Austin Travel Guide

The O. Henry Museum occupies an 1890s Victorian cottage east of downtown Austin, where short-story master O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) lived from 1893 to 1895. Period rooms, manuscripts, photos and personal effects tell of his Austin years and the flight that preceded his fame — the man behind the famous twist ending.

The Texas Memorial Museum, located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, is the natural history museum of UT Austin. Built in 1936 during the Texas Centennial celebration, the museum aims to preserve and display Texas natural history heritage. The most famous exhibits are the complete dinosaur fossil collections, including pterosaur fossils and various dinosaur skeletons found in Texas, offering a glimpse into the prehistoric ecology of the region millions of years ago. The geology gallery displays rich mineral specimens, with an outstanding Texas mineral collection showcasing crystals, agates, and fossils that demonstrate the state geological diversity. The anthropology gallery introduces Native Texas cultures and early pioneer history. The museum also has a Texas wildlife gallery and interactive discovery lab where children can touch fossils and minerals.

Hamilton Pool Preserve is located about 37 kilometers west of Austin, Texas, and is a stunning natural geological wonder and swimming destination. The pool is situated in a half-subterranean dome cave 30 meters in diameter, formed by ceiling collapse thousands of years ago. A 15-meter waterfall cascades through the dome opening into emerald-green pool water. The water connects to the Edwards Plateau aquifer through an underground river, remaining clear and cool. The preserve is surrounded by typical Texas Hill Country vegetation, with live oaks and junipers, and hiking trails lead to the cave. Famous as one of "America's best swimming holes" by National Geographic, it is one of the most popular natural attractions near Austin.