Congress Avenue Bridge
The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, located on the south end of downtown Austin is must-visit attraction for locals and tourists alike. Formerly known as “Congress Bridge,” the bridge was renamed in 2006 to honor the late Texas Governor Ann W. Richards. The concrete arch spans Lady Bird Lake standing right between South Congress Ave. and downtown Austin.
During the warm months, the Ann W. Richards Congress Bridge is the home to the world’s largest urban bat colony. Over 1.5 million bats reside between the concrete beams underneath the bridge. There are actually more bats living underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress bridge then there are people in Austin. Each September the bats migrate to sunny Mexico where they stay for about 6 months before returning to Austin in mid-spring.
People gather at the bridge every evening from May-September to see the Mexican free-tailed bats set off on their nightly food hunt. At dusk, the bats come out one-by-one then quickly emerge in a steady steam that lasts for several minutes. The moving colony looks much like a dark cloud in motion, flying over the lake waters and along the river’s path.
The Ann W. Richards Congress bridge is undoubtedly the best place to capture a photo Austin’s downtown lights, the shimmering waters of Lady Bird Lake, and the bats in flight at once. Spectators can choose to watch the bats from above the bridge or below it at the small lakeside park underneath the bridge. Several tour companies host nightly bat viewings by boat, giving spectators the opportunity to get a close look at the bats from underneath the bridge.
The bridge is located in south downtown Austin, close to many South Austin’s interesting neighborhoods and hip downtown homes. To check out homes near the Ann W. Richards Congress Ave. Bridge, check out new home listings in South Austin.
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