HOWDY!
I'm Meg, a local guide and market researcher living in Austin, Texas — now in my 10th year here.
As a Japanese local guide, I regularly lead tours for visitors coming from Japan.
This time, our guests' request was: "We want to see places connected to Elon Musk, starting with Tesla."
So we spent a day exploring the future technologies Elon Musk is building — from Tesla Giga Texas, Tesla's global hub, to the Bastrop area where Musk-related companies are clustered, and finally riding in a Tesla Cybercab and Robotaxi downtown.
Downtown Austin seen from the highway running along the east side of downtown
1. First Stop: Tesla Giga Texas
Our first destination was "Giga Texas," the massive factory that serves as Tesla's global hub.
When you actually see it spread out on the east side of Austin, the first thing you notice is that it's simply enormous.
Unlike seeing it in photos or on the news, standing in front of the vast site makes you truly feel the impact of Tesla's arrival in this city.
While viewing the exterior of the factory and its surroundings, I also talked about the relationship between Tesla and the City of Austin.
It's not just a place to see Tesla's global hub — it's also a chance to learn why Austin attracts so many technology companies.
GIGA TEXAS, visible behind the flags. It's so huge it doesn't fit in the frame
2. From Tesla to Bastrop: SpaceX, X, and The Boring Company
Next, we headed further east to the Bastrop area.
This is where facilities of Elon Musk-related companies such as SpaceX, X, and The Boring Company are concentrated.
As you drive through vast farmland, SpaceX's building suddenly appears like a giant battleship — you can't miss it.
It has a different atmosphere from Tesla, and it's fascinating to think that research and development for space exploration and next-generation transportation like underground tunnels is happening here.
We visited the area around each facility and took commemorative photos in front of the headquarters.
Construction to expand the buildings is still steadily underway.
Precisely because it isn't set up as a tourist attraction, there's something special about actually going there in person.
The building of SpaceX, the space company
The Boring Company, which develops underground tunnels
3. "Hyperloop Plaza," the Employee Store Built by Musk
A must-stop in Bastrop is "Hyperloop Plaza."
It's not just an office facility.
In addition to a barbershop, clinic, pub, and shops, there are outdoor pickleball courts and more. It's a space that feels like a small community supporting the daily lives of the people who work there.
There's even playground equipment for kids. The SpaceX building is visible in the back
Inside the store, you can also buy souvenirs like T-shirts with the company names on them.
What makes this place interesting is that you get a small glimpse into the lives of the people who work there — something you can't understand just by looking at corporate headquarters.
On this tour, our guests were intrigued, saying, "We had no idea a place like this existed."
4. Riding Self-Driving Vehicles Downtown
Leaving Bastrop, we headed to downtown, the heart of Austin.
The finale of the tour was a self-driving car ride.
We rode in driverless autonomous vehicles that are actually running on Austin's streets today, such as Tesla Robotaxi and Waymo.
What was especially memorable this time was Tesla's "Cybercab," with its striking gold color.
The Cybercab, which launched ride service in Austin in September 2026 — a world first
Compared to the four-seat Model Y, the Cybercab is a compact two-seater. It's popular, with waits of 30–40 minutes at peak times
No steering wheel. No pedals.
You can actually ride in the kind of car you've only seen in movies and science fiction.
Once you sit inside and it starts moving, the phrase "the future of self-driving" suddenly feels real.
Our guests were a bit unsure at first, but once the autonomous driving began, they were amazed by the experience, saying things like, "It's no different from the speed a human would drive!"
If you're lucky, you can even see self-driving vehicles yielding to each other on the road
See Tesla's giant factory, visit the SpaceX and Boring Company sites, and glimpse the lives of the people who work there at Hyperloop Plaza.
And finally, actually ride in a self-driving car.
EVs, space, underground transportation, and self-driving.
The many "futures" Elon Musk is involved in have already become part of the real landscape in and around Austin.
Why not experience this "future" for yourself?
What I've introduced here is one example of a tour we led for guests who actually came from Japan.
In Austin, beyond Tesla, there are many places where you can experience the "now" of technology — AI, self-driving, space exploration, next-generation transportation, and more.
"I want to see Tesla in person."
"I want to ride a Robotaxi."
"I want to visit the SpaceX and Boring Company sites."
"I want to experience a side of Austin that's a little different from regular sightseeing."
For people like that, as a Japanese guide who has lived here for 10 years, I lead tours tailored to your wishes, your length of stay, and your interests.
Let's enjoy a "future experience" that you can only have in Austin, a hub of cutting-edge tech, together on-site!
About Pathway Connect
Based in Austin, Texas, we provide American market research and local guide services. Our strength lies in delivering real-time research and trend information tailored to local needs.
In addition to the Elon Musk tour introduced here, we can prepare a customized plan just for you based on the places you want to visit and the food you want to try.
Feel free to contact us!