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10 Reasons To Spend A Day At The Texas Capitol

The Texas Capitol building is the crown jewel of downtown Austin. All Texans can find enjoyment in the expansive grounds, numerous monuments and striking Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. A pilgrimage to this pink granite building is a must for all Texans, native and newbies alike. And while you shouldn’t need any convincing to make the trip, here are 10 reasons to visit the Texas Capitol.

10.) The Texas Capitol’s ornate hardware will stop you in your tracks

Designed by architect Elijah E. Myers in 1881, the building is ornate and elegant. Carved door-knobs on the heavy exterior doors welcome those arriving, transporting them in time to a European city. Doorknobs, handrails and kick plates are just a few of the hardware pieces that decorate the Texas Capitol. You may think you look silly bending over to stare at the end of a handrail, but we promise you’re not the first person to do that. Texans have been doing it since construction was completed in 1888.

9.) The Texas Capitol Visitors Center has much more than brochures

Yes, you can get brochures at the Capitol Visitors Center, but they also have exhibits. Learn about the history of the Center’s construction which was the original headquarters for the General Land Office in 1854. You can also peruse old photographs, see a miniature replica of the Capitol’s dome, examine materials that make up the Capitol building and much more.

Right now, you can see a sword dating back to the days of the Republic of Texas. It was owned by Ashbel Smith who served as surgeon general of the Republic of Texas Army. How cool is that!?

8.) Free Texas Capitol tours start every half hour

The Texas State Preservation Board tour guides conduct Capitol tours every day of the year except Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Tours depart from the South Foyer roughly every 30 to 45 minutes and last for 30 minutes. Weekdays, tours run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Saturdays, tours go from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Sundays, tours are scheduled from noon to 3:30 p.m. Tours are completely free, and you’re able to take photographs all along the way.

These tours are a perfect way to orient yourself to the building. Plus, you will hit the highlights of the building and will be able to make mental notes about which parts to revisit later that day.

7.) The outdoor rotunda is almost as cool as the one inside

Everyone knows about the Capitol’s rotunda. The circular center chamber of the Capitol sits beneath a double-walled dome with inner wall peaking at 218 feet above the floor. The rotunda is a common feature among historic government buildings. But did you know there’s another one on the Capitol grounds?

The Capitol Extension is an underground building directly north of the Capitol beneath the northern grounds. Windows allow abundant natural light to fill the Extension’s central corridor and arterial hallways. The outdoor rotunda sits at the middle of the central corridor. If you look straight up, you’ll see nothing but the beautiful Texas sky.

6.) Nearby restaurants are Austin classics

Since you’re already taking in one of Austin’s most visited landmarks, you might as well eat some food you can only get in Austin. Texas Chili Parlor is a famous dive where you can sample a wide variety of chili recipes and wash them down with a Mad Dog Margarita. You’ve heard about flights of beer and wine? Well, have you tried flights of chili?

Scholz Garten is a German restaurant with good barbecue as well. And on days when the Texas Longhorn football team plays at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, they’re packed with fans getting their fill of beer and heavy food.

5.) The Texas Capitol’s architecture is awe inspiring

Both inside and out, the Texas Capitol is beautiful. The grandness and the attention to detail combine to make a building attractive when beheld as a whole and when inspected in parts. It seems as though nothing escaped the attention of Detroit architect Elijah E. Myers in 1881.

4.) The Cloak Room is where the movers and shakers take their drinks

If you hang around with people who make the Texas Capitol their workplace, you’re bound to hear stories about happenings in The Cloak Room — deals negotiated, words exchanged in anger, legislative victories celebrated and the like. This bar adjacent to the Capitol grounds’ western edge is where legislators, staffers and lobbyists go after a long day of business. Even though the Texas legislative session only lasts for 140 days every other year, this place is so full of history, it’s worth a stop any night.

