ACL Live at the Moody Theater310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 | - The permanent home of Austin City Limits, the longest-running music series in American television history
- The 2,750-seat venue in the 2nd Street District hosts national touring acts year-round
- Typical spend: Varies by show
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6th Street Entertainment DistrictE 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 | - Wall-to-wall live music venues, comedy clubs, and bars line the Victorian-era buildings between Congress and I-35
- Dirty Sixth is the rowdy tourist draw; West Sixth skews more polished if you want cocktails instead of chaos
- Living downtown means you can walk into the scene and walk home instead of planning around parking
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Bullock Texas State History Museum1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 | - Three floors of exhibition galleries, an IMAX theater, and the Texas Spirit Theater tell the story of the state from prehistoric times to the space program
- The rotating exhibits are consistently strong
- Typical spend: $13 adults, IMAX extra
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Texas State Capitol1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 | - The 1888 Renaissance Revival capitol building sits at the top of Congress Avenue and is taller than the US Capitol in Washington
- Free guided tours run every 30-45 minutes
- Typical spend: Free
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Paramount Theatre713 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 | - Built in 1915 as a Neoclassical movie palace on Congress Avenue
- Now hosts live theater, concerts, classic film screenings, and comedy shows in a 1,300-seat auditorium that still has the original architectural details
- Typical spend: Varies by show
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2nd Street District Shopping200 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 | - Four blocks of retail, dining, and entertainment between Congress and San Antonio
- Local boutiques mixed with national brands, all walkable from the Seaholm, Independent, and W Residences towers
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Mexic-Arte Museum419 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 | - The official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas, right on Congress Avenue
- Rotating exhibitions showcase contemporary and traditional works from Mexico, Latin America, and Latino artists in the US
- Typical spend: $7 adults, free Sundays
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Rainey Street DistrictRainey St, Austin, TX 78701 | - The converted bungalow bars and food trucks of Rainey Street sit in the shadow of the high-rise towers that now define the district
- Each house has its own personality - craft cocktails at one, frozen drinks at the next, live music at a third
- Typical spend: Free to walk; drink prices vary
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Lady Bird Lake Kayak & SUP RentalsTexas Rowing Center, 1541 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703 | - Multiple outfitters along the north shore of Lady Bird Lake rent kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards by the hour
- No motorized boats allowed on the lake, so the water stays calm
- Typical spend: $20-$60 per hour
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Congress Avenue Bridge Bat WatchingCongress Avenue Bridge, Austin, TX 78701 | - From March through November, 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset
- The largest urban bat colony in North America, and it happens right outside your front door if you live downtown
- Typical spend: Free
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