Austin’s Top 10 Photo Ops

Austin. Bat City, Hippie Haven, Silicon Hills, The Live Music Capital of the World. No matter what you call the Capital of Texas, there’s no denying that it is one of the most gorgeous parts of the Southern United States. In spite of the frustrating traffic, Austin’s people, food, and scenery will deliver you a memorable experience that you must capture with breathtaking photos.

1 – The Texas State Capitol

There are so many photos you can take at the Capitol, but the most breath taking can be captured just a bit South on Congress Ave where it intersects at 3rd St. Take the time to go inside and snap photos of the architecture and the inside of the dome while you’re there. (1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701)

2 – Austin City Skyline

Every city has its iconic skyline, but Austin has developed so much over the last decade that the buildings you can see now weren’t even imagined in the early 2000s.

3 – Pennybacker Bridge

This gem can be found in the Northwest part of Austin. Be sure not to visit during rush hour because the traffic is absolutely horrible and finding a parking spot will take ages. When you’re driving on the Capitol of Texas Highway, you’ll see a bunch of “Do Not Park” signs near the bridge. Now, I’d never advocate to break the rules, but people seem to park there all the time so they can hike up the hill to get the photo you see above. ( 5300 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78730)

4 – South Congress Ave

Right down the road from the State Capitol, you can find the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin on Congress Ave. If you’ve never had a chance to experiment with Street Photography, this part of Austin is perfect for you. My first time lead me to some interesting photos of people on scooters, the vibrant theaters, and bat-watchers under the Congress St. Bridge.

5 – The Graffiti Park

Although this treasure is currently being demolished, it will be resurrected at a new location in East Austin. The best part about this unique Austin attraction is the fact that it’s constantly changing – artists will paint over other artist’s work so visiting will bring you new photos each time.

6 – “Greetings from Austin” Mural

The picture perfect post card can be found on a narrow street near Congress Ave a couple of blocks South of the Colorado River. While the location is in an unexpected part of town, you’ll be able to notice visitors taking a picture from across the street at all times during the day because, of all the locations in Austin to take a photo, THIS shot is the only one that is an absolute must to take. (1720 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704)

7 – Mount Bonnell

Traveling down the Colorado River from the Pennybacker Bridge will lead you to the second best view of the river at Mount Bonnell. Leave your vehicle at the entrance to the park and follow the brick trail up to the top of the hill. Be careful, these steps can sometimes be difficult for the faint of heart, but there are rails you can hold onto if need be. Also, if steps are too difficult, there’s a secondary entrance towards the North that you can use that has a gradual incline to the same spot that the steps lead to. Once you get to the top, it’s totally worth the breathtaking view. On the night of December 31, be sure to arrive with plenty of time because this is one of the most romantic spots to usher in the New Year. (3800 Bonnell Dr, Austin, TX 78731)

8 – Zilker Park/Umlauf Sculpture Garden

Austin has plenty of good weather days and you can find many natives at the Zilker Metropolitan Park enjoying the view of downtown and playing with man’s best friend. You’ll want to snap a photo of every cute dog you see there, but make sure to save time for the rest of the park. You can photograph beautiful flowers in the Botanical Gardens, locals enjoying a swim in the Barton Springs Pool, and elaborately eloquent statues at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Make sure to save Zilker Park for a complete afternoon; there’s just so much to see! If you’re visiting in October, be prepared to see a huge increase in activity because of the Austin City Limits Festival, and check out the Trail of Lights during the Christmas Season.

9 – Lake Travis

The final spot on my list of the best photo spots in Austin is probably the most breathtaking. Watching the sunset on Lake Travis has been one of the best experiences while living here, but pictures cannot fully capture the beauty nor the colors found when the sun meets the earth. Visit The Oasis and enjoy dinner with this glorious view or head over to the clothing optional Hippie Hollow for a more relaxed experience.

10 – _________________

What happened to the number 10 spot in this list? It’s filled by you, the reader. Comment what you think should be on this list and I’ll find a way to include it in a future article. Send me all your suggestions!

Here’s how to visit all the spots on my list while you’re visiting!