3.) The Bullock Museum is a short walk away

After you’re done walking through the Texas Capitol, get ready to soak up more history at the Bullock Museum . Texas’s official state history museum has exhibit after exhibit of wonders that will make you proud to be a Texan. And it’s just three blocks north of the Capitol grounds, an easy walk if you’ve taken the Capitol’s free tour!

2.) The immaculate grounds are filled with monuments

Speaking of the Capitol grounds, this 22-acre expanse is filled with monuments waiting for your discovery. More than 20 monuments are scattered about the grounds. They honor a wide range of people and events including peace officers, disabled veterans, Texas pioneer women and heroes of the Alamo-just to name a few. The latest addition is a monument to African-American history unveiled in 2016.

1.) Whisper across the rotunda to your friends

If you stand in the across the Capitol’s rotunda from your friend and speak in a normal voice, an acoustic phenomenon amplifies your voice so that it can be heard across the room. The curved ceiling and walls increase your sound enabling it to carry so far. Testing this phenomenon is fun for adults and kids alike!

While you’re throwing your voice, make sure to examine the floor. Underneath your shoes you’ll find the six seals of the sovereign nations that have governed Texas: the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of France, the United Mexican States, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America.

Feature photo by Flickr user Stuart Seeger , creative commons licensed.

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Visiting the Texas State Capitol Complex

The Texas Capitol Appeals to History Buffs and Political Junkies Alike

Like the national capitol, the Texas state capitol was once considered the “people’s house.” It used to be open almost all the time, with limited security. Security has been tightened in recent years, but the Texas state capitol still welcomes the public year-round. The easiest way to view the building is to pick up a brochure on the first floor and take a self-guided tour.

Guided Tours

However, you’ll get more out of the visit with the help of a knowledgeable tour guide. Guided tours start every 15 minutes in the south foyer and last about 40 minutes. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 3:30 p.m. A typical tour covers the building’s architecture, state history and fun facts about the Texas Legislature.

The guided tour will help you spot some of the less obvious details of the building, such as door hinges with “Texas Capitol” engraved into them. Similar attention to detail can be seen in the doorknobs and in the floor tiles. For those interested in the “wow factor,” there are also sweeping staircases and glittery chandeliers.

On weekdays, a special Women in Texas History tour is offered at 11:15 a.m., and a Heroes of the Texas Revolution tour begins at 2:15 p.m. Nature buffs may also want to pick up the Trail of Trees brochure. It highlights the history of the capitol’s well-manicured grounds, with a particular focus on the majestic oak, southern magnolia and bald cypress trees. In total, there are 25 different tree species on the capitol grounds.

Capitol Visitors Center

Located at 112 East 11th Street, the Capitol Visitors Center houses exhibits related to the history of the capitol and the state as a whole. Larger group tours of the capitol, such as school field trips, can also be arranged here.

The Capitol Visitors Parking Garage is located at 1201 San Jacinto Boulevard. You can enter from East 12th Street or East 13th Street. The first two hours are free, and each additional half hour costs $1; the maximum charge is $12. Keep in mind that you'll be exiting onto San Jacinto Boulevard, which is a one-way street heading south.

Brief History and Fun Facts About the Texas State Capitol

· The design of the capitol building was decided via a nationwide competition. Architect Elijah E. Myers, who also designed the capitols in Colorado and Michigan, won the competition. The contractors on the project were granted 3 million acres of land, which later became the famous XIT ranch in the Panhandle.

· Controversy haunted the building’s construction from the beginning. The pink granite was donated by the owners of a quarry in Marble Falls. However, to save money, the state decided to use convicts to quarry the notoriously hard rock. When local granite cutters boycotted the project due to the use of convict labor, the state brought in workers from Scotland to replace them.

· In 1993, a sprawling underground capitol extension opened. Essentially, the capitol outgrew its above-ground space and had to start building downward. The 600,000-square-foot four-level structure includes offices for Senators and House Representatives, parking, a bookstore, cafeteria and auditorium. The design features skylights that let in a remarkable amount of natural light.

