austin nearby places to visit

19 Epic Day Trips from Austin

Not only is Austin the capital of Texas, the Live Music Capital of the World, and one of the best cities to visit in the state, it also happens to be located in the Texas Hill Country–which means there is no shortage of fantastic day trips from Austin!

Want to sip wine overlooking a vineyard? Explore a gigantic cave? Go antiquing? Float the river? Hit up another city? Hike in a state park? Eat some of the best barbecue in the world?

Anyone of those can be reached within a couple of hours of Austin–so no matter what your interests are, there are some Austin day trips for you.

We’ve noted the driving time from Austin under each of these day trip ideas, but note that they are calculated based on the distance from central Austin with minimal traffic.

Depending on what time of day you travel and what corner of the city you’re leaving from, the distance can vary quite dramatically!

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Day Trips Less Than An Hour From Austin

Dripping springs.

Home to the famous Hamilton Pool Preserve, plenty of wineries, and some of the most popular wedding venues in the Hill Country, Dripping Springs is one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Austin.

Start your morning with a swim in the famous Hamilton Pool (don’t forget you’ll need to make reservations in advance!), and spend the afternoon sipping wine.

Have a little extra time? Stop in nearby Driftwood for dinner at The Salt Lick before heading back to Austin.

Driving Distance from Austin

35 minutes.

Colorful and laid back, beautiful Wimberley is one of the best day trips from Austin for those looking for a combination of small-town charm (be sure to hunt down the many decorated boot statues to snap photos of and to stop in the town’s many great boutiques) and outdoor adventure.

In addition to a cute downtown, Wimberley is also home to Jacob’s Well and the Blue Hole , two of the most popular swimming holes in the Hill Country!

45 minutes.

Check out our guide to the best things to do in Wimberley !

Home to several restaurants vying for the title of the best barbecue in Texas (and frankly, the world), Lockhart is the barbecue capital of the state and packed with fantastic flavors in every direction.

The most popular barbecue joints in town are Smitty’s, Kreuz Market, Black’s, and Chisholm Trail BBQ, but as for which one is the absolute best–that’s a matter of opinion, and the best way to find out is to try them all for yourself.

Krause Springs

With turquoise water, beautiful gardens, greenery everywhere you look, and plenty of shade, visiting Krause Springs is not only a fun day trip from Austin, but visiting may also feel like you’ve left Texas entirely!

The property is privately owned and home to a whopping 32 natural springs that are used to create both manmade and natural swimming pools.

Come to kick back, relax, and enjoy a swim in one of the most beautiful places in the Texas Hill Country–but be warned, the water is an icy 68 degrees year-round, so you’ll be a bit chilly when you first jump in!

Located just north of Austin, Georgetown is home to one of the loveliest historic downtowns in Texas, with a main square that has been declared the most beautiful in the state.

Once you finish exploring downtown, experience a bit of Georgetown’s nature: depending on your mood, you can either head to the Blue Hole for a swim (not the same one as in Wimberley!) or get underground at the impressive Inner Space Cavern.

New Braunfels

For a fairly small town, New Braunfels is positively packed with things to do, from the beautiful Gruene Historic District (home to the iconic Gruene Hall) to floating the river, to visiting Schlitterbahn, to touring the incredible Natural Bridge Caverns.

There’s no way to cover all the best things to do in New Braunfels on an Austin day trip, but you can definitely pick your favorites and have an incredibly memorable day out.

While the Round Rock of today is more or less a suburb of Austin, the city has its own history dating back to 1848, along with a slew of fun things to do.

Visit Round Rock’s very own bat colony, explore its cute downtown center, check out a park or two, find the round rock that the city is named for, and–most importantly, if you ask us–try some of the absolutely legendary Round Rock Donuts.

25 minutes.

If you take a day trip to San Marcos, it’s generally with the intention of doing one of two things: floating the river, or shopping at the largest outlet mall in the USA… but there’s no reason why you can’t squeeze in both!

There are also plenty of other things to see in and around San Marcos, though: consider going snorkeling, hunting down some of the city’s colorful murals, or going for a glass-bottom boat tour as part of your day trip from Austin.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Home to excellent hiking trails, plenty of wildlife, and arguably some of the best sunset views in Texas from its observation decks, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic destination for those hoping to leave the city behind for a day!

Getaways Less Than 2 Hours From Austin

Johnson city + pedernales falls.

For a combination of US History, classic Texas countryside, and great swimming on your Austin day trip, head to Johnson City and the surrounding area–home of the LBJ Ranch–to tour the former president’s childhood home, working ranch, and the Texas White House.

Once you wrap up, head next door to Pedernales Falls State Park for a bit of hiking and plenty of swimming in the subtle-but-beautiful falls.

Fredericksburg

Known across Texas for its German heritage and prime location along the official Texas Wine Trail, Fredericksburg is a Hill Country favorite for a reason.

Whether you want to hit up half a dozen wineries (or more, who’s counting), go antiquing, hike to the top of Enchanted Rock , or pick your own peaches during the summer, Fredericksburg always has something to offer people looking for a day trip from Austin.

1 hour, 30 minutes.

Check out our guide to the best things to do in Fredericksburg !

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Located just 17 miles north of Fredericksburg, you can combine both Enchanted Rock and Fredericksburg into one Austin day trip, but Enchanted Rock also works as a standalone visit!

This mountain of pink granite has captivated humans for thousands of years, and climbing to the top is one of the most unique hikes in Texas. Be warned, though: there is absolutely no shade on Enchanted Rock, so plenty of water and sun protection are absolute musts!

1 hour, 45 minutes.

San Antonio

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas, San Antonio is packed with fun places to visit, including the famous Alamo, the rest of the UNESCO-recognized San Antonio Missions, the Riverwalk, the bustling Historic Market Square, and charming La Villita.

Taking a day trip from Austin to San Antonio means getting a (very) early start to avoid the generally terrible traffic that clogs the highway between the two cities–but if you time it right, it’s absolutely worth it.

1 hour, 15 minutes.

Marble Falls

Located on the banks of Lake Marble Falls (which aren’t set on marble at all, but that classic Texas staple of limestone), Marble Falls is a charming Hill Country town perfect for travelers looking to enjoy the outdoors and those hoping to hit up the small-but-lovely downtown.

Be sure not to leave town without trying a slice of pie from the Bluebonnet Cafe, which serves up some of the best pie in Texas!

Most Texans are incredibly familiar with Shiner, even if they’ve never considered visiting this small Texas town with a population of merely 2,000 people: this is the home of Shiner Beer, a staple of all Texas grocery stores!

This claim to fame means that, by far, the most popular thing to do in Shiner is touring the home of Shiner Beer, Spoetzl Brewery–but it’s worth staying long enough to check out the cute downtown after you wrap up your time at the brewery!

Colorado Bend State Park

For a park so lush that you’ll almost forget you’re in Texas, head to Colorado Bend State Park, home to great hiking, beautiful waterfalls (including incredible 70-foot Gorman Falls), and great swimming holes.

Want a little more adventure? Consider signing up for a wild cave tour!

1 hour, 50 minutes.

Long known as the home of Baylor University, Waco has become one of the most popular day trips from Austin in recent years for a very different reason: the opening of Magnolia Market, owned by Chip & Joanna Gaines of HGTV fame.

Even beyond the immensely popular Silos, though, Waco has plenty to see: consider also stopping by the Dr. Pepper Museum, enjoying Baylor’s beautiful campus, or checking out the Wooly Mammoth National Monument during your visit.

1 hour, 35 minutes.

Longhorn Cavern State Park

As one of the most unique caves in Texas, touring Longhorn Cavern will take you through multiple rooms while explaining the history and geology of the cavern.

The state park itself goes beyond the cavern, though: consider hiking on one of the trails or catching a glimpse of nearby Falkenstein Castle!

Austin Day Trips More Than 2 Hours Away

Lost maples state natural area.

By far, Lost Maples State Natural Area is the furthest of these day trips from Austin, but this beautiful park is definitely worth the drive… especially in the fall, when Lost Maples becomes one of the best places to spot fall foliage in Texas.

The foliage is typically best from late October through mid-November and lasts 3-4 weeks, but the season does vary by year, so if you have your heart set on catching the foliage at its best, be sure to check its status before heading out!

2 hours, 45 minutes.

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16 small towns near Austin you need to visit

Something for everyone in the heart of Texas

This post was originally published in October 2016 and has been updated.

Sure, there's no shortage of things to do in Austin, but sometimes it's fun to get away—especially, this time of year, in an air-conditioned vehicle. Luckily, Central Texas is a full of interesting small towns with distinct cultures, highlights, and histories.

Important note: A stop at a Buc-ee's is absolutely mandatory on any Texas road trip. We'll let you discover those on your own.

Are we missing any of your favorite small-town Texas destinations? Tell us in the comments, or drop us a line .

Even if it’s too hot to hike (and for you, it might not be), a trip Enchanted Rock, near the town of Llano, is a must. A rock formation caused by the Llano Uplift, when granite pushed its way to the surface around the area, Enchanted Rock is a favorite of hikers and mystical wisdom-seekers. In addition to the odd formation itself, the area has a whole “rock culture” due to the fact that there are rare earth minerals that are scattered all over the county—including “Llanite,” a kind of granite unique to the area. The charming town square has a rock shop and other quaint stores, as well as the legendary Dabbs Hotel, part of the Historic Railyard District and reputed Bonnie-and-Clyde stop (as well as home to many an Austin-instigated overnight punk rock party in the 1980s and 90s), and the LanTex Theater, a classic theater still showing current movies. Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Q is also some of the best you'll find.

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Long known as the original location of Louie Mueller Barbecue, which is in perpetual contention for the coveted (and unofficial) “best barbecue in Texas” label, Taylor has of late become a mecca for some of the coolest kids of Old Austin, who have been relocating (shhh) to its remarkable Victorians and other old-timey homes in the area. Visitors will find plenty enjoy in that vein, as well, especially on its self-guided architectural walking tour, which features buildings dating back to the 1870s. Plenty of diverse restaurants, bars, and live-music spots have expanded the culinary scene, though a stop at Mueller’s in ore or less mandatory for first-timers.

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Oh, Elgin. How we take you for granted. Some see you as a bedroom community, but you are so, so much more than that. Yes, you are known for your formidable sausages, but few know that just half an hour or so from Austin lies a quite picturesque, still quite operational downtown whose businesses include restaurant, general store, and unofficial city history center Elgin Local Goods and retail gems like the Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods.

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Johnson City

Known as the “Crossroads of the Texas Hill Country,” Johnson City claims the LBJ National Historical Park, the place President Lyndon Baines Johnson made his “Texas White House” when he was in office. He grew up in the town, which was founded by one of his uncles. For those not inclined to tour the house and grounds, the Pedernales State Park nearby offers a refreshing dip in a cool, clear river. Pecan Street Brewing and Garrison Distillery offer still more forms of entertainment. As do longhorn sightings.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg has long attracted visitors who appreciate its natural beauty, old-timey downtown strip, cute B&Bs, vineyards, and wineries. Lately, it has become a bit of a culinary destination as well. Along with nearby New Braunfels, it keeps alive and celebrates the heritage of German immigrants who came to Central Texas in the 1800s.

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If you’re passing through the Hill Country, you might as well stop in Luckenbach, which is more of a country music reference and operating performance hall than a town. The town was primarily a trading post with a general store and a saloon for most of its life and was purchased by a rancher when the town’s population allegedly dwindled to 3. Country musician Jerry Jeff Walker recorded a live album there (somewhat confusingly called Viva Terlingua, after a different tiny Texas town), and it was made most famous in a song recorded by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. The concert hall is hosts regular shows, and there are reportedly jam sessions there on Sunday nights. Also: great place for selfies.

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A trip to the Lost Pines, including the ones in Bastrop State Park, is practically mandatory for Austin residents and visitors alike. Like many towns on this list, it has a charming downtown, good local restaurants, live music, and, perhaps most awesomely, the Sherwood Forest Faire in nearby McDade. But it’s also a place where Central Texas starts transitioning to East Texas (hence the pines) with some especially marvelous outdoor exploring to be done.

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Only a few miles north of San Antonio, Blanco nevertheless retains a small-town feel, partly due to its proximity to the gorgeous Blanco State Park. It’s home to the Real Ale Brewing Company as well as several lavender farms (being “The Lavender Capital of Texas” and all), horseback riding opportunities, and hiking and swimming opportunities galore.

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Known country-wide (seriously) for its annual fall and spring antiques festivals (where many of Austin's most upscale home stores scoop up plenty of goods for resale), Round Top is also a beautiful Central Texas destination and home to the longtime Shakespeare at Winedale program, a summer residential program of the University of Texas wherein participants live onsite while developing performances of the Bard's plays in a local barn.

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Where to Eat and Drink in Round Top

In addition to being home to some of the area’s best swimming spots (The Blue Hole, Jacob’s Well) and other lovely stretches of cool water, Wimberley has wine tours and tastings galore, lots of laid-back meandering through vintage, thrift, and handcraft stores, and an entrance point to the Devil’s Backbone, one of the most scenic drives in the state.

Fayetteville

Located almost exactly halfway between Austin and Houston, Fayetteville offers a magic triad of Texas tourism: historic buildings, antique shopping, and nearby outdoor recreation (at Fayette Lake). Be sure to check out the understated courthouse, the historic Hugo Zapp Building/Country Place Hotel, and Red & White Gallery square, which shows mostly Texas artists and the occasional movie in a restored old building that retains its original sloped wood floor.

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Before Austin decided to get its BBQ on, Lockhart was the self-declared "Barbecue Capital of Texas," boasting three, then more (as family schisms multiplied the smoked bounty) purveyors of the preciously regarded Texas meat. But Lockhart has also long boasted some of the sweetest historic residences in the area, not to mention a town square that just says "small-town Texas," and has verily been featured in numerous movie and TV productions, from  What's Eating Gilbert Grape? to  Waiting for Guffman  to  The Leftovers . As Austin housing prices have pushed out many of its musicians, Lockhart has become a sort of satellite music capital, with many musicians moving, performing, and in some cases opening recording studios there.

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Well. If you have ever used and/or appropriated via graphic design the term "Come and Take It," you really should know about Gonzales. Created by another empresario, it was one of the first European-American settlements in Texas and was the site of the first skirmish in the Texas war for its (brief) independence, from which the "Come and Take It" and graphic accompaniment (a cannon) derives (Google it and learn lots). It's also home to Discovery Architecture, one of the area's best historic/architectural salvage outlets, and so many intact historic homes that in 2012, HGTV show  This Old House  named it one of its Best Old House Neighborhoods.

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Most of us have at least heard of Shiner beer, produces by the Spoetzl Brewery, which was local craft beer before that term really existed. The town is still the home of the state's oldest independent brewery, which continues to produce beer under the Shiner name, though it's now owned by San Antonio's Gambrinus Company. The town is also home to the historic Gaslight Theatre, a cigar factory, and the Wolters Museum. Let's also give props to local gas-station hangout Howard’s, which offers Shiner historical memorabilia, live music, and nine beers on tap.

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Castroville

First of all, Castroville was established by an empresario (Henri Castro, 1844), a word we love (it means, basically, a 19th-century developer). Further, Castro populated the town with immigrants from the Alsace region of Europe (bordering Germany and Switzerland in France) and the Grand Duchy of Baden. The local population maintained the distinctive architecture—think mostly tiny houses, but in the Alps—and, to a lesser extent, the Alsatian language and cuisine over the years. It's not exactly trapped in amber, and its Landmark Inn State Historic Site, typical of its architecture, is state-owned, inexpensive bed & breakfast, but it's uncanny how much influence from a very specific European regions remains.

Sometimes known as “the other Alamo,” Goliad is perhaps best known of site of a massacre in Texas’ battle for independence from Mexico. These days, it has much more life-affirming activities on offering, including a look at the restored, historic Presidio La Bahia and Mission Espiritu Santo. Built in 1749, they are the only Spanish Colonial mission-fort complex still in existence in the Western Hemisphere. It also has a recently established brewery, a lively town square, and a hike-and-bike trail.

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Austin   Travel Guide

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26 Best Things To Do in Austin

With more than 300 days of sunshine, it's no surprise Austinites and many of Austin's top activities are outdoors. From Zilker Metropolitan Park to the Butler Hike and Bike Trail to Mount Bonnell, visitors mingle with dogs on leashes, teens

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Zilker Metropolitan Park Zilker Metropolitan Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Austin City Limits Music Festival transforms Zilker Park for the first two weekends in October. Some attractions like the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the Zilker Botanical Garden will be closed for those dates. – Catherine Parker

Sitting on the banks of the Colorado River, this beloved park spans more than 350 acres and buoys Austin's reputation as one of the Best Places to Live . Zilker Metropolitan Park shelters some of the city's most popular attractions – from the Zilker Botanical Gardens to Barton Springs Pool – as well as several athletic fields and plenty of open space for strolling. You'll be able to spend a whole day here thanks to a range of activities such as swimming, canoeing or digging for fossils at the Austin Nature and Science Center 's Dino Pit. Art aficionados can peruse the works housed within the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum while garden enthusiasts can peruse the specialty gardens in the Zilker Botanical Garden. After a day spent strolling the park, cool down with a dip in Barton Springs Pool, a 3-acre natural swimming hole. A theater, train for children and sports courts are also on-site. The park hosts several popular events, including the Austin City Limits Musical Festival, the ABC Kite Fest and the holiday Trail of Lights  (each affect the park's accessibility so plan ahead).

Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake free

A cherished outdoor space in the center of the city, the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail (locals refer to it as the Lady Bird Lake trail) serves as a popular place for runners, walkers and cyclists, for both locals and visitors. The urban path takes visitors along the water's edge and passes by plenty of places to relax and picnic. Part of the trail is a 1.3-mile boardwalk, which offers amazing downtown views along with bronze belts emblazoned with Texas song lyrics. There are several restrooms and water fountains along the path, plus scenic overlooks.

Outdoor enthusiasts raved about the peace and quiet beauty the trail affords. Recent visitors jumped on wherever convenient and enjoyed the trail's views. Most said the trail was busy enough to feel safe. It is also a good place to see the Austin bats . 

Texas Capitol Texas Capitol free

Standing stoically in the heart of central Austin is Texas's legislative center, the State Capitol. Opened in 1888, this landmark (made of Texas sunset red granite) stands 14 feet taller than the  U.S. Capitol  in  Washington, D.C.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Texas Capitol was designated at National Historic Landmark in 1986.

The structure underwent a massive restoration starting in the 1990s, including replacing the zinc statue of the Goddess of Liberty that sits atop the dome with an aluminum one. The restoration also included a 667,000-square-foot underground extension to accommodate how much the state government had grown.

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University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at Austin free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visitors should research and purchase parking ahead of their UT event as there is no free parking on campus. Ride-share and public transportation are also options. – Catherine Parker

In addition to being home to 52,000 college students, the University of Texas also shelters several attractions and venues that appeal to residents and visitors alike. Concert-goers head to the newly completed Moody Center for big name musical acts and UT basketball games. Meanwhile, the Bass Concert Hall hosts Broadway shows and smaller traveling acts. The open-air Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium vibrates on UT football game days with seating for more than 100,000 fans.

Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater

Odds are your favorite band has played at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater. It's home to the legendary "Austin City Limits" television series, which holds the title of the longest running music series in American television history. The theater seats more than 2,700 people. The balcony level houses the Jack & Jim Gallery, which showcases the portfolio of Jim Marshall, a photographer with a passion for music. If you can't secure seats to a show, take a tour of the venue. The tour covers ACL history along with visiting the galleries. Tours depart from Monday to Saturday at 11 a.m. and last 90 minutes.

Music buffs praise the acoustics at ACL Live, claiming that there is not a bad seat in the house. Others said it was a bucket-list venue, similar to those in Nashville . A few note that some security staff was rude.

Lake Travis Lake Travis

Texas believes bigger is better and its lakes are no exception. Lake Travis is nearly 64 miles long and boasts 271 miles of shoreline. First-time visitors can get a good idea of its scale if they drive by Mansfield Dam, the dam that created Lake Travis while taming the Colorado River. After seeing the massive dam, stop by Mansfield Dam Park for impeccable lake views and activities like picnicking, swimming and scuba diving. Numerous other parks line the lake, offering everything from picnic tables and hiking trails to water sports and swimming. (Note: Hippie Hollow Park is a clothing optional beach and access is restricted to patrons 18 and older.) Travelers who want to enjoy the scenery with a drink should try The Oasis on Lake Travis. It's perched above the lake and calls itself the "Sunset Capital of Texas."

Recent visitors enjoyed their time on the lake, especially when viewing the sunset. It didn't seem to matter too much which park patrons picked, as many of the spots offer clean beaches and good amenities. Some recommended water shoes for slippery and jagged rocks underfoot.  

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Circuit of the Americas Circuit of the Americas

The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is primarily a Formula One race track, though it hosts events year-round ranging from motor sports to concerts to its holiday-themed Peppermint Parkway lights display. The Lenovo United States Grand Prix race, which COTA has hosted since 2012, is a three-day Formula One event held in October that features heart-pounding race action paired with top musical acts and immersive experiences for attendees.

Beyond Formula One, COTA also hosts NASCAR and MotoGP events, as well as concerts at the on-site Germania Insurance Amphitheater, the largest outdoor concert venue in Austin. Behind the amphitheater, visitors can head up the COTA Tower for sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and racetrack 250 feet below; it costs $35 to visit the observation platform. 

Mount Bonnell Mount Bonnell free

For great views, head to Mount Bonnell at Covert Park, which provides sweeping vistas of the city, Lake Austin and the surrounding hills. The 5.1-acre linear park is home to a 781-foot outcrop, considered one of the highest spots in the area. Mount Bonnell is designated a Texas Historic Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The point has proven to be an enduring tourist destination since the 1850s.

Recent visitors said Mount Bonnell offers great views that are best on clear days. Others suggested a sunset visit for the top experience. Regardless of when you hike up, make sure to take water. Additionally, make sure to take your valuables with you when you park.

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South Congress Avenue South Congress Avenue free

South Congress Avenue is the section of Congress Avenue after it passes over Lady Bird Lake. With amazing views of the Texas State Capitol , South Congress, or SoCo as the locals call it, plays a vital role in the city's culture. From the murals around every corner – like "Willie for President" (Nelson that is) to the iconic "I Love You So Much" – people are snapping pictures everywhere. Shopping along SoCo ranges from authentic boot shops to curated boutiques attracting both travelers and locals who are in search of conversation-starting outfits. Another top activity is patio dining where you can grab delicious bites from morning to night along with choice vantage points for people-watching. When you're not shopping, eating or strolling, swing by the Continental Club to grab a drink and enjoy some live music.

Recent visitors appreciated their time along SoCo, some for shopping, others for its restaurants or live music. The murals along South Congress are a top must-see for travelers. Others enjoyed the vibe that they described as "Americana."

Blanton Museum of Art Blanton Museum of Art

Located on the  University of Texas at Austin   campus, the Blanton Museum of Art is a must-see for any art enthusiast. It's considered one of the largest university art museums in the country, and is home to more than 21,000 works of art. Its collection of Latin American art (totaling more than 2,000 works) is one of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive collections in the U.S. with artists from Mexico and the Caribbean along with Central and South America. For some first-time visitors, Ellsworth Kelly's "Austin" grabs a lot of attention: "Austin" is a 2,715-square-foot stone structure with colored glass windows. Sometimes referred to as "the Kelly Chapel," this freestanding building features three sets of stained-glass windows, a totemic wood sculpture and 14 marble panels hanging on its interior walls.

In May 2023, the museum unveiled several new exterior features, including shade structures that stand three stories tall and look like flower petals; an outdoor sound gallery; a path that leads to a nearby parking garage, and the Lookout, a large window that allows visitors on the museum's second floor to gaze down at the newly upgraded plaza.

Sixth Street Sixth Street free

A trip to the "Live Music Capital of the World" wouldn't be complete without discovering some of Austin's up-and-coming talent along Sixth Street. After a drastic restoration took place in the 1960s to save the area from its grungy reputation, it became the hub of Austin's music scene in the 1970s. Today, Sixth Street between Congress Street and Interstate 35 (known as Dirty Sixth to locals) is the center of the musical action in Austin. The area buzzes with activity from shops, restaurants, bars and live music joints, such as Maggie Mae's, Pete's Dueling Piano Bar and the historic hotel, The Driskill (rumored to be haunted).

Another standout is Esther's Follies, a longstanding Texas tradition that combines comedy, music and magic. The show began in 1977 and still showcases its satirical blend of politics and pop culture .

LBJ Presidential Library LBJ Presidential Library

U.S. News Insider Tip : Visitors should be mindful of the University of Texas home football games since the LBJ library is in the same area. Traffic will congested and the ride-share drop-off location will be closed. – Catherine Parker

While the thought of visiting a presidential library may sound like a bore, this one is an exception. Dedicated to the 36th president of the United States, the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library houses all the expected artifacts – such as presidential papers – as well as several quirkier exhibits like LBJ's limousine. Visitors wander from a display depicting the day he became president (after John F. Kennedy’s assassination) to his oval office to a talking LBJ animatronic that tells tales. In addition to the wealth of information about the president, you can learn about former first lady Lady Bird Johnson in both a gallery about her and her former office.

Barton Springs Pool Barton Springs Pool

Nestled in  Zilker Metropolitan Park , Barton Springs Pool has been a favorite swimming hole for locals and out-of-towners for generations. Native Americans used the springs for thousands of years before European colonists arrived. William Barton first developed it as a swimming hole in the 1830s. Fed by underground springs, the 3-acre pool consistently stays between 68 and 70 degrees. The grounds also feature grass areas for lounging, bathhouses and an educational exhibit about the history of the Barton Springs, including its endangered salamander.

Recent swimmers said the experience is one of the things that makes Austin unique. Even on a hot summer afternoon, the water felt a bit cold (especially for little kids), according to reviews. Some suggested wearing water shoes. Multiple visitors also warn of sizeable crowds and recommend arriving early.

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Bullock Texas State History Museum Bullock Texas State History Museum

Named for Texas's 38th lieutenant governor, the Bullock Texas State History Museum explores the Lone Star State's vibrant past with artifacts ranging from the original Goddess of Liberty statue that resided at the top of the  State Capitol's dome to a 1960s missile control console from the space center in Houston . Along with galleries featuring more than 700 artifacts, the museum features rotating special exhibits to reflect the diverse history of Texas. The museum is also home to the largest IMAX screen in the state as well as the Texas Spirit Theater, a cafe with an outdoor patio and a souvenir shop. 

Native Texans and out-of-towners alike say the museum has a good layout and many recommend setting aside a few hours to take in all there is to see. Moviegoers enjoyed their IMAX experience.

Rainey Street Rainey Street free

U.S. News Insider Tip : Grab one of Austin's scooters, a pedicab or walk to Rainey Street, especially on weekend nights. Traffic can grind to a standstill and cheap parking is nonexistent. Catherine Parker

As the Live Music Capital, Austin offers more than one entertainment district. Sixth Street oozes into Fourth's Warehouse District, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with bars and clubs. South Congress Avenue across Lady Bird Lake offers more dining and boutique shopping paired with classics like The Continental Club. Meanwhile, Rainey Street attracts a younger crowd, blending dog-walking locals cutting out early with visitors in town for a bleisure trip. This area features many of its original bungalows repurposed into venues and restaurants. The vibe might be laid-back, but the sound systems are cranked up. In between venues, Austin's ubiquitous food trucks offer a sampling of the city's dining scene. Several high-rise hotels cast their shadows down on Rainey, such as  Hotel Van Zandt , and the Austin Convention Center is nearby.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Named for its co-founder Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Johnson (wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson ), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the place to visit if you're a flower enthusiast. The former first lady co-founded the center with Helen Hayes to educate others about the benefits of planting native plants, a project that has revolutionized gardening habits in central Texas. The center features North America's most diverse collection of Texas native plants. Visitors flock from all over the country to enjoy more than 900 species of Texan flora – including bluebonnets and evening primrose – that flourish on more than 280 acres of gardens. There are also walking trails and an observation tower. The 16-acre arboretum features 50 types of oaks found in Texas. For the kids in the group, head to the Luci and Ian Family garden for play structures and a maze.

Visitors say it's pretty year-round, but the spring and early summer provide the best chance to see the most flowers in bloom. They advise spending an hour or two here and to bring the kids so they can explore.

Austin Bats Austin Bats free

According to experts, Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Approximately 1.5 million bats make the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge their home for part of each year. The bats settled here after a renovation of the bridge in 1980 created crevices that were perfect for bats to take refuge in against predators. Every spring, the Mexican free-tailed bats migrate north to the bridge to give birth and raise their babies. Come summertime, the bats can be seen each evening at dusk as they emerge for their nightly excursions to rid the city of pesky insects before heading back to central Mexico in the fall.  Evening kayak trips on Lady Bird Lake are a great way to observe the bats. Alternatively, head to the Statesmen Bat Observation Center (free) to watch: It's located next to the bridge on the south side of Lady Bird Lake.

Past visitors and locals alike who have taken the time to watch the bats say it's an interesting sight to see. Others remind future travelers that the bats are a natural phenomenon and therefore unpredictable, so you could be waiting a while. Many said to arrive early to grab a prime spot to watch.

The Contemporary Austin The Contemporary Austin

The first thing to realize when planning a visit to The Contemporary Austin is that the art museum actually occupies two separate sites that are miles from each other. There's the west side Laguna Gloria and the downtown Jones Center. The 14-acre Laguna Gloria houses the Art School at Laguna Gloria and is a beloved location for its art-in-nature setting. Laguna Gloria also houses the historic 1916 Driscoll Villa and the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. Most of the sculptures at Laguna Gloria are outdoors, and fans of modern art will appreciate the beauty of its location close to Lake Austin.

Set on the corner of Congress Avenue and 7th Street, the Jones Center is hard to miss with neon script glowing from Jim Hodges's "With Liberty and Justice for All (A Work in Progress)" steel installation. The 8,000-foot Jones Center features two floors, including the Moody Rooftop, a favorite for views. This facility offers a robust calendar with exhibitions and films.   

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UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum

The works of Charles Umlauf, a University of Texas art professor for 40 years, intermingle with native Texas landscaping and water features on Umlauf's former property. Umlauf and his wife, Angeline, gifted their property, house and Charles' studio along with 168 sculptures to the City of Austin in 1985. The garden features 59 of Umlauf's sculptures, mainly in bronze using the lost wax method. The collection also includes thousands of his drawings.

Recent visitors called the garden "peaceful," particularly noting the sounds of water as they strolled. Most guests advised it would take about an hour to see the sculptures.

Elisabet Ney Museum Elisabet Ney Museum free

Back in 1892, Elisabet Ney, a German-born sculpture artist, built a neoclassical limestone home and studio in Austin's Hyde Park neighborhood that ultimately earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. She went on to create sculptures of notable Texans, like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston (both namesakes to Texas cities). Those life-sized marbles statues can be found in the Texas State Capitol foyer, blocks away. The Elisabet Ney Museum includes sculptural works, maquettes, medallions and some of Ney's personal effects and furniture. Located just north of the University of Texas , the castle-like home is one of the Hyde Park's must-sees. It sits on 2.5 acres of a restored Texas prairie that features native plants similar to what Ney would have seen upon arriving in Austin in the late 1800s.

This "hidden treasure" museum attracts many art lovers, who don't mind making the trek north of downtown. Several of the visitors were intrigued by the noted female artist working in the late 1800s Texas, when that was uncommon. Museum-goers enjoyed the grounds and the unique home.

Mexic-Arte Museum Mexic-Arte Museum

The Mexic-Arte Museum is devoted to the conservation of Mexican, Latinx and Latin American art and culture, including artists based in Texas. It's home to a permanent collection of more than 5,000 contemporary works, which includes photographs, sculptures, decorative arts and Mexican dance masks as well as works from local artists. The museum also hosts theatrical and musical performances year-round. 

Recent travelers said the museum was a pleasant surprise and recommend stopping in the eclectic gift shop. Many described the museum as "small, but mighty." Most recent visitors said it took about an hour to explore the collection.

Austin Nature & Science Center Austin Nature & Science Center free

Nestled in a corner of Zilker Park , the Austin Nature & Science Center cultivates a passion for the outdoors, especially for kids. The center provides hands-on exhibits designed to foster connections with the natural environment. One outdoor option is the Forest Trail, which includes information about the 45 types of native trees planted along the path. Visitors with kids should not miss the Dino Pit, which allows children to dig up an assortment of fossil casts, introducing them to paleontology. The Austin Nature & Science Center also houses several animal exhibits, including small fish, reptiles, birds of prey and mammals like bobcats. Additionally, visitors can observe a honeybee hive and walk along the pond.

Travelers appreciate how well the park caters to children, as the array of exhibits are sure to keep even the antsiest kids entertained. Several parents comment their kids spent hours wandering around the facility, especially the Dino Pit. Several recommend bringing hats and water bottles on hot days.

The Domain The Domain free

For high-end boutique shopping in Austin, head to The Domain, a collection of more than 100 retailers sheltered in an outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment district in North Austin. Neiman Marcus anchors the center, but shoppers will also find Tiffany & Co., Gucci and Louis Vuitton. In addition to luxury shops, The Domain offers more affordable staples like H&M, Macy's and Zara. Shopping isn't the only activity here: Travelers will also find the Museum of Ice Cream at The Domain, where visitors can learn about the history of ice cream in 12 different multi-sensory exhibits and enjoy unlimited ice cream treats. Located adjacent, the Domain Northside's Rock Rose District offers a strip of bars and eateries ranging from Velvet Taco to Lavaca Street Bar.

The Domain also houses four different lodging options:  The Westin Austin at The Domain ; the retro-inspired Lone Star Court; The Archer Hotel , a dog-friendly boutique property; and Aloft Austin at The Domain.

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Mayfield Park and Preserve Mayfield Park and Preserve free

Despite its listing on the National Registry of Historic Places, Mayfield Park and Preserve attracts travelers primarily because of its exorbitant population of peacocks (around two dozen!). The peafowl roam the entire park; keep your eyes peeled as you explore and don't forget to look in trees and on roofs. The historical cottage and gardens sit in a 2-acre parcel of land, which Mary Mayfield Gutsch donated to the city of Austin in 1971. There are plenty of ponds and gardens to explore. Mayfield Preserve is a 21-acre natural landscape that travelers can access via walking trails.

The beautiful peacocks, who stayed relatively calm despite the steady stream of gawkers, impressed past visitors. Several parkgoers were able to snag photos of the peacocks spreading their feathers. Keep in mind a visit here in summer could get hot, so bring plenty of water.

