Austin Downtown History Walking Tour: O. Henry Home, Driskill Hotel, 2 Hours
by Nitty Gritty City Tours of Austin
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$62Overview
This two-hour walking tour in downtown Austin traces the city's development from its early days as a major red light district to its current form. The route covers about 1.1 miles and begins outside Dumont's Down Low Bar, a center of vice in Austin’s early history, where the guide explains the cowboy and old west influences that shaped the area. Next, the group stops outside the O. Henry Home & Museum to hear stories about the famous short story writer’s time living in Austin. The tour continues to the Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum, located on 5th Street, where the guide recounts how the last survivor of the Alamo came to live in Austin. The itinerary also includes a walk along 6th Street, highlighting its past and present importance to the city. The only indoor visit is at the Driskill Hotel, built in 1886 and known as “the people’s hotel,” where the guide shares stories involving politics, vice, music, and notable visitors. A tour guide is included throughout the walk. The tour is outdoors except for the stop inside the Driskill Hotel. Due to the adult topics related to historic vice and the red light district, the tour is recommended for participants aged 13 and older. Seating is not provided at stops. Participants can use the restroom at Halcyon Coffee with notice, even without a purchase.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Dumont's Down Low Bar
The tour begins outside Dumont's Down Low Bar, located in what was once Austin’s largest red light district in the southwest. The guide discusses the city’s origins and the old west culture that led to this vice-filled area. The group does not enter the bar.
20 min
O. Henry Home & Museum
Outside the home of O. Henry, a famous short story writer who lived in Austin before gaining fame, the guide shares stories from his time in the city. The group remains outside and does not enter the museum.
10 min
Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum
The tour stops outside the home on 5th Street where Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig lived. The guide explains how Susanna, the last survivor of the Alamo, came to live in Austin.
5 min
6th Street
Participants walk along 6th Street, learning about its historical role and its current status as one of Austin’s most notable streets.
10 min
The Driskill
The only indoor visit is to the Driskill Hotel, constructed in 1886 and sometimes called “the people’s hotel.” Inside, the guide recounts stories involving politics, greed, vice, music, and visits by celebrities.
15 min
Meeting point
Downtown Austin outside Halcyon Coffeehouse @ 4th Street & Lavaca. You may use the restroom inside Halcyon without making a purchase if you tell them you are with the walking tour.
End point
We finish two blocks from where we start, right outside the Koppell Building @ East 4th Street and Congress Ave.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Austin Downtown History Walking Tour: O. Henry Home, Driskill Hotel, 2 Hours
by Nitty Gritty City Tours of Austin
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$62Overview
This two-hour walking tour in downtown Austin traces the city's development from its early days as a major red light district to its current form. The route covers about 1.1 miles and begins outside Dumont's Down Low Bar, a center of vice in Austin’s early history, where the guide explains the cowboy and old west influences that shaped the area. Next, the group stops outside the O. Henry Home & Museum to hear stories about the famous short story writer’s time living in Austin. The tour continues to the Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum, located on 5th Street, where the guide recounts how the last survivor of the Alamo came to live in Austin. The itinerary also includes a walk along 6th Street, highlighting its past and present importance to the city. The only indoor visit is at the Driskill Hotel, built in 1886 and known as “the people’s hotel,” where the guide shares stories involving politics, vice, music, and notable visitors. A tour guide is included throughout the walk. The tour is outdoors except for the stop inside the Driskill Hotel. Due to the adult topics related to historic vice and the red light district, the tour is recommended for participants aged 13 and older. Seating is not provided at stops. Participants can use the restroom at Halcyon Coffee with notice, even without a purchase.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Dumont's Down Low Bar
The tour begins outside Dumont's Down Low Bar, located in what was once Austin’s largest red light district in the southwest. The guide discusses the city’s origins and the old west culture that led to this vice-filled area. The group does not enter the bar.
20 min
O. Henry Home & Museum
Outside the home of O. Henry, a famous short story writer who lived in Austin before gaining fame, the guide shares stories from his time in the city. The group remains outside and does not enter the museum.
10 min
Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum
The tour stops outside the home on 5th Street where Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig lived. The guide explains how Susanna, the last survivor of the Alamo, came to live in Austin.
5 min
6th Street
Participants walk along 6th Street, learning about its historical role and its current status as one of Austin’s most notable streets.
10 min
The Driskill
The only indoor visit is to the Driskill Hotel, constructed in 1886 and sometimes called “the people’s hotel.” Inside, the guide recounts stories involving politics, greed, vice, music, and visits by celebrities.
15 min
Meeting point
Downtown Austin outside Halcyon Coffeehouse @ 4th Street & Lavaca. You may use the restroom inside Halcyon without making a purchase if you tell them you are with the walking tour.
End point
We finish two blocks from where we start, right outside the Koppell Building @ East 4th Street and Congress Ave.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.