· Texas’ first permanent capitol was completed in 1853, but the Greek Revival building burned to the ground in 1881.

· In the south foyer, life-sized statues of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin stand guard over the entryway. A huge painting in the foyer by  William Henry Huddle  depicts a major turning point in Texas History: the surrender of Mexican General Santa Anna. Tiles in the terrazzo floor depict 12 major battles fought in Texas.

· One of the oldest outdoor exhibits is the Heroes of the Alamo, built in 1891. The gazebo-shaped structure displays battle scenes. The names of the people who fought and died at the Alamo are engraved into the granite. The Alamo itself is also a worthwhile stop if you’re in the region for several days.

· Try clapping your hands while standing under the capitol rotunda and listen as the sound echoes throughout the massive structure.

· In the senate chamber, many of the original desks, made of walnut, are still in use. They’ve been modified slightly to accommodate modern technology.

· In a sign of how important agriculture was to the state in its early days, an Agricultural Museum was created within the capitol soon after the building was completed. In addition to displaying information about some of the state’s early food crops, the room is chock full of antiques from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Dining Nearby

The capitol’s site in the heart of downtown Austin means that  several restaurants, in every price range, are within walking distance .

Other Attractions

Another historic building, the  Paramount Theatre , is three blocks south of the capitol on Congress Avenue. It hosts red-carpet movie premieres, plays, stand-up comedy and concerts. 

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Visit Texas State Capitol

The Texas State Capitol, the fourth building to serve as the seat of Texas government, is situated in Austin. This magnificent building was built from 1882-88 under the direction of Lindsay Walker. It was opened to the public on San Jacinto Day, April 21, 1888. Designed by Elijah E. Myers, the Texas State Capitol building is the largest of all the State Capitol buildings. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the year 1970 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The Building is known for its Renaissance Revival style architecture. In fact, it is a unique example of late 19th-century public architecture, characterized by round arches, classical orders, and asymmetrical composition.

The structural exterior of the State Capitol Building is made of ‘Texas Pink Granite’, which is now marketed with the name “sunset red” granite. The portraits of every past Texas Governor are displayed within the rotunda, which also serves as a ‘whispering gallery’. The lobby of the building features sculptures by Stephen F. Austin and Elisabet Ney of Sam Houston. The Texas State Capitol is nearly 15 ft (4.5 m) higher than the National Capitol and has more floor space than any other Capitol building. A major attraction on the grounds of the Capitol is the granite monument of the Ten Commandments, which became the center of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case, Van Orden v. Perry.

The Texas State Capitol Building sits on the highest point of the City of Austin. It offers a breathtaking view towards the Colorado River from its southern façade and anchors the northern periphery of the downtown commercial district. The main campus of The University of Texas at Austin has located just four blocks to the north. The Texas State Capitol Complex is in the heart of downtown Austin and has become a popular tourist attraction in the city. The main features of the Complex include the Capitol, the Capitol Extension, the Capitol Visitors Center, Visitor Parking facilities, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The entire complex is managed by the State Preservation Board, which provides various amenities and facilities that both employees and visitors, whether on state business, observing the legislative process, visiting from the University of Texas campus, strolling the grounds, learning about Texas history, buying a unique gift, or simply enjoying the magnificent architecture of the complex buildings.

Address: 201 E 14th Street, Austin, TX 78701-1614 Telephone: (512) 463-5495 Hours: Mon – Fri, 7 AM – 10 PM; Sat & Sun, 9 AM – 8PM Website: www.tspb.state.tx.us

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Texas Capitol

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Standing stoically in the heart of central Austin is Texas's legislative center, the State Capitol. Opened in 1888, this landmark (made of Texas sunset red granite) stands 14 feet taller than the  U.S. Capitol  in  Washington, D.C.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Texas Capitol was designated at National Historic Landmark in 1986.

