3 Best Landmarks in Austin, TX

“The Texas Capitol is 302.64 feet tall, the sixth-tallest state capitol building. In 1970, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1986, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The building has the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas, and was designed by architect Elijah E. Myers. The building was built from 1882 to 1888 under the direction of civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker. The Texas Capitol features a magnificent round dome crowned by the "Goddess of Liberty," an almost 16-foot-tall statue of a woman holding a gold five-pointed star. The chambers of the legislature are two of the most significant spaces in the Capitol building, which has 181 members. Free tours last about 30 minutes.”

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“The LBJ Presidential Library is the presidential library and museum of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. The museum has over 45 million pages, a comprehensive audiovisual archive containing over 650,000 images, and 5,000 hours of recordings. The library is one of 14 presidential libraries run by the National Archives and Records Administration. Through interactive exhibitions with historical and cultural artifacts, visitors have the opportunity to experience the life and times of Lyndon Baines Johnson, one of their nation's most fascinating presidents. Workshops are available to students and include primary sources from their archival collections of papers, photos, and museums. The LBJ Presidential Library offers free admission for children under 12. Guided tours are only available from September through May.”

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“Pennybacker Bridge provides scenic views for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. The bridge is the most spectacular drive at any time of the year when you cross Lake Austin on the Capital of Texas Highway (360). The bridge was designed by Civil Engineer Percy V. Pennyback, who wanted to create a cable-stayed support system to keep the water below clear for activities such as boating and paddling. Pennybacker Bridge, with a weathered steel arch, also features a beautiful overlook accessible via this trail. In addition to a six-foot walking and biking lane, the bridge is four lanes wide and has a southbound turnaround that allows parking under the bridge. Around 60,000 vehicles drive across the bridge each day.”

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