Walking Tours of Austin Announces Exclusive New Stop at The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Walking Tours of Austin is proud to announce the addition of The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel as a new stop on two of its signature walking tours: Morning Walk Austin and Ghost Walk Austin. This collaboration brings together Austin’s highest-rated walking tour company and one of the city’s most historic hotels, creating an experience available nowhere else in Austin.
Built on the Site of Fort Waterloo
Long before the hotel rose along Congress Avenue, this site was home to Fort Waterloo, a defensive structure built in the 1830s when Austin was still known as Waterloo. The fort helped protect early settlers and played a pivotal role in Austin’s early development before becoming the capital of Texas.
The hotel is named for Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas,” whose leadership shaped the Republic of Texas—making this location especially meaningful in Texas history.
Legends and a Historic Bar
Opened in 1924, The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel has hosted politicians, celebrities, and travelers for over a century. Guests on our tours will now enjoy access to Stephen F.’s Bar & Terrace, a beautiful hidden gem tucked inside the hotel—one many guests will want to return to after the tour.
The bar’s long history makes it a natural fit for Ghost Walk Austin. Nearby, the secret freestanding wall behind the hotel stands as a rare remnant of earlier structures, quietly connecting present-day Austin to its past.
Balcony Access with Unmatched Views
For the first time, Tour ATX guests will also enjoy access to the hotel’s historic balcony, offering unparalleled views of Congress Avenue, the Texas Capitol dome, and the Paramount Theatre.
This new stop takes our night tours to an entirely new level of excellence, blending history, atmosphere, and unforgettable views.
Book your tour now at TourATX.com and experience Austin’s past from a whole new perspective.