Exploring the Best Things to Do in Austin

02 Visit the State Capitol

Visiting the State Capitol will leave you feeling impressed and more than a little patriotic. The Lone Star State's capitol building is, like everything Texas-sized, the largest in the nation, and painted with natural light. Take a free guided or self-guided tour and look for ornate details like the brass door hinges. See if you can tell what the chandelier light bulbs in the House of Representatives Chamber spell. The grounds cover 22 acres, and you can picnic on the manicured lawns.