Austin Downtown History: Vibrant Storytelling Walking Tour

Discover the vibrant history of Austin on a storytelling walking tour. From cowboys to condos, explore the city’s transformation and learn about the eccentric Austinites who shaped its story.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 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.
  • O. Henry Home & Museum - Famous short story author O. Henry lived here in Austin before he made it…
What's Included
  • Expert local guide
  • Insightful commentary on local culture
  • Entry fees to all attractions included
  • Complimentary refreshments and snacks
  • Comfortable transportation throughout the tour
  • Special access to exclusive areas
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

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…

Location
Halcyon
West 4th Street
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.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(114 Ratings)
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S9846bodavidk
Nov 7, 2024
Great time. - In Austin and had a free day so I booked the tour. Emily was great. Smart, funny, and explains in great detail. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andreapearlstein
Nov 5, 2024
Learned lots - We had a great tour with Emily! We learned so much about the city’s storied past. Our local friends now want to go on the tour since it was so interesting
Review provided by Viator
395landons
Nov 3, 2024
My first Austin history walking tour! - Emily was super knowledgeable and engaging. As an Austin resident of nearly 40 years myself, she taught us things I hadn’t even known about our city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kylon_c
Oct 27, 2024
Take a small bite of Austin history - Thank you Emily for your lovely insightful tour of Austin. I personally enjoyed the history of the Driscoll hotel .
Review provided by Viator
Matthiasgt7589cb
Oct 25, 2024
Perfect tour - The Austin history tour was absolutely brilliant. Emily is a fantastic storyteller who truly brought the city’s history to life. We learned so much about Austin—things we definitely would have missed, had we explored on our own. We highly recommend this tour to anyone. An absolutely fantastic experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynn_n
Oct 23, 2024
Hello Austin - Wonderful afternoon spent with Emily. Lots of great history, interesting sights to see and entertaining. Emily makes history fun and meaningful.
Review provided by Viator
Kenneth_m
Oct 19, 2024
Emily was passionate about her city - My wife and I were the only ones for the tour on Monday. We offered to postpone but Emily didn't mind doing the tour with just us. It was a warm day, and Emily still took her time to explain all about the area of downtown.
Review provided by Viator
Bridget_w
Oct 18, 2024
The History of Austin. - Emily, our tour guide, made the history of Austin come alive for us. It was so interesting and we learned so much about Austin and Texas’ early days. I would highly recommend this tour!.
Review provided by Viator
Wenxuan_q
Oct 13, 2024
Efficient way to get familiar with downtown and city history for first timers - Our tour guide is quite knowledgable and passionate. She is skillful in delivering the big picture history origins and narratives of this City she clearly loves. She can also engage in friendly conversations based on walkers' personal interests. Overall, it was such a pleasant experience doing the downtown history walk.
Review provided by Viator
Carolina_m
Oct 12, 2024
Emily was amazing! - I recently had an amazing tour of Austin with Emily as our guide, and I can't recommend her enough! Her knowledge of the city’s history and culture was impressive, and she shared fascinating stories that really brought Austin to life. Emily's friendly demeanor and sense of humor made the experience enjoyable, and it felt like we were exploring with a friend. The itinerary was well-planned, showcasing both iconic landmarks and local favorites. If you’re in Austin, don’t miss the chance to tour with Emily—she's truly fantastic!
Review provided by Viator
From $35
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).