An enormous pink granite batholith, long attributed with spiritual powers by the Tonkawa Indians.

One part antique store, one part curiosities hodge-podge.

Free public park and gardens filled with peacocks and peahens.

Austin’s local mountain isn’t really a mountain at all.

At this Austin dive bar, it's been Christmas every day for more than 50 years.

Life's work of sculptor Elisabet Ney remains preserved in her last studio.

Just like the real 36th president of the United States, animatronic LBJ amuses visitors with jokes and stories.

The upstairs reading room is packed with millions of rare books, literary manuscripts, and historical treasures.

This simple frog painting created by musician Daniel Johnston embodies the spirit of Austin.

A high-octane shrine to the greatest Texans who ever lived.

Turning night into day in Victorian-era Austin to thwart a serial killer.

Locals dubbed it the "Owl Building" because of its bird-like appearance.

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.

A tribute to a great Texas blues musician.

Home to an endangered salamander, a full moon celebration, and a large spring-fed outdoor swimming pool.

A free, canine-friendly alternative watering hole near the more famous Barton Springs.

This Austin music venue is an homage to a legendary figure in the local blues scene.

This convenience store-turned-brewpub serves up inventive Indian cuisine and a wide selection of beers.

To honor a beloved Austin radio DJ a neighborhood bridge has been covered in a loving mosaic.

A phenomenal assembly of pueblos in New Mexico is the most complete example of ancient ruins north of the border.

This towering volcanic plug stands out among the dramatic formations that dot this otherworldly desert valley.

Offering commanding views of the California coastline, this restaurant was a hub for the artists and bohemians of Big Sur.

This gem-encrusted temple is said to contain some of the Buddha's hair which can make the deaf hear and the blind see.

The unique funeral practices of the Toraja can be seen here with graves carved into caves and hung off cliffs.