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Bats at Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

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Bats at Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

Downtown

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Bat Observation Center
Congress Avenue and Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
512-416-5700

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Bats at Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge Description

Sure, New York earns top honors for having the most people. But for most bats in an urban area that prize goes to Austin. It may seem like a dubious honor, but ogling the flying mammals has become an Austin tradition, and even the locals come to watch the airborne critters (at peak season, more than a million of them) take flight to grab their nightly fill of bugs. It's a hauntingly beautiful sight, even to kids typically spooked by bats. Even better, when they're done, the bats will have rid the city of up to 20,000 pounds of insects.

Scenic Landmark
Park

Kid Tips

Toddlers & Pre-K: Little ones (and big kids) may wrinkle their noses at the smell. Reassure them it's only bat poop.

School-Age Kids: Bats are purely for observation. Make sure kids know to look but don't touch.

Planning Notes

Set your bat calendar. The bats reside here roughly mid-March to early November. Late August, however, is when they're most plentiful and dramatic.
Set your bat clock. Flight times change, depending on time of year. Weather can also have an effect. Leave a little early to ensure a good view.
Park for free. Look for free parking after 6 p.m. at the Department of Transportation.
Get the bat 411. June through August, look for bat experts from the Bat Conservatory.
Get a good seat. The southeast bridge corner has a great viewing area on the lawn of the Austin American Statesman. Bring a lawn chair and get comfy while you wait.
Skip the bridge. Surprisingly, standing directly on the bridge is not the best view. It's also not the safest, especially with young children. There's a sidewalk, but there are also crazy drivers.
Wear a hat. A million bats equals a lot of guano (bat poop). You never know.