Welcome to the Self-Guided Driving Tour of Austin and Houston Bundle
Experience the hippest cities in Texas with these self-guided driving tours of Austin and Houston. In Austin, you’ll start at the beautiful Mount Bonnell. As you drive, you’ll learn about Texas’s struggle for independence and the city’s rich and delightfully diverse music history. Plus, cruise past the Wild Basin Wilderness preserve, replete with over 200 acres of preserved wilderness.
About the Bundle
Uncover the city’s rich BBQ history, especially Austin’s pit-style cooking! Then find out how this became the hottest city in the tech industry. Stop by Zilker Botanical Garden with 28 acres of local and exotic flora. Pay a visit to the beloved Barton Springs with its three-acre spring-fed pool, a miniature train, and even a community theater! Then, cross Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the largest urban bat colony in America.
Dig further into Austin’s culture and learn how the iconic phrase “Keep Austin Weird” was born! Get some trivia on the various movies and shows that have been filmed here, such as the cult classic, Office Space and Richard Linklater’s ambitious Boyhood, shot over a dozen years. Then park by the majestic state capitol and stroll through the beautiful grounds as you learn more about Austin’s fascinating history. Finally, catch snatches of the vibrant nightlife on 6th Street, which was once a hive of booze-related shenanigans during Prohibition. This concludes your Austin adventure!
In Houston, you’ll begin on Lamar Street, between the Embassy Suites Hotel and Grove Restaurant. Then hear about the Caddo Nations and how the Spanish conquered their land to establish Mexico. Proceed past the Buffalo Bayou Park and unearth the famed Battle of San Jacinto, a key fight in the struggle for Texan independence! As you drive, you’ll behold amazing architecture both new and old, from sleek skyscrapers like Penzoil Place to the grandeur of Christ Church Cathedral. Discover the blend of art, science, and history at the Houston Museum District, where you’ll find a diverse range of museums dedicated to everything from African-American culture, to children, natural sciences, and beyond!
Of course, no visit is complete without learning the history of NASA. Learn why Houston was chosen for the headquarters and hear stories of some of its greatest triumphs as you make your way to the Johnson Space Center. Your tour concludes here.
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Tour Map
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
The bundle includes two self-guided driving tours, allowing you to explore the major sights, history, culture, architecture, and local stories of both Austin and Houston.
No. You can take the Austin and Houston tours on different days and explore each city whenever it fits your travel plans. The tours are designed to give you flexibility rather than follow a fixed schedule.
Each tour typically takes around 2–3 hours of driving time, though your experience may take longer if you stop to explore attractions, take photos, visit museums, or enjoy food along the way.
The Austin tour introduces you to some of the city’s best-known sights and stories, including Mount Bonnell, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Zilker Botanical Garden, Barton Springs, Congress Avenue Bridge, the Texas State Capitol, and Sixth Street.
Source: Visit Austin
The Houston tour features Buffalo Bayou, historic landmarks, striking architecture, the Museum District, and stories connected to Texas history and the city’s role in America’s space program.
Source: Houston
Absolutely. Since the tours are self-guided, you can pause whenever you like for food, photos, attractions, or additional sightseeing before continuing the route.
No. You will need your own vehicle or rental car for these driving tours. Parking fees, attraction admission, food, drinks, and other personal expenses are not included.
Yes. The Austin and Houston bundle can easily be incorporated into a larger Texas itinerary. You can explore Austin’s music, food, and outdoor spaces before continuing to Houston for its museums, history, architecture, and space-related attractions.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Action Tour Guide app: Download the app to access your purchased tour.GPS-triggered audio: Stories and directions play automatically as you reach each location.Tour anytime: Single tours and bundles never expire and can be used anytime. Action+ is an annual subscription that automatically renews each year unless canceled.Narrated stories: Hear local history, culture, and stories from experienced narrators.Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day.Offline access: Download your tour before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.Stories, stops, and directions: Follow the route to key attractions with automatic directions and stories at each location.Transportation: Transportation, parking fees, and tolls are not included.Admission: Entry tickets and reservations are not included. Food and drinks: Meals and drinks are not included.Rental car: A rental car is not included and may be required for driving tours. 
