street
The other-worldly frog asking “Hi, How Are You” was painted by artist Daniel Johnston in 1993. Today, it’s a historical landmark and has been preserved, even though the building around it was torn down.
Zilker Park
Address: 2100 Barton Springs Rd.
Nearby: Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Garden, and Lady Bird Lake
The crown jewel of Austin’s public spaces, Zilker is Austin’s oldest park and spans more than 350 acres. You can take a virtual tour of the park for yourself.
Moontowers
Address: multiple locations
Precursors to modern street lamps, moontowers were erected all over the country in the late 1800s, but Austin hosts the only ones left standing today. There are 13 moontowers parceled around ATX, including one that becomes a Christmas tree each year in Zilker Park.
UT Tower
Address: 110 Inner Campus Dr.
Nearby: The Drag and the Moody Center
When it opened in 1937, the 307-ft-tall tower only had the Texas Capitol dome to compete with in the Austin skyline. Throughout the year, the tower lights up orange in honor of Longhorn graduations and other university wins.
Texas State Capitol
Address: 1100 Congress Ave.
Nearby: Waterloo Park, Texas Governor’s Mansion, and Scholz Garten
The Capitol building is made from pink granite sourced from the nearby town of Marble Falls, and the statue on top has a funny-looking face.
Blanton Museum of Art
Address: 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Nearby: Bullock Texas State History Museum, Harry Ransom Center, and UT Tower
The newly renovated art museum spans 189,340 sqft and offers free admission on Tuesdays.
Waterloo Park
Address: 500 E. 12th St.
Nearby: Texas Capitol and Red River Cultural District
Although it opened in 2021, Waterloo Park has quickly become a beloved spot in Downtown Austin. It’s also not complete yet — phase two, The Confluence, is under construction.
Pennybacker Bridge
Address: 4801 Plaza on the Lake
Nearby: Capital of Texas Highway and Ranch Road 2222
The majestic Pennybacker Bridge (aka the 360 Bridge) was only the second bridge in the world built with a cable support system.
The sun sets over houses and the Colorado River from Mount Bonnell.
Photo via @jason_kautz
Mount Bonnell
Address: 3800 Mt. Bonnell Rd.
Nearby: Balcones Park, Camp Mabry, and The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
Gaze upon the hills of West Austin and the Colorado River at the top of this popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
Q2 Stadium
Address: 10414 McKalla Place
Nearby: The Domain and J. J. Pickle Research Campus
The home of Austin’s first professional sports team, Q2 Stadium opened in June 2021. The stadium is also the first soccer-specific stadium to earn Total Resource Use and Efficiency Gold certification.
Which landmark would you like to see added to this list? Send us an email.
