Austin, TX
This legendary Texas hotel has a chilling history of hauntings
The Driskill Hotel on Sixth Street in downtown Austin is famed for its grand architecture, its roster of presidential and Hollywood guests, and, most notably, its tales of lingering spirits. As the city’s oldest continuously operating hotel, its rich history continues to draw travelers from around the world — some for the landmark itself, others for its unexplained ghostly activity.
Here are some of the most popular ghost stories of the Driskill Hotel:
Colonel Jesse Driskill, a cattleman who supplied beef to the Confederate Army and Texas Rangers during the Civil War, opened the Driskill Hotel in December 1886, according to Austin Ghosts. Despite his fortune, Driskill was forced to sell the hotel in 1888 after a harsh winter and drought devastated his cattle herds.
Two years later, he died in 1890, but his spirit, usually accompanied by the smell of cigar smoke and flickering lights, is said to still watch over the hotel’s lobby and bar because he never got to enjoy its success during his lifetime. Austin Monthly reports that guests and staff have noted his ghost as a cigar-smoking male dressed in 19th-century cowboy clothing.
He’s also been known to touch traveling women, particularly musicians, on the arm or back as a romantic gesture.
Legend has it that a young girl rumored to be named Samantha Houston tripped and fell to her death on the Driskill’s grand staircase in the late 19th or early 20th century. Although historians have never been able to find evidence to support this tale, guests have reported hearing giggling and a ball bouncing on its steps late at night.
According to Austin Ghosts, hotel staff have found toys and small objects mysteriously moved or placed in unusual locations, leading many to believe the little girl continues to make her presence known to anyone who visits.
The Driskill apparently also has its own haunted suite, where a bride is said to have stayed and never left. In the 1990s, a heartbroken bride is said to have died by suicide in Room 525 after her fiancé called off their wedding. Guests have claimed to have seen a woman in a wedding dress roaming the halls with shopping bags in tow since she allegedly went on a massive spree with her lover’s credit card before her death, per Austin Monthly.
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
ABC Kite Fest, a beloved annual tradition in Austin, Texas, has announced the final details for its upcoming event on April 11th in Zilker Park. As the largest and longest-running kite festival of its kind, the one-day celebration will feature kite flying demonstrations, live music, food trucks, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Why it matters
The ABC Kite Fest has been a cherished part of the Austin community for decades, drawing thousands of locals and visitors each year to enjoy the colorful displays of kites in the sky above Zilker Park. The festival celebrates the city’s vibrant outdoor culture and provides a fun, affordable day of entertainment for all ages.
The details
This year’s ABC Kite Fest will feature professional kite flying demonstrations, with expert kite pilots showcasing their skills and techniques throughout the day. In addition to the kite flying, the event will also include live music performances, a variety of food trucks offering local cuisine, and activity booths with games and crafts for children.
- ABC Kite Fest will take place on April 11, 2026 in Zilker Park, Austin, Texas.
The players
ABC Kite Fest
An annual kite festival in Austin, Texas that is the largest and longest-running of its kind.
Zilker Park
A popular urban park in Austin, Texas that hosts the ABC Kite Fest each year.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What’s next
Tickets for the ABC Kite Fest are available for purchase online, and the event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own kites or purchase them on-site to participate in the festivities.
The takeaway
The ABC Kite Fest is a beloved annual tradition that celebrates Austin’s vibrant outdoor culture and provides a fun, affordable day of entertainment for the whole family. The festival’s return to Zilker Park is sure to be a highlight of the spring season in the city.
U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 rankings for colleges, universities and higher education programs across the United States. The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy ranked No. 8 in the nation and remains the top pharmacy school in Texas.
UT Austin earned a 4.2 on a 1-5 scale. Respondents represented schools and programs offering Doctor of Pharmacy degrees accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
“As the link between patients and medicine,” says U.S. News & World Report, “pharmacists must be experts on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, understanding use, side effects and interactions.” Texas Pharmacy continues to rank among the nation’s best, remaining rigorously competitive among peer institutions.
“Our students, alumni, faculty and staff are proud to be among the leading colleges of pharmacy in the country,” says Samuel M. Poloyac, Pharm.D., Ph.D., dean of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and James T. Doluisio Regents Chair. “We strive for excellence and impact as we shape the future of our profession through innovative care for our communities and groundbreaking health discoveries.”
View the Best Pharmacy Schools rankings to see how UT Austin stacks up against its peer institutions.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to a report by On3Sports, Texas freshman guard Aaliyah Crump will enter the transfer portal.
On3’s Talia Goodman reported Monday that Crump is headed out of Austin, leaving head coach Vic Schaefer without one of the most coveted recruits of the 2025 class.
Crump averaged 17.4 minutes per game over 24 games played this season, missing almost the entire nonconference schedule with a foot injury. She scored 7.9 points per game, with a high of 18 against Texas Southern on Nov. 16, and about one steal per game.
She was one of Texas’ top perimeter shooting threats, making 23 of 73 3-point attempts for 32%.
Crump, a 6-foot-1 guard from Minnetonka, Minnesota, will have three seasons of eligibility left. She was ranked as the No. 5 recruit in her class by ESPN, and she was on the Team USA U16 squad that won gold at the FIBA Americas Championships in 2023.
Aaliyah Moore, who missed the entire season after having surgery on both knees, also intends to transfer from the Longhorns.
‘He’s a hero!’ Oklahoma principal shot confronting gunman
What necropsy report said about entangled whale on Oregon Coast
When is the deadline to register for the Pennsylvania primary?
Rhode Island lawmakers to consider several firearm bills
19-year-old steals 32 guns from South Carolina business, police say
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
AOC doubles down on call for Trump’s ouster even after ceasefire announcement
EU made ‘no diplomatic effort’ to end Iran war, says MEP Botenga
U.S. and Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire
Democrat swing candidate called Biden’s border handling ‘a huge misstep’ after backing his approach as mayor
‘Policy of abuse’: Women march in Cuba against US energy blockade
-
Atlanta, GA3 days ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Movie Reviews6 days agoVaazha 2 first half review: Hashir anchors a lively, chaos-filled teen tale
-
Culture1 week agoDo You Know Where These Famous Authors Are Buried?
-
Atlanta, GA1 week agoFetishist ‘No Kings’ protester in mask drags ‘Trump’ and ‘JD Vance’ behind her wheelchair
-
Entertainment6 days agoInside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium
-
Milwaukee, WI2 days agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
Pennsylvania2 days agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Indianapolis, IN5 days agoFighting Illini begin Final Four preparations in Indianapolis