The structure underwent a massive restoration starting in the 1990s, including replacing the zinc statue of the Goddess of Liberty that sits atop the dome with an aluminum one. The restoration also included a 667,000-square-foot underground extension to accommodate how much the state government had grown.

Many visitors say Austin's Capitol is the most impressive state legislative building they've ever seen. They warn it can be crowded at times (school tours are common). If you want to learn a bit of Texas history, you can't beat a visit here and travelers urge others to take a guided tour. You'll also want to save some time to walk its grounds. The building is also a featured stop on many of the best tours in Austin .

The Texas State Capitol main gate is located at 11th Street and Congress Avenue with the Capital Visitor Center located nearby at East 11th Street and Brazos Street. If you want to take a self-guided tour, pamphlets will be available on-site or you can download one from the State Preservation Board's website . Visit anytime from 7 a.m. (9 a.m. on weekends) to 8 p.m. daily. Guided tours – also free of charge – last about 30 minutes and run Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Travelers can also explore the history exhibits inside the Capitol Visitors Center.

Parking is free for the first two hours at the visitor center's parking garage. The Capitol is walkable from many downtown destinations. The Capitol MetroRail station sits within walking distance, and several bus routes stop nearby. Hours can vary depending on the building, season and special events so check the State Preservation Board's  website  to plan your visit. 

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U.S. News Insider Tip: The Austin City Limits Music Festival transforms Zilker Park for the first two weekends in October. Some attractions like the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the Zilker Botanical Garden will be closed for those dates. – Catherine Parker

Sitting on the banks of the Colorado River, this beloved park spans more than 350 acres and buoys Austin's reputation as one of the Best Places to Live . Zilker Metropolitan Park shelters some of the city's most popular attractions – from the Zilker Botanical Gardens to Barton Springs Pool – as well as several athletic fields and plenty of open space for strolling. You'll be able to spend a whole day here thanks to a range of activities such as swimming, canoeing or digging for fossils at the Austin Nature and Science Center 's Dino Pit. Art aficionados can peruse the works housed within the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum while garden enthusiasts can peruse the specialty gardens in the Zilker Botanical Garden. After a day spent strolling the park, cool down with a dip in Barton Springs Pool, a 3-acre natural swimming hole. A theater, train for children and sports courts are also on-site. The park hosts several popular events, including the Austin City Limits Musical Festival, the ABC Kite Fest and the holiday Trail of Lights  (each affect the park's accessibility so plan ahead).

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Texas State Capitol Tours

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(682) 382-1235

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• Wednesday: 10:30 AM
• Thursday - Sunday: 1 PM
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Capitol City Tours

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The capitol is located 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 . Tours start at the outdoor rotunda on the North Grounds.

Learn about the history of Austin & Texas from a locally owned and operated tour company!

Join us on an engaging tour of the Texas State Capitol Building! Learn about Texas history while admiring the statehouse and its surrounding grounds. Our 60 minute walking tour offers a look at some of the Texas State Capitol’s principal features along with captivating tales from your guide.

Texas Capitol City Tours are guided by Austin locals who know a lot of history of Austin as well as top things to do and great dining tips.

You'll get to know about the downtown area of Austin, how it came to be, the significance of different monuments and get to go inside the capitol where the fun never stops!

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15 Things To Do Near Texas Capitol

Texas Capitol building Austin is one of the largest in the country: the national historic landmark in Austin’s cityscape. Located conveniently nearby are a range of other landmarks you’ll want to stop by during your visit. Here are some things to do in capitol that’s great for a day trip or two.

1. The Texas State Capitol Building

The practical starting point is the Capital of Austin Building itself. The building is a perfect example of American neo-classical architecture, common amid many of America’s grand governmental structures. Guided Texas State Capitol tours and Texas State Capitol photos showcase the Capitol and its history, but you are also free to embark on a solo tour if you desire.

