The Story of Austin: Downtown History Walking Tour

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From $28.00 per person $35.00 Save $7.00 Lowest Price Guarantee

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You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (14-120) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

The Story of Austin: Downtown History Walking Tour

2 Adults x $35.00

$70.00

Approx Total

$70.00

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Tour Guide

Gratuities

Overview

From cowboys to condominiums, take a walk through the story of Austin, beginning and ending in what was once a roaring red light district in Austin’s earlier years. Along the way, we'll explore the rich history of Austin and discover how it became the vibrant and dynamic city it is today, with emphasis on the eccentric and heroic Austinites who shaped Austin's story. Topics of historic vice may not be appropriate for children. Large Group? Visit our website. This is an outdoor tour that only goes inside the Driskill Hotel.

Meeting points

Downtown Austin outside Halcyon Coffeehouse @ 4th Street & Lavaca. You may use the restroom inside Halcyon without making a purchase if you tell them you are with the walking tour.

End point

Open in Google Maps

We finish two blocks from where we start, right outside the Koppell Building @ East 4th Street and Congress Ave.

Itinerary

Dumont's Down Low Bar

In what was once a bustling vice district, we will begin with the origin story of the city of Austin and talk about the old west mentality that built the biggest red light district in the southwest. We do not go inside.

20 minutes
O. Henry Home & Museum

Famous short story author O. Henry lived here in Austin before he made it big. Outside his home, we will dig up a few questionable tales of his time here in Austin. We do not go inside.

10 minutes
Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum

How did the last survivor of the Alamo end up in Austin? We'll discover this and more outside the home she lived in on 5th St.

5 minutes
6th Street

Learn the historic and current significance of Austin's most famous street.

10 minutes
The Driskill

We'll get to go inside this one! Built in 1886 and sometimes called "the people's hotel", the Driskill is teeming with historical tales of greed, politics, vice, music, celebrities, and more.

15 minutes

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Places to sit at each stop are not provided.
This walking tour covers 1.1 miles.
Recommended for ages 13+ due to content regarding the historic red light district.
You may use the restroom at Halcyon Coffee without making a purchase if you let them know you're with the walking tour.

Free Cancellation

February 05100% refund

February 06No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

115 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

112
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 112 reviews with 5 stars

A fact filled and fun tour

Published on Feb, 2025

It was a really fun and informative afternoon. Emily had an obvious love of this city and was able to impart some great knowledge peppered with some spicy and amusing facts. I would highly recommend this tour. Great value for the money also

Austin’s Beginnings

Published on Feb, 2025

Emily was very informative and enthusiastic. She was easy to listen to and answered questions. I would take this tour again.

We had a great time,...

Published on Feb, 2025

We had a great time, learned a lot about Austin and Texas in general. It was good to get us started in the city. Our guide was super friendly and gave us useful recommendations for what to eat and what to do after the tour ended

Fascinating tour!

Published on Jan, 2025

Emily was enthusiastic, informative and a pure delight!! We have a whole new appreciation for Austin! Recommend this tour highly!

Guide was an excellent...

Published on Jan, 2025

Guide was an excellent source of information on Austin history. She took time to answer all our questions about the music scene.

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