If you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Austin, the excellent news is there are many selections. As the Texas State Capitol, Austin embodies all issues Texas – promising a jam-packed itinerary. You can study Texas historical past, go to enjoyable sights, admire Latin American artwork, and expertise a formidable cityscape. As the Live Music Capital of the world, there isn’t any scarcity of locations to watch stay music in town. This exercise was positively one in every of our favourite issues to do in Austin.
Top Things to Do in Austin
Of course, nature lovers may even discover many issues to do in Austin. The metropolis sits in the Texas Hill Country, surrounded by mountaineering trails, wildlife, and State Parks. The Colorado River runs by Austin, too – filling reservoirs like Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake.
But, let’s take a extra detailed take a look at all the very best issues to do in Austin! Austin offers a improbable steadiness of indoor and out of doors actions and also you’ll discover issues to do in Austin unfold throughout town.
1. Rent a Boat on Lake Austin
A picnic on the water is a romantic method to begin or finish any day. We’d extremely suggest utilizing one of many many boat leases to rent a motorized boat and discover Lake Austin from the water. Pack a picnic and digital camera, and you’ve got a luxurious, unbiased personal tour.
As one in every of Austin’s predominant reservoirs, Lake Austin is a crucial asset to town. Because of this, sure areas are privately owned or closed to the general public, so that you’ll want to concentrate to indicators and any restrictions. The finest method to take pleasure in Lake Austin is by boat, as swimming and fishing are restricted round many lake areas.
If you don’t need to hire a ship your self, this guided boat tour on Lake Austin is the proper different.
2. Swim in Lake Travis
Lake Travis is the place to head when you’d choose to go swimming quite than store for boat leases.
The reservoir is Austin’s greatest and most spectacular sight! The lake’s 271 miles of shoreline additionally means plenty of swimming spots – particularly contemplating that the entire of Lake Travis is open to the general public.
Lake Travis’ well-known, ultra-blue waters are a results of the limestone rock beneath. It is well-worth packing snorkeling gear when you plan a swim, because the waters are recognized for his or her nice visibility.
3. Tour the Texas State Capitol Building
The Texas State Capitol is on each Austin metropolis information for a great motive.
The Nineteenth-century constructing is the house of the Texan authorities and is the biggest state capitol constructing in the US. To study Texas structure and politics, visiting the Capitol Building is well among the finest issues to do in Austin.
You can take a free guided tour or go to independently. Guided excursions run at staggered, set intervals. But, when you select a self-guided tour, you’ll give you the chance to tour each time it fits you.
A good way to go to the Capitol is to bundle it along with a small group tour of Austin. This one permits you to skip the road and is probably going to promote out! You can e-book it right here.
4. Texas Memorial Museum
The Texas Memorial Museum carries the lofty title of Austin’s first state museum. To study pure and cultural historical past in Texas, we suggest paying this place a go to.
From fossils to exhibitions of the most recent analysis, the museum covers numerous matters with momentary, and everlasting displays. The attraction additionally has a sequence of entrance price reductions, with college students receiving appreciable value reductions.
The museum is on the University Campus and is an academic, attention-grabbing place to spend a few hours.
5. Zilker Metropolitan Park
Zilker Park is a 358-acre inner-city inexperienced house comprising of Zilker Botanical Garden, Barton Springs Pool, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and The Great Lawn.
If you need to spend a day entertained in only one place, we’d recommend selecting Zilker Metropolitan Park. The Barton Springs Pool is stuffed with water from a close-by pure spring and is thermally heated, so good for swimming all 12 months spherical. Nearby, the Zilker Botanical and Sculpture Gardens are good to wander on foot.
While you’re in the world be sure that to go to the Austin Nature & Science Center which is situated proper on the fringe of the park.
6. Mckinney Falls State Park
Remember these close by State Parks we talked about above? Mckinney Falls State Park is Austin’s finest.
Choose Mckinney Falls over Zilker Park if you want to spend a morning on distant trails and shut to wildlife. The park’s set in the Hill Country woods, with Onion Creek to swim and fish alongside. The woodland offers the park a extra secluded, quiet really feel than Zilker’s open inexperienced house.
Choose the Rock Shelter Trail for a brief and scenic hike. This route passes Old Baldy, a 500-year-old tree and in style pure vacationer attraction to go to in Austin.
If you’re a bicycle owner or hiker who doesn’t thoughts passing bikes, the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail is longer and tougher. Jump in an air-conditioned van and discover all this space has to provide. Book it right here!
7. Listen to Live Country Music
Okay, so that you went to The Continental however missed the nation music night time? Don’t fear. There are plenty of venues that play stay music, and there are all the time live performance ticket gross sales to snatch up discount tickets.
The Hole in the Wall, Broken Step and San Jac Saloon are all good pub-style venues to seize a drink and pay attention to nation tunes. While the Moody Theater, Emo’s Austin, and Maggie Mae’s Concert Hall are a really perfect bigger live performance and festival-style venues – e-book forward to keep away from disappointment.
Listening to nation music is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Austin, Texas. So, positively prioritize taking in a live performance or stay music bar when visiting.
8. Tour Austin City Limits
http://it acltv.comAustin City Limits is the longest-running music manufacturing on TV. To give you the chance to watch a taping, common of us are put right into a lottery system however you may e-book excursions of the venue. From Monday to Saturday, 90-minute excursions are supplied of the stay venue to see behind the scenes together with the superior pictures from acts which were performing right here since 1974.
Austin City Limits Festival
The annual Austin City Limits Festival is likely one of the finest out of doors festivals in the nation that hosts 130 artists attracting 1 / 4 million patrons every year at Zilker Park. If you need to attend this competition, go to their web site to purchase tickets.
9. Catch Live Music at The Continental Club
People name Austin the stay music capital of Texas, and The Continental Club is called one of many greatest golf equipment in Austin, Texas.
The membership has been internet hosting stay music since 1955 – enjoying every little thing from blues and nation, to rock, and swing. To pay a go to, head to South Congress in South Austin. Enter the membership underneath the classic neon lights, pull up a stool, seize a drink, and luxuriate in the very best of Texan music tradition.
10. Austin Zoo
Austin Zoo is a non-profit group that promotes wildlife conservation and rescues native and unique animals. The zoo has over 300 animals, together with endangered species like tigers, ring-tailed lemurs, and spider monkeys.
You can study concerning the significance of conservation efforts, the historical past of the zoo, and meet animals up shut. Make positive to catch the prepare across the park and go to the petting space to meet a few of the pleasant home animals.
11. Tour the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
The LBJ Library and Museum is one other attraction situated on the Austin campus.
The attraction is devoted to Lyndon Baines Johnson, the thirty sixth US President. Visitors obtain an in-depth introduction to Johnson’s life and the whole lot of his presidency. You’ll entry exhibitions on occasions in his presidency, just like the Vietnam War, hear voice recordings of Johnson discussing essential issues, and study loads of private particulars concerning the earlier president. If you have an interest in politics or presidential historical past, we’d suggest a go to.
12. LBJ Ranch
However, we discovered touring the LBJ Ranch simply exterior of Austin to be very attention-grabbing. While a tour of the Texas White House is briefly closed due to structural issues, you may nonetheless take a driving tour of the ranch.
This was the childhood dwelling of President Lyndon B. Johnson, and through his time in workplace, he spent 20% of his time working from right here. The Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site is a brilliant cool tour by the ranch to see the cattle which can be descendants of LBJs livestock. Book it right here!
13. Mayfield Park
Mayfield Park is a 21-acre reservation website with strolling trails frequented by extra roaming peacocks than different individuals. If you need a quiet day in town’s West, visiting the park is likely one of the finest issues to do in Austin.