The capitol grounds are also a great place for some walking and soul searching if you prefer to do so. A visit to the Capital Building Austin visitors center is also recommended if it’s your first time to be here.

The Texas State Capitol Building| 1100 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701 United States

Phone: +1 512-463-4630

Click here to learn more about The Texas State Capitol Building and Austin Capitol hours.

2. Governor’s Mansion

Home to the governor of Texas since 1854, the mansion was designed by famous architect Abner Cook. Current Governor Abbot and his family are the 40th family to use the mansion since its construction. Built in the Greek Revival, it’s gone through only two major remodels over the years, and still maintains its classic style.

Governor’s Mansion 1010 Colorado St Austin, TX 78701 United States

Phone: +1 512-305-8524

Click here to learn more about the Governor’s Mansion.

3. Bullock Texas History Museum

Bullock Texas History Museum features exhibits dating from prehistoric era to modern, contemporary times. A permanent exhibit titled “Story of Texas” features plenty of historical tidbits to keep your brain pumping for the afternoon. The museum is run and operated by the Texas State Preservation Board. Bullock is also home to an annual music festival.

Bullock Texas History Museum 1800 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701 United States

Phone: +1 512-936-8746

Click here to learn more about the Bullock Texas History Museum.

4. Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

This bridge overlooking Lady Bird Lake makes for the perfect Instagram shot. The bridge was built in 1871 and is a well-known spot for viewing Austin’s bat colony on their nightly descents over town. Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge houses the largest urban bat colony in North America. The best time to view the attraction is from April to October.

Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704 United States

Click here to learn more about the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge.

5. Blanton Museum of Art

The largest museum in the state, you’ll need to visit Blanton a few times in order to explore all its offerings. The museum is located on the campus of Texas University, and is open to the public for a small fee. Blanton features exhibits of European art pre-dating the 1900s, as well as contemporary pieces from Europe and the Americas.

Blanton Museum of Art 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Austin, TX 78712 United States

Phone: +1 512-471-5482

Click here to learn more about the Blanton Museum of Art.

6. Austin City Limits

Austin City Limits is a music festival held annually in Austin at the Moody Theater. The program features a diverse range of performance artists, with styles to please nearly every ear. The venue is LEED-certified, showing commitment to the city of Austin for environmentally responsible practices. You may also rent the space for your own personal or corporate events.

Click here to learn more about the Austin City Limits.

7. Zilker Metropolitan Park

Located just 10 minutes away from the Texas Capitol, the Zilker Metropolitan Park is the perfect place to indulge in outdoor activities. You can hike or bike on the trails, go swimming in the Barton Springs Pool, or relax and have a picnic by the river. It’s an excellent spot for a family day out or a weekend getaway.

Click here to learn more about the Zilker Metropolitan Park.

8. The Austin Nature and Science Center

Located within the Zilker Metropolitan Park, this museum is a must-visit for all age groups. The Center offers interactive exhibits on the natural environment, animals, and the universe. You can participate in outdoor programs, guided tours, and even meet animals such as coyotes, foxes, and birds of prey.

The Austin Nature and Science Center 2389 Stratford Dr Austin, TX 78746 United States

Phone: +1 512-974-3888

Click here to learn more about The Austin Nature and Science Center.

9. The Texas Memorial Museum

If you’re interested in history, then the Texas Memorial Museum is worth exploring. The museum features exhibits on natural history, geology, and paleontology, highlighting the history of Texas. The famous exhibits include the authentic dinosaur fossils and the diorama displaying the native wildlife of Texas.

The Texas Memorial Museum 2400 Trinity St Austin, TX 78705 United States

Phone: +1 512-471-1604

Click here to learn more about The Texas Memorial Museum.

10. Rainey Street

If you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife scene, then Rainey Street is the place to be. It’s a thriving street filled with numerous bars, food trucks, and live music venues. You can unwind with a frozen margarita in hand, try the local food, and enjoy the live music performances.

