United States of America

Austin

The Texas State Capitol Building stands as a bold architectural declaration of Texas pride and power. Designed by Elijah E. Myers and constructed between 1882 and 1888, this stunning structure surpasses the United States Capitol in Washington DC, reaching an impressive 302.64 feet in height. Built from Texas Sunset Red Granite quarried from Granite Mountain and generously donated to the state, the capitol was constructed with help from 86 skilled granite cutters brought from Scotland. The building's complexity is staggering: 392 rooms, 924 windows, and 404 doors. Over 20,000 people attended the dedication week celebration. Crowning the dome is a Goddess of Liberty statue made from 80 welded zinc pieces. Remarkably, the construction was largely financed through the sale of over 3 million acres of Texas Panhandle land.

The Texas State Capitol Building

The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin is a world-class cultural institution and the largest university art museum in the United States. Its impressive collection encompasses nearly 21,000 works spanning diverse periods and styles, making it a treasure trove for art enthusiasts. The museum is particularly renowned for its exceptional holdings in Latin American art, Italian Renaissance masterpieces, and modern and contemporary American works. Whether you're a seasoned art collector or simply curious about creative expression, the Blanton offers an inspiring journey through centuries of artistic achievement.

Blanton Museum of Art

The building simply called "Austin" is one of the most extraordinary pieces of art in Texas, and it almost didn't exist. Ellsworth Kelly, one of America's most important abstract artists, designed it as a standalone work combining architecture, sculpture, and light into a single experience. He gifted the design to the Blanton Museum of Art in 2015. He died that December, at 92, without ever seeing it built.

The building opened on February 18, 2018, and it is the only freestanding structure Kelly ever designed. At 2,715 square feet, it's a stone chapel-like space with no religious affiliation, meant purely as a place to experience colour and light. Thirty-three windows of coloured glass (in deep reds, blues, greens, and yellows) cast shifting patterns across the white interior throughout the day. Black-and-white marble panels and a totem-like wooden sculpture complete the space.

Kelly described the project as a "totality of architecture, sculpture, and light." Walking inside, especially on a sunny day, you'll understand what he meant. The light changes constantly, and no two visits look the same.

"Austin" is free to visit as part of the Blanton Museum's general admission (free on Thursdays). If you're exploring Austin on a Questo quest, this is a stop where the challenge might be to slow down and really look.

"Austin" by Ellsworth Kelly

The Littlefield Fountain sits at the south entrance of the UT Austin campus on Guadalupe Street as a tribute to American sacrifice and valor. Designed by acclaimed Italian sculptor Pompeo Coppini and unveiled in 1933, this magnificent fountain was commissioned by Major George Littlefield to honor American involvement in World War I. The fountain's composition features a striking central figure: Columbia, representing America, positioned prominently on the prow of a ship. She is flanked by allegorical figures representing both the Army and the Navy, creating a powerful tableau of American military strength and unity. This enduring monument continues to inspire visitors with its artistic beauty and historical significance.

Littlefield Fountain

The Barbara Jordan statue by sculptor Bruce Wolfe stands at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, honoring one of Texas's most influential political leaders. Barbara Jordan (1936-1996) was a trailblazer who made history as the first African American elected to the Texas State Senate in 1966. Four years later, she became the first Southern African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1972. Her powerful voice during the Watergate impeachment hearings in 1974 earned her national recognition and respect. Jordan's legacy of courage and eloquence was recognized with her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame. The statue captures her dignified presence and serves as an inspiration to all who pass through Austin's airport.

Barbara Jordan Statue by Bruce Wolfe

The Texas Governor's Mansion is the oldest continuously occupied building in downtown Austin, and it has been home to every Texas governor since 1856.

Built between 1854 and 1856 in the Greek Revival style, the mansion was designed by Abner Cook, one of Austin's most prominent early architects. At 10,500 square feet, it was grand for its time, and Sam Houston was the first governor to call it home.

The mansion's history has not been entirely peaceful. In June 2008, someone threw a Molotov cocktail through a window in the early hours of the morning, causing a devastating fire that gutted much of the interior. The arsonist was never identified. A meticulous four-year restoration followed, and the mansion reopened in 2012, with many of its original features painstakingly recreated.

Over its lifetime, the building has hosted presidents, foreign dignitaries, and countless state events. It sits just south of the Capitol on Colorado Street, surrounded by gardens that have been tended for more than 160 years.

