University of Texas Tower
University of Texas Tower
4
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
68 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
21
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Donna A
Pocono Summit, PA529 contributions
On our recent visit to the city of Austin in Texas, we did the University of Texas Tower Tour. For $6, visitors can get access to the tower through a guided tour conducted by UT students. The guides share the history of the building of the tower. Other information such as the shooting incident in 1966 is not discussed, but visitors can ask questions from the security officer on duty.
The view from the tower is beautiful. It offers a 360 degree view of the city of Austin. Those who like to do tower tours like my husband will appreciate the opportunity to see Austin from almost 307 feet above ground.
The view from the tower is beautiful. It offers a 360 degree view of the city of Austin. Those who like to do tower tours like my husband will appreciate the opportunity to see Austin from almost 307 feet above ground.
Written September 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tzlord
Austin, TX73 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
I always take guests to the city here. Reservations are easy to get and the views are awesome. Great photo opportunites and some university history mixed in. Parking can be tricky. Use one of the university lots or get there by bus. Bus service to the campus is excellent from anywhere in the city at all times of the day.
Written September 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BaseballFan5
Chicago, IL387 contributions
Mar 2020
Our group of 8 really enjoyed the tour. The student guides were very friendly, knowledgeable, and very well spoken. It's a beautiful view. For $6, we all felt it was very well worth it!
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeaumontSteve
Beaumont, CA12 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
If you are interested in the view of the University of Texas campus and nearby downtown Austin, this is a great place to do it. It costs $6.00 and you must make reservations. Total time on the observation deck is around thirty minutes. The UT student guides give a very short talk about the tower as part of this. NOTE: On the day I went it had rained earlier in the day and there were nasty accumulations of water and an incredible number of crickets all around the deck. I asked the UT student guides how they handled the crickets and they stated "they wash out when the next storm hits". If you are interested in the history of the tower, specifically the events of August 1, 1966 it is highly recommended you read the very detailed account of that fateful day "A Sniper in the Tower" by Gary LaVergne. To see the actual locations where three people were beaten or shot to death is very emotional, not to mention the observation deck is where the sniper shot 16 people to death with a high-powered deer rifle, and was subsequently shot to death himself. Incidentally, there is a huge security presence during the tour - you go through a metal detector, you cannot take most large items up to the deck, there are two security officers on the ground level, a security officer rides up in the elevator with you and a 4th officer is positioned on the 27th floor. The UT student guides are not allowed to discuss the events of 1966 with tour guests - they merely refer you to a documentary on the tragedy.
Written October 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stiglitz11
Real de Catorce, Mexico198 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
As an alum and a witness to the tower shooting the place brings back memories. The ride up is still a thrill and standing on the deck where CHarles Witman stood is creepy. I used to go into the library part of the building, loved the musty smell of old books and pfloor polish. Brings back the days of being a student. And of course the orange lights when Texas wins a football game is a tradition. I recall when DKR won the national championship and the windows lit to make a ONE. That was outstanding.
Written November 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zman911
Brooklyn30 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
In 1966, a deranged young man went to the top of the University of Texas clock tower and killed 14 people. The tower is now open to the public for two tours per evening. Unfortunately, over the past 50 years, the University of Texas has really not wanted to talk about this tragic event and the guides that accompany you to the top tell you that they "were not trained in answering questions about the shooting." If you want to know where the events took place, do your reading ahead of time. Hopefully this will change with the unveiling of a beautiful new monument at the Turtle Pond. The student-guides are pleasant and the view is spectacular. Well worth the time to go up.
Written August 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaChatNoir
West Lafayette, IN1,383 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
The website says that absolutely no bags or purses of any kind may be carried up to the tower, including wristlets. But when we arrived, they said my husband could just stuff my wristlet in his pocket.
The students are overly peppy, as with any college tour. And their spiel is not very informative for those unfamiliar with the campus. They would refer to buildings by their acronyms as if everyone knew what they were talking about. They also switched back and forth with their little stories, each one taking a turn stepping out of the room. It was a very disjointed approach to presentation.
And there was absolutely no mention of the mass shooting by Whitman in the 1960s. Which is really unfortunate, I think. They don't need to go into all the gory details, but a mention of the reflecting area behind the tower dedicated to the victims would be nice. We actually enjoyed seeing that and the turtle pond populated with dozens of turtles.
The worst part of the tour is that you are held captive for the entire time. For our visit, it was raining pretty hard. So most people didn't want to stand out on the observation deck outside. But everyone was kept waiting in the little room because you all have to go back down together.
Certainly not worth going out of your way to do. But if you know you'll be on campus and want to head up the tower, be sure to make reservations in advance because they do sell out.
The students are overly peppy, as with any college tour. And their spiel is not very informative for those unfamiliar with the campus. They would refer to buildings by their acronyms as if everyone knew what they were talking about. They also switched back and forth with their little stories, each one taking a turn stepping out of the room. It was a very disjointed approach to presentation.
And there was absolutely no mention of the mass shooting by Whitman in the 1960s. Which is really unfortunate, I think. They don't need to go into all the gory details, but a mention of the reflecting area behind the tower dedicated to the victims would be nice. We actually enjoyed seeing that and the turtle pond populated with dozens of turtles.
The worst part of the tour is that you are held captive for the entire time. For our visit, it was raining pretty hard. So most people didn't want to stand out on the observation deck outside. But everyone was kept waiting in the little room because you all have to go back down together.
Certainly not worth going out of your way to do. But if you know you'll be on campus and want to head up the tower, be sure to make reservations in advance because they do sell out.
Written April 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy-Jane G
Austin, TX106 contributions
Jul 2012
I am so glad the tower is open for visitor's We took my grandson last summer. The guide was wonderful, however the topic of the "shooting" was off limits.
My husband was on campus on the drag that day. He was one of the lucky one's.. No it does not define the tower, but it is part of it's history. The guides need to address it and move on. The views are wonderful .. Only suggestion, do not take your grandson ( age 13) in July at 2.00 P.M. when the temps are 100 plus.. Thank goodness the tower has A/C inside...OH, don't forget to visit the beautiful libary's the tower is more than the top.
My husband was on campus on the drag that day. He was one of the lucky one's.. No it does not define the tower, but it is part of it's history. The guides need to address it and move on. The views are wonderful .. Only suggestion, do not take your grandson ( age 13) in July at 2.00 P.M. when the temps are 100 plus.. Thank goodness the tower has A/C inside...OH, don't forget to visit the beautiful libary's the tower is more than the top.
Written April 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tropicalfan
Arlington, VA529 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
Go for one reason alone, the fantastic views of Austin. Otherwise the tour is a little boring. Security is extremely tight, you can’t even take a purse. Also, you are required to stay up there for the duration of the 50 minute tour, meaning once you are finished looking around you can’t leave. You must wait and all be escorted down at once by a tour guide. The elevator is very small, so if you have issues with tight spaces stay away. The University will not allow the guides to talk about the shooting (I can see their point), so if you are interested in that be sure and do some research before you go. The students do a good job of answering questions and trying to keep you entertained.
Written October 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RiceMama
Fredericksburg, TX76 contributions
must have reservations and security check to go to top
Written May 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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University of Texas Tower Information
Excellent Reviews | 29 |
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Very Good Reviews | 21 |
University of Texas Tower Photos | 38 |