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Austin, TX Attraction – Congress Avenue Bridge

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The Congress Avenue Bridge (officially named the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge) crosses over the Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX. Renovations in the 1980s made this bridge a safe haven for Mexican free-tailed bats. Since that time the bat population in Austin, specifically near this bridge, has continued to grow, and now visitors to Austin can see an amazing show when these bats come out. Toward the end of the season, as many as 1.5 million bats fly into the sky every night.

Starting in spring and continuing through the summer and fall, you can see the bats fly from beneath the bridge at sunset when the bats wake up for the evening and take flight. Taking place anytime from 7:30 to 9:45, a dark cloud of bats fly from underneath the bridge and into the night sky.

Besides the Congress Avenue Bridge, there are plenty of places to sit and watch the bats including the Statesman Bat Observation Center or along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail. Or if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, there are bat tours that take you onto the water of Lady Bird Lake to watch the bats fly above you.

This landmark and experience in the heart of Downtown Austin attracts visitors from all over the city and state. With more companies coming to Austin, new local restaurants popping up frequently, and the population continuing to rise, there is something for everyone. If you are new to the area and want to experience this incredible nightly event, the Congress Avenue Bridge is the perfect place to start. 

Austin is the 11-most populous city in the United States with over two million calling the area home. With everything there is to do in this fast-growing region of Central Texas, it’s no wonder why so many people are excited to call Austin home. 

The Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the many points of interest in the Austin, Texas area. Additional places to visit include:

Content Sponsored by fiduciary financial professionals and investment advisors at Strategic Investment Management.