Click here to learn more about Rainey Street.

11. Lady Bird Lake

Located just moments away from the Texas Capitol, Lady Bird Lake is a serene and picturesque place for a walk, run or sunset kayak ride. You can take in the beautiful views of the city skyline, watch the sunset or explore the scenic trails around the lake.

Click here to learn more about the Lady Bird Lake.

12. The Mexic-Arte Museum

If you want to experience art and culture, then the Mexic-Arte Museum is the perfect spot. It features a collection of contemporary and traditional Latino art, unique exhibitions, and cultural events. You can also check out the museum store for some artsy souvenirs.

The Mexic-Arte Museum 419 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701 United States

Phone: +1 512-480-9373

Click here to learn more about The Mexic-Arte Museum.

13. The Violet Crown Trail

For adventure lovers, a hike on the Violet Crown Trail is a fantastic experience. This trail stretches over 6 miles through the wilderness, giving you a glimpse of the stunning Texas Hill Country. You can hike, run or bike and take in the flora and fauna of the region.

Click here to learn more about The Violet Crown Trail.

14. Waterloo Records

If you’re a music lover, then Waterloo Records is the place to be. It’s an independent record store that has been around for over 30 years, and it offers an extensive collection of CDs, LPs, and video games. You can check out some live performances or purchase some unique Austin souvenirs.

Waterloo Records 600 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78703 United States

Phone: +1 512-474-2500

Click here to learn more about the Waterloo Records.

15. The Austin Central Library

This library is a utopia for book lovers. It’s a masterpiece of modern architecture and design, and it offers a vast collection of books, films, and music. You can take in the stunning views of the city from the rooftop garden, read a book in the quiet reading rooms, or enjoy the art exhibits.

The Austin Central Library 710 W Cesar Chavez St Austin, TX 78701 United States

Phone: +1 512-974-7400

Click here to learn more about The Austin Central Library.

Now that you know the top 15 things to do near the Texas Capitol, you can plan your itinerary accordingly, and make your trip unforgettable. Whether you want to indulge in outdoor activities, explore museums, listen to live music, or print a souvenir at the library, Austin has something for everyone.

Make sure to pack comfortable shoes, bring a camera, and experience Austin’s culture and nature for yourself. We hope to visit again soon!

Which of these capitol attractions do you plan to visit first, and why?

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Fox journalist among dozens arrested at Texas university as protests swell

Local and state police clash with demonstrators in state capital of Austin while rightwing governor says protesters ‘belong in jail’

At least 20 people were arrested, including a photojournalist, as police and demonstrators violently clashed at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday.

Hundreds of students walked out of class to protest against the conflict in Gaza and demand the university divest from companies that manufacture machinery used in Israel’s war efforts, carrying signs and chanting.

Dozens of local and state police – including some on horseback and holding batons – formed a line to stop protesters from marching through campus. Officers pushed them off the campus lawn and at one point sent people tumbling into the street.

According to local reporter Ryan Chandler, police ordered demonstrators to disperse via an audio announcement that could be heard across campus: “I command you in the name of the people of the state of Texas to disperse.”

A photographer covering the demonstration for Fox 7 Austin was arrested after being caught in a scuffle between law enforcement and students, the station said. Footage posted on social media showed the journalist being knocked down by officers. The network confirmed in its own reporting that their photographer was taken to jail.

At least 20 demonstrators were taken into custody at the request of university officials and the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, according to the state department of public safety. Abbott said protesters “belonged in jail”.

“Students joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled,” the governor said in a statement on X .

Elsewhere on Wednesday, police tangled with student demonstrators at the University of Southern California, where officers got into a back-and-forth tugging match with protesters over tents, removing several before falling back.

And in northern California, students were barricaded inside a building for a third day at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. The school shut down campus through the weekend and made classes virtual.

