Take a scroll on any social media page—Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest—and odds are you’ll stumble upon something to do with Austin, TX. It’s popular for so many reasons: lots of new faces move here each year for the nice weather and career opportunities; the city hosts more events than ever, like the CMT Music Awards; and it sits at the top of all the lists of must-visit places these days. To put it simply, Austin is just a cool place to see, experience, and photograph. They don’t say “Keep Austin Weird” for nothing. So, come to this truly unique city filled with one-of-a-kind restaurants, places, and photo opportunities to see for yourself what makes Austin such an Instagram-worthy city. Check out our list of the most Instagrammable places in Austin to get started.
When you’re convinced you can’t go another day without capturing Austin’s creativity, let us help you get set up in your new city. AptAmigo is your one-stop-shop for apartment hunting. Talk to us about your preferred locations, your budget, and all of your must-haves in an apartment, and we’ll take it from there. You’ll feel right at home in your new apartment in the most Instagrammable city in no time.
Top Austin Instagram Spots
Tau Ceti Mural
The Tau Ceti consists of a trio of rainbow triangles that create a gorgeous optical illusion on 2nd St. in Downtown Austin. As Austin’s tallest public piece of artwork, this mural is a can’t-miss photo-op when exploring the downtown area. The best angle to capture a photo is from a low angle with a wide lens, or from across the street to get the entire mural in the image.
Kendra Scott Flagship Store
A stroll down South Congress would be incomplete without stopping by the Kendra Scott flagship store. After stopping in, buying some new jewelry, and grabbing a drink at their cafe, swing by the side of the building to see the current mural painted there. They change the mural each season, so you’ll want to go back again and again.
Texas State Capitol Building
It should come as no surprise that Texas built a highly impressive (and oversized) capitol building. What’s even better is that the grounds around the building are immaculately well kept. No matter what angle you look at the building from, you’ll discover a beautiful backdrop for your next photo.
Blanton Museum of Art
Of course any art museum will contain plenty of beauty within its walls, and the Blanton Museum of Art is no exception. Our favorite spot at the museum to snap a shot is actually outside of the museum itself. The Ellsworth Kelly building is a stone structure with colorful windows that not only look beautiful from the outside, but cast colorful shadows inside.
Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
There’s no better photo op than the Austin skyline, and one of the best places to photograph it is from the Pfluger Pedestrian bridge downtown. As you cross over Lady Bird Lake from South Austin, you’ll be met with incredible views of bustling downtown.
“I love you so much” Mural
Walking down South Congress Ave., you won’t miss Jo’s Coffee Shop, with its distinct bright green paint. You also won’t miss the noticeable line that generally forms on the side of the building for taking photos in front of the iconic “I love you so much” mural. The mural was painted by part owner Liz Lambert’s partner, Amy Cook, as a message to her back in 2010. After snapping the perfect picture with your significant other, bestie, or pup, grab a delicious iced coffee from Jo’s.
2nd Street Butterfly Bridge
When taking a stroll downtown, you’ll eventually find yourself near the Austin Public Library. On 2nd street behind the library building stands a bridge with two “butterfly wings” coming out of the sides. Use the bridge to frame your shot with views of the city behind you to capture this quintessential image of Austin.
Pennybacker Bridge
Also known as the 360 bridge, here you’ll take a short hike up to the top of a cliff on the side of the road. As you reach the top, an unparalleled view of Lake Austin will manifest before your eyes. Trust us, it’s worth the extra effort.
Mount Bonnell
Of the many great reasons to live in Austin, the outdoor activities you can do in the surrounding area might very well top our list. One of our favorites is the short trek up Mount Bonnell. The top offers gorgeous views of the Colorado River and the hilly country surrounding Austin.
“You’re My Butter Half” Mural
A trip over to East Austin feels a little like walking through a living art museum. The buildings are covered with art painted by local artists, including the iconic “You’re My Butter Half” mural. This piece provides another great photo op for couples or a best friend duo.
Hamilton Pool
Like we said, living in Austin means embracing the outdoors. Luckily, the city and surrounding areas make it incredibly enjoyable to do just that. For a truly one-of-a-kind experience that you’ll want to take all of your visitors to after you move here, head to the Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Pro tip: Reservations are required so be sure to book ahead.
South Congress Ave.
Take a stroll down Austin’s iconic South Congress Ave. for all the Instagram photo ops of your dreams. This historic street is filled with creative murals like the ones listed above as well as others, such as “Love From Austin,” “Willie for President,” and more. Along this road you’ll also see the noteworthy Austin Motel sign and its quirky phrase of the day in addition to other historic Austin spots like Allen’s Boots.
Margaritas make excellent photo props, so why not stop for one after your Instagram tour? Here’s our list of the best margaritas in the city. Or, if you feel famished after taking so many pictures, snatch up some grub and selfies as you experience Austin’s iconic food truck scene.
Live Near the Most Instagrammable Places in Austin
Moving to Austin means displaying the best looking content on your Instagram feed. Explore these places and so many more iconic spots when you decide to call Austin home. For help finding a place to live here, reach out to AptAmigo to make your move to the Lone Star State as easy as saying, “Cheese!”
Brett Hayden is a native Wisconsinite turned Texan who loves exploring Austin and beyond. She has a passion for writing and traveling, which she showcases on her blog, “by, Brett Nicole.”