McKinney Falls State Park McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls is a nature fix for many Austinites. Onion Creek provides spots for swimming on hot summer days. As a bonus, fishing is allowed and you don't need a state fishing license. In addition to the creek, nearly 9 miles of trails take hikers and bikers around the park's limestone formations and wooded areas. After an active day, visitors at McKinney Falls can wind down at one of the park's 81 campsites or six cabins.  

Parkgoers recommend checking out both the upper and lower falls, calling both beautiful. Travelers also suggest planning your trip to coincide with the wet season (spring) to see the waterfalls at their best.

Thinkery Thinkery

Consider Thinkery Austin's children's museum. It offers activities that combine science, technology, engineering, arts and math, aimed at children up to age 11. Permanent exhibits at Thinkery range from Train Town and the Fresh! Farmers Market to Innovators' Workshop to Currents, which focuses on water. The museum also houses an enormous outdoor playground for kids to enjoy. In all, the Thinkery offers 40,000-square feet of space for babies, toddlers and kids to explore with their people.

Recent visitors appreciated Thinkery's assortment of hands-on activities, which they claimed did an excellent job of keeping children entertained. Museumgoers also recommend bringing a change of clothes, as the museum's water exhibit may soak your children. Overall, the museum makes an excellent destination on a rainy (or exceptionally hot) day in Austin.

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32 Interesting Day Trips from Austin, Texas

Looking for the best day trips from Austin, Texas?

Discover amazing destinations in the Texas Hill Country and beyond within easy reach of Austin in this epic guide.

When it comes to day trips in Texas, Austin is our favorite base.

The city’s location in the center of the Texas Hill Country ensures you have numerous options for day trips at your disposal from state parks and waterfalls to museums and amusement parks.

Also Read: 21 Best Road Trips from Austin, Texas

Enjoy a dip in Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley or visit the Alamo in San Antonio. Admire the Christmas lights in Johnson City or float down the San Marcos River.

Visiting Austin? Read below city guides! Weekend in Austin Itinerary Best Things to do in Austin, Texas Austin to Big Bend Road Trip

Most of the Austin day trips are within Central Texas but you can also visit attractions such as Brenham and College Station in Eastern Texas.

Looking for a break from Downtown Austin and looking for fun things to do outside the city?

Plan a trip to these amazing destinations near the Big City for a breath of fresh air, natural beauty, and unique attractions!

Also Read: Best Things to do in the Texas Hill Country

Best Austin Suburbs that make amazing day trips

Austin’s many suburbs make excellent day trips if you are looking for a quick and easy getaway.

Here is our list of amazing day trips just an hour away from Austin, Texas.

Also Read: 33 Best Day Trips in Texas

Round Rock is the top day trip destination for Austinites to enjoy a day outdoors.

There are many things to do in Round Rock and great places to eat at the same time.

Some of the most popular activities include playing a round of golf, fly fishing, exploring nature trails, enjoying a game at Old Settlers Park, and shopping at The Arboretum.

Georgetown is one of the best day trips from Austin for those who love nature, architecture, and good Tex-Mex.

Downtown Georgetown is famous for its pretty Town Square, old architecture, historic courthouse building, and small town charm.

A must see stop in Georgetown is the Inner Space Cavern where you can go on cave tours, enjoy zip lining, and even see fossils.

During spring, the town is ablaze with red poppies and is an amazing sight.

Another one of our favorite day trips from Austin is to San Marcos .

This college town has a hip vibe and plenty of attractions.

Float down the San Marcos River for a relaxed fun day. Visit the museums to learn about the history of San Marcos.

Enjoy shopping at boutiques or check out one of its many local breweries.

One of the best day trips from Austin, Texas for foodies is to Lockhart!

Lockhart is famously known as the barbecue capital of Texas and a must for smoked meat lovers.

Find the best bbq in Lockhart at Smitty’s Market, Kreuz Market, and Black’s BBQ.

Best Dinosaur Attractions to visit on a day trip from Austin with kids

The Texas Hill County and surrounding areas are home to the best dinosaur attractions in Texas!

Visit some of these awesome places to dig for fossils, see life-sized dinosaurs up close, and learn more about prehistoric times.

Also Read: Best Things to do in Texas with kids

Dinosaur Park, Cedar Creek

The Dinosaur Park near Bastrop features several acres with over 40 life-sized dinosaurs.

Kids can walk on the trail to see the dinosaurs including T-Rex, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops.

There is also a fossil dig pit where kids can search for fossils and more.

Dinosaur Tracks, Leander

In Leander, you can see preserved dinosaur tracks in the bed of the San Gabriel River.

This is a hidden gem and you will often find the area to yourself.

Best time to visit to see the tracks is in summer when the water level is pretty low.

The exact address to the parking lot is 601 S. Gabriel Dr, Leander, Texas; from there follow the unmarked trail to the river bed under the highway bridge.

Canyon Lake

Love dinosaurs? Take younger kids to see dinosaur tracks at the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country in Canyon Lake.

At the museum, they can see fossilized tracks made by acrocanthosaurus and iguanodon.

They can also dig for their own fossils on the Fossil Ridge tour.

The Canyon Lake Gorge Tour is another favorite to see preserved tracks and fossils.

Canyon Lake is also one of our favorite day trips from Austin for outdoor lovers.

The lake has excellent fishing and boating. Canyon Lake also offers good swimming in the summer months.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Waco, Texas is a great place to visit for kids of all ages.

This makes it one of the best day trips from Austin if you are looking for something outdoorsy, cool, and educational.

The Waco Mammoth National Monument preserves the remains of 24 Columbian mammoths.

You can go on a ranger-led tour to see their skeletons, learn about life back then, and even dig up fossils yourself!

There are also replica mammoths for children to play with in the park.

Other Waco attractions include Dr. Pepper Museum, Magnolia Market at Silos , Texas ranger hall of Fame and Museum and cruise on the Brazos River.

Also Read: Best Dinosaur Museums in Texas

Best State Park Day Trips from Austin

Enjoy nature? Go on one of these day trips from Austin to some of the best state parks around the state capital.

Also Read: 17 Best State Parks near Austin, Texas to Visit Now

Pedernales Falls State Park

One of our favorite day trips from Austin for nature lovers is to Pedernales Falls State Park.

The park offers many short and long hikes to the waterfalls , swimming holes, cliffs, and the Pedernales River.

Don’t forget to bring your mountain bikes for a spin down one of the many trails in the park.

Inks Lake State Park

Located near the town of Burnet, Inks Lake State Park is our favorite Austin day trip for those looking to get outside and enjoy nature.

The jewel of Inks Lake State Park is Inks Lake. The lake offers excellent fishing and boating.

Other things to do in Inks Lake State Park include jumping from the cliffs at Devil’s Hole, camping, kayaking and hiking.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Another one of our favorite day trips from Austin is Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

The pink granite dome, which is a designated wildlife sanctuary and natural landmark, is the highest point in the Hill Country.

There are over 80 miles of trails to explore Enchanted Rock State Park. Pick up your rock climbing permits at the visitor center.

The park is a favorite among families and very popular for wildflowers in spring.

Guadalupe River State Park

Guadalupe River State Park offers excellent camping, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking.

More than 9 miles of the park’s 40 mile loop are available for mountain biking.

The water in the river often reaches 80 degrees during summer making it perfect for tubing.

The park is our top pick for autumn day trips from Austin, Texas.

During fall, you can enjoy vivid colors on the river bank trees, making this one of the best fall destinations in Texas .

Colorado Bend State Park

Located in the Texas Hill Country, Colorado Bend State Park is a perfect day trip for campers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The park offers scenic hiking trails, wildflowers, swimming holes, and an abundance of wildlife!

The highlight of a visit here is Gorman Falls, the tallest accessible waterfall in Texas.

This 70 foot tall beauty cascades down the cliffs and can be seen after a moderate 2.5 miles round trip hike.

Other hiking trails along the banks of the Colorado River are also popular with outdoor lovers.

The park makes one of the most fun day trips from Austin.

Natural Bridge Caverns

Another unique attraction near Austin is the Natural Bridge Caverns. While not a state park, this area has amazing natural attractions.

The attraction is home to one of the largest natural bridges in the world.

On a visit, you can admire a spectacular cave system and see geological formations such as stalagmites, stalactites, and much more.

Natural Bridge Caverns is located between San Antonio and Austin in New Braunfels.

Other attractions at Natural Bridges include zip lining, gem mining, and bat flights at dusk.

Also Read: Best Bat caves in Texas

Best Spring Day Trips from Austin for nature lovers

Austin is the perfect place to scout for bluebonnets and other wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country.

Here are our favorite places to see the state flower near Austin.

Marble Falls

Marble Falls is an amazing day trip from Austin for those who love exploring hidden gems.

This small central Texas town, located on the shores of Lake Marble Falls, has a charming downtown area.

Admire the sculptures on Main Street, browse through local shops, and pick strawberries at Sweet Berry Farm while in Marble Falls.

During spring, Marble Falls is one of the best places to see bluebonnets in Texas .

Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail

Looking for the perfect day trip from Austin to see the gorgeous bluebonnets in spring?

Drive the Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail!

The route will take you through the cities of Marble Falls, Burnet, and Llano.

The small town of Burnet is known for its bluebonnet festival while Llano is the bluebonnet capital of Texas.

Along the way, stop at Turkey Bend Recreation Area in Marble Falls.

Located on the northern shore of Lake Travis, it is known for gorgeous wildflower fields along the water.

Best Swimming and beach day trips from Austin

Looking for the perfect summer day trips from Austin to cool off on hot days?

Here are some of our favorite nearby swimming spots!

Wimberly, located in the Texas Hill Country, is one of our favorite day trips from Austin.

Wimberley is home to Texas famous swimming hole, Blue Hole.

This spring-fed natural pool is perfect for a refreshing dip and extremely popular in the summer!

Other things to do at Blue Hole Park include picnicking, hiking as well as play areas.

Wimberley itself is also an amazing destination with scenic drives, rugged landscapes and wildflower fields blooming in springtime.

Lake Travis

Lake Travis itself is another fun day trip from Austin for water lovers.

Take a tour of the lake on board a paddle wheel cruise.

Launch a boat from the Emerald Point Marina and enjoy a day on the water.

Other popular lake activities include fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.

In fact, Lake Travis is one of the best kayaking destinations in Texas .

End the day with a romantic meal at one of the lakeside restaurants.

Hamilton Pool Preserve

Probably one of the most popular Austin day trips is to Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs.

This is one of the most famous swimming holes in the Hill Country.

There is nothing better on a hot summer day than to splash in the great swimming hole and admire the views of the waterfall and the cliffs.

Make sure to reserve your tickets before planning a trip to Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs.

Spicewood Springs

Spicewood Springs, located between Austin and San Marcos, is the perfect day trip for those who love to swim.

Take a dip in the natural spring swimming pool at Krause Springs or enjoy boating on Lake Travis at Muleshoe Bend .

Spicewood Springs is also home to several wineries.

Best Small Town Day Trips from Austin

Several Texas Hill Country small towns are great day trips from Austin.

Admire the charming Main Street, shop local, and have a romantic day exploring these destinations.

Johnson City

Johnson City is the right choice for anyone looking for a family day trip, especially if you love American history.

One of the famous attractions in Johnson City is the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.

At Johnson National Park, visitors can tour the LBJ Ranch which served as the Texas White House for the President, see a living history farm, pay respects at the Johnson Family Cemetery and learn about the LBJ Presidency.

Other fun things to do in Johnson City include the Science Mill museum for children, charming downtown, and plenty of wineries.

Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs makes an excellent day trip near Austin.

The city is quickly becoming one of the top spots to visit in Texas for its natural beauty, local wineries, and bustling restaurants.

Popular things to do in Dripping Springs include taking a stroll in the historic downtown district, antiquing, checking art galleries by local artists, and checking out the local breweries.

The small town of Gruene is a must if you are visiting the nearby city of New Braunfels on a day trip.

Gruene is located just 10 mins away from New Braunfels.

The Gruene Historic District is home to several landmarks including the Gruene Hall, which is the oldest dance hall in Texas.

Enjoy shopping at the general store and have a romantic dinner at the Gristmill restaurant while in Gruene.

Luckenbach is a great one stop shop if you are looking for cool ideas for day trip ideas from Austin.

This small Texas town is known for its handful of buildings and locals.

The town is a must for country music fans; on weekends you will find country, western, and Texas swing musicians playing to full crowds.

Driftwood, Texas is home to the famous Salt Lick bbq and a must.

Salt Lick bbq is considered by many to be one of the best bbq’s in Central Texas.

They are famous for all types of smoked meats including the Texas brisket.

Other Driftwood attractions include a vintage Texaco gas station, charming downtown, and plenty of wineries.

The town is also home to the Desert Door Distillery which is famous for sotol, a distilled Mexican spirit similar to mezcal.

If you are looking for a day trip from Austin, Texas to enjoy the beautiful scenery of farm lands and nature, we suggest heading out to Brenham.

At Blue Bell Creameries, tour their impressive facility, learn what makes their ice cream so famous, and sample different flavors.

Besides Ice Cream, there’s plenty of other fun things to do in Brenham including bluebonnet trails, Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, and beautiful murals downtown.

Lampasas, located west of Austin, makes an excellent day trip from the city.

The small town is most famous for the natural mineral springs swimming pool at Hancock Springs Park.

Lampasas also has a pretty downtown with plenty of murals and public art.

Also Read: 20 Awesome Things to do in Lampasas, Texas

Best Cities to Visit on a Day Trip from Austin

Several Texan cities are also located close enough to see on a day trip from Austin.

They are home to popular urban attractions, shopping, nightlife, and a great culinary scene.

Here are the best cities near Austin, Texas.

San Antonio

San Antonio is the gem of Texas.

It makes a great day trip destination from Austin because of the proximity.

The city is home to several famous attractions including the Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk .

Visit The Alamo and learn about the famous Battle of Alamo that was fought there.

Admire the Spanish architecture on the San Antonio River Walk and stroll along the path enjoying the scenery.

Take a cruise down the San Antonio River and visit the many museums in the city.

San Antonio, with its urban attractions, makes the perfect day trip for families.

New Braunfels

New Braunfels , with its unique German heritage, is one of our favorite day trips from Austin.

This charming city is especially great in the fall when you can enjoy Oktoberfest in the Lone Star State.

There is nothing like sipping on some German beer and eating pretzels while listening to traditional polka live music.

New Braunfels also puts on amazing Christmas celebrations and is our top pick for those looking for festive day trips from Austin, Texas.

Because of its many attractions such as Schlitterbahn Water Park, Railroad Museum, Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo, and Landa Park mini golf course, New Braunfels also makes a great weekend trip from downtown Austin.

Also Read: Best German Towns in Texas to Visit Now

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg , the gem of Central Texas, is one of our favorite Austin day trips.

The city has a strong German heritage which is seen in its architecture, historic buildings, German cuisine, and Christmas traditions.

The charming Main Street with shops, eateries, and breweries is perfect for a stroll.

Visit attractions such as the National Museum of the Pacific War, Japanese Garden, and the Pioneer Museum.

Enjoy wine flights in the tasting rooms or drink craft beer at the many local breweries.

The city also makes a fun weekend getaway from Austin.

Also Read: Best Christmas destinations in Texas

College Station

College Station is home to Texas A&M University and one of the best day trips from Austin for families.

During spring, you can experience bluebonnet trails in Aggieland.

Other College Station attractions include George Bush Presidential Library, Aggieland Safari, and Texas World Speedway.

Short on time? Did you know that you can visit Houston on a day trip from Austin?

There’s a ton to do in the country’s 4th largest city.

Visit NASA Johnson Space Center, Kemah Boardwalk, The Galleria, and Downtown Aquarium.

Read our post on best things to do in Houston for more information.

Austin is a prime location for exploring the amazing scenery, natural attractions, and charming small towns of Central Texas.

Be sure to include some of these on your trip while visiting Austin.

Know of any other fun places within an hour’s drive from Austin? Let us know in the comments!

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Outdoor adventures, insightful museums, and lively dance halls await.

As the state capital of Texas, Austin lures those from near and far with its vast array of culture and history. Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," you're sure to find plenty of places here to grab a drink and hear some tunes, but you'll also find scenic hiking trails, world-class art, and plenty of tasty food to keep you coming back time and time again. Whether you're a museum lover or an outdoor enthusiast, here are the 30 best things to do in Austin, Texas.

Watch the bats emerge at Congress Avenue Bridge.

From late March through early fall, the largest urban bat population in North America can be seen emerging from under the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge every night. Thousands of bats flutter through the sky, eating bugs along the way, while bat lovers watch from the bridge or below on Lady Bird Lake.

Tour the Texas Capitol building.

Taking a free, guided tour of the Capitol is one of the best things to do in Austin — especially if you're a history lover. The Texas Capitol building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 and is one of the largest capitol buildings in the country.

Have life-changing Tex-Mex cuisine.

You can't come to Texas and not try some Tex-Mex cuisine – a delicious blend of Mexican classics with Texas twists, found across the state. Austin has some real gems, including Matt's El Rancho , Juan in a Million , and Fonda San Miguel .

Attend SXSW.

Every March, Austin welcomes creatives from around the world for film screenings, music, exhibitions, speakers, and all things tech, education, and culture. SXSW is a great opportunity to bring your creative ideas to the table and turn that dream into a reality. Keynotes have included Michelle Obama, Willie Nelson, and Mark Cuban.

Visit the Blanton Museum of Art.

With more than 19,000 works in the permanent collection, the Blanton is known for its European paintings, modern and contemporary American and Latin art, and a wide range of prints and drawings. Don't forget to snap a picture of Ellsworth Kelly's "Austin," a stone building with colorful glass windows that's a must for your Instagram feed.

