15 Best Things To Do In Austin, Texas

Welcome to the best things to do in Austin!

Growing up in Houston, I spent my whole life visiting Austin.

In fact, when family would come to town to visit, I’d take them to Austin too.

That’s because Texas’s capital has so much to do, and a little bit of everything.

The city boasts some of the most delicious food, unique culture, and best natural beauty in Texas.

So, after years of refining this list, here are the best things to do in Austin- from an (almost) local!

Let’s dive in.

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Austin Essentials

Top Experiences & Tours In Austin

Where To Stay In Austin

Budget-friendly

Firehouse Hostel
Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol
East Austin Hotel

Mid-range

Luxury

Short on time? I recommend booking a Private Lake Austin Boat Cruise With Full Shade!

1. Take a dip in Barton Springs Pool

In the heat of Texas summer, there’s nothing better than taking a refreshing dip in a local swimming hole.

In Austin, you don’t have to go far to do that.

One of Austin’s crown jewels is Barton Springs Pool, located just a stone’s throw from downtown.

This 3-acre swimming pool is fed by natural underground springs, and holds a temperature of about 70 degrees year-round.

The surrounding grassy area is also perfect for lounging with a picnic or cold drinks.

2. Explore South Congress

South Congress, or SoCo, is one of Austin’s most iconic neighborhoods.

This vibrant district is home to funky boutiques, trendy hotels, local eateries, and live music.

Make sure to grab a bite to eat at Home Slice Pizza or Hopdoddy.

Afterwards, stop for dessert at Amy’s Ice Creams.

Or, grab a treat from Jo’s Coffee and snap a pic at the famous “i love you so much” mural.

Make sure to peruse all the local boutiques, and check out the iconic cowboy boots of Allens Boots.

Right next door, Maufrais is the CUTEST store that sells custom-made hats, local goods, and even has a coffee bar inside.

SoCo is also home to the famous Continental Club, an awesome place to enjoy live music.

Make sure to stay until dusk!

You’ll find out why next…

3. Watch the Congress Bridge Bats

One of the highlights on South Congress is viewing the nightly emergence of the bat colony that lives under the Congress Bridge.

It may sound strange, but watching these little critters take flight is one of the best things to do in Austin.

These Mexican free-tail bats call Austin home from March-November, and actually make up the world’s largest urban bat colony.

Every night, they take flight and eat thousands of pounds of harmful pests and mosquitoes.

If you want a good view, be prepared to show up early to stake out your spot.

4. Try Tex-Mex

Growing up in Texas, eating at Chuy’s was a weekly affair for my family.

So, Tex-Mex basically is one of my comfort foods.

And it’s a must-try if you’re visiting from out of state.

Think: Mexican food, but cheesier and heartier.

And QUESO.

Queso is something that no other state has really managed to master the way Texas has.

I think Torchy’s Tacos has the best queso in the world.

It may be a chain now, but it actually started out as a food truck in Austin!

You’ll also find some delicious enchiladas and margaritas at Guero’s Taco Bar on South Congress.

5. Go mural hunting

Hunting down the coolest (and most Instagrammable) murals is definitely one of the best things to do in Austin. Here are some of the favorites:

I Love You So Much

1300 S. Congress

Greetings From Austin

1702 S. 1st Street

Willie For President

1415 S Congress Ave

You’re My Butter Half

2000 E MLK Jr Blvd

Related: Austin Instagram Captions

6. Watch sunset from Pennybacker Bridge Overlook

Watching sunset from Pennybacker Bridge Overlook is one of the best things to do in Austin.

The hike up is short and easy, and pays off with one of the prettiest photo spots in the city.

At the top, you’ll find the iconic overlook with views of Lake Austin, 360 Bridge, and the rolling landscape.

It’s the perfect place to pack a picnic, or just enjoy a quick hike.

7. Experience Sixth Street

Austin’s famous 6th Street is the epicenter of what made Austin the Live Music Capital of the World.

Packed with bustling bars and live entertainment galore, this district is wall-to-wall with people on weekends.

Here, you’ll find everything from live music at the iconic Esther’s Follies, to cocktails at the famous (and possibly haunted) Driskill Hotel.

There are three sections of Sixth Street: West, East, and what locals refer to as “Dirty.”

Similar to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, Sixth Street is too hectic for my taste.

But, it’s one of those must-see things in Austin. So you should decide for yourself!

8. Explore Rainey Street

To experience Austin’s dining and nightlife with a more chill atmosphere, you can’t miss Rainey Street.

