Photo-Ops

Much as if a tree falls in a forest ... (you know the rest), will anyone believe you were in Austin if you don't have the photographic evidence? Here are a few of our favorite photo ops.

Natural

Barton Springs Pool

Mount Bonnell

3800 Mt. Bonnell Dr.

A gentle hike earns you a stunning bird's-eye view of Lake Austin and the Hill Country. Bonus points if you photobomb a marriage proposal in progress.

Barton Springs

2201 Barton Springs Rd.

Diehard swimmers will tell you the water's always fine at this popular springs. Personally, we think 68 degrees is the perfect temperature to take a picture from the sidelines.

Man-made

Willie Nelson Statue

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson statues

Stevie Ray Vaughan: 800 W. Riverside

Willie Nelson: 301 W. Second (Willie Nelson Blvd.)

Guitar god SRV left us too soon, in a 1990 helicopter crash, but he shreds in perpetuity at Auditorium Shores. As for Willie? Well, you may know him as the red-headed stranger, but to us, he's just family.

Moonlight Towers

Compared to other major metropolises, Austin may seem like an infant city, but we have a few historical tricks up our sleeve. Case in point: our giant moonlight towers, first erected in the late 19th century, and still in use today. They're sprinkled around town – just keep your eye on the sky.

Pennybacker Bridge

5100-5376 Capital of TX Hwy. N.

Better known as the 360 Bridge, this steel arch straddling Lake Austin exemplifies our town's handshake deal between urban and pastoral.

Murals

'Hi, How Are You'

West 21st & Guadalupe

There's a reason rock stars and onesie-wearing tykes alike flock to Daniel Johnston's distinctive frog: It's like a perfect storm of sweet and weird.

'i love you so much.'

1300 S. Congress

Story goes that when the owner of Jo's Coffee was having a bad day, her girlfriend stealth-tagged the storefront's south wall to put a smile on her face. Admit it: Now you're smiling, too.