9 Great Spots to View the Austin Skyline | Awe-inspiring Views of the City

Sunset at Mount Bonell: A panoramic view of the Austin skyline, with the Colorado River winding through the city below. The sky is painted in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple, casting a warm glow over the landscape

Austin is a city full of charm, culture, and obviously, an awe-inspiring skyline. While popular spots such as Lou Neff Point, Pennybacker Bridge, and Zilker Park offer a stunning Austin cityscape, there are also plenty of hidden spots to admire the Austin TX, skyline from a different perspective.

In this blog, we have curated a list of ten of the best-overlooked spots for an unforgettable view of the skyline. So, buckle up, and let’s explore your Austin weekend itinerary!

1. Long Center for the Performing Arts

Situated conveniently near Lady Bird Lake, the Long Center offers cool, shady areas to take in the surrounding scenery. The building’s mirrored windows create breathtaking reflections of the city skyline and are perfect for snagging that coveted Instagram photo.

Once you’ve taken in the sights, experience Austin’s vibrant artistic culture through a range of musical and cinematic performances presented at the Long Center in the art district of Austin year-round. Customer service hours Monday-Saturday.

Click here to learn more about Long Center for the Performing Arts.

2. The Running Trails at Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake is one of Austin’s most popular outdoor destinations, offering scenic routes for bikers and runners alike. The trails provide gorgeous views of the city skyline at all hours, and visitors who stick around until dusk can catch sight of the famous Congress Bridge bats, who typically take flight around 7:45 pm each night.

Ample parking is available at the corner of West Riverside Drive and South First Street but be advised that demand is highest during the weekends.

Click here to learn more about The Running Trails at Lady Bird Lake.

3. Zilker Park

Zilker Park is a picnic lover’s paradise, complete with open-sky views of the surrounding skyline. The park is located at 2201 Barton Springs Road and is home to Austin’s iconic annual music festival: ACL.

Known fondly to Austinites as the “jewel in the heart of Austin”, Zilker also offers exciting attractions such as a lush botanical garden, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, the Austin Nature and Science Center, the Zilker Hillside Theater and the spacious, 3-acre Barton Springs Pool.

Click here to learn more about Zilker Park.

4. Pennybacker Bridge

Located on Austin’s East Side at 5300 North Capitol of Texas Highway, Pennybacker Bridge offers views of the Austin skyline from a more distant perspective than other more centrally-located spots.

The Pennybacker bridge across Lake Austin connects both the northern and south Austin Loop 360 highway, it is known as the “Capital of Texas Highway.”

Known commonly as the “360 Bridge”, the spot is located along the Loop 360 Highway: considered to be one of the best scenic spots near me and scenic urban drives available in the Lone Star State.

Click here to learn more about Pennybacker Bridge.

5. Lou Neff Point

Located near Austin’s downtown Butler Hike and Bike Trail, the Lou Neff Point Gazebo provides charming photo ops of the downtown skyline, framed by the Colorado River and the iconic Lamar Bridge.

The scenic overlook offers benches and shaded seating areas as well: the perfect nooks to relax while taking in the surrounding scenery. This is the perfect location to overlook the downtown skyline.

Click here to learn more about Lou Neff Point.

6. Mount Bonnell

Climb up 102 stairs at Mount Bonnell, and you’ll get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the skyline from the Austin mountain. The view from Mt Bonnell is particularly spectacular at sunset with Austin skyline pictures, and it’s a popular spot for marriage proposals and wedding photoshoots with the waterline behind.

Named after George Bonnell, a commissioner who served as the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for Texas in the 19th century, Mount Bonnell is the highest point in Austin. It offers a bird’s eye view of the city across South Congress to Austin city limits. For recuperating patients looking for relaxation and recovery, Mount Bonnell is hard to beat for natural treatment. So when tourists ask: Are there mountains in Austin, Texas? Mount Bonnell can be proudly pointed out.

Click here to learn more about Mount Bonnell.

7. Laguna Gloria

Located at the southern edge of the Colorado River and adjacent to Lake Austin, Laguna Gloria offers a unique view of the city skyline with the water in the foreground. It’s a historic venue that has been home to art exhibitions, offers opportunities for nature walks, picnics, and yoga, while you get an unparalleled view of the skyline.

A particular highlight of Laguna Gloria is seeing the tower of the Texas State Capitol, spotlighted and illuminated against the night sky.

Click here to learn more about Laguna Gloria.

8. The Lookout at Shoal Creek

The Lookout at Shoal Creek is a hidden gem in the Austin Greenbelt – a mile-long stretch of scenic green space through the heart of Austin.

Located in the middle of the city, this peaceful hideaway features a spectacular vista of downtown, making it a popular spot for early birds looking for their first appointment, hiking, picnicking, and dog walking. During the day, you can relax in the shade of the trees, and as the sun sets, watch as the downtown skyscrapers light up.

Click here to learn more about The Lookout at Shoal Creek.

9. Austin Central Library

No trip to Austin would be complete without a visit to the city’s Central Library. Imagine reading a book by the window, and when you look up, you realize the Austin skyline 2023 is right in front of you. The library offers a unique perspective on the city’s skyline of large businesses and small business alike, and it’s a great place to relax and soak in the city’s cultural vibes.

The best views from the library are from the rooftop garden where you can take panoramic shots of Lady Bird Lake, Auditorium Shores, and the city skyline.

Click here to learn more about Austin Central Library.

Conclusion

Austin’s skyline is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic sights you will ever see. Even though some popular spots offer unforgettable views, countless lesser-known spots throughout the city offer just as spectacular views from unique perspectives.

From hiking to libraries with free Wi-Fi, and docklands to downtown, Austin is full of picturesque spots perfect for finding good views in Austin. Whatever your Austin itinerary, whether you’re looking for solitude or an active social scene, these ten overlooked spots will give you an up-close and personal look at Austin’s towering urban beauty. Get out there and enjoy the view! For a more traditional cityscape view, try 515 Congress Avenue Austin TX 78701, with 26 storys.

Of course, not all companies are based in hi-rise buildings for example, Ebay is located in Parmer La, North Austin and international building designer Adam Zarafshani is based in East Austin in Ed Bluestein Blvd Building V. If you ever need a break from the crowds and noise of real street addresses take time out to discover the more relaxing views and atmosphere of Austin’s spots to view the city.

Which spot is your favorite for admiring the Austin skyline? Let us know in the comments!

If you find yourself in downtown Houston with time to spare, take in the best Houston skyline view from Eleanor Tinsley Park, both during the day and the evening.