One part vaudeville and one part stinging political/social satire, this place has been amusing and delighting its guests, as well as the pedestrians who pass by its front-stage windows and observe its goings-on, since the late 1970s. A troupe of multi-talented performers write, act, sing and dance their way across a broad and constantly updated comedic map that pokes fun at our elected officials, celebrity icons, and regular citizens. It is not all for laughs, though; a magical act comes on a couple of times per show to startle and captivate your senses. This is a true downtown institution.
This venue, south of the river, is a throwback to the 1950s. Roots rock and country reign supreme in this bar, where one can often find men in leather jackets and classic Cadillacs out front. With live music nightly, tributes to Elvis, and celebrations of Hank William's birthday, this place is great for dancing, drinking and kicking back on the high stools. Happy hours feature some of Austin's favorite songwriters. The venue has broadened its range of live music to include occasional indie rock.
This company knows how to push the limits and still keep the traditional form. The traditional Christmas production of The Nutcracker always brings a smile to patrons' faces. Each year an innovative twist or take on this classic ballet provides a new perspective on this timeless work. Ballet Austin is very familiar with the eclectic nature of the Austin arts scene, and keeps that in mind when developing the seasonal productions.
A 35-foot (10.7 meters) bronze Lone Star sculpture greets visitors at the entrance of this epic museum. This place narrates the story of Texas, sharing its rich cultural heritage and traditions. The three floors of the impressive building present interactive exhibits, special effects shows and more. On the first floor, you will find a permanent exhibit called Encounters on the Land, which highlights the first meetings between Native Americans and European explorers. The second and third floors have exhibits that showcase the evolution of Texas from the time of its inception. The museum boasts a total of 17 media installations and over 700 artifacts, not to mention Austin's only IMAX Theater.
With a collection of more than 17,000 works of art, this is one of the most visited museums in the city and also the largest University art-space in the country. It is located in the University of Texas campus and houses a large variety of Latin American art, American art and European work. With an atrium that extends 70 feet (21.3 meters) above the stone floors, this museum offers a unique, natural space. Temporary exhibits are constantly changing, with fresh work being showcased regularly. This research-based museum also offers lectures by artists, museum curators and art historians from across the country.
Enjoy a day at this educational, family friendly wildlife preserve. Austin Zoo, which is located on land that originally housed a goat ranch and started out with only a small selection of animals and has since grown into a full-fledged wild animal sanctuary and zoo. Here, you can see Bengal tigers, cheetahs, lemurs, a butterfly garden and more. Take a field trip at the zoo to explore its environs, look at mature trees, go bird-watching, and meet adorable animals. The picnic areas are perfect for a birthday party or company event.
If you are an avid art lover, then head to the MASS Gallery while in the city. The gallery was established in the year 2006 and is open to all independent artists and visionaries who want to showcase their masterpieces. Rotating exhibitions are usually scheduled here in various genres of art. You can also shop for items like frames, books and other artwork at the store
Zach Theatre, originally incorporated as the Austin Civic Theater, was rechristened in the 1970s to honor Zachary Scott, an Austin-reared actor with a successful film career. In 1993, the theater was recognized by its selection to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts Advancement Program. The theater has grown by building two stages, a costume shop, classroom, and rehearsal studio and expanding the box office, and now hosts some of the best performances in Austin. Past productions include Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, The Rocky Horror Show, The Flaming Idiots, and Tapestry: The Music of Carole King. The theater also offers children productions and a performing arts school for everyone.
Founded in 2019, Nomadic Beerworks is owned and managed by the brothers, Bryce and Dan Tyranski. This family-owned microbrewery offers a fantastic selection of specially-crafted beers like citra pilsner, coffee IPA, Rice Krispy treat lager, guava milkshake IPA, juicy tropical IPA and many others. They even serve a variety of delicious items like sandwiches and pretzels. Weekly events like trivia nights are held here often. This dog-friendly microbrewery and taproom’s unique offerings will keep you coming back for more experiences.
One part vaudeville and one part stinging political/social satire, this place has been amusing and delighting its guests, as well as the pedestrians who pass by its front-stage windows and observe its goings-on, since the late 1970s. A troupe of multi-talented performers write, act, sing and dance their way across a broad and constantly updated comedic map that pokes fun at our elected officials, celebrity icons, and regular citizens. It is not all for laughs, though; a magical act comes on a couple of times per show to startle and captivate your senses. This is a true downtown institution.