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Congress Avenue Bridge/Austin Bats

100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 (Downtown)
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As featured in Daytrips from San Antonio
Ranked #21 of 170 attractions in Austin
Type: Bridges, Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Activities: Viewing wildlife
Fee: No
Recommended length of visit: 2-3 hours
Description: The Austin bridge is where nearly 1.5 million bats live.
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358 reviews from our community

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Malmo, Sweden
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013 NEW

Austin's home to the largest bat colony in Northern America and every day at dusk, they fly out from under the bridge! It's pretty cool seeing them fly out, definitely worth the wait! Make sure to get there early so you get a good spot! Best is to either be on a boat or stand in the little clearing by... More

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See 2 more reviews by mallafri for Austin
Tomball
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

I come here once every couple of years, and its always a fun sight to see. I like going at the end of the summer because the bat community is HUGE that time of year. Its crazy to see the number of bats flying out from under the bridge. I don't know how they all fit under there. We parked... More

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See 3 more reviews by Audrey V for Austin
New York, NY
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013 NEW

but once or twice is enough. Did the first time from the bridge and was AMAZED at the number of bats that come out. Honestly looked like a biblical plague after they spread out into the sky. Did the next night from below where the atmosphere is a bit more festive. You have to do it if you're in town.... More

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See 5 more reviews by zsa-zsa013 for Austin
Kent, Washington
Top Contributor
80 reviews 80 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 39 cities Reviews in 39 cities
44 helpful votes 44 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013 NEW

It was very windy the night we were there (April 9), and maybe that was why there were so few bats. I have seen photos of the masses, but we saw only a trickle. It still was a good experience to be out on the bridge with a lot of people at sunset. The best part were the white birds... More

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See 10 more reviews by boomertraveler54 for Austin
Austin, Texas
Top Contributor
123 reviews 123 reviews
26 attraction reviews
Reviews in 42 cities Reviews in 42 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013

Keep in mind the bats are only here in Summer time. A lot of people stand around waiting for the show at the wrong time of year.

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See 7 more reviews by friendlyinsomniac for Austin
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Top Contributor
157 reviews 157 reviews
60 attraction reviews
Reviews in 82 cities Reviews in 82 cities
29 helpful votes 29 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

The bats only come out at sunset, none to be seen during daylight. Be on the bridge to see them, not under, as they try to leave you a memory as they fly off!!! Lots of signs on the river not to look up as they fly.

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See 6 more reviews by Tree56LO for Austin
Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

pick your month & spot carefully for an awesome experience. we were under the north end with relatively few people, making sunset an intimate experience...then the bats came. so close you could touch them, so many your eyes are everywhere. next time we'll come in august after they have their pups. breathtaking.

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See 2 more reviews by 2nuts for Austin
New York City, New York
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2013

I had to see this as the guide books all spoke of it. What a great sight to see the bats come out in formations as dusk falls. It seemed like a never ending exodus of bats. One hint...stand on the bridge rather than take a bat boat out on the lake. But if you do take the bat boat...hold... More

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See 8 more reviews by amalo1113 for Austin
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Senior Contributor
47 reviews 47 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2013

It's hard to say when to show up for this event every night; it seems to fluctuate, but make time to go and wait on the bridge. Make sure you stand on the bridge! The bats are much closer and you can see them better and longer than from the ground. They were literally feet from our faces when they... More

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See 4 more reviews by PittTrvlr for Austin
austin
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 May 2013 via mobile

Amazing to see how organized this many bats can be. Located right in the middle of the city. Free entertainment and good for families.

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See 7 more reviews by austinwineoh for Austin

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