Treat your Private Group to

Austin Essentials: An All-Access Walking Tour of Landmarks, Museums & Downtown Austin History

The Essential Rundown:

  • 5 outdoor history stops.

  • Guided tours inside 3 downtown Austin museums

  • Inside access to 2 historic downtown hotels

  • Choose your break stop: Smoothies, Coffee, or Booze

  • Inside access to 2 cultural landmarks.

  • $90/person // 2.5 HRS

  • Private groups of 2-18

  • Departs: South Captial Gates

  • Ends: Mexic-Arte Museum

  • 1:30pm on Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun

Tour guide gives a private tour in Downtown Austin

Dive deep into downtown Austin’s history all in one go. This private walking tour offers exclusive access to the downtown’s most important cultural and historical landmarks. Over 2.5 hours, you’ll explore seven iconic sites, from renowned museums to hidden historical gems, all while getting the stories and insights that bring Austin’s past to life. Starting at Capitol Square, it’s the perfect way for history lovers to see the heart of downtown without the crowds—just rich history and authentic Austin.

Guided visits and inside stops at the following Austin landmarks:

  • Antone's Nightclub

    Learn about the history of Austin's music scene from inside one of Austin's most iconic music venues.

  • O. Henry Museum

    Includes a guided tour of the home of famous short story author O. Henry, whose home stands as an 1880's time capsule in the heart of downtown.

  • Susanna Dickenson Museum

    One of only a few survivors of the Alamo, Susanna Dickenson lived out her last years in Austin, Texas. Guided tour included.

  • Museum of the Weird

    A nod to the classic American curiosity cabinets and carnival sideshows of the past, where oddities like Barnum’s freaks and Ripley’s curiosities baffled visitors, this tour includes a ticket to a self-guided tour to this quirky museum.

  • The Driskill Hotel

    Built in 1886, the Driskill Hotel is the pride of Historic 6th Street. Your guide will take you inside the beautiful hotel lobby for a fascinating history of the hotel and a look inside.

  • Stephen F Austin Hotel

    Opened in 1924, the Stephen F. Austin Hotel is a key part of the city's history. Your guide will walk you through the lobby, sharing interesting stories about the hotel and its place in Austin’s past.

  • Mexic-Arte Museum

    The Mexic-Arte Museum, founded in 1984, is a cornerstone of Mexican and Latin American art in Austin. Your tour includes a ticket for a guided experience inside the museum, where you'll explore its unique exhibits while learning about its role in the city’s vibrant cultural history.

FAQs

  • Please use our booking calendar to choose your day and time.

    Because each booking requires several reservations, your booking request should be made 5 days in advance, and we will confirm your tour within 36 business hours of your request.

    Please include accurate and complete contact information.

    NGC Tours reserves the right to make changes to the standard schedule to accommodate closures.

  • Customizations may be possible. Perhaps you'd like to make the tour shorter or to begin at your downtown hotel. Please contact us directly to discuss customizations.

  • This tour is available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with departure options between 1:00 and 2:30pm. This is the magic window when we have available qualified guides and all of the museums are theoretically open.

    If you're willing to drop a stop or two for a different day or time, you are welcome to run it by us. Give us an email or call.

  • When you book your tour, we'll get to work making reservations. If we run into any snags (occasionally certain events cause unexpected closures) we'll contact you and let you know within 36 hours. You will have the choice to accept the alternative route or receive a refund.