Best car photo spots in Austin

Hand-picked spots in Austin

Pennybacker Bridge

Bridges · Best: Sunset

Austin's rust-colored arch over Lake Austin. Use the lot on the north side of the bridge off Loop 360, never the highway shoulder.

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South Congress murals & capitol view

Murals & street art · Best: Early morning

Famous murals like 'I love you so much', plus the straight shot up Congress to the capitol. Weekday mornings have open curbs.

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Texas State Capitol

Historic · Best: Blue hour

Frame the dome at the top of Congress Avenue. Quietest early Sunday.

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Auditorium Shores skyline

Skyline & city lights · Best: Sunset

Downtown skyline across Lady Bird Lake from the park lot on Riverside Dr.

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Long Center skyline terrace

Skyline & city lights · Best: Blue hour

One of the best downtown views in Austin; use the garage next door and shoot from the edge of the lot.

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Circuit of the Americas

Industrial · Best: Golden hour

F1 track with the red observation tower; massive lots on non-event days.

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Austin Motel sign

Neon & retro · Best: Night

Iconic neon sign on South Congress. Street parking out front after dark.

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Broken Spoke

Neon & retro · Best: Night

Classic Texas dance hall with an old-school neon sign and gravel lot.

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Murals and street art in Austin

Murals are the most popular car photo backdrop. Pull up alongside the wall, keep the car parallel to it and shoot from a low angle so the art fills the frame behind the car.

More spots in Austin

• Grandpa's Lakeview Terrace Skyline & city lights
• Paramount Theatre Neon & retro
• UT Tower Scenic & lakeside
• Family Viewing Area Scenic & lakeside
• Zero Whiskey Tactical Arms Scenic & lakeside
• Drake Bridge Bridges
• Immortal Ten Bridge Bridges
• Lamar Boulevard Bridge Bridges
• Austin Railroad Bridge Bridges
• Butterfly Bridge Bridges
• Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge Bridges
• West 12th Street Bridge Bridges
• Third Street Railroad Trestle Bridges
• West Ninth Street Bridge Bridges
• West Tenth Street Bridge Bridges
• Farmer Bridge Bridges
• Lamar Boulevard Bridge over Shoal Creek Bridges
• West 15th Street Bridge Bridges
• Moore's Crossing Bridge Bridges
• Barton Springs Bridge Bridges
• Pleasant Valley Road Bridge Bridges
• Emmett Shelton Bridge Bridges
• Peyton Yates Family Bridge Bridges
• North Lattice Bridge Bridges
• Corgan Bridge Bridges
• Hartman Bridge Bridges
• Waller Creek Bridge Bridges
• Austin Fire Station Number 1 Industrial
• Brent Grulke Plaza Scenic & lakeside

Tips for car photos in Austin

• Shoot at golden hour or blue hour. The hour after sunrise and around sunset gives soft light without harsh reflections; blue hour is best for skylines and neon.
• Go early on weekends. Popular mural walls and downtown streets are quiet before 9 AM, so you can park right in front.
• Respect the spot. Stay off private lots when asked, don't block traffic and keep the engine noise down in neighborhoods.
• Hide your plate if you want. Check your shot before you post it.