Make a splash at the Barton Springs Pool.

Austin's favorite swimming hole is definitely Barton Springs , a three-acre pool fed from underground springs. The pool keeps an average temperature of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, comfortable for year-round swimming. Recent years have seen record attendance, with visitor numbers almost at 800,000 people per year.

Spend some time on South Congress.

South Congress, or SoCo, is a lively district south of Lady Bird Lake full of great restaurants, boutiques, vintage shops, bars, and live music venues. Visitors and locals alike love this part of the city. The famous "I Love You So Much" mural is found here at Jo's Coffee , and Monkey See Monkey Do is a treasure trove of vintage toys and gifts.

Buy a pair of cowboy boots.

If you're ready to hit the honky tonks, getting a fresh pair of authentic cowboy boots is a must. Allens Boots has a large selection, while Heritage Boot Co. offers handmade, vintage-inspired cowboy boots. Want to customize a pair of boots to fit your style? Texas Custom Boots can help you out.

Shop the Austin City-Wide Vintage Sale.

Held at the Palmer Events Center almost every month, the Austin City-Wide Vintage Sale is the place to find anything vintage and collectible. Since 1977, decorators, designers, college students, families, and anyone looking for unique items head to the sale for everything from furniture and kitchenware to vintage jewelry and art.

See art in nature at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum.

In 1985, 20th-century American sculptor Charles Umlauf and his wife Angie Umlauf donated their home, Charles' studio, and hundreds of sculptures to the City of Austin. Today, the Umlauf is a museum in a garden setting complete with over 2,000 drawings and 273 sculptures by the artist.

Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

On 284 acres in the Hill Country, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center boasts beautiful gardens of Texas native plants, trails, an arboretum, and a savanna meadow where you can learn about karst landscapes. The center has recorded sightings of more than 143 species of birds, 15 species of mammals, and 1,800 species of insects.

Lounge by Lady Bird Lake.

Paddleboard, kayak, or canoe your way across Austin's Lady Bird Lake for views of the skyline and outdoor recreation right in the city. Take a hike or bike ride along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, which borders the lake, or float down the Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail .

Attend ACL.

Austin is known for its live music scene, and Austin City Limits Music Festival , held in Zilker Park, is a must for music lovers. More than 100 performances take place across eight stages each year. Past performers have included Radiohead, Lionel Richie, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Head to Rainey Street.

In downtown Austin, this strip of bungalow-houses-turned-bars is a popular destination for drinks, delicious grub, and of course, live music. Lucille Patio Lounge , Half Step , and The Container Bar are all great places for a cocktail or two.

Visit McKinney Falls State Park.

Within Austin's city limits is an outdoor oasis that's perfect for unplugging from technology and connecting with nature. Visitors can hike, bike, boulder, stay overnight at one of 81 campsites, or swim in Onion Creek. Check out "Old Baldy" while you're here. It's one of the oldest bald cypress trees in Texas and is more than 500 years old and 103 feet tall.

Cheer on the Longhorns at a game.

Texans are passionate about football, and Austin's University of Texas brings the school spirit every season. In a sea of burnt orange, enthusiastic fans cheer on the Longhorns with storied chants and the "Hook 'Em" hand symbol swaying through the air.

Hang out in Zilker Metropolitan Park.

Austinites love spending time in Zilker Metropolitan Park , located in downtown Austin near Lady Bird Lake. The park's 351 acres are great for picnicking, meeting a new dog friend or two, disc golf, hiking, biking, and even paddling. The Barton Springs Pool is also located here.

Learn your Texas history at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Known as the official history museum of Texas, the Bullock is the place to learn about the story of Texas. See the 300-year-old ship of French explorer La Salle that sank in Matagorda Bay, numerous Indigenous artifacts, and more.

Have a night on Sixth Street.

While Sixth Street tends to be a bit rowdy, it's long been the place to party in Austin. The street closes to through traffic from Thursdays through Saturday nights, meaning there's lots of people parading up and down the street in search of cheap drinks, entertainment, and that late-night slice of pizza.

Go dancing at Broken Spoke.

Put your dancin' boots on and head to Broken Spoke , a dance hall that's been open since 1964 and has seen performances from legends such as George Strait, Garth Brooks, and Dolly Parton. They even offer dance lessons for those new to two-steppin'.

Visit the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum.

On the University of Texas campus, the LBJ Presidential Library houses 45 million pages of historical documents, 650,000 photos, and 5,000 hours of recordings from President Johnson's political career. There are also over 54,000 objects to see, such as the desk used for the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Hike Mount Bonnell.

Among the top things to do in Austin is get a bird's-eye view of the metropolis at Mount Bonnell , one of the city's highest points at 781 feet. After climbing 102 stairs you'll reach the top, where you can take in breathtaking views of downtown and the 360 Bridge. A pavilion and viewing deck allow you to rest up before descending.

Visit the Harry Ransom Center.

Hone into your intellectual side at the Harry Ransom Center , which houses almost 1 million books, over 42 million manuscripts, millions of photographs, and 100,000 works of art. Highlights include some of Einstein's unpublished notes and calculations on general relativity, original works by Frida Kahlo, and Jack Kerouac's notebook from writing "On the Road."

Eat craft barbecue.

Texas is known for its unbeatable barbecue scene, and Austin is home to some of the best 'cue in the state. Leroy and Lewis , Distant Relatives , Valentina's Tex-Mex Barbecue , and La Barbecue are just a few of the top BBQ joints.

Visit a honky tonk.

For a true Texas experience, visiting a honky tonk is a must-do activity, and Austin has some of the best. Strap on your boots and head to the dance floor for country music and a good time. The White Horse , Sam's Town Point , Giddy Up's , and The Little Longhorn Saloon are all great for a boot-scootin' good time.

Stay over in style.

While the live music and dining scene in Austin is thriving, the city is also home to some great hotels. Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt , Heywood Hotel , and Austin Proper Hotel are all gorgeous, while Lake Austin Spa Resort stuns on Lake Austin.

Sip your way through local breweries.

You can't be the "Live Music Capital of the World" and not have great beers to go alongside an evening of fun. Thankfully, Austin is packed with one-of-a-kind breweries across the city. Jester King offers up top-notch farmhouse ales in Hill Country, while Pinthouse , St. Elmo , and Austin Beerworks are just a few of the big hitters in town.

Go mural hopping.

Across the city, vibrant murals don the walls of buildings, displaying everything from Janis Joplin and Willie Nelson to an enormous golden-cheeked warbler. One of the most fun things to do in Austin is a self-guided tour of the best street art around town.

Grab a glass at local distilleries.

Austin and the surrounding Hill Country area are home to a number of great distilleries, and many of them have excellent tasting rooms where you can relax and have a cocktail. Desert Door Distillery , Deep Eddy Vodka , and Garrison Brothers are all fantastic distilleries just outside of town.

See a show at the Paramount Theatre.

Since 1915, patrons have been coming to this storied theater to see performances from legends like Harry Houdini, Duke Ellington, and Katharine Hepburn. Today's shows include musical performances, magic shows, interviews, and more.

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Places To Visit Near Austin

Take a peek at these fabulous places near austin for a day trip..

Places to visit near Austin.

Austin, TX, is known for barbeque and Tex-Mex and is a fun city to play in. It’s a diverse city with so much to do. But you may want to get out and enjoy other parts of Texas. Just minutes outside the borders of Austin is a paradise of hotspots, including scenic drives and wildflowers.

After reading about these places to visit near Austin, I bet you’ll want to skip the busy city altogether.

Austin is one of the most visited cities in Texas. In case you’re not aware, Austin is quite a busy city. Interstate 35 can be frustrating when driving into and away from the city. With happenings on 6th Street, the University of Texas, the eclectic live-music scene, and not to mention the Capitol, it’s easy to see why many people flock to the area year-round. But if you want to get out of the busy city to relax and maybe soak up some meditation, there’s much to do outside of Austin that’s worth visiting.

You can drive north to tour a cave, south to play in the river, into the deep Texas Hill Country, or west for antiques. I’ll give you some suggestions after you’ve had enough of the busy city.

I suggest you not get in a hurry when driving in or away from Austin. Take your time, and adjust your schedule to allow more time on the road. If it’s not traffic, it’s construction — consider this your warning.

1. Stop By The Texas Travel Information Center

Before heading out of Austin, your first trip might be to the Texas Travel Information Center . You’ll find a wealth of brochures on things to do near Austin and around Texas, probably more than you want to know! The travel center is at the Capitol Visitor Center, 112 E. 11th St., Austin, TX 78701. Did you know there are only 12 Texas information centers? Most are around the border of Texas, but Austin’s is inside the city.

2. Head To Lake Travis

West of Austin is Lake Travis, a famous lake for locals. There are many great places to eat in Lake Travis , where you can also rent a party boat for the afternoon. However, Lake Austin is also nearby. I’m sure both are busy on weekends.

3. See The View From Mount Bonnell

You can head over to the nearby Mount Bonnell and go for a hike. Once you reach the top, you’ll see a nifty pavilion and jaw-dropping views of Lake Austin and downtown Austin. Plus, visitors get a picture-perfect view of the Colorado River and the illustrious mansions that line its shores from the top of Mount Bonnell.

Adeina and her friend’s recent visit to Bastrop. Photo Credit: A. Anderson

4. Visit Bastrop

In about thirty minutes, you’ll be in Bastrop, where you can enjoy kayaking on Lake Bastrop, enjoying your favorite beverage just about anywhere in town, and doing lots of shopping. That’s what these two did on a recent girl’s trip.

Related: Things To Do In Bastrop, TX With Kids

5. Head To Deep Texas Hill Country

A few short miles from Austin in Dripping Springs, known for the “Gateway to the Hill Country.” Someone told me it’s the only Hill Country town with all three: wineries, brewers, and distilleries. I think your drinking is covered in this town. I’ll be headed there in a few short weeks and can’t wait to visit the Hamilton Pool Reserve . After looking it up, I’m almost positive you’ll want to see it. I believe reservations are needed.

6. Swing A Putter Or Go Caving In Georgetown

Besides being a small-town charmer, Georgetown has three distinguished 18-hole golf courses, Inner Space Caverns, and Texas’s most beautiful town square. And, if you plan your visit around April, the red poppies are out, and the town celebrates with a Red Poppy Festival.

7. San Marcos

Pack your swimsuit! San Marcos is only thirty minutes from Austin, where you can take a scenic drive on RM 12 NW to 32 – also called Devil’s Backbone for gorgeous views of the Hill Country and spring wildflowers. And while you’re there, dip your toes in the crystal-clear water of the San Marcos River or swim.

NOTE: A reader told me that Devil’s Backbone is a ways from San Marcos but closer to Wimberley.

8. Pedernales Falls State Park

About 30-40 miles west of Austin is Pedernales Falls State Park , a popular destination for locals and visitors. The park offers camping, hiking, biking, and excellent wildlife viewing. Swimming in the river is allowed, but it’s a rough 1/4 mile walk to get to the area. The admission fee is $6 for people 13 years old and up.

Travel Pro Tip: You MUST buy your entrance pass online, especially if you want to go on the weekend. The park gets super busy then, and they sell out fast.

9. Bee Cave

Less than a 20-minute drive west of Austin, you’ll be in Bee Cave unless the traffic is terrible! This town is new to me. Not that it’s new, but I had not heard of it until an event I was invited to was held there last year. Bee Cave has fantastic places to stay, great shopping, dining, golfing, water sports, and hiking. It’s the perfect place to escape the big city for a day. The Bee Cave Sculpture Park is a sight to see. I have not been there, but the town boasts excitement about it.

10. Blue Hole Regional Park

After wandering through Dripping Springs and doing everything you wanted to in town, drive about 17 miles south to Wimberley.  That’s where the natural spring-fed swimming hole at Blue Hole Regional Park is located. Swimming opens up in May, and you’ll need a reservation. Day passes are $6-$12.

11. Round Top

Set out early and head east on Hwy 290 for Round Top if you love antiques. It’s about an 80-mile car ride, so bring a snack or two and get ready to be dazzled in the antiques. If you plan your visit right, the Round Top Antique Show will be held in January, April, and October. See the site for the exact dates. I can’t believe I’ve never been to this. You’ll want to bring a big enough car for all the cool things you buy!

About Kim Croisant

Kim Croisant is a freelance writer and owner/writer at Texas Travel Talk and a native Texan living north of Fort Worth. When not writing about travel destinations (not just in Texas), restaurants, and hotels, she is most likely juggling family life, caring for her mother, and raising her grandson. She loves red wine, chips & dip, and travel magazines. Follow her on Instagram @texastraveltalk.

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10 Must-Do Adventures Near Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas is one of those towns where once you know, you know.

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

Austin has a well-established reputation as a live music mecca and foodie paradise. What flies a little bit under the radar is Austin's adventure-loving heart. From swimming in natural pools to hiking Mount Bonnell, you'll find that the nights in Austin may belong to music, but the days belong to adventure. 

Here are some of our favorite places to explore in and around Austin.

The Barton Creek Greenbelt runs through south Austin, and the 12-mile trail is the lifeblood of the city's urban outdoor adventures. Take a break from the Texas heat with an easy 1.5 mile hike on the Greenbelt to Sculpture Falls, a large swimming hole that is always a refreshing 70 degrees. 

Speaking of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, you can use to access the rock climbing at Gus Fruh. Urban outdoor rock climbing? Yes, please! This a trad climbing spot, so be sure your party has experience in lead climbing and belaying.

For panoramic views of the city, take the short hike up Mount Bonnell. The trail climbs 300-plus feet to the summit via a series of manmade and natural stairs. Don't forget your camera, and water. It's hot in Texas!

I mean, is there any better way to "Keep Austin Weird" than to visit the Cathedral of Junk? This art piece is open to visitors by appointment, and it's worth the trip. 

McKinney Falls is the perfect place to spend a day away from the bustle of the city. Two falls run best when the water is high, but this is a great spot for swimming and hiking during the hot summer months. Camping is available within the park, too.

Austin is chock full of artistic murals and graffiti, and there's no better way to explore it (and the city itself) than by hopping on a bicycle. Austin's "B-cycle" program has pick up and drop off spots all over the city, and for $12 for a 24 hour pass, it's a no-brainer.

To see and be seen (and to cool off!), head to historic Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park. Plan to spend the day, because once you arrive you won't want to leave. Zilker Park also has a disc golf course, volleyball courts, botanical gardens, and open-air performance venue that pretty much always has live music or theater on the schedule.

To get a bit off the beaten path, check out the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. This 2.5 mile hike through the woods includes a waterfall, woodlands, and the Wild Basin Creative Research Center . 

Lady Bird Lake isn't so much a lake as a wide section of the Colorado River, but it's the place to watersport in Austin. The calm water is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding, plus, you'll get spectacular views of the Austin skyline. 

If you're willing to go a little further afield, don't miss checking out Hamilton Pool Preserve. This swimming hole is in an overhanging rock cave which is fed by a 50 foot waterfall. It is as amazing as it sounds, so get there early to claim a spot on the small beach.

Cover photo by Sarah Williams

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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19 Best Things to Do in Austin

By Mandy Ellis and Jonathan Thompson

Between sets in the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin’s motley medley of outdoor routes fill up your itinerary fast. Lace up your combat boots or converse to stroll public art installations, get some work done on a lake-view butterfly terrace, or hear a pride of peacocks call to each other by day and watch Austin’s famous bat colony fly by sunset. Don’t fret, there’s always time to shop for cowboy boots ahead of your two-step lesson, grab a locally-inspired craft drink on a shady patio, or dip into one of the city’s naturally chilly swimming holes. Not sure where to start? Here are the best things to do in Austin according to our experts.

Read our complete Austin travel guide here.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Congress Avenue Bridge Arrow

Crowds gather nightly on the Congress Avenue Bridge, at sunset, to watch Austin’s urban bat colony fly out from their home on the underside of the bridge over Lady Bird Lake . The 45-minute spectacle is one of those only-in-Austin happenings. The colony of Mexican free-tailed bats is the largest in an urban environment in North America—about 1.5 million bats take flight each night to feed (on pesky insects like mosquitoes, making the animal a local hero). Note that the spectacle is seasonal, typically from May through October; during the winter, the bats migrate elsewhere. And even though the whole thing lasts 45 minutes, you get the idea in under five. If you can pair your viewing with another activity downtown —not difficult, as this part of town is extremely lively—it's worth making time to watch.

The Continental Club Arrow

The red front doors and solid black exterior set the tone for this well-worn, slightly gritty concert venue. But the surrounds fit right in with the storied past of the place—it's internationally acclaimed for launching the careers of the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as musicians from all kinds of genres (blues, jazz, rock, country). The crowd varies based on the show (so do the cover charges, so check ahead of time ), but everyone is here for the nightly live music and the bottled beers—usually as part of a night of bar-hopping on the lively South Congress Avenue, or ‘SoCo’ (‘First Thursdays’ are particularly big, when the entire street turns into an enormous block party, with late openings, special offers ,and live music seeming to pour from every doorway).  

Blanton Museum of Art Arrow

This museum at The University of Texas has a compact collection that does an excellent job covering numerous genres. There are early Renaissance paintings, Roman-era pottery, modern works housed in the contemporary gallery, a vast prints collection, and Native American and Latin American works. It's impossible to miss (as in, you should not skip, as well as it is literally not possible to miss since it's at the front door) Teresita Fernández Stacked Waters : acrylic panels in ombre shades of blue that cover the walls and staircase in the museum's atrium to create a submerged-in-water feeling. 

Firehouse Lounge Arrow

Tucked behind the fold of a secret bookshelf door in Austin’s oldest fire station built in 1885, Firehouse Lounge harkens history with turn-of-the-century Singer sewing machines holding up tables, an old oxygen tank tucked in the spirits shelf, and rich red damask wallpaper glowing against tiny candles. Black leather benches and slim lacquered wood stools surround the multicolored wood bar for a mix of 1920s speakeasy district meets underground dive bar. As you grab drinks, you hear jazz or blues, or is that a DJ, or maybe rock from their live music stage.Since it’s hiding in a hostel, you’ll find all kinds of atrons, from 20-something travelers and locals all the way to music-loving elders, depending on who’s playing live that night and which old-timey drinks they’re imbibing in.

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Charlie Hobbs

Barton Springs Municipal Pool Arrow

This massive public swimming pool, fed by a natural spring, is one of Austin’s most prized outdoor settings. It's set within well-kept Zilker Park, which has lots of shade and lawns for sunbathing, and remains blissfully undisturbed by the city's whiplash growth. Not to mention the water temperature is a cool 68 degrees year-round, making it a much-needed respite during extremely hot summers, and perfectly pleasant in the wintertime, too. The pool is also famously topless-friendly, though sightings are rare. Be prepared for a bit of a walk if you can't park close by, as the parking lot fills up with locals quickly. 

Franklin Barbecue Arrow

A standout star within  Austin’s heavyweight barbecue scene , Franklin draws lines that are as epic as its world-renowned brisket. Take a tip from the regulars: come early, come hungry, and come with a collapsible chair (you don't want to stand for three or four hours if you can avoid it). The good news is that you can now preorder  up to six weeks in advance, as long as you’re committed to at least three pounds of meaty treats. Just don’t miss that luscious oak-smoked brisket with its distinctive peppery exterior; it’s tender enough to cut with a spoon.

Read our entire guide to Austin's best barbecue here .

Rainey Street Arrow

At first glance,  Rainey Street  looks like a sleepy suburban avenue with quiet wooden verandas and picket fences, but at night, it  really  wakes up. Here, the craftsman-era bungalow homes, many dating back to the late 19th Century, have been renovated into a string of hipster-friendly bars and restaurants. Wander around and you’ll see food trucks tucked in alongside renowned nightlife spots like  Half Step , Geraldine’s , Lustre Pearl, Emmer & Rye , and Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden . It’s a spot to relax on a porch or picnic table with your kids or your dog during the day, and party with friends or your significant other at night.

Allens Boots Arrow

The first thing you'll notice when you walk into this Austin institution on South Congress Avenue is the smell of leather. Then the shelves that house thousands of pairs of cowboy boots, from exotic Caiman crocodile skin to trendy Western booties. Texans will recognize brands like Lucchese and Tony Lama; the uninitiated might gravitate toward Frye. Need a whole head-to-toe look? There are cowboy hats, belts, leather jackets, jeans, and other accessories. If you've never owned cowboy boots, try on a pair even if you have no intention of buying them. It's an experience from beginning to end, right down to the art of removing them. 

Austin Central Library Arrow

Brilliant bright windows illuminate more than 500,000 books inside the award-winning LEED-certified library with vast views of Lady Bird Lake and Shoal Creek. Its metal and glass exterior striping and industrial structure fit the Seaholm District, and the 37-foot-tall red kinetic sculpture with an enormous cuckoo clock taken over by blackbirds is a must witness. Six stories are cut across by zig-zagged staircases that wiggle up to a rooftop butterfly garden, rotating art exhibits, and a kid’s area with life-sized chess and a technology petting zoo with 3-D printer. Accessible programming from cooking to music to puppet shows happens here, as does reading and work while lounging in the dozens of different types of colorful seating dotting the contemporary concrete, metal, and wood interior.

The White Horse Arrow

This is perhaps the coolest honky-tonk in Austin. The simple space puts newcomers at ease, while regulars take to the dance floor when live music is playing every night on a very small stage. A photo booth, pool tables, and a small yard with seating allow for breathers between sets. With a full bar that serves whiskey on tap, the energy at this dive never seems to wane; neither does the flow of cheap drinks. And the dynamic crowd is one of the best surprises here—a multigenerational mix of hipsters, ranchers, rockabillies, and bikers convene nightly. 

Meanwhile Brewing Arrow

You may come to Meanwhile’s dark gray warehouse for their ultra-cool, vintage-industrial taproom of 20 rotating beers, but you’re staying a few hours for the rest of their 3.7 acres. Their dog- and kid-friendly patio includes a mod-style live music stage that sets the tone with strings of lights, plenty of picnic seating over woodchips and under shady oaks, and a wooden playground with log bridges and tunnels. You can rent their turf soccer field, dine at some of the city’s best food trucks, or hang out at one of their many free events from workouts to art to differently-abled experiences. Food trucks to pair with beers are sprinkled around the outdoor patio offering some of Austin’s best like Distant Relatives’ pecan- and hardwood-smoked barbecue, Bésame’s rotating ice creams, Pueblo Viejo’s street and breakfast tacos, wood-fired pizza with organic sauces and meats from Side Eye Pie, and Songbird’s sandwiches and salads.

"You're My Butter Half" Mural Arrow

Insta-famous East Austin outdoor mural created in 2012 by local designer John Rockwell and the Creative Suitcase team as a love letter to Austin. It’s less tourist-y, but still gets plenty of likes thanks to bright aquamarine paint surrounding a heart between a slice of bread and a pat of butter emoting, “You’re My Butter Half.” The mural lives on the side of the brick United Way Building, and is surrounded by walkable restaurants and coffeeshops like Bennu Coffee, Thunderbird Coffee, Sour Duck Market, Salty Sow, Nixta Taqueria, Birdie’s, Bird Bird Biscuit, Dai Due, Este, and Haymaker. If you need to wait for your photo, pick up delectable coffee or food, or hang out at the picnic table.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake Arrow

Crowds flock to Lady Bird Lake all year to kayak and paddleboard on the Colorado River. Multiple companies, like Rowing Dock and Texas Rowing Center, have kayaks and paddleboards for rent, and the area is dog-friendly. While you're out, check the birds, fish, and other wildlife around the lake, and enjoy the tree-lined shores as well as the striking lakefront homes. If you’re paddling at night, don’t miss bat season from May to October. You can watch 1.5 million of them fly overhead as they head out to hunt. Rentals range from $10 to $20 per hour, or up to $45 for the day. It’s a rather inexpensive way to enjoy Austin’s outdoors without breaking your budget. Active travelers with kids or pets, or those who just want a closer view of the scenery, this activity is ideal for you.

Birdie's Arrow

Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel form the power couple morphing a New York fine-dining background into a strong focus on local artisan farmers and winemakers. The result is lavish-approachable, forever-changing seasonal American menu with French and Italian influences. Don’t miss the handmade pasta of the day (it’s first-come-first-serve until sold out), steak aligned with peppercorn sauce and fingerlings, or swirling seasonal vanilla soft serve with guest appearances by citrus-flavored olive oil or gala apples. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of their popups folded in during the year consisting of one-time menus with creative edge.

The Contemporary Austin Arrow

The Contemporary is composed of two different venues: The Jones Center, a striking building on a busy downtown street corner, and Laguna Gloria, a 14-acre outdoor site on Lake Austin that houses a sculpture park and 14th century Italianate-style villa. The museum also runs a program called "Museum Without Walls," which aims to bring art out into the community, as well as a public art collaboration with Waller Creek Conservancy, a chain of parks around a restored Waller Creek in downtown Austin. You can cover the small number of artworks at the Jones Center in particular pretty quickly, so this is a stop to add on to an already planned itinerary.

Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater Arrow

Musicians of all genres perform in this intimate theater for live tapings of the longstanding PBS concert series, Austin City Limits . If you're lucky enough to snag a ticket through the lottery system, grab a drink at the bar on the outdoor patio overlooking downtown Austin before the show. Then take your seat inside the intimate venue, where the atmosphere is charged as some of the biggest names in music take the stage. They'll often perform stripped-down or acoustic sets, so you can really see their talents shine through.

Whisler's Arrow

East 6th is the coolest place to be in Austin, and Whisler's is the coolest place on East 6th. The cocktails are expertly crafted, particularly in the dedicated Mezcal bar upstairs (Mezcaleria Tobala). They do the basics very well (an outstanding Old Fashioned, for example, and a great hot toddy during the winter months), with some interesting additions that will pique the curiosity (and tickle the taste buds) of more experienced cocktail drinkers. Come here for a night out with a friends, but not the messy kind.

Uncommon Objects Arrow

Completely and utterly idiosyncratic, this is the hippest flea market you will ever visit. Picture a sprawling emporium full of fascinating items you could easily spend hours poring over. With jewelry, retro toys, and neon signs to brighten up your space, it's a  temple to American hipster weirdness and it's absolutely brilliant. There are 24 professional antique sellers permanently based here, so if you're after something specific (or to fill a specific corner in your home), then seek one out for the insider intel. Otherwise, be warned that you could easily lose hours on end in this place.

Violet Crown Trail Arrow

Over 13 connected miles of flourishing green spaces start at Zilker Park and the Barton Creek Greenbelt and snake down to Slaughter Creek and Dick Nichols Park. Shortly, when the 30-miles of trail with giant oaks and winding creeks is completed, it’ll be the longest in Central Texas running from downtown Austin to Onion Creek. Manicured and wild trails, paved and smoothed dirt are hiking, biking, cycling, running, or rollerblading options along with walking your dog (or family) amongst wildflowers and wildlife. Favorite spots in Barton Creek like Campbell’s Hole and the Flats as well as climbing walls, creeks and urban wildlands, open green spaces, and off-trail pathways are here to venture into. Trail maps stand at different inflection points, but because Violet Crown is extensive, each piece varies in what you see in the surrounding area.

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The best attractions in Austin, Texas right now

For sightseeing, culture, and all the live music you can handle, here are all the best attractions in Austin, Texas.

It is not just the best sports events,  music festivals , and conferences that keep Austin busy year-round; the slew of awesome attractions,  restaurants , and live music venues make it a fabulous evergreen destination of fun and frolics.

Whether you only have  48 hours to explore  or you’re a local looking to be a tourist in your own city, there really is something for everyone and plenty of  outdoor space  to enjoy.  And  it’s weird and varied. One minute you’ll find yourself sweating it out on the lake, then you’re at a  trendy  SoCo restaurant. Whatever the occasion, know this: Austin folk are some of the most friendly, open-minded, and welcoming around. You’ll have a swell time ( margarita  in hand),  make some friends , and be hurrying back for more. Let’s go out and get exploring—here’s where to start.

RECOMMENDED: The best  things to do in Austin  

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Best attractions in Austin, Texas

1.  Barton Creek Greenbelt

• Things to do

In so many cities across the US, tapping into well-preserved wilderness requires a trip outside of town. Not in Austin. That’s largely thanks to multiple green space preserves, but largely due to one: the Barton Creek Greenbelt (lovingly referred to by locals as the Greenbelt), which spans 7.25 miles of dense forest, limestone cliffs, shallow swimming holes (connected by the creek’s flow) and hike-and-bike trails. The public property is populated year-round by mountain bikers, hikers, and rock climbers. And in the summer months—pending enough rainfall—it is incontestably the most magnificent place to swim within city limits. Whether you hit up the super-popular Campbell’s Hole, the gloriously gushing Sculpture Falls, or the relatively secret Lost Creek site, the mind is always put at ease by way of immersion in what sometimes feels like an impossibly secluded oasis adjacent to some of the city’s busiest sections (many of entry points require a bit of Google research to locate). If Austin’s contemporary urban utopia didn’t already have you hooked, this slice of natural paradise embedded within ought to do the trick.

2.  The Bats at Anne W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

For many, the idea of the world’s largest urban bat colony—approximately 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats—all flying out from under a bridge within a few minutes may sound utterly terrifying. Maybe so, especially if you’ve got a genuine phobia, but actually witnessing them speed out at up to 60 mph and 2 miles high en masse on any evening (around dusk) is one of the most jaw-dropping sights in the region. By now, it’s a business: You can buy into one of Capital Cruises’ boat tours to watch them emerge from lake level, or you can simply do as the Romans do and arrive early to grab a spot along the eastern side of the bridge. Generally speaking, the bats aren’t dangerous (unless you attempt to handle them, so do  not  try). In fact, aside from the majestic beauty of their cyclonic flight, they’re local assets: The bats consume about 20-30 thousand pounds of insects each night (they’re heroes, the best mosquito slayers we’ve got). Even though bats reside there most of the year, summertime—as with most things here—is the peak for activity; if you wanna reap all of Austin’s benefits, you gotta stick out the heat for the good stuff.

S. Congress Ave between W. Cesar Chavez St and Barton Springs Rd (crossing Colorado River)

3.  Zilker Park/Barton Springs

• Attractions
• Rivers, lakes and ponds

Each October for two weekends, Zilker Park—situated at the bottom of South Austin neighborhood Barton Hills—is the home to the internationally renowned annual Austin City Limits Music Festival, and each winter holiday season, it hosts the dazzling Trail of Lights. But those yearly events barely scratch the surface of what the park regularly offers. Year-round, the 358-acre publicly-owned swath of land is equipped to entertain all generations and cultural groups living in and visiting Austin. There’s a playscape for the kiddos, soccer and rugby fields, hike and bike trails for the athletically inclined, and—the apex of manmade ATX swim spots—Barton Springs Pool. The expansive, blocked-off section of Barton Creek is fed by the Main Barton Spring (Texas’s fourth largest spring), which maintains a stable 68-degree temperature. Say it with us…brrr! Yes, it’s freezing, but it becomes a godsend once we hit our almost annual streak of 30-plus days of unbearable 100-degrees-or-hotter weather. Besides, it’s one of the most surefire spots in town to socialize—you’re bound to run into old friends along the hillsides if you’re local and likely to make new friends if you stick around long enough.

4.  The Lakes

Ask any native Austinite: most of us didn’t grow up skiing or snowboarding—the closest mountains are an arduous drive away—but we did do our fair share of boating, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. That’s because Austin boasts three fantastic lakes within relatively close proximity. Lady Bird Lake (still referred to by most locals as Town Lake, its name until former FLOTUS Lady Bird Johnson died in 2007) sits on the edge of downtown and connects to the Colorado River and Barton Creek. You legally can’t swim in it, but there are a few stand-up paddleboards and kayak rental spots like  Austin Rowing Club , so you can glimpse a panoramic view of the city skyline while floating atop the serene water’s surface. Lake Austin, meanwhile, is the premier locale for watersports, jetskiing, and—if you’re lucky—lounging or partying at a pal’s lake house. Lake Travis is a hotspot for sailing, speed boating, and fun family outings such as summer’s  Waterloo Adventures  water park pop-up. Your best bet as a newbie? Lady Bird. With such close proximity to downtown, you can squeeze in a session between other activities, and there are plenty of other nearby spots to get your swimming fix.

5.  Q2 Stadium

Until 2021, Austin was the largest city in the US not to have a major sports league team. Remember, this is Texas, a state that’s bonkers for ball games, so it was a  really  tough time. Thankfully things changed in 2021 with the shining new Q2 stadium, home of Austin FC, and Bat City finally became whole. In fact, the team has developed such a huge local (and extremely proud) following that we dare you not to spot a YETI green jersey on game day. Even if you’re not a soccer enthusiast, the experience of cheering the boys on among a rowdy stadium is a ton of fun, and it’s all situated by another recent development, The Domain, an upscale shopping, living, and dining destination, meaning post-game grub is never too far away.

6.  Breweries

Like so many hipster havens across the U.S., Austin has seen a massive boom in local craft brewery culture within the past 5 years; about a dozen new producers (typically with adjacent taprooms) have popped up. Which ones you visit all depends on your palate:  Hops & Grain  leans more toward IPAs and (appropriately) hoppier fare,  Blue Owl  is the spot for sours,  Jester King —located in the beautiful hill country—flirts with interesting flavors in its farmhouse ales and Austin Beerworks’ beers run the gamut from easy-drinking to heavy-and-malty. If hops don’t make you happy, there’s always  Austin Eastciders , which—across two locations—offers a variety of craft ciders advertised as “drier, smoother, and more complex than many modern ciders.” Of course, the places listed here only represent a tiny sampling of the sprawling ATX brewery community. Consider signing up for a tour via companies like  ATXcursions  if your time is limited.

7.  South Congress (SoCo)

If your wallet’s well-stocked, you could pull off an entire week’s worth of eating, drinking, shopping, and live music in one day on SoCo, the shortened moniker for the historic strip of S. Congress Avenue south of the Colorado River. But we recommend taking your time throughout several visits. Don’t miss the ultimate barbecue food truck  LeRoy and Lewis , and save room for dessert—the cheddar cheesecake is unreal. Next, wander the almost overwhelming array of vintage shops, boutiques, and mom-and-pop craft vendors. If you’re a first-timer to the area, we recommend First Thursdays, where most shops stay open until 10pm, and a flourishing marketplace featuring local artists and small businesses blooms in the lot of Italian eatery  Vespaio . Also essential: catching a show at the  Continental Club , one of the city’s oldest continuously running venues where Texas legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Paul Ray & the Cobras, and Joe Ely played regularly in their heydays.

