Essential History:
Our Walking Tours
Our most popular tour explores Austin's story, from cowboys to condominiums, with a stop inside the iconic Driskill Hotel. In under two hours, you'll uncover the city's origins, its heroes and villains, the evolution of downtown, its architecture, and its wild west roots. This tour is wheel friendly.
$27.50/person
1.1 miles / <2 hr
Age Suggestion 13+
Meeting Spot: 4th & Lavaca outside Halcyon Coffee
Tours run daily at 1:30pm
Architecture:
Downtown Austin Historic Architecture Walk
Returning April 1, 2025 with new starting location.
This historical architecture tour explores Austin’s architectural tapestry, beginning near Capital Square with government buildings from 1856 to 1933. Stroll past eclectic Victorian homes and finish in the vibrant commercial district, where each style reflects the city’s evolving history and ideas. This tour is not wheel friendly.
2025 Season begins April 1. Tickets on sale now.
$27.50/person
1.5 miles / 1 hr 45 min
Daily @ 9:45am
Departs: Austin Visitor’s Center
Austin’s ghosts are a rowdy bunch! This walking tour visits 8 haunted sites in downtown Austin and tells the tales of ghosts both friendly and frightening. You can expect to learn a good bit of history alongside your ghost stories on this one.
2025 season begins February 20. Tickets on sale now.
27.50/person
~1 mile/ 1.5 hours
Thu-Su 8:30pm
Departs: The Driskill Hotel
Online Booking Required (click here)
True Crime:
Austin Ripper 1885: Historical True Crime Walking Tour - Downtown Austin
Uncover the chilling mystery of Austin’s 1885 Servant Girl Murders on this true crime walking tour. Explore the unsolved string of heinous crimes that gripped the city, examining the lives of the victims, the detectives chasing leads, and the men accused in a desperate hunt for justice. With fresh perspectives and untold details, this tour offers a unique chance to piece together one of history’s most haunting cases. This tour is wheel friendly, however there is one moderate hill.
$55/person
Length: 1.5 miles / 2 hours
Content/age Warning: Disturbing topics including sexual violence.
Meeting Spot: Outside Stephen F Austin/ Royal Sonesta Hotel @ 701 Congress Avenue
Seasonal Bat Tour:
Austin History Walk & Bat Bridge!
Stroll through Austin’s history and witness its famous bats at sunset.
This 1–1.5 hour walking tour explores the unique history, architecture, and stories of Congress Avenue, ending at the Congress Avenue Bridge for the best bat-viewing spot.
Route: 1 mile from the Capitol’s South Gates to the Congress Avenue Bridge with a stop inside the Driskill Hotel.
Price: $27.50 per person.
Meeting Spot: South Gates of the Capitol (11th & Congress Ave).
Spring: Dates announced in March, based on bat migration.
Fall: July 22 - October 12.
Visit our Bat FAQ
Booking available soon
We do not guarantee the activity of the bats. They are most active in dry weather. Refunds will not be issued based on bat behavior.
Private & Custom Groups:
Downtown All-Access History & Museum Tour for private groups.
Entry to three downtown museums, two cultural landmarks, two historic landmarks.
Guided tour inside and between stops.
Choose between a coffee, smoothie, or bar stop.
Local guide
Available Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday // $90/person
Contact for booking- 512-507-2067 - emily@ngctours.com
Treat your private group to an all-access walking tour of Downtown Austin. Get a private guided tour of three museums, two historical hotels, and two cultural landmarks all while hearing the fascinating history of Austin from a local history enthusiast (whose also got the inside scoop on what to do and where to eat in Austin).
“Build Your Own” Private or Custom Tours
We offer the option to “Build your own” tour based on offerings from the above tours, with the option to add a variety of inclusions. Please use the “Book Custom and Private Tours,” button below to let us know what you’re looking for. We’ll respond within 24 business hours (usually quicker) to let you know if we can accommodate your request.