This historic district is full of renovated bungalows turned into charming restaurants, bars, and shops.

Container Bar, a bar made entirely out of shipping containers, is an iconic spot here.

Other local favorites include Lucille’s and Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden.

Related: Texas Instagram Captions

9. Paddle on Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake winds right through the heart of Austin.

It looks more like a river, because it’s technically a reservoir of the Colorado River.

Along the lake’s shoreline, you’ll find awesome walking and biking paths.

However, one of my favorite ways to enjoy the outdoors in Austin is by paddle.

There are several companies that rent paddle boards, kayaks, and other gear to enjoy on a sunny day on Lady Bird Lake.

10. Picnic in Zilker Park

Another gem in the heart of Austin is Zilker Park.

This 351-acre urban park is home to Zilker Botanical Garden, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and even Barton Springs Pool.

It’s the location of Austin City Limits in October, and the massive Trail of Lights holiday celebration come December.

For the rest of the year, the park is full of wide open spaces and unbeatable skyline views.

It’s the perfect place to sip coffee, and spend a relaxing morning outdoors.

11. Discover the Blanton Museum of Art

The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas is home to over 21,000 pieces of art.

The collection holds everything from Greek pottery and renaissance paintings, to contemporary American art.

“Austin,” a sculpture by Ellsworth Kelly, has become a cornerstone of the museum and the city itself.

The sculpture is a large stone building, decorated with colorful glass, marble, and wood pieces.

Not only is it beautiful, it’s also the perfect photo spot.

Spending a day at the museum is definitely one of the best things to do in Austin- especially on a rainy day.

Pro tip: Every Thursday, admission to the museum is free!

Related: Art Instagram Captions

12. Visit McKinney Falls State Park

If you’re looking to enjoy some of Austin’s best natural beauty, without having to go too far, look no further than McKinney Falls State Park.

This state park features a series of limestone ledges and pools which Onion Creek flows over, forming waterfalls.

There are also hiking trails in the area, and it’s only a 20 minute drive from downtown Austin!

13. Try Texas Barbecue

The title of “Best Barbecue In Texas” is hotly contested, of course.

However, the barbecue at famous Austin joint Franklin Barbecue sure gives others a run for its money.

Franklin Barbecue was actually voted “#1 BBQ joint in Texas” by Texas Monthly and “Best BBQ Joint in the USA” by Bon Appetit.

Naturally, that means the place is super popular.

Like, more popular than you could probably imagine.

It’s quite normal for the line to start wrapping around the building before it opens, and waiting for a plate of their world-famous brisket could take up to 4-5 hours.

4 or 5 hours?! Well, anyone will tell you that the food IS worth the wait.

In fact, some people even bring lawn chairs and camp out.

But if you just can’t fit that into your schedule, you certainly can’t go wrong with other Austin favorites like Black’s Barbecue or La Barbecue.

More info here: franklinbbq.com

14. Catch live music

You’d be remiss to visit the Live Music Capital of the World without seeing any live music!

Well fret not, there’s live music happening every single night in Austin.

Of course, some of the bucket list festivals include Austin City Limits and South By Southwest.

On the other hand, you could visit more intimate venues like the Continental Club or Hole in the Wall.

15. Take a day trip to Fredericksburg

If you have an extra day or two in Austin, I highly recommend venturing further into the Texas Hill Country to the town of Fredericksburg.

Fredericksburg is home to some awesome wineries, as well as a charming town steeped in German culture.

Fun fact: Did you know that the sunny and dry climate of the Hill Country makes for some amazing wine?

The region was even named one of the top 10 wine destinations by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Honorable Mention: Visit Hamilton Pool

Hamilton Pool is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in Texas. And it’s only a 45 minute drive from downtown Austin.

The pool was formed thousands of years ago, when the dome of an underground river collapsed.

Unfortunately, it only gets an honorable mention because a lot has changed in the last few years.

Due to a combination of overwhelming popularity and fragility of the area, it’s become a lot less accessible.

Hamilton Pool now requires reservations, which are often booked out months in advance.

Also, due to conditions like falling rocks and water bacteria levels, swimming will not be allowed for the foreseeable future.

Similarly, walking on the trail behind the waterfall is no longer allowed.

So… basically the only thing allowed at Hamilton Pool is hanging out and exploring the surrounding preserve.

I’m still mentioning it because it’s so well known, and it IS very beautiful.

So, if you happen to get the opportunity to go, I think it’s worth it.

Posted By: Arabella · In: texas, travel, usa