Top-Rated Walking Tours in the Heart of Austin.
Locally Owned & Operated. Created for Curious Travelers.
Real Austin history. No gimmicks — just the wild, true stories told by passionate locals.
Our walking tours dive into the scandals, surprises, and characters that shaped Austin, from muddy frontier town to music-loving capital.
$27.50 public/ $35 private
1.1 miles / <2 hr
2 hrs, easy pace, accessible, age 13+ suggested
Begins: Halcyon Coffee — 218 W 4th St
Tracks Austin’s growth from outpost to tech city.
Rated 5 Stars on all platforms
“The Story of Austin” Description: This Austin history tour is a rich, engaging journey through the city’s past, led by a knowledgeable local guide who brings Texas history to life with vivid storytelling and insider insights. Guests consistently praise the tour’s perfect pace, fun atmosphere, and depth of information—from Austin’s days as a republic to its modern transformation. Ideal for visitors and locals alike, it’s a memorable way to explore the city’s historic downtown on foot.
$45 public/ $55 private
6:30pm
2 hrs 15 min, one steep hill, no steps req’d
Tracks Austin’s unsolved true story of the 1885 “servant girl murders”.
Begins: Stephen F Austin Hotel
Includes a bar stop
True Crime, Ages 14+ (enforced)
“Austin Ripper 1885” Description: Step into the shadows of 1885 Austin and try to solve the case of one of America’s oldest unsolved serial killers. This walking tour sets the scene of a chilling murder spree that haunts the city’s past. Blending deep historical research with interactive storytelling, you’ll follow real clues through downtown’s back alleys and forgotten corners. Led by a passionate guide, you’ll discuss theories, examine suspects, and experience Austin’s true crime history in an unforgettable experience.
Book a Public Austin Walking Tour with Us – Live Calendar
| Available as Private Tours | |||
| The Story of Austin | 1.5 hr | $35/person | 3–60 people |
| Austin Ripper 1885 | 2 hr | $55/person | 2–30 people |
| Historical Architecture | 2 hr | $35/person | 3–30 people |
| Gunfights & Grifters | 1.5 hr | $35/person | 3–30 people |
| Haunted History Ghost Walk | 1.5 hr | $35/person | 3–60 people |
We offer Custom Tours, too!
You can customize your private tour. Here are some common customizations:
Tacos
Cocktails
Starting hotel (downtown only)
Mix &match content from other tours
Special requests
Typically $39-45/person, price can vary
or start your private or custom tour request below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your Austin walking tours family-friendly?
Most of our tours are best suited for ages 13 and up — not because they’re explicit, but because we cover real history, including topics like bordellos, political scandal, and crime. We aim to keep it respectful and factual, but some parents might prefer to skip a few tricky questions from the kids.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine. We don’t cancel for drizzle or thunder — this is Austin, after all. In the rare event of dangerous weather, we’ll work with you to reschedule or refund. If you're concerned about rain, feel free to cancel 24+ hours in advance for a full refund.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes — our public walking tours often sell out. Booking ahead guarantees your spot and helps us keep our groups small and enjoyable. Private tours require a quote and a little more notice, but we can often accommodate last-minute requests.
Where do your tours take place?
All of our tours take place in downtown Austin. Meeting spots vary by tour and can be found on the individual tour page. We’ll always send you the starting location after booking.
Are your Austin tours wheelchair accessible?
Some are! “The Story of Austin” +and “Gunfights & Grifters” are fully accessible. “Austin Ripper 1885” and the others include steep hills or tricky sidewalks that make access difficult. Each tour page lists accessibility details, or you can always ask before booking.
How long are your walking tours?
Tour lengths vary from 1.5 to 2.25 hours depending on the tour. “The Story of Austin” is a solid 2 hours, and “Austin Ripper 1885” runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes. All our tours are well-paced with plenty of stops for storytelling (and a few restrooms too).
Is parking available near the tours?
Yes, but give yourself extra time to find it. Street parking is usually easiest north of 8th Street, or you can park in one of several downtown garages. We’ll include parking tips in your confirmation email.
Do you offer private tours?
Absolutely. All of our tours are available as private experiences — just choose “Book as Private Tour” or contact us for a custom quote. Private tours can start at your hotel and be tailored to your group.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Public Tours: Cancel up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund. No refunds for cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance. We’re pretty flexible about rescheduling.
Most private tours are paid in full at the time of booking. For larger groups booking more than 30 days in advance (typically 15+ guests), we offer the option to reserve with a 15% deposit.
In either case, the first 15% of your booking total is considered a nonrefundable commitment once you're within 30 days of the tour. This helps cover guide scheduling, planning time, and any tour customizations we've started preparing.
Our cancellation terms:
More than 30 days before the tour: You’ll receive a refund minus 5% of the total booking amount.
30 to 1 day before the tour: The 15% deposit is nonrefundable. Any additional amount you've paid will be refunded.
Less than 24 hours before the tour: No refund.
If only the 15% deposit has been paid and you cancel fewer than 30 days before the tour, no refund will be issued.
NGC Tours has a Five Star average rating across all platforms.
“It was a great tour. And Caroline was a perfect guide and very knowledgeable about everything. The tour is a must if you want to learn about the history of Austin.”
— Bruno– Switzerland
(GetYourGuide Review, Story of Austin, June 2025)
“Great small group tour. I really enjoyed the history tour of Austin! It went at a great pace for walking and information. Our guide answered any questions we had.”
— Sharon
(Viator Review, Story of Austin, June 2025)
“Unique tour! If you're truly into history, this would be a great match for you, as the knowledge shared comes across like that favorite history teacher you had in school that was great at storytelling. Enjoyed the 2 hours and learned a lot!”
— Amy
(Google Review, Story of Austin, June 2025)