8.  Texas State Capitol

• Walks and tours

For architecture and history enthusiasts, the Texas State Capitol building—located at the head of South Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown—is an essential stop. Really, though, it’s a must for anyone trying to get the full feel of Austin’s Texas-centric side. Free daily guided tours will take you into the central atrium where stunning portraits of every Texas governor hang on display, into the Senate Chamber and newly restored House of Representatives Chamber, and finally into the impressive underground extension. All the while, your guide will give you a rundown of Texas history and politics. Those with specific informational interests should check the website for details about themed tours, which include Women in Texas History, Heroes of the Texas Revolution, Rest in Peace (urban myths and ghost stories near Halloween), Bravest of the Brave: Celebrating Texas Veterans, the Holiday Tour (available in December) and Early Texas Artists. The Capitol is also proof that everything is bigger in Texas—it’s a replica of the Washington, D.C. building, but actually a bit taller. How much taller? You’ll have to ask when you get there.

9.  North Loop (Blvd)

Can’t hang with the crowds on Rainey or Dirty 6th? Tired of the upscale price tags along SoCo? Craving an authentic locals-only atmosphere? North Loop is your go-to hood. Along the stretch of N. Loop Boulevard roughly between Guadalupe Street and Airport Boulevard, you’ll find a blend of shops that toe the line between old-school and contemporary: there’s  Room Service , one of Austin’s best sources for ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s furniture, clothing, collectibles and knickknacks;  Monkey Wrench Books , an all-volunteer bookstore and social space (they host some killer local concerts) with the mission in mind to spark “radically different” ways of thinking/living; and the all-vinyl  Breakaway Records . For the alcohol-inclined, whether day- or night-oriented, you can hit up one of the friendliest-staffed and most well-stocked (especially in terms of craft beer) dives in town,  Workhorse Bar , or, for some award-winning cocktails, the ever-intimate  drink.well  (pictured). The only catch for these places is limited parking since the strip is positioned in a primarily residential area. At the same time, it’s everyone’s Cheers, a neighborhood that makes this short jaunt north of downtown well worth it.

10.  Rainey Street Historic District

The stretch of E 6th Street between IH-35 and S Congress Avenue—known by locals as “Dirty 6th”—hosts a wild college party scene nightly (it’s essentially our Bourbon Street). But as far as well-rounded, barhoppable strips go, it—or any other ATX drinking district—doesn’t come close to Rainey Street just a few blocks south. Here, you’ve got your pick of the lot: sports bars, swankier cocktail joints ( Half Step ,  Icenhauer’s ), reliable live music havens , and microbrew meccas ( Banger’s ). Quite a few of these feature excellent food choices, making the district an all-in-one-stop worthy of an entire evening. Nighttime visits are more key as many establishments don’t open until late afternoon or early evening, but daytime eats are top-notch, too: Grab a brat at Banger’s or go for some gourmet food truck fare at  Little Lucy’s  or  Masala Dhaba . Barring the food trucks, most of these places are set up inside renovated old houses—each just minutes or moments apart—which lends the avenue a heavy layer of homey charm on top of its enviable variety.

11.  The Broken Spoke

• South Lamar

“Last of the true Texas dancehalls and damn sure proud of it!” reads a quote from owner James M. White on the South Austin bar-restaurant’s website. If that sounds pretty dang Texan, it’s because it has been, is, and always will be one of the most Texan spots you can visit since 1964. The family-owned honky-tonk is situated far enough from downtown that it feels like a homely neighborhood watering hole, and its food menu features all the ATX essentials: steaks, burgers, Tex-Mex, and, of course, BBQ. Two-steppin’ is always in full swing, and you can even sign up for lessons with White’s daughter Terri on Wednesday to Saturday nights. But one of its most attractive features is a long tradition of hosting legendary musicians—Willie Nelson, Ernest Tubb, and Bob Wills, to name a few. Some of those who are still around occasionally pop in unannounced. No joke, if you’re lucky, you might witness Nelson hop on stage for an impromptu show any given night of the week. Can I get a “yeehaw”?!

12.  The Drag

If you’re headed anywhere on or near the University of Texas campus, you’ve gotta take a stroll down the Drag—the stretch of Guadalupe between 29th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard that runs alongside campus—for some superb shopping and/or food along the way (officially, it’s between 21st and 25th Streets, but true Austinites know better). Gone are the days of classic music stores like Tower Records and Sound Exchange, but there’s still plenty of culture to soak up via vintage clothing shops ( Buffalo Exchange ,  C. Jane ,  Monkies Vintage and Thrift ), delicious eateries ( Kerbey Lane Café ,  Madam Mam’s ,  Teji’s Indian Restaurant ), one of the city’s best dive bars ( Hole in the Wall ) and a plethora of handmade craft goods at the open-air Austin Renaissance Market on 23rd Street. For some carefree recreation, one needs to jaunt across the street and down a few flights of stairs to access the UT Student Union Underground, which is decked out with billiards tables, an arcade, and glow-in-the-dark (!) bowling. Glow Bowl is only available from the end of May through mid-August, so we highly recommend it as a fun and trippy—not to mention air-condition—respite during the often brutally hot summers.

13.  Mayfield Park

Located northwest of downtown near the Contemporary Austin’s sprawling Laguna Gloria artists’ complex, Mayfield Park is a mainstay for locals, but often overlooked by visitors on their way to the scenic Mt. Bonnell overlook just up the road. With its quaint central cottage built in the 1870s surrounded by a serene, sprawling garden replete with koi ponds and lush, colorful flora, it’s a perfect place for an afternoon picnic, reading, or just generally relaxing. There’s also a lovely hiking trail through the 23-acre nature preserve if you’re aiming for a more active mode. But the real draw for most is the two-dozen or so resident peafowl (that’s the accurate plural of peacocks and peahens) who, not the least bit frightened by humans, roam the grounds, rooftops, and trees of the central park. Our recommendation: Go see these majestic birds between February and April—this is the season when the males begin courting the females by fanning out their colorful tail feathers, a truly impressive spectacle.

14.  Hippie Hollow Park

• Greater Austin

You don’t need to be a nudist to enjoy the secluded beauty of Hippie Hollow, but you do need to be comfortable with the concept. The 109-acre park, situated about 20 minutes from downtown alongside Lake Travis, is the only legally recognized clothing-optional public park in the Lone Star State—quite appropriate for a city that proudly strives to “keep [it] weird.” Even if you don’t strip down to your birthday suit, it’s worth a visit for its natural oasis-like atmosphere and solid swim spots with close proximity to the city center, without any sign of the hustle and bustle. Just be warned, you will see naked bodies of all types—young, old, big, small—so think twice if you’re the modest type.

15.  Circuit of the Americas

• Sport events

If you’re an avid live music fan, you may want to check COTA’s website for concert listings before your visit. Aside from the 3.4-mile racetrack (home to the only Formula 1 race in America, the United States Grand Prix), the complex is home to Austin360 Amphitheater, the largest permanent outdoor amphitheater in Central Texas, which since opening in 2012 has hosted some of music’s biggest artists, including Kanye West, KISS and local legend Willie Nelson. For racing fans who just want to see the track—which features a ride up Turn 1, a 133-foot rise with panoramic views from the top of the surrounding hill country—you can catch a guided tour. If neither racing nor live music is in your wheelhouse, COTA is still worth a visit for a trip to the top of its iconic 25-story Observation Tower, which provides a clear view of the Austin skyline—you won’t want to miss that awe-inspiring perspective!

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Austin Insider Blog

This blog, written and curated by Visit Austin staff, shares the things that visitors love and locals can't get enough of.

16 Day Trips & Hill Country Towns to Visit

Buckle up and get ready to cruise the incredibly scenic Texas Hill Country. We’ve rounded up 16 towns worth a day trip for browsing charming shops, touring historic landmarks, dining on true Texas barbecue, floating on pristine rivers and catching a live show at a dance hall.

Winery in Driftwood. Credit Laolu Onabanjo.

1.  Driftwood

Chow down on slow-cooked pork ribs at The Salt Lick BBQ and sample wines at neighboring Salt Lick Cellars . Follow the Driftwood Wine Trail and try wines at six scenic wineries. Sample sotol, an earthy Texas spirit, at Desert Door Distillery . Stroll around the ranch with a beer in hand at Vista Brewing . Stop by Hays City Store & Ice House for live music, local eats and 50+ beers on tap.

2.  Dripping Springs

Step into the 1850s at The Pound House Farmstead  and trace the history of Dripping Springs. Take an orchard tour and taste olive oils at Texas Hill Country Olive Co. Get pool passes for the day or stay overnight at Camp Lucy , a sprawling two-acre resort nestled on a bluff overlooking Onion Creek. At  Dreamland , play mini-golf and pickleball, see outdoor art installations and watch a live concert.

Stay at the family-friendly Lakeway Resort and Spa , the only resort on Lake Travis. Just outside Lakeway, experience the all-inclusive Lake Austin Spa Resort , named the #1 destination spa resort in North America by Condé Nast Traveler . Also near Lakeway is Miraval Austin , spanning 220 rural acres, offering wellness packages that include spa services and gourmet meals.

4.  Fredericksburg/Luckenbach

Climb the iconic pink granite dome at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area . Make your way along  Fredericksburg Wine Road 290  and visit 24 award-winning wineries. Learn the history behind World War II in the Pacific at the National Museum of the Pacific War . Shop for chic boutique finds and dine in the bistro at Vaudeville . Explore a working wildflower farm, complete with a wine tasting room and beer garden, at Wildseed Farms . Drive about 15 minutes southeast and pick up a T-shirt to prove you made it to the legendary Luckenbach Texas General Store , a combination souvenir shop/saloon housed in an 1800s trading post. Catch a country concert and do some lively two-steppin’ at Luckenbach Dance Hall .

5.  Johnson City

Tour the LBJ Ranch and see the 36th president’s childhood home at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park . Hike or bike trails that lead to the twin waterfalls at Pedernales Falls State Park . Taste wines, dine at a brewery, listen to live music and enjoy pampering at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa . Sip wines made with grapes grown in the Texas High Planes during an elevated tasting session at Lost Draw Cellars .Or take a tour of the Garrison Brothers Distillery and taste sweet mash right from the stills at the state’s oldest whiskey distillery. Kids will have fun learning as they play with the technology-based exhibits and games at the  Science Mill .

6. Bee Cave

At the Sonesta Bee Cave Austin Hill Country hotel, take in the views from the rooftop bar, relax by the pool or hike and bike nearby trails. The Wayback offers elegant yet cozy cottages. Visit its Cafe for tasty breakfasts and lunches Wednesday through Sunday, with dinner served Friday and Saturday. Visit the Hill Country Galleria and explore 75 shops and restaurants. Admire the sculpture collection at the shady Bee Cave Sculpture Park and let the kids use their imaginations at its Playarium.

7.  Boerne

Check out the charming locally owned shops and restaurants along the Hill Country Mile in the heart of historic Boerne. Enjoy live music and try a pint of beer brewed on-site at The Dodging Duck Brewhaus . See underground wonders on a guided cave tour through Cascade Caverns .

8.  San Marcos

Kayak or float on a tube along the  San Marcos River that winds through the center of town. Tour a cave and ride the train through a wildlife park at  Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park . Just try to resist the designer deals at two area outlet malls: San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets .

9.  New Braunfels

Spring-fed river water fuels the thrilling slides and coasters at Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort . Raise a glass at 30 unique breweries on the scenic  Hill Country Craft Beer Trail . Grab an inner tube and ride the currents of the  Comal and Guadalupe Rivers that pass through New Braunfels.

10.  Gruene

While not technically its own town, Gruene (pronounced “green”) is a district within New Braunfels that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Browse antique and specialty shops housed in 19th-century brick storefronts in the Gruene Historic District . See live bands at  Gruene Hall , Texas’ oldest dance hall, where stars like Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Garth Brooks have commanded the original small stage.

11.  Wimberley

Blue Hole Regional Park is a scenic spring-fed swimming hole surrounded by cypress trees. Swim in its clear water or take off on the park's hiking and walking trails. Wander through the town’s many art galleries and watch a glassblowing demonstration at Wimberley Glassworks . Grab brunch, lunch, or dinner at the Leaning Pear , which serves Hill Country-inspired comfort fare like meatloaf, crab cakes, and chicken and grits. Plan your visit to coincide with Wimberley Market Days , held on the first Saturday of each month, March through December. Peruse 490 vendor booths while musicians entertain on three stages. 

12.  Lockhart

The Barbecue Capital of Texas is known for famed restaurants like The Original Black’s Barbecue , family-run since 1932, and Kreuz Market, established in 1901. Visit the charming shops, galleries, restaurants and historic theater that dot Lockhart’s town square. Peek inside the stately Caldwell County Jail Museum and landmark Caldwell County Courthouse .

13. Bastrop

Bring the kids to dig for fossils at Dinosaur Park , or hike and fish at Bastrop State Park . Explore the indoor/outdoor marketplace at Community Gardens , complete with a plant nursery and aquaponics. At night, fill up on pizza and craft beer while watching live music at Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard . Or take a seat in the 1889 Bastrop Opera House for musicals and vaudeville shows.

14.  Round Top

Round Top is a shopaholic’s dream. Make a beeline to Henkel Square Market , where stores and eateries are housed in buildings that date to the mid-1800s. Find vintage treasures at  The Original Round Top Antiques Fair , held every spring, fall and winter.

15.  Marble Falls

Reel in a catfish or go paddling on picturesque  Lake Marble Falls . Jump on a dirt bike or ATV and tackle the trails at Hidden Falls Adventure Park . Indulge in a slice of homemade pie from the quaint  Blue Bonnet Cafe , open since 1929.

16. Round Rock

Download a walking tour brochure, then stroll the Downtown Historic District to admire the 1800s buildings and colorful public art, stopping in local shops and eateries along the way. The entire family will enjoy the Triple-A baseball action of exciting Round Rock Express games held at Dell Diamond from March through September. Stay and play at the awesome Kalahari Resorts & Conventions , featuring a huge indoor water park, Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, a full-service spa, a piano bar and a variety of restaurants

Be sure to check out the many fun Texas Hill Country events held year-round!

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• Places Near Austin You Must Visit For A Vacation Worth Remembering

23 Mar 2023

Austin, the capital of Texas has a plethora of jaw-dropping places ranging from natural parks to the bright cities which are worth spending your nightlife at. One can go on a Kayak tour at Lady Bird Lake, can witness numerous species of aquatic life in the Austin Aquarium, and can also be part of numerous sightseeing tours while in Austin. However, the state of Austin has gained so much attention of tourists worldwide that the places near Austin often get isolated in the thoughts of many.

Several places around Austin Texas including Fredericksburg, Bee Cave, Burnet, San Antonia, and Spicewood are some of the prime destinations which offer a once in a lifetime experience to travelers. These destinations despite having so much to explore and experience, are some of the underrated places in Texas.

Places To Visit Near Austin Texas

Austin is not only a paradise for the traveler but also a neighborhood to some of the most happening places in Texas. Here is a list of top places located at just a 1-hour drive from Austin which are worth the visit.

1. Cascade Caverns

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This historical and geological cave near Austin witnesses numerous public tours and events annually being one of the highly visited places near Austin. Known to be one of the first commercial caves open to the public in Texas, the Cascade Caverns features wide flowstone stone corridors and meandering chambers which lead tourists to the Cathedral room. Below the Cathedral room is another cave that can be explored with the expert cavers. Do pay a visit to this spot. Who knows, you may find something never seen before?

Location: 226 Cascade Cavern, Boerne, TX

Must Read: 10 Pocket-friendly Hotels In Austin That Are Packed With Amenities

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2. Willow City Loop

Wish to go on a romantic drive with your hubby? Well, then you must visit the Willow City Loop. This place in Texas is a dream destination especially during the spring, boasting meadows filled with colorful flowers and scenic valleys. Its natural beauty makes it one of the hottest places to see near Austin among couples planning to head out for a romantic trip. The wide variety of flowers ranging from the whites to the blues is a treat to watch.

Location: Willow City, Fredericksburg, TX

Suggested Read: 10 Best Things To Do In Austin For An Avid Traveler

3. Devil’s Waterhole

Don’t get carried away by the name. There is nothing demonic about the place except its alarming rocks surrounding its water. The place witness canoe tours for tourists and is a great place for boating, diving, and swimming. The mighty rocks featuring red, orange, and pink colors add to the beauty of the place making it one of the best places to visit near Austin Texas. Not just this, the place is also home to various mesmerizing waterfalls which you can visit.

Location: Burnet, TX

Suggested Read: Snorkeling In Austin: Top 3 Places Where You Can See The Underwater World

4. Krause Springs

If you want to have a peaceful time away from city life then it is time you should give a shot to Krause Springs. This popular family-owned site in Spicewood features around 32 on-site springs, several man-made pools, and a natural pool which flows into Lake Travis. From cliff jumping to swimming, there are so many activities you can indulge in if you are at the Krause Springs. The site manages to secure a spot in the National Register Of Historic Places and is one of the top places to go around Austin.

Location: 424 Co Rd 404, Spicewood, TX

Suggested Read: 8 Austin Temples To Visit On Your Next Mystical Ordeal!

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5. Jacob’s Well Natural Area

This artesian spring has a 1-mile long limestone cave at around 140 feet below it. You can pay a visit to this place to enjoy diving and swimming in its 12-foot swimming hole which is a safer area. Only professional and experienced divers are allowed to go deep into the cave but you can always enjoy some quality time with your friends around the swimming hole.

Location: 1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX

Suggested Read: 6 Austin Water Parks Where You Can Spend Summer While Splashing Water & Sliding Rides

Places To Stay Near Austin

1. omni la mansion del rio riverwalk.

This lavish accommodation in San Antonio aims to provide you the utmost sensation of lavishness, boasting amenities like a fitness center equipped with modern machines and a spa and wellness center offering the perfect body massage. In addition to this, the outdoor pool adds to the luxurious factor of the hotel. With well-equipped business centers and meeting halls, the property is the perfect accommodation for you if you are planning a business trip.

Location: 112 College Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA

Suggested Read: Shopping in Austin: 8 Places Which Are Perfect For A Shopping Spree

2. Horseshoe Bay Resort

Jam-packed with world-class features and top-notch services, the Horseshoe Bay Resort is one of the best places to stay near Austin. The property features plush features including a private beach area, kid’s playground, tennis court, and a fitness center offering you everything you can expect from a dream accommodation. The resort also features a jacuzzi and a spa and wellness center where you can relax your body after a tiring day of exploration.

Location: 200 Hi Circle North, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657, USA

Suggested Read: Austin Wedding Venues: 7 Destinations Which Are Ideal To Tie The Knot At

3. The Westin RiverWalk

The hotel’s stunning design and elegant features will leave you wonderstruck. With luxurious features like a commodious jacuzzi and a lush green golf course located near the property, the hotel stands apart from other hotels in terms of providing a top-class experience to the guests. Featuring some lively restaurants and bars, the hotel is a perfect place to stay for you to make the most of your vacation near Austin.

Location: 20 West Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA

Further Read: 10 Churches In Austin, Texas For Those Looking For Redemption & Faith

Austin is not just a home to numerous recreation sites and fine hotels but is also a neighborhood to some of the most charismatic and astounding places which cannot be described in words. Featuring an array of scenic beauties and plush accommodations, the places near Austin are surely some of the must-visit destinations travelers can consider for their next trip to Texas .

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Austin, TX

Written by Brad Lane Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Austin, the capital of Texas, sits where the Colorado River leaves the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. It's the second-largest state capital in the United States by population and was founded in 1839. Today, this longstanding history interweaves with a vibrant community that's only growing by the day.

Austin has a million ways to enjoy a vacation or long stopover. From traditional tourist attractions like the red-granite State Capitol or the Bullock Texas State History Museum to simply spending the day walking near the shores of Ladybird Lake , the city offers a new experience around every street corner – like watching millions of bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge .

There's a reason why so many people are moving to Austin. Consistently nice weather mixes with the city's natural spaces and downtown sidewalks, casting a Texas glow across the city late into the evening – this and a friendly, eclectic community that invites creative types and sightseers to join the crowd.

Whether for a quick weekend visit or a lifelong move, enjoy the capital of Texas with these top attractions and things to do in Austin, Texas:

1. The State Capitol and Visitors Center

2. lady bird lake, 3. go for a dip at barton springs pool, 4. lyndon baines johnson library and museum, 5. bullock texas state history museum, 6. see the bats from congress avenue bridge, 7. hop on a sightseeing tour, 8. zilker metropolitan park attractions, 9. explore the attractions at the university of texas at austin, 10. mexic-arte museum, 11. mckinney falls state park, 12. umlauf sculpture garden and museum, 13. mount bonnell, 14. tour the museum of the weird, 15. day trip to texas hill country, where to stay in austin for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions in austin, tx, austin, tx - climate chart.

The State Capitol and its 22 acres of grounds and monuments are home to the office of the State Governor and the Chambers of the Texas Legislature. The building was completed in 1888 and today is protected as a National Historic Landmark. It impresses with its dimensions; and at 308 feet tall, it ranks as the sixth tallest state capitol, taller even than the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

Visitors stroll the capital park via the tree-lined path called the Great Walk and admire the numerous monuments. A Texas African American History Memorial , the Vietnam War monument , and a bronze statue of a Texas Ranger all capture attention along the Great Walk , as well as a miniature Statue of Liberty that was presented in 1951 by the Boy Scouts of America.

The visitor center is located on the grounds and features exhibits about the history of Austin and the state of Texas. Free tours of the Capitol Building are given daily, except on holidays. Visitors are also welcome to take a self-guided tour anytime the capital is open.

Nearby, the recently restored Texas Governor's Mansion is also an area of interest, accessible via free guided tours (reservations required).

Address: 112 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas

Named after the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, Lady Bird Lake is actually a section of the Colorado River. This flowing reservoir covers 416 acres and has become one of the city's top recreation areas.

Although lined with hotels and residential complexes, the majority of its shoreline is open to the public, with miles of excellent trails for pedestrians and cyclists. The main pedestrian path along the shores is the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and Pedestrian Bridge , which crosses the river and connects downtown Austin with the southern shore.

The Ann and Roy Butler Trail connects many of the city's parks, including Zilker Metropolitan Park , the Town Lake Metropolitan Park's Vic Mathias Shores, Lamar Beach, Butler Shores, Waller Beach, and Eilers Neighborhood Park .

The Ann and Roy Butler Trail also leads to popular tourist sites near the river, like the Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue , Congress Avenue Bridge , the Long Center of Performing Arts , and the Barton Springs Municipal Pool .

Motorized boats are prohibited on Lady Bird Lake. On the north shore, the Texas Rowing Center provides kayak and canoe rentals and lessons. And on the lake's south shore in Zilker Park , the Rowing Dock offers rentals and instruction for paddleboards, kayaks, and paddleboats.

Canoe and kayak rentals are also available for use on Barton Creek, which is within the park.

Although swimming in Lady Bird lake is prohibited, nearby Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is Austin's favorite place to cool off.

Barton Springs is a spring-fed pool along Barton Creek, covering an area of three acres with an average temperature of 70 degrees year-round. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the grassy tree-lined perimeter and perfect water that reaches up to 18 feet deep.

The area is also considered a protected habitat for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, which is only found in this specific aquifer. Because of the delicate balance between recreation and nature, the pool is closed for most of the day once a week for a specialized cleaning that protects the wildlife form harsh chemicals while keeping swimmers safe.

Location: Zilker Metropolitan Park, Austin, Texas

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Austin and boasts more than 45 million pages of historical documents and papers from President LBJ's lengthy career.

The museum, dedicated in 1971 and refurbished in 2013, contains exhibits relating to the president's time in office, as well as important issues of the day, including the rise of the civil rights movement.

Also of interest is an impressive scale replica of the Oval Office as it would have been during Johnson's presidency, and many temporary exhibits related to American history are hosted throughout the year.

The library and museum are open every day of the week, excluding major holidays.

Address: 2313 Red River Street, Austin, Texas

Official site: www.lbjlibrary.org

The Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the state's story through a variety of interesting interactive exhibits, along with audio-visual displays and film.

The permanent Story of Texas exhibit is home to artifacts and displays that feature defining events in the state's history. Artifacts include the preserved hull of the 17th-century La Belle, which was shipwrecked at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Other exhibits and presentations include the fall of the Alamo, Tejano culture, and the history of the Texas oil industry.

The museum's IMAX theater shows educational and popular new-release films. The museum also hosts many special events throughout the year, including children's activities and public presentations.

Address: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, Texas

Official site: www.thestoryoftexas.com

One of Austin's most unique things to do is spectating the evening flight of the Mexican free-tailed bats that roost under Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge . up to one-and-a-half million of these insect-devouring critters take to the sky at dusk each evening from March through November, comprising the world's largest urban bat colony.

The result is a stunning display as they fly from beneath the bridge and up to two miles high in massive formations so they can dine on mosquitoes, moths, grasshoppers, and other flying pests. It can take up to 45 minutes just for the fuzzy mammals to all exit their home. Once the pups (babies) are old enough, they accompany their mothers on the evening flight.

There are many vantage points from which to enjoy the sight, with the area surrounding the bridge the most popular. Others enjoy watching from boats on Lady Bird Lake or from the Statesman Bat Observation Center , which sits at the southern end of the bridge.

In conjunction with Bat Conservation International, the center is an eco-tourism destination, striving to increase awareness of bats and educate the public on their importance.

Location: South Congress Avenue, off West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas

Austin has several sightseeing tour options to aid in exploring the city without a car. These narrative journeys also provide valuable insight along the way, perfect for first-time visitors or those who want to know more about Austin's legacy. Tour options include walking tours, tasting tours, and bus tours, as well as aquatic Duck Tours.

Double Decker Austin is always a popular choice to get around. This locally owned tour company offers a single-loop, hop-on-hop-off tour throughout the day, stopping at several downtown top attractions. A few recommended hop-offs include downtown 6th street, the Texas State Capitol, and South Congress District.

Another amphibious option is Austin Duck Adventures . This Coast Guard-approved Hydra Terra tour takes to land and sea with a unique 75-minute expedition. Passengers on this floating vessel tour the streets of downtown before splashing into Lake Austin. Duck tours depart from near the Austin Visitor Center.

Advance reservations are recommended no matter the tour, especially if you're visiting during the busy summer season.

The 351-acre Zilker Park is Austin's most popular green space and recreation area. The park's grassy expanses and picnic space sit alongside Lady Bird Lake and are ideal for lazy afternoons, but there are also many recreational facilities for the public to enjoy. Riverside walking trails, volleyball courts, and a disc golf course are all within park boundaries.

The 26-acre Zilker Botanical Garden is the park's most beautiful area, open daily for a small entrance fee. Within, there are several individually themed gardens. Specialty gardens include the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which is built around ancient dinosaur footprints found embedded in the rock, and the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden, which features serene waterfalls and ponds. There are also gardens dedicated to butterflies, cacti and succulents, herbs, and roses.

Water recreation for all ages is popular at the park as well, with canoe and boat rentals available, as well as the family-favorite Barton Springs Pool . Zilker Park is also home to the Zilker Playscape , a large playground with its own section designed for kids aged two to five years. Kids will also love the Zilker Zephyr, a miniature train that runs along the water's edge.

The Austin Nature and Science Center is also on the grounds, open daily with no admission charge. It is celebrated for its interactive exhibits and programs, as well as its numerous trails and special events designed for all ages. Kids especially enjoy the Dino Pit, where they can be amateur archaeologists.

The park is also host to several major music events, including the Zilker Hillside Theater's annual Zilker Summer Musical, Blues on the Green, and the celebrated Austin City Limits Music Festival . Also known as ACL, Austin City Limits takes place over two consecutive weekends in October.

The park grounds are also home to another one of Austin's top tourist attractions, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum.

Address: 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas

In addition to being the first of the Texas University System campuses, the University of Texas at Austin is home to several top tourist attractions. The Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art has a permanent collection of 17,000 pieces of European, American, and Latin American art. The museum also hosts numerous temporary exhibits.

Also on campus is the Harry Ransom Center , which houses a permanent collection of rare literature and printed materials. The Ransom Center also has numerous temporary exhibits and collections on display. Among the museum's most prized pieces are a Gutenberg Bible from the mid-fifteenth century and the First Photograph, a heliograph developed on a pewter plate that was created in 1827 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.

The Texas Memorial Museum is part of the Natural Science Center at the University of Texas and features a huge collection of items representing the natural and cultural history of the Lone Star State. Highlights include numerous dinosaur displays, fossils, gems, and minerals, as well as the famous Wichita County meteorite, a large space rock regarded as a medicine stone by Comanche Indians.

Another impressive tourist site at the university is the landmark UT Tower , infamous for the tragic shooting in 1966. With a height of 307 feet, the tower provides beautiful 360-degree views of the city of Austin; tours are self-guided and include information on the architecture and history of the structure.

For sports fans, the spirit of Longhorn athletics is unrivaled throughout the state. Football games at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium feature trembling bleachers and deafening crowds of pigskin fans.

The university also just opened the new Moody Center multi-purpose arena in April 2022, offering a state-of-the-art venue for sports games and more.

Representing one of the city's largest cultural influences and populations, the Mexic-Arte Museum showcases traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.

Founded in 1983, the museum features rotating exhibits, many of which are thought-provoking statements about current issues, like immigration, border control, and acceptance of Mexican culture in Texas.

Numerous installations and topic-focused galleries include the artwork or sculptures of one or more artists, and several are collections of photography, painting, and multimedia work that represent populations within the culture.

The museum also hosts free "family days" several times a year, when the public can participate in hands-on activities that help visitors get a deeper understanding of the artists' work.

Address: 419 Congress Ave, Austin, Texas

Official site: www.mexic-artemuseum.org

Another must-visit outdoor attraction in Austin is McKinney Falls State Park , home to one of the best waterfalls in Texas . This natural landscape is in the southeastern corner of Austin and provides a perfect place to get away from the city and explore some picturesque Texas scenery.

The state park has over 80 campsites available with water and electric hookups. Six cabins on-site also provide a rustic way to spend the night. The 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail is the main corridor for exploration, with many side trails leading off from the gravel path.

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum is dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of American sculpture and features several works by 20th-century sculptor Charles Umlauf.

The sculpture garden and museum are within Zilker Metropolitan Park . The outdoor sculptures nestle among the trees, gardens, and ponds that surround the museum. Inside, visitors see more of Umlauf's work in addition to exhibits about the artist's life and displays of personal artifacts and mementos.

The museum also features temporary exhibits of other artists' work and hosts events such as concerts, workshops, and even yoga classes among the sculptures outside. Guided tours are available.

Address: 605 Robert E Lee Road, Austin, Texas

Official site: www.umlaufsculpture.org

Mount Bonnell is one of many best hiking trails in Austin and is one of the most popular with tourists because of its numerous photo ops and proximity to the city center. Standing at 775 feet, Mount Bonnell is the highest point in the city and provides excellent views of downtown Austin and the 360 Bridge. It also looks out across the Colorado River and is the perfect place to take photos of Austin's skyline.

Although the lookout deck and pavilion are at the top of 102 stairs, it is not a steep or strenuous climb. Pets are welcome on the path and on the observation deck, and many visitors enjoy picnicking while admiring the view. Expect to encounter crowds if visiting on the weekend.

Address: 3800 Mt. Bonnell Drive, Austin, Texas

For a big taste of the "weirdness" presented in the capital city, head to Historic 6th Street and the Museum of the Weird. This certified roadside attraction sits squarely in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown, and provides halls upon halls of curiosities.

Among the displays are wax statues, two-headed creatures, and mysteries from around the world.

The museum is open seven days a week and experienced with a self-guided tour, with a few different paths to follow. Visiting mid-week is a way to enjoy the museum at a less-crowded pace. Expect to spend at least two hours wandering the halls and seeing the live demonstrations from "professional human oddities."

West of the city, the sprawling Texas Hill Country sits atop the Edwards Plateau and invites day trips from Austin .

This beautiful area has a strong German heritage, as can be seen at prominent places to visit like New Braunfels . Other fun cities to visit in Texas Hill Country include Fredericksburg and Wimberley. With many charming places to stay, these destinations are also some of Austin's best weekend trips.

Outdoor activities are abundant in Texas Hill Country. Popular recreation destinations include Hamilton Pool , Enchanted Rock , and Pedernales Falls . These three destinations offer unique landscapes and popular places to spend the entire day.

Thanks to a unique limestone bedrock, Texas Hill Country is also home to all the best caverns in Texas . Subterranean spaces open to the public here include Inner Space Cavern and Cave Without a Name.

If you are visiting Austin to enjoy the famous live music shows or for general sightseeing, the best place to base yourself is right downtown. The city is relatively compact, and many of the top attractions are in close proximity to each other. Below is a list of highly rated hotels in convenient locations :

Luxury Hotels:

• Looking out over Lady Bird Lake and not far from the entertainment districts, the Four Seasons Hotel features lovely grounds, a saltwater pool, and luxury suites.
• The InterContinental Stephen F. Austin , conveniently located between the 2nd Street District and the state capitol, is one of the city's iconic hotels, with an Art Deco façade, large rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility complete with a lap pool.
• The W Austin is as close to the music scene as you can get, with Austin City Limits right next door, and for something a little different, the Hotel Ella is a converted mansion dating from 1910, just a little outside the city center.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Mid-range hotels are scarce in the city center. At the upper end of this category is the Hyatt Regency , with a prime location on the Colorado River waterfront and just a short walk over a bridge to downtown.
• The Crowne Plaza , a large property with a great outdoor pool, is just over five miles out from the city center and easily accessible at the intersections of two major highways, I35 and 290.
• A great option only three miles from downtown is the Best Western Plus, which was completely renovated in 2013.

Budget Hotels:

• Just steps from the capitol building and about a five-minute walk from the 6th Street area, La Quinta Inn & Suites is a good budget option in downtown.
• A short distance outside the city center are the Rodeway Inn & Suites and the recently renovated Red Roof PLUS+ , both with outdoor pools.

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Things to Do

10 places around austin everyone should visit.

Austin is a city teeming with art, culture, and well…weirdness. It’s why we love it. Quirks and all. From gardens to towering cathedrals of junk, Austin truly has it all. That being said here are some of the best places in the Austin area that absolutely everyone should visit.

1. The Cathedral of Junk

Photo: freefuninaustin.com

The Cathedral of Junk brings new meaning to the phrase,”one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” This eccentric bungalow is a haven of unique knick-knacks and wonderful pieces of scrap metal. A visually stunning example of recycling at it’s finest.

2. The Driskill Hotel

Photo: driskillhotel.com

The Driskill Hotel was built in 1886 and is a jewel in the crown of downtown Austin. Spend a week, spend a weekend, or simply enjoy a cocktail at the bar. Either way, it is a fantastic place to explore.

3. Krause Springs

Photo: krausesprings.net

Located in Spicewood, Texas, this spectacular camping location is a mecca of stunning scenic views. It is an absolute gem.

4. The Natural Gardener

Photo: naturalgardeneraustin.com

A breathtaking panorama of beauty complete with a butterfly garden bursting with flowers and winding trails that lead through fantastic foliage no matter what the season may be.

5. The HOPE Outdoor Gallery

Photo: hopecampaign.org

This collaborative art project is a community paint park that is constantly evolving. This educational project was started  in March 2011 with the help of contemporary artist Shepard Fairey. The primary goal of the HOG is, “to provide muralists, street artists, arts education classes and community groups the opportunity to display large scale art pieces driven by inspirational, positive & educational messaging” (hopecampaign.org).

6. Mayfield Park

Photo: F acebook/Mayfield Park

Among the hiking trails shaded by trees and numerous ponds replete with lily pads roams a family of peacocks. Now, who doesn’t love peacocks?

7. The Inner Space Caverns

Photo: Facebook/Inner Space Cavern

Undiscovered for thousands of years then finally discovered by the Texas Highway Department in 1963 during the construction of Interstate 35.  What a discovery it was. These majestic caverns are a sight to behold. A variety of tours are available – just don’t forget your walking shoes.

8.  Zilker Botanical Garden

Photo: Facebook/Zilker Botanical Garden

Zilker Botanical Gardens boasts, “26 acres of diverse topography depicting different habitats and displaying an array of native, hybrid and exotic plants” (zilkergarden.org). It’s an ideal spot to find that all too elusive inner peace.

9. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden

Photo: Facebook/UmlaufSculpture

Not far from Zilker Botanical Gardens lies the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. This enchanted space celebrates the life and work of sculptor, Charles Umlauf. Today it shows his work and the work of other contemporary sculptors in a natural setting. Meanwhile, the on-site museum provides educational experiences that promote the understanding and appreciation of sculpture.

10. Sweet Berry Farm

Photo: Facebook/Sweet Berry Farm

Sweet Berry Farm is a haven for family fun. A “pick your own strawberry farm” in the spring and a pumpkin patch in the fall, there is never a bad time to visit.

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Home » North America » USA » Texas » 38 Things to Do in Austin, Texas

38 Things to Do in Austin, Texas

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: August 18, 2023

Austin is like nowhere else in Texas. With ubiquitous live music, street art, and a ridiculous amount of breakfast tacos and breweries, the city is brimming with character. There are so many fun things to do in Austin from seeing “Old Austin” classics to checking out newer places to go.

We’ve been to the Texas capital more times than we can count. On every visit, we’ve been lucky to have my sister, an Austinite, as a guide to explore the best attractions you’ve heard of and many that may not be on your list yet.

Here’s a look at what to do in Austin, as guided by a local.

Swim at Barton Springs Pool

Seek out the street art, visit the texas state capitol, sample craft beer at jester king brewery, have bbq at the salt lick, see esther’s follies, try ranch water at ranch 616, bar hop on rainey street, play a round at peter pan mini-golf, hang out at a speakeasy, see sunset at the oasis on lake travis, watch the congress bridge bats, relax at mozart’s coffee roasters, be surprised at the museum of the weird, play chicken shit bingo, stop for a sip at austin eastciders, explore umlauf sculpture garden, pull up a chair at brew and brew, browse the racks at atown, get festive at lala’s little nugget, see the art at hope outdoor gallery, see a set at parker jazz club, visit a local distillery, go thrifting on guadalupe street, see a show at alamo drafthouse, indulge in tiff’s treats, enjoy the scenery at hamilton pool, spend an afternoon at cidercade, take the plunge at deep eddy pool, eat at pool burger, two-step at the white horse, visit elisabet ney museum, explore by bike or scooter, go on a breakfast tacos crawl, have fun at toy joy, get outside at lady bird lake, see the trail of lights, explore the texas hill country.

When we’re looking to escape the Texas heat, Barton Springs is one of our favorite places to go when we visit Austin. Within the 358-acre Zilker Park, Barton Springs is a refuge in the city.

Spanning 3 acres, the Barton Springs Pool is fed by underground springs that stay 68-70 degrees year-round. For reference, that’s about 10-14 degrees cooler than the average swimming pool. Jumping in can be a shock, but we got used to it quickly, and the cold is welcome on a sweltering Texas afternoon.

Barton Springs is open year-round, but it’s closed during the day on Thursdays for regular cleaning.

Wondering where to stay? Vibrant boutique hotel – South Congress Hotel Top-rated convenience – Hyatt Place Downtown Austin Luxury downtown accommodations – Fairmont Austin Customized comfort – The Carpenter Hotel You’ll find more details about where to stay at the end of this article.

Like Nashville , New York, and San Francisco , Austin is known for its street art. In prominent places and tucked away in alleys, we found beautiful works of art all over the city.

One of the city’s most iconic street art pieces started out as a love note and has taken on a life of its own in merchandise, pop culture, and even as a gif on Instagram. The “I Love You So Much” mural on the side of Jo’s Coffee on South Congress Avenue is one of the most popular places to visit for photos. There is also the “Hi, How Are You?” mural made famous by Kurt Cobain and the postcard “Greetings from Austin” on the side of Roadhouse Relics, just to name a few.

Keep your eyes open for other great works as you walk around the city or put together a tour of your favorites.

The Texas State Capitol building is one of the top Austin attractions. You can learn about Texas history and visit key areas of the Capitol on one of the free tours that happen throughout the day. If a guided tour is more time that you want to spend, you can do what we did–walk around the rotunda on your own and see the many statues on the grounds outside.

For a top-rated tour of the Capitol and to see other fun places, check out this small group tour .

Jester King is one of the area’s best craft breweries and possibly my sister’s favorite place. On the outskirts of the city, Jester King brews farmhouse ales and barrel-aged wild ales on a 165-acre property they call “the farm.”

With over 60 draft options, you could visit over and over and never have the same thing twice. In addition to the beer, you can have cider and wine from Texas and beyond.

There is also a restaurant with a wide selection of appetizers and pizzas to soak up the alcohol. As an interlude from the eating and drinking, check out one of the tours or some of the games available to play.

Growing up in Dallas , we learned a thing or two about good BBQ, and Austin is home to some of the best in the country.

One favorite that we’ve returned to again and again is The Salt Lick. Their award-winning brisket , ribs, sausage, and pulled pork are slow-cooked in their famous pits in the Texas Hill Country. Their main location is a half-hour from downtown in Driftwood, or you can visit their restaurant in the airport or in nearby Round Rock.

Other barbecue favorites include Franklin Barbecue (be prepared for the wait), Terry Black’s, and Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew.

With unusual sketches, comedy bits, and some magic thrown in, Esther’s Follies has entertained the city for over 40 years. In five shows each weekend, the modern-day vaudeville show treats viewers to a healthy dose of satire and off-beat comedy. The shows are full of surprises, and one thing we didn’t expect is that they use their windows overlooking Sixth Street to their advantage–some of the action takes place right outside on the street in downtown.

Ranch 616 is the home of Austin’s unofficial cocktail, Ranch Water, so trying it is a must.

With tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, Ranch Water’s ingredients bear a striking similarity to those in a margarita, but it’s topped off with many Austinites’ favorite drink–the sparkling mineral water called Topo Chico. It’s light, refreshing, and packs a surprising punch, so make sure to hydrate along the way.

Probably the most unique street in the city, Rainey Street is filled with cute craftsmen houses from the 1930s that have been re-purposed as bars. Everywhere you look there are patios decked out in lights, food trucks, restaurants, and people. So many people. In fact, I hesitated to put Rainey Street on the list of places to see in Austin because it’s such a tourist attraction. Locals do go there, but it’s somewhat infrequent and almost never on the weekends.

If you decide to go, consider an off-peak time and set your expectations accordingly. Check out Half Step for great cocktails, Geraldine’s at Hotel Van Zandt for lunch or happy hour, or Via 313 for Detroit-style pizza.

For over 75 years, Peter Pan Mini-Golf has contributed to the quirkiness of Austin. The small plot of land hosts two 18-hole mini-golf courses complete with a T-Rex, a castle, a giant tuxedoed pig, and other unexpected creatures. Visitors can bring in a cooler to sip drinks while they navigate around the obstacles and appreciate the throwback that is this family-run course.

Note that parking is limited in the Peter Pan lot, so leave time to find an alternative if you’re meeting people or have a large group.

Speakeasies are a paradise for lovers of craft cocktails . Our favorites (so far) are Midnight Cowboy and Small Victory. Hidden in a former brothel behind a nondescript door, Midnight Cowboy might be one of the only reasons a local would head to Dirty 6th (the strip of raucous bars otherwise known as 6th Street). Its dark leather interior and top-notch service create a welcoming environment to try one of their signature tiki drinks or a classic cocktail.

At Small Victory, there’s no secret buzzer or password, though you may find yourself wondering if you’re in the right place. A couple of doors and a small flight of stairs are the only thing between you and cocktail heaven. They also offer a selection of charcuterie and cheese plates.

Texas sunsets are legendary. About 15 miles from downtown, The Oasis on Lake Travis is one of the best places to see them.

With a multi-deck patio overlooking the lake, the Oasis has unparalleled views. There is a restaurant, but it serves up to 2500 people and doesn’t accept reservations, so set your expectations and patience accordingly if eating there is a priority (though it probably shouldn’t be).

Our best advice is to eat before or after your visit so you don’t have to deal with the wait. Instead, spend your time at the Oasis hitting the bar at Oasis Brewing Company and enjoy your tasty beverage while watching the sky light up at twilight. The secret is that the colors get even better after sunset. It truly is spectacular and one of the best things to do in Austin.

Most people may not think bats and big cities go together…unless you live here. In the warmer months, bat watching is actually one of the most fun activities in Austin.

The Congress Avenue Bridge is home to a massive colony of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats—the largest urban bat colony in North America. Not only do they help with the fierce Texas mosquitoes, but they put on a nightly show.

From spring through early fall, the bats start their flight around sunset and continue flying for as long as 2-3 hours. At the height of the season, there may be as many as 1.5 million bats taking to the air above Lady Bird Lake.

Arrive at least an hour before dusk in order to find parking and get your spot. The Statesman Bat Observation Center adjacent to the bridge is a great place to go, but there are other vantage points along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail and on the bridge itself, though it can get quite crowded.

We’ve watched from the bridge in the past but most recently took to the water to watch the bats from a boat, which puts a fun, more relaxing spin on the evening because you get dinner and drinks, too.

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters might be the prettiest spot in town to sip a latte. Overlooking Lake Austin, the café is the perfect place to be for a moment of Zen, enjoying a pastry, and watching the boats bob by just a few feet away.

Mozart’s serves gourmet coffees from around the world that are roasted on-site several times a week. From cannolis and macarons to quiches and empanadas, they also offer a wide range of homemade sweet and savory treats. You can enjoy them all in the shade on the patio while taking advantage of the free wifi. If you’re visiting Austin at Christmas , don’t miss the popular annual holiday light show.

Reminiscent of dime museums and sideshow attractions, the Museum of the Weird is one of the unusual places to visit in Austin. With shrunken heads, Big Foot, and a cyclops pig, you never know what’s around the next corner in this odd space. Keep an eye out for the Wax Museum near the end.

Near the top of the list of unique traditions, you’re sure to find Chicken Shit Bingo . For over 20 years, this unusual game has filled Sunday afternoons at The Little Longhorn Saloon.

For a small donation, visitors purchase tickets and eagerly wait to see where the chickens will do their business on a giant bingo board. There’s live music, plenty of beer and cider, and lots of cheering when the chickens get going. It’s definitely one of the things you have to experience here.

Austin Eastciders Tap Room has 10-12 different ciders at any given time, ranging from hopped to honey to blood orange. They have a lot of fruit options that focus on flavor without being sweet. The laid-back bar has picnic tables, games, and a dog-friendly patio. Plus, they offer special releases that aren’t available elsewhere.

Just blocks from the heart of the city, a six-acre oasis houses a beautiful sculpture garden in an ever-changing environment. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden near downtown features the work of sculptor and University of Texas professor Charles Umlauf, who gifted his works, home, and studio to the city for use as an arts destination.

Fifty-nine sculptures and other artworks are on view around the grounds, which are landscaped with ponds and native plants. Adults can explore the works while kids complete “Sculpture Safaris.” There are also regular guided tours.

If you’re looking for a great coffee shop, a bar, a place to hang out, or a spot to get some work done, Brew and Brew has you covered on all fronts. In East Austin, this multi-purpose space has a full espresso bar and nearly 40 taps of craft beer and cider, so you can find your drink of choice all day long. There is wifi and a menu including breakfast, several sandwiches for lunch, and bar snacks.

Atown is full of personality. From jewelry to clothes to home goods, this shop is packed with fun gifts, treats, and souvenirs. In addition to all the slogan t-shirts you could want, you’ll also find work by local artists and designers. Depending on the time of your visit, you might be able to indulge in complimentary chocolate chip cookies or mimosas while you browse.

It’s always Christmas at Lala’s Little Nugget . This local bar is decked out year-round with Christmas lights, reindeer, Santa, and more. With Christmas-themed cocktails like the Snowball and Grandma’s Boozy Eggnog, it’s the ideal place to get into the holiday spirit whether it’s April or December.

Since 2010, artists have visited the HOPE Outdoor Gallery to add their work to the collection of spray-painted treasures that adorn the walls. Once an abandoned construction project, every inch of the area is decorated with unique images of street art.

Every day, people visit to climb around on the concrete slabs to see the art or to make their own in this unusual public space. From cartoon characters to cats in space, there is all kinds of imagery, and there is always some kind of activity going on. The gallery has become a gathering spot and is used for dance classes, dinner parties, and other fun events.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery is slated to reopen in fall 2023 near the airport.

Five nights a week, Parker Jazz Club comes alive with world-class musical acts. The purpose-built venue has incredible acoustics to showcase the artists. In addition to the greats from across the country who grace the stage, owner Kris Kimura is a frequent performer, choosing from a stunning array of instruments that demonstrate his talent with woodwinds.

The basement jazz lounge serves pizzas and desserts, and it wouldn’t be a proper jazz club without the excellent cocktails from the bar.

We love people who are passionate about what they do, and we love good cocktails. Luckily, that makes craft distilleries a perfect fit for our list of things to do around Austin. Seriously, if you’ve never had a chance to take a distillery tour with the distillers themselves, do it—they love geeking out and sharing their passion for making great spirits. There are several distilleries to choose from in Austin and within a half-hour drive of the city.

Still Austin Whiskey Co. is our choice in the city. It’s the first whiskey distillery in the city since Prohibition and keeps true to its roots using Texas grains and botanicals. They’re open for tours and tastings, or you can stop by for a cocktail at the bar and some live music and food trucks. I love their Old Fashioned.

Within a half-hour of downtown, you can find three more great distilleries in nearby Dripping Springs– the famous Deep Eddy Vodka, Dripping Springs Distillery, and Treaty Oak Distilling, which is one of the coolest places to visit near Austin.

Lovers of thrifting, vintage clothes, and finding a bargain will enjoy the strip of thrift stores near W. 29 th Street and Guadalupe Street. At least a half-dozen shops in the area specialize in new and used clothing of different types. You can pay by the pound at Flamingos , look for specialty items at Pavement , and shop til you drop all around the neighborhood. On nice weekends, the racks are often set up outside, too.

Alamo Drafthouse is an institution. It’s known for inventive festivals and for showing first-run and classic movies as well as blockbuster and art house films. It was one of the first movie theaters to add good food and beer to complete the movie-going experience. They even create unique menus to pair with the themes of certain movies. There’s always something new and different there.

The Drafthouse hosts special events throughout the year, but one of our favorite reasons to go is the regular Tuesday night trivia. Pop culture and movie experts will go far in trying to take home the night’s prize.

Tiff’s Treats is the perfect solution to a crummy day or the best way to make a good day even better. I mean, who doesn’t want freshly baked cookies right from the oven? No one.

The owners started the cookie company from their dorm rooms while students at the University of Texas, so indulging in their treats is truly one of the authentic things to do in Austin. At their locations all over the city (and throughout Texas), you can try over 10 varieties of cookies and brownies, plus ice cream and more. (Our favorite is the peanut butter chocolate chip.) Plus, Tiff’s Treats is known for being the first bakery in the U.S. to offer a warm cookie delivery service, so you can also enjoy them in your PJs in your hotel room.

Hamilton Pool is one of the most picturesque sites around, and it’s one of the top swimming holes in Texas. Located on a 234-acre nature preserve, it draws people from all over central Texas.

The pool is the result of the collapse of an underground river, so it has a unique formation with a waterfall and even a tiny beach. You can bring a picnic, enjoy the (sometimes very cool) natural spring pool, or relax on the beach.

If Hamilton Pool is on your must do list in Austin, plan ahead—you’ll need to reserve a 4-hour time slot for your visit. Slots per day are limited to protect the ecosystem, which means that the pool always feels like a bit of a private oasis. Bring close-toed shoes or water shoes for the rugged quarter-mile hike from the parking lot and for walking around the swimming area.

Cidercade is a cool venue offering a unique combination of arcade games, hard cider, and thin-crust pizza. For just $12, visitors can play unlimited games from pinball to Skeeball and more while enjoying food and craft ciders from the team at Bishop Cider. As a bonus, there’s a great patio overlooking the lake.

Deep Eddy Pool has been a gem in Austin’s crown for over 100 years. This unique, freshwater pool offers wading for kids, lap swimming for adults, and pool-side movies in the summer. It’s a great location to cool off as the water ranges between 66 and 75 degrees.

What makes Deep Eddy so special is that you feel like you’re far away from everything, surrounded by trees at the bottom of a hill. Yet, you’re really just 5 minutes from downