Congress Avenue, Austin (must see)
Congress Avenue is a major thoroughfare in Austin. It consists of six lanes lined with trees and stretches from southern outskirts of the city, extending over Lady Bird Lake and ultimately leading to the heart of Downtown, where the Texas State Capitol is situated. Edwin Waller, the inaugural mayor of Austin, played a pivotal role in the avenue's design.
During its early history, Congress Avenue featured a variety of structures, including government buildings, hotels, saloons, retail shops, and restaurants. By the late 1840s, it had evolved into a thriving business hub. In the mid-1870s, advancements such as gaslight illumination and mule-drawn streetcars were introduced, alongside the construction of a new courthouse for Travis County at Eleventh Street. The present-day Texas Capitol, located at the northern end of Congress Avenue, was constructed in 1888, and the original dirt road was paved with bricks in 1910. Streetcar operations continued on the avenue until 1940.
Before the completion of Interstate 35 in the 1960s, Congress Avenue played a crucial role as the main route to access Austin from the south. Notable landmarks like the Austin Motel underscored its significance as a major route for travelers throughout the mid-20th century.
South of Lady Bird Lake, Congress Avenue is known as South Congress, often abbreviated as SoCo, and has gained popularity as a bustling shopping and rental district. It traverses the historic Travis Heights neighborhood, passes by the Texas School for the Deaf, and leads to Saint Edward's University as it extends southward out of the city.
Recognizing its architectural and historical importance, Congress Avenue from Cesar Chavez Street (formerly First Street) to the Capitol was designated as a National Historic Place in 1979. The Texas Capitol at the northern end of Congress creates a visually striking focal point, and this view is safeguarded by state and local regulations known as the Capitol View Corridors, enacted in 1983, which prohibit the obstruction of the view by tall buildings.
Why You Should Visit:
A must-stroll for visitors and a popular hangout for locals. South Congress oozes homespun character and boasts the story of Austin’s yesteryear in its boutiques, eateries, galleries and music venues.
During its early history, Congress Avenue featured a variety of structures, including government buildings, hotels, saloons, retail shops, and restaurants. By the late 1840s, it had evolved into a thriving business hub. In the mid-1870s, advancements such as gaslight illumination and mule-drawn streetcars were introduced, alongside the construction of a new courthouse for Travis County at Eleventh Street. The present-day Texas Capitol, located at the northern end of Congress Avenue, was constructed in 1888, and the original dirt road was paved with bricks in 1910. Streetcar operations continued on the avenue until 1940.
Before the completion of Interstate 35 in the 1960s, Congress Avenue played a crucial role as the main route to access Austin from the south. Notable landmarks like the Austin Motel underscored its significance as a major route for travelers throughout the mid-20th century.
South of Lady Bird Lake, Congress Avenue is known as South Congress, often abbreviated as SoCo, and has gained popularity as a bustling shopping and rental district. It traverses the historic Travis Heights neighborhood, passes by the Texas School for the Deaf, and leads to Saint Edward's University as it extends southward out of the city.
Recognizing its architectural and historical importance, Congress Avenue from Cesar Chavez Street (formerly First Street) to the Capitol was designated as a National Historic Place in 1979. The Texas Capitol at the northern end of Congress creates a visually striking focal point, and this view is safeguarded by state and local regulations known as the Capitol View Corridors, enacted in 1983, which prohibit the obstruction of the view by tall buildings.
Why You Should Visit:
A must-stroll for visitors and a popular hangout for locals. South Congress oozes homespun character and boasts the story of Austin’s yesteryear in its boutiques, eateries, galleries and music venues.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Austin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Congress Avenue on Map
Sight Name: Congress Avenue
Sight Location: Austin, USA (See walking tours in Austin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Austin, USA (See walking tours in Austin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Austin, Texas
Create Your Own Walk in Austin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Austin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Downtown Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Northwest downtown Austin boasts an impressive collection of historic residences of notable styles, ranging from classic Victorian to Georgian to Greek Revival. Carefully preserved and restored, these constructions – from nationally listed historic sites to the significant local elements of the built environment – form a major part of Austin’s cultural heritage and indelible chapter of its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Austin Street Art Walk
Austin, Texas may be famed as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” but its street art is just as vibrant, funky, and diverse as its plentiful music venues. Indeed, Texas’s capital is practically peppered with dozens of murals, sometimes in the most unexpected places.
Among the artworks gracing the city's walls there are some truly iconic pieces that illustrate the kinky side of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Among the artworks gracing the city's walls there are some truly iconic pieces that illustrate the kinky side of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Congress Avenue Walking Tour
Congress Avenue is the main street in Austin, Texas, and historically its first one. Since the city's establishment in the first half of the 19th century, it has evolved and today bears the mark of Austin’s economic and cultural development. Stretching approximately 1.5 miles, this iconic thoroughfare is a must-visit for tourists.
At the northern end of the avenue stands the majestic... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
At the northern end of the avenue stands the majestic... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles