Austin: Downtown History Walking Tour – Austin, Texas

EXPERIENCE:

From cowboys to condos, take a walk through the history of Austin, beginning and ending in what was once a roaring red light district sprinkled with bars and saloons. Find out how an area that was home to hundreds of prostitutes from the early 1870s, saw its shutdown by moral crusaders in 1913.

Meet your guide outside the Halcyon Coffee shop and follow them around the buzzing streets of downtown Austin. Step inside the Romanesque-style building of Driskill Hotel, the oldest operating hotel in the city.

In the historic setting of The Driskill, learn about the eccentric and heroic Austinites who shaped the city’s story. Listen carefully as your guide paints a vivid picture of the past through storytelling.

This tour is recommended for ages 13+ due to descriptions of historic vice. Opportunities to sit down are limited. The tour lasts 2 hours and covers 1.1 miles. There is a restroom at our starting point and toward the end of the tour at the Driskill Hotel. If you need the guide to use the voice amplifier at every stop, let them know upon arrival.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Journey back to the wild west as your guide paints a vivid picture of the past
See what was once a roaring red light district sprinkled with bars and saloons
Follow your guide around the beating heart of the city, Downtown Austin
Go to the Driskill to experience a historic setting soaked in timeless charm
Hear the tale of how Texas became it’s own country, and Austin it’s capital

Discover top places to stay, exciting tours, and unforgettable events in Texas, and popular cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.