Free public tours are available on select days. And if you're on a Questo quest through Austin, the mansion and its surroundings have stories that go well beyond what you'll find on a plaque.

<h2>Where is the Governor's Mansion in Texas?</h2>In case you need it, the Texas Governor’s Mansion address is&nbsp;1010 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701, United States.To get there, it’s only an 11 minute walk from Austin’s city center, via Congress Ave and W 9th St. Alternatively, the number 20 and 30 buses from Lavaca/4th both drop you off three minutes away from the building, but it still works out faster to walk.As for driving to reach the Texas Governor’s Mansion, it’s located in a really accessible spot – just off the corner of Lavaca/W11th. That said, it’s quite a busy area (especially during peak business hours).&nbsp;<h2>What to see at the Texas Governor’s Mansion?</h2>The great thing about visiting here is that the staff there offer (at the time of writing) a free guided&nbsp;Texas Governor's Mansion tour every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which start at 2:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm, and 3:30pm (for security reasons reservations need to be made a week in advance).&nbsp; &nbsp;Cool, right?&nbsp;These free Texas Governor’s Mansion tours&nbsp;last around twenty minutes and cover the most interesting parts of the interior. So, if you were wondering “is the texas governor's mansion open for tours?” the answer is, as things are returning to normal following the first wave of the Covid Pandemic, yes! &nbsp;To schedule a tour, please visit the State Preservation Board's website [https://tspb.texas.gov/prop/tgm/tgm-tour/tgm-tour.html].&nbsp; Visitors may also call the Mansion Reservationist at (512) 305-8524 or email them at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Mansion.Tours@tspb.texas.gov">Mansion.Tours@tspb.texas.gov</a>. &nbsp;Aside from the interior, of course, there’s the lovely Greek Revival architecture and spotless garden to check out! In addition to all that, the State Preservation Board has a neat activity book and wordsearch on their website [https://tspb.texas.gov/atxmd/index.html#section3] you can print off for your kids to try while you visit, too!&nbsp;<h2>Can you take pictures at the Texas Governor’s Mansion?</h2>To paraphrase the State Preservation Board’s website:&nbsp;Photography is permitted. However, visitors and the building’s occupants may be walking through the area, so you may be asked to move if you’re blocking access. &nbsp;Always be wary of taking photographs whenever there’s another visitor or staff member within shot, just in case they wouldn’t like to feature in your photo. &nbsp;We also recommend not using flash photography around strangers in general, as it can affect those with epilepsy and can also potentially inflict extreme discomfort on people with ASD, as two examples.<h2>Where to park at the Texas Governor’s Mansion?</h2>Free parking is available for 2 hours at a time&nbsp; in the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage at 1201 San Jacinto located between Trinity and San Jacinto Streets at 12th and 13th Streets. Metered spaces are available throughout the complex, including West 10th Street near the Governor's Mansion. &nbsp;There’s some free parking spots nearby on 110 West 10th Street, too, found <a href="https://www.spotangels.com/austin/the-governor's-mansion-parking?lng=-97.74232640862465&amp;lat=30.271933720309825&amp;zoom=16&amp;spLng=-97.743087&amp;spLat=30.272753&amp;spAddress=The%20Governor%27s%20Mansion&amp;product=parking#id=57000867].">here</a>.<h2>Fun things to do near the Texas Governor’s Mansion?</h2>Besides the activities already mentioned, there’s always trying one of our city exploration games/self-guided tours. They’re just the thing for if you’re looking to see some sights and discover the area surrounding the Texas Governor’s Mansion in a whole new light!&nbsp;&nbsp;Stop, pause and continue at your own pace. Step into a gripping fictional narrative whilst solving bespoke challenges, brought to you by our top-notch team of writers. In doing so, you’ll see gorgeous sights and learn lesser-known facts about each location featured in the game, just by walking!&nbsp;All this is made possible by our award-winning app.&nbsp;Walking around outside the Texas Governor’s Mansion and craning your neck to stare at your phone has never been more exciting!

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One More Moment – Ghosts of Austin

Visit the Texas Governor's Mansion in Austin, the oldest building in downtown Austin (1856). Learn about its Greek Revival design, arson fire, and famous residents.

The Texas Governor’s Mansion, Austin — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

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