4 Scenic Drives Around Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas boasts a lot of spectacular features, but its natural wonders are some of the best. Austin is a beautiful city that’s packed with natural beauty, including lake views, skyline sights, and the prettiest sunsets in the continental U.S. For the best scenic drives around Austin, consider these recommendations!

The Capitol View

The Austin Capitol Building is a stunning example of Austin history. The towering white balustrade and dome carve out an imposing figure in the Austin skyline that dazzles day or night. For a spectacular view of the Capitol and surrounding city skyline, start at Town Lake and drive north on Congress Avenue.

City Meets Country

If you’re a city and country lover, Austin provides the perfect balance of both. An urban and sprawling metropolis, Austin nestles perfectly into the side of Hill Country for a perfectly contrasting view of urban and rural. To see this split depicted in real life, drive west on RM 2222, pass Loop 360, and turn left on City Park Road. You will then get to drive along a ridge where you’ll see the beautiful Austin city on one side and glimpses of elegant and stunning Hill Country on the other.

Sun and Moonchasers

Enamored with the Texan sunset or moonrise? Love to stare at the moon? This Austin drive follows the path of the sunset and the moonrise and ends in a seating area equipped for night skygazers who are captivated by the Texan night. Drive out to 2901 Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360), where Loop 360 intersects MoPac, and locate the parking lot for the perfect view of the evening sky.

Cool Off with this Water View

For people who want to beat the heat, this water-based drive takes you through the winding countryside and ends in a natural pool reservoir you can dip a toe in to cool off. Go west on Texas Highway 71, continue past the turn off for RM 620, and then turn left on Hamilton Pool Road. About 14.5 miles from the cutoff you will reach Hamilton Pool, named for a natural pool within a cave complete with a waterfall.

Featured Image Credit: Deborah Jackson from Pixabay