Students protesting against the Israel-Gaza war are demanding that their schools sever financial ties to Israel and companies involved in the conflict. Dozens of people have been arrested in the past week at multiple campuses across the US and have been charged with trespassing or disorderly conduct. Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.

Tensions escalated last week when police tried to clear a major encampment at Columbia, and arrested more than 100 protesters. The move backfired, acting as an inspiration for a wave of similar encampments and motivating protesters at Columbia to regroup.

On Wednesday, about 60 tents remained at the Columbia encampment, which appeared calm. Security remained tight around campus, with identification required and police setting up metal barricades.

A spokesperson said rumors that the university had threatened to bring in the national guard were unfounded.

“Our focus is to restore order, and if we can get there through dialogue, we will,” said Ben Chang, Columbia’s vice-president for communications.

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Columbus airports have expanded nonstop flight destinations, expect record summer travel

Columbus’ two airports are anticipating a record summer for air travel, and you can be part of it by flying directly to The Big Apple, The Big Easy, The Windy City or Sin City.

You can also now visit — without a layover — what has been called the "Live Music Capital of the World" (Austin, Texas) and the "Smithsonian of the South" (Raleigh, North Carolina). 

John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport have expanded their nonstop flight offerings in the last two years, and have hit a milestone of 50 nonstop destinations across North America.

Here are the recently added nonstop flight offerings (all leave from John Glenn):

• Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina via Breeze Airways
• Orange County, California via Breeze Airways (seasonal)
• Providence, Rhode Island via Breeze Airways
• Austin, Texas via Southwest

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which operates the John Glenn and Rickenbacker airports, is anticipating summer air travel volumes this year to fully rebound from pandemic levels and surpass the record-breaking season in 2019. 

The authority is projecting around 1 million scheduled departing airline seats between June 1 and July 31. That’s compared to 996,000 seats during the same time period in 2019. 

“We’ve seen nearly all our routes return that were lost during the pandemic,” said Betsy Taylor, manager of passenger airline business development for the airport authority. “This summer is expected to be busy, with airlines flying larger aircraft into our region.”

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, about half of the passengers flying out of Columbus were traveling for leisure, according to the authority.

At the beginning of 2022, Taylor said that leisure travelers had become the clear majority, and the authority responded by adding more flights to popular vacation spots — like nonstop flights to Miami or Cancun, Mexico. 

“Leisure travel is still strong, but business travel has been returning,” Taylor told The Dispatch earlier this month. “Work travel is looking a bit different these days, with some passengers purposefully looking to extend their business travel into a leisure trip. The industry has been referring to this as ‘bleisure’ travel.”

Here are some sunny destinations you can fly to directly from Columbus airports this summer (some are seasonal, but all are offered in July 2023): 

• Atlanta via Delta or Southwest
• Cancun via American, Southwest or Vacation Express
• Charleston, South Carolina via Allegiant or Breeze
• Charlotte, North Carolina via American
• Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas via American or Southwest
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida via Allegiant, Southwest or Spirit
• Houston via Southwest or United
• Jacksonville, Florida via Breeze
• Las Vegas via Southwest or Spirit
• Los Angeles via Spirit
• Miami via American
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina via Allegiant or Southwest
• Nashville via Southwest
• New Orleans via Breeze or Spirit
• Orlando, Florida via Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest or Spirit
• Phoenix via American or Southwest
• San Francisco via United
• Tampa, Florida via Allegiant or Southwest

The airport authority keeps an updated list of nonstop flights . 

If you’re willing to drive to Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (the cheapest parking lot is $9 per day ), that airport boasts more than 50 nonstop destinations , including some Columbus isn't connected to directly. 

A few of those destinations with warm weather include Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Los Cabos, Mexico; Savannah, Georgia; and some Florida destinations like Fort Myers and Key West. You can also reach London directly from Cincinnati via British Airways.

More: Traveling this summer is going to be expensive, but Ohioans still plan to do a lot of it

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