Austin is home to the largest urban Mexican free-tail bat colony in North America, and we love to celebrate these winged creatures that dwell underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge.  Seeing the bats swoop and fly in huge swarms is an amazing sight to see and we vote for this experience to grace honorary ATX To-Do Lists for locals and visitors alike.

Ooh, and since April 17 is Bat Appreciation Day, and it’s on our list of April’s Made-Up Holidays, here’s our roundup of recommendations for where and how to see the bats.

When to see the bats:  “Bat Season” takes place every year from March to November, and bats emerge around sunset to feed on flying insects like mosquitoes, and moths.  Every June, mama bats give birth to a pup who’s ready to fly by August (and colonies generally double at this time of year).  Typically, late July and early August are considered “peak season” to see a spectacular show.  The bats typically fly from the Congress Ave. bridge about 20 minutes before sundown.

Take note: the bats’ emergence is dependent upon many factors, including weather and time of year.  You can check here for more details.  

Where to see the bats:  On any given summer night you’ll see crowds standing along the Congress Avenue Bridge.  We recommend lining up around the southeastern part of the bridge about a half hour to an hour before sunset for a good view.  For something a little more kid-friendly, or for those who don’t want to stand and wait, you can spread out a blanket and picnic on the hillside at the Austin American Statesman (below the bridge) and wait for the bats to come out.  Your view may not be as close-up, but you can still see them as they head over the treetops on the water’s edge.  If you’re planning to watch from the bridge, we recommend using any downtown parking lot to keep it easy peasy.

The free ideas above are always an option, but if you haven’t seen the bats from the water, you’ve gotta do it.  Here are the options:

• Lone Star Riverboat Sunset Bat Watching Cruise for a guided tour of the lake. Read about our experience.
• Capital Cruises hosts public boat tours and themed cruises.
• Rent a kayak or canoe by the hour along the shoreline.  Check out Where to Rent Kayaks, Canoes, and SUPs on Lady Bird Lake.

Where to find more bats in the Austin area: Austin is home to 1.5 million bats, but they aren’t the only ones in the area.  Also, check out:

• Round Rock: You can see swarms of bats emerge near the intersection of IH-35 and McNeil.  Head to 601 North Interstate 35 Frontage Road in Round Rock.  There is also plenty of free parking nearby.
• Bracken Cave: Visiting Braken Cave will take a bit more planning.   It’s located an hour northwest of San Antonio and is home to the world’s largest bat colony — 15 million bats!  You’ll have to become a member at Bat Conservation International to sign up for a viewing session, but we hear it is worth it.
• Old Tunnel State Park: Old Tunnel State Park is home to upwards of three million Mexican free-tailed bats.  The bats roost in an abandoned railroad tunnel and emerge nightly from May through October.  Don’t forget to get permits in advance online.

Happy bat-watching!  We hope you enjoy the spectacle of seeing Austin’s unofficial mascots!