If you might be searching 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 find out about Texas historical past, go to enjoyable points of interest, admire Latin American artwork, and expertise a powerful cityscape. As the Live Music Capital of the world, there is no such thing as a scarcity of locations to watch dwell music in the town. This exercise was positively certainly one 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 climbing 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 most effective issues to do in Austin! Austin offers a implausible steadiness of indoor and out of doors actions and also you’ll discover issues to do in Austin unfold throughout the town.
1. Rent a Boat on Lake Austin
A picnic on the water is a romantic manner 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, impartial personal tour.
As certainly one of Austin’s major reservoirs, Lake Austin is a vital asset to the town. Because of this, sure areas are privately owned or closed to the general public, so that you’ll want to listen to indicators and any restrictions. The greatest manner to get pleasure from Lake Austin is by boat, as swimming and fishing are restricted round many lake areas.
If you don’t need to lease a ship your self, this guided boat tour on Lake Austin is the proper various.
2. Swim in Lake Travis
Lake Travis is the place to head for those who’d favor to go swimming reasonably 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 for those who 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 very good purpose.
The Nineteenth-century constructing is the house of the Texan authorities and is the most important state capitol constructing in the US. To find out about Texas structure and politics, visiting the Capitol Building is well among the best issues to do in Austin.
You can take a free guided tour or go to independently. Guided excursions run at staggered, set intervals. But, for those who select a self-guided tour, you’ll have the ability to tour every time it fits you.
An effective 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 guide it right here.
4. Texas Memorial Museum
The Texas Memorial Museum carries the lofty title of Austin’s first state museum. To find out about 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 varied subjects with momentary, and everlasting displays. The attraction additionally has a sequence of entrance charge reductions, with college students receiving appreciable value reductions.
The museum is on the University Campus and is an academic, fascinating 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 counsel selecting Zilker Metropolitan Park. The Barton Springs Pool is full of water from a close-by pure spring and is thermally heated, so excellent for swimming all 12 months spherical. Nearby, the Zilker Botanical and Sculpture Gardens are good to wander on foot.
While you might be in the world be certain 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 greatest.
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 provides 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 bike 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 supply. 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 dwell music, and there are at all times 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 hear to nation tunes. While the Moody Theater, Emo’s Austin, and Maggie Mae’s Concert Hall are a super bigger live performance and festival-style venues – guide forward to keep away from disappointment.
Listening to nation music is among the most enjoyable issues to do in Austin, Texas. So, positively prioritize taking in a live performance or dwell music bar when visiting.
8. Tour Austin City Limits
http://it acltv.comAustin City Limits is the longest-running music manufacturing on TV. To have the ability to watch a taping, common of us are put right into a lottery system however you’ll be able to guide excursions of the venue. From Monday to Saturday, 90-minute excursions are supplied of the dwell venue to see behind the scenes together with the superior images from acts which were performing right here since 1974.
Austin City Limits Festival
The annual Austin City Limits Festival is among the greatest 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 pageant, go to their web site to purchase tickets.
9. Catch Live Music at The Continental Club
People name Austin the dwell 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 dwell music since 1955 – taking part in the whole lot from blues and nation, to rock, and swing. To pay a go to, head to South Congress in South Austin. Enter the membership beneath the classic neon lights, pull up a stool, seize a drink, and revel in the most effective 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 practice across the park and go to the petting space to meet among 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 everything of his presidency. You’ll entry exhibitions on occasions in his presidency, just like the Vietnam War, hear voice recordings of Johnson discussing vital 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 outdoors of Austin to be very fascinating. While a tour of the Texas White House is briefly closed due to structural issues, you’ll be able to nonetheless take a driving tour of the ranch.
This was the childhood house 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 an excellent 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 web site with strolling trails frequented by extra roaming peacocks than different folks. If you need a quiet day in the town’s West, visiting the park is among the greatest 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, for those who’d like to mix Austin’s nature with historical past, you’ll recognize the historic cottage in the park heart.
14. Eat at Franklin Barbecue
When in Texas, strive the delicacies at Franklin Barbecue. Barbecue grilled meats have lengthy been the enduring Austin meals, and Franklin Barbecue is the preferred venue to do that native specialty.
At Franklin Barbecue, you’ll be able to order brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, and sausage variations by the pound – excellent for giant teams and households. Alternatively, order a sandwich full of 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 record of issues to do in Austin, because the venue presents a implausible 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, you’ll discover a variety of artwork kinds to analyze and recognize.
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 among 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 shall be loads of alternatives to absorb Texas’ dwelling historical past.
You can find out about 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 record of issues to do in Austin would possibly sound unusual, however it’s a massively spectacular phenomenon.
The largest city bat colony is in Downtown Austin – proper beneath the South Congress Avenue Bridge. Every night, over 1.5 million bats emerge from their daytime perches beneath 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 need to prioritize witnessing in Austin.
For a unique perspective on the bats do that 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 assumed 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 outdoors 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 on your itinerary! While swimming is prohibited, the lake has many different out of doors actions that you need to strive.
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail is the well-known loop round Lady Bird Lake. The ten-mile path circles the whole lake perimeter, with blended terrain of boardwalk and pavement.
You can seize a espresso and revel in taking in the attractive surroundings that’s sandwiched between the cityscape and lake. Or, for runners and cyclists, you need to use the circuit to preserve accountable and match whereas on vacation.
Lady Bird Lake additionally runs beneath South Congress Bridge, so guide a ship tour in order for you a novel manner 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’ll be able to calm down and eat your lunch in the Pan American Neighborhood Park.
21. Visit the Secret Beach
Everyone loves a secret, proper? Although protecting 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 seaside the place locals sunbathe and swim in the river. If you need a quiet seaside expertise in central Texas, the Secret Beach is your greatest guess.
You can use Google Maps to simply entry the seaside 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 corporations run bike excursions round Austin, providing you with info on the town and enjoyable train on the similar time. Many folks discover biking simpler than strolling a metropolis too, and it is likely to be a faster manner to sightsee for those who solely have a brief go to deliberate.
You can enquire on the Austin Visitor Center or guide 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 shocking quantity of golf venues, however we suggest Peter Pan Mini Golf. This course has been working since 1946 but retains including revolutionary new concepts. Nutmeg a life-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex, hit the ball by an enormous Converse shoe, and purpose straight into an orca’s mouth – the Peter Pan course is as whacky as they arrive.
A recreation at Peter Pan is among 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, fascinating exercise on 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 every week. The tasting menu permits you to pattern a beneficiant variety of completely different wines, with the choice to buy further snacks like cheeseboards and olives.
If wine tasting is your factor then this Wine Shuttle is likely to 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 unusually 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 carry any oddities house!
The attraction is open from 10 am till 7 pm every single day, so it’s a good attraction to go to final minute.
26. See the Austin Murals
Austin has many, many stunning murals. In reality, the town has so many who mural excursions have develop into a legit factor to do.
You should buy a tour on-line, go to the customer heart for recommendation, or set out to discover the most effective murals independently.
If you boldly select the latter choice, these are the murals that you need to prioritize: Greetings From Austin, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, Tau Ceti, and the Austin Texas Mural.
27. Visit the Austin Aquarium
Bad climate? No downside. The Austin Aquarium is a protected choice – no matter whether or not it’s too scorching, wet, or chilly.
The aquarium is small however has plenty of hands-on encounters and animals to spot. You can meet octopuses, stingrays, sharks, turtles, and plenty of tropical fish. There are additionally mammals to meet like sloths and lemurs.
Those touring with youngsters ought to notice that the Aquarium has resident mermaids! Young youngsters shall be mesmerized by coming face-to-face with a ‘real life’ mermaid, and the actresses carry out routines and work together with guests whereas in tanks.
28. Take a Dip in Hamilton Pool
Hamilton Pool is among the most fascinating swimming spots in Austin.
The pool sits beneath a 50ft waterfall, the place Hamilton Creek plummets over the cliff edge above. Hamilton Pool was fashioned 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, for those who don’t have a automotive, it’s price stopping by the Austin Visitor Center to enquire about any obtainable excursions.
29. Drop by the Cathedral of Junk
You’ve probably seen lots of cathedrals in your time. A cathedral made out of 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, guide an appointment (512-299-7413), because the sculpture is in the proprietor’s yard.
Important Information
A Quick Look at Austin…
To provide help to arrive ready in Austin, it’s a good suggestion to perceive how the town is laid out. This manner, you’ll be able to plan an itinerary that is smart geographically and logistically! So, let’s check out the most effective areas throughout the metropolis limits.
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin is cool. The district embodies modern Austin, with dwell music venues, hip retailers, and plenty of cultural points of interest. Downtown Austin is fast-paced and greatest suited to those that need a busy environment.
Key streets to keep 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 environment thanks to being house 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’ll be able to go to varied museums on campus, watch dwell music, or simply benefit from the in style eating places and cafes.
If you want to be in the town heart and simply hop on the metro from most points of interest, 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 reasonably than geared toward college students or vacationers.
The greatest avenue 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 procuring 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 protected space in Austin, Texas. If you might be searching for a fairly priced meal or a bit of artwork, be certain 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 beneath speedy gentrification and growth – that means it nonetheless has that thrilling, fresh-faced enchantment. East Austin is broadly recognized for its avenue artwork, eateries selling sustainable dwelling, and inexperienced house.
You might be lazing by Lady Bird Lake by morning, taking a avenue artwork tour by afternoon, and eating in stylish areas like Cesar Chavez by night time.
Now that you simply’ve began to construct an itinerary of issues to do in Austin, these are some additional issues for you to take into account.
How to Get to Austin, Texas?
Getting to Austin is straightforward, and the town is well-connected by roads and flight paths.
The quickest manner 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 points of interest, you need to use the buses or gentle rail system with out counting on a automotive.
However, when visiting points of interest outdoors the town limits, be ready for restricted or non-existent public transport.
If you will have distant locations you need to go to in the Texas Hill Country, we suggest renting a automotive 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 most effective months to go to Austin. You can anticipate heat climate with out having to take care of mugginess and humidity.
However, these months are the height seasons for visiting Austin. If you need to avoid wasting cash, take into account reserving for the shoulder seasons – particularly February and November, when the temperatures are nonetheless comparatively cool.
Where to Stay in Austin?
FinancesHostels are nice for budgets, so guide into the Firehouse Hostel if you’re snug in a dormitory room.The hostel is situated in the center of Downtown Austin – excellent for straightforward entry to metropolis points of interest.Mid-Range Sentral East Austin 1610 is a superb mid-range lodging selection. You have luxuries like a health heart and a classy location however may even lower your expenses 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 a tremendous introduction to Texas. The metropolis can preserve you entertained for a weekend or every week, all 12 months spherical.
Of course, don’t simply cease in Austin! Head North to be part of Route 66, East to the coast, or West for desert State Parks – Texas is a state that calls for exploring.