University of Texas at Austin Campus Tour
Architecture, history & things to do near University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
Why Walk University of Texas at Austin Campus
UT Austin's campus covers 431 acres just north of the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin. The Main Building Tower, a 307-foot Beaux-Arts limestone structure completed in 1937 by Paul Cret, is the campus icon — lit burnt orange for athletic victories and other celebrations. The South Mall stretches from the Tower to a row of six buildings housing liberal arts departments, flanked by live oaks. The Blanton Museum of Art, with over 21,000 works, is one of the largest university art museums in the country. The Harry Ransom Center houses the Gutenberg Bible, the first photograph, and extensive literary archives. The Peter O'Donnell Jr. Building houses computer science. The Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium seats over 100,000 for Longhorn football.
About University of Texas at Austin
Founded
1883 (classes began September 15, 1883)
Type
Public research university; flagship of the University of Texas System
Setting
Urban campus of about 430 acres just north of downtown Austin, Texas, bounded roughly by Guadalupe Street ("the Drag") on the west and I-35 on the east
Enrollment
About 53,000 students total (roughly 42,000 undergraduate and 11,000 graduate)
Mascot
Bevo, a live Texas Longhorn steer; the spirit gesture is the "Hook 'em Horns" hand sign
Free University of Texas at Austin Campus Tour with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free University of Texas at Austin campus tour with audio narration. Explore Main Building Tower, Harry Ransom Center, Blanton Museum of Art, plus hidden spots like Littlefield Fountain and The Turtle Pond, at your own pace without booking a group tour.
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Must-See Spots at University of Texas at Austin
- •Main Building Tower — a 307-foot Beaux-Arts tower lit burnt orange for victories, designed by Paul Cret and completed in 1937
- •Harry Ransom Center — a research library and museum housing a Gutenberg Bible, the world's first photograph, and vast literary archives
- •Blanton Museum of Art — one of the largest university art museums in the US with over 21,000 works, including Ellsworth Kelly's 'Austin' chapel
- •South Mall — the grand tree-lined lawn stretching from the Tower southward, flanked by six liberal arts buildings
Signature Architecture
- •Main Building and Tower — 307-foot tower completed in 1937, designed by Paul Philippe Cret in a stripped Beaux-Arts/Art Deco style; houses a 56-bell carillon and is lit orange after notable wins. Public observation-deck tours are booked through the Texas Union.
- •Harry Ransom Center — Humanities research library and museum holding a complete Gutenberg Bible and Nicephore Niepce's first permanent photograph from nature (c. 1826-27); free admission, galleries open to the public.
- •Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum — Opened 1971 on the east side of campus; designed by Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; displays a 7/8-scale replica of the Oval Office.
- •Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium — Football stadium opened in 1924; seats roughly 100,000, among the largest in college football.
- •Blanton Museum of Art — One of the largest university art museums in the U.S.; home to Ellsworth Kelly's 'Austin' (2018), a stone building with colored-glass windows that was his only freestanding structure.
Hidden Corners of University of Texas at Austin
- •Littlefield Fountain — a dramatic 1933 bronze fountain at the entrance to the South Mall, depicting Columbia on the prow of a ship
- •The Turtle Pond — a small pond near the communication buildings where students study and watch turtles, a calm spot on the busy campus
Notable Alumni
- •Walter Cronkite, CBS news anchor (attended in the 1930s)
- •Farrah Fawcett, actress
- •Matthew McConaughey, actor and UT professor
- •Wes Anderson, film director
- •Michael Dell, founder of Dell (dropped out)
- •Roger Clemens, Major League Baseball pitcher
- •Janis Joplin, singer
Campus Traditions
- •Hook 'em Horns hand sign, introduced in 1955 at a pep rally before the Texas Christian University game
- •The Tower is lit orange for wins and academic honors, and fully orange with a '1' display for national championships
- •Hex Rally, where students burn red candles to 'hex' a rival before a big game, a tradition dating to 1941
- •Singing 'The Eyes of Texas' (set to the tune of 'I've Been Working on the Railroad') at games and events
Where to Eat Near Campus
- •Kerbey Lane Cafe (Guadalupe location near campus) for queso and all-day breakfast
- •Cabo Bob's on Guadalupe for build-your-own burritos, a longtime student staple
- •Hopdoddy Burger Bar on the Drag
- •Madam Mam's on the Drag for Thai food
- •Torchy's Tacos, the taco chain that started in Austin, with locations near campus
Did you know? A tower shooting occurred from the Main Building Tower on August 1, 1966; afterward the observation deck was closed for decades and only reopened to the public, with restricted access and security screening, in 1999.
Visiting University of Texas at Austin
The Office of Admissions runs free guided campus tours and information sessions on most weekdays; reserve a spot in advance through the UT Austin visit website. Self-guided walking is open to the public on the outdoor campus. Visitor parking is available in the San Antonio Garage, Brazos Garage, and other campus garages for an hourly fee; metered street parking is scarce. The Tower observation deck requires a separately ticketed tour booked through the Texas Union, and the LBJ Library and Blanton Museum have their own admission policies.
Walking Tip
Start at Littlefield Fountain on Guadalupe Street, walk up the South Mall toward the Tower, then visit the Ransom Center and Blanton. Guadalupe Street ('the Drag') borders campus with shops and restaurants.
Best Time to Visit
Fall for football season and tolerable temperatures. Spring (March) coincides with SXSW in Austin. Avoid midsummer heat. The Tower is most dramatic at night when lit.
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