The park is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, so it’s a good attraction for all guests to Austin, Texas. And, when you’d like to mix Austin’s nature with historical past, you’ll admire the historic cottage in the park middle.
14. Eat at Franklin Barbecue
When in Texas, attempt the delicacies at Franklin Barbecue. Barbecue grilled meats have lengthy been the long-lasting Austin meals, and Franklin Barbecue is the most well-liked venue to do this native specialty.
At Franklin Barbecue, you may order brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, and sausage variations by the pound – good for big teams and households. Alternatively, order a sandwich filled with grilled meat of your selection or a candy dessert pie.
Franklin Barbecue is situated in East Austin and is a favourite spot amongst Austin residents.
15. The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria
The Laguna Gloria is Austin’s solely devoted modern artwork gallery. Art fanatics ought to place the gallery excessive on their listing of issues to do in Austin, because the venue presents a improbable vary of exhibitions and artists.
From the Betty and Marcus Sculpture Park to momentary trending exhibitions, it’s simple to spend half a day visiting the Laguna Gloria. While primarily that includes modern sculptures, one can find a variety of artwork kinds to analyze and admire.
16. Visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum
How acquainted are you with the story of Texas? To expertise a dwelling historical past museum, the Bullock Texas State History Museum is likely one of the best issues to do in Austin.
The museum has a cinema, a combination of momentary and everlasting exhibitions, and artifacts. So, whether or not you study visually, kinetically, or by auditory info, there will probably be loads of alternatives to absorb Texas’ dwelling historical past.
You can study Texan social historical past – from the unique inhabitants to the primary European colonizers and the current battles for equality.
17. See the Largest Urban Bat Colony
This addition to our listing of issues to do in Austin may sound unusual, however it’s a massively spectacular phenomenon.
The largest city bat colony is in Downtown Austin – proper underneath the South Congress Avenue Bridge. Every night, over 1.5 million bats emerge from their daytime perches underneath the South Congress Bridge and take to the sky in a dramatic spectacle. Animal-lover or not, the city bat colony is one thing you must prioritize witnessing in Austin.
For a distinct perspective on the bats do this kayaking tour which takes you proper beneath the bridge.
18. Desert Door Distillery
Have you ever tried Texas sotol? Sotol is an alcoholic spirit and is believed to be the first-ever alcoholic beverage drunk by people. Sotol has been drunk for over 800 years now, however the Desert Door Distillery is the one distillery in the United States.
You can go to for a tasting expertise on Thursdays to Sundays. The distillery is a forty-minute drive exterior of Austin, situated in the suburb of Driftwood. However, it’s effectively price making the drive for a go to or organizing a switch.
19. Visit Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake is one other reservoir in your itinerary! While swimming is prohibited, the lake has many different out of doors actions that you must attempt.
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail is the well-known loop round Lady Bird Lake. The ten-mile path circles your complete lake perimeter, with combined terrain of boardwalk and pavement.
You can seize a espresso and luxuriate in taking in the attractive surroundings that’s sandwiched between the cityscape and lake. Or, for runners and cyclists, you should use the circuit to preserve accountable and match whereas on vacation.
Lady Bird Lake additionally runs underneath South Congress Bridge, so e-book a ship tour in order for you a novel method to watch the bat colony emerge.
20. Spend Midday in Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez is a energetic neighborhood, filled with motion and hospitality. To expertise the suburb on a time restrict, we’d suggest spending noon on Cesar Chavez Street, which hyperlinks downtown and east Austin.
Don’t know the place to begin? Begin with a go to to Women & Their Work, a non-profit artwork gallery, then purchase tacos to go from Granny’s Tacos – you may loosen up and eat your lunch in the Pan American Neighborhood Park.
21. Visit the Secret Beach
Everyone loves a secret, proper? Although preserving them is evidently a lot tougher because the Secret Beach is not-so-secret anymore.
Along the river in East Austin, you’ll discover a sand seashore the place locals sunbathe and swim in the river. If you need a quiet seashore expertise in central Texas, the Secret Beach is your finest guess.
You can use Google Maps to simply entry the seashore by Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park.
22. Take a Bike Tour of Austin
We extremely suggest sightseeing in Austin, however who stated you couldn’t do it on two wheels?
Many firms run bike excursions round Austin, supplying you with info on town and enjoyable train on the similar time. Many individuals discover biking simpler than strolling a metropolis too, and it could be a faster method to sightsee when you solely have a brief go to deliberate.
You can enquire on the Austin Visitor Center or e-book excursions on-line like this one on an Electric Bike by Get Your Guide.
23. Have a Game of Mini Golf
Sometimes a little bit of lighthearted enjoyable is bliss. Mini golf is a enjoyable household exercise, problem with buddies, or as a date.
Austin has a stunning quantity of golf venues, however we suggest Peter Pan Mini Golf. This course has been working since 1946 but retains including progressive new concepts. Nutmeg a life-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex, hit the ball by a large Converse shoe, and intention straight into an orca’s mouth – the Peter Pan course is as whacky as they arrive.
A recreation at Peter Pan is likely one of the most entertaining issues to do in Austin; bizarre, it’s sure to get a giggle or two.
24. Go Wine Tasting on the Austin Winery
Enjoy tasting new wines? Or simply need an indulgent, attention-grabbing exercise in your itinerary? Wine tasting on the Austin Winery is an excellent factor to do when staying in Austin, Texas.
You don’t want a reservation to go to the Austin Winery, and the venue runs tasting periods 4 days per week. The tasting menu permits you to pattern a beneficiant variety of completely different wines, with the choice to buy extra snacks like cheeseboards and olives.
If wine tasting is your factor then this Wine Shuttle could be proper up your alley.
25. Visit the Museum of the Weird, Austin
Austin’s slogan is Keep Austin Weird and The Museum of the Weird caters to that bizarre, eclectic, and surprisingly intriguing factor that makes Austin particular.
The attraction self-proclaims to be ‘America’s Strangest Attraction’. From shrunken heads to bigfoot memorabilia, the museum is an entertaining spot to go to whereas in Austin. There can be a present store subsequent door, simply in case you get impressed to deliver any oddities dwelling!
The attraction is open from 10 am till 7 pm day-after-day, so it’s a good attraction to go to final minute.
26. See the Austin Murals
Austin has many, many lovely murals. In truth, town has so many who mural excursions have grow to be a reliable factor to do.
You can buy a tour on-line, go to the customer middle for recommendation, or set out to discover the very best murals independently.
If you boldly select the latter choice, these are the murals that you must prioritize: Greetings From Austin, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, Tau Ceti, and the Austin Texas Mural.
27. Take a Dip in Hamilton Pool
Hamilton Pool is likely one of the most attention-grabbing swimming spots in Austin.
The pool sits underneath a 50ft waterfall, the place Hamilton Creek plummets over the cliff edge above. Hamilton Pool was shaped when an underground river collapsed, and now guests climb down to attain the pool stage.
Hamilton Pool is an hour’s drive from Austin and isn’t accessible by way of public transport. However, when you don’t have a automobile, it’s price stopping by the Austin Visitor Center to enquire about any out there excursions.
28. Drop by the Cathedral of Junk
You’ve probably seen plenty of cathedrals in your time. A cathedral constructed from junk? Probably not.
The Cathedral of Junk is constructed from over sixty tons of undesirable objects – together with furnishings, tennis rackets, tires, and even classroom skeletons.
The cathedral is an extremely eccentric artwork sculpture and is privately owned. To go to, e-book an appointment (512-299-7413), because the sculpture is in the proprietor’s yard.
Important Information
A Quick Look at Austin…
To allow you to arrive ready in Austin, it’s a good suggestion to perceive how town is laid out. This method, you may plan an itinerary that is smart geographically and logistically! So, let’s check out the very best areas throughout the metropolis limits.
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin is cool. The district embodies modern Austin, with stay music venues, hip outlets, and plenty of cultural sights. Downtown Austin is fast-paced and finest suited to those that need a busy ambiance.
Key streets to bear in mind are Rainey Street and Sixth Street. Rainey Street is the place to eat, with rows of bungalows transformed to hospitality venues. Sixth Street is a nightlife hotspot, with bars, speakeasies, and rooftop events galore.
Central Austin
Central Austin has a sociable ambiance thanks to being dwelling to the University of Texas campus.
The space has an everything-you-need format, typical of scholar areas and metropolis facilities. As a vacationer, you may go to numerous museums on campus, watch stay music, or simply benefit from the in style eating places and cafes.
If you want to be in town middle and simply hop on the metro from most sights, the Central area is for you.
South Austin
In distinction, South Austin feels extra suburban. You’ll meet extra Austin residents right here, as the world is residential quite than aimed toward college students or vacationers.
The finest road to go to is South Congress Avenue, whereas South Lamar is a neighborhood price stopping by.
South Congress Avenue is the place you’ll discover a well-known Austin mural – a cursive message in crimson studying ‘I love you so much’. It can be the place to go for purchasing wants, and in order for you to buy a pair of cowboy boots, Allen’s Boots is the spot.
South Lamar is a budget-friendly and really secure space in Austin, Texas. If you’re on the lookout for a fairly priced meal or a bit of artwork, be sure that to go to the neighborhood of South Lamar.
East Austin
Those that discover downtown Austin stylish however not fairly quirky sufficient ought to head to east Austin.
The space is underneath speedy gentrification and improvement – that means it nonetheless has that thrilling, fresh-faced attraction. East Austin is broadly recognized for its road artwork, eateries selling sustainable dwelling, and inexperienced house.
You might be lazing by Lady Bird Lake by morning, taking a road artwork tour by afternoon, and eating in stylish areas like Cesar Chavez by night time.
Now that you just’ve began to construct an itinerary of issues to do in Austin, these are some additional issues for you to think about.
How to Get to Austin, Texas?
Getting to Austin is straightforward, and town is well-connected by roads and flight paths.
The quickest method to get to Austin is to fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which connects Austin with each the remainder of the US and the remainder of the world.
Getting Around Austin
Austin has glorious public transportation throughout the metropolis limits. When touring between neighborhoods and sights, you should use the buses or mild rail system with out counting on a automobile.
However, when visiting sights exterior town limits, be ready for restricted or non-existent public transport.
If you’ve distant locations you need to go to in the Texas Hill Country, we suggest renting a automobile or reserving a tour.
When is the Best Time to Visit Austin?
When judging primarily based on temperature, March to May and September to October are the very best months to go to Austin. You can anticipate heat climate with out having to deal with mugginess and humidity.
However, these months are the height seasons for visiting Austin. If you need to avoid wasting cash, think about reserving for the shoulder seasons – particularly February and November, when the temperatures are nonetheless comparatively cool.
Where to Stay in Austin?
Price rangeHostels are nice for budgets, so e-book into the Firehouse Hostel in case you are snug in a dormitory room.The hostel is situated in the center of Downtown Austin – good for straightforward entry to metropolis sights.Mid-Range Sentral East Austin 1610 is a good mid-range lodging selection. You have luxuries like a health middle and a classy location however may even get monetary savings by having full use of a kitchen.LuxuryReserve a room on the Fairmont Austin Gold Experience for luxurious in Austin. A Five-star resort with a Seventh-floor terrace pool and 5 completely different on-site eating places, the Fairmont is bound to tick all of your packing containers.
Austin is an incredible introduction to Texas. The metropolis can preserve you entertained for a weekend or per week, all 12 months spherical.
Of course, don’t simply cease in Austin! Head North to be a part of Route 66, East to the coast, or West for desert State Parks – Texas is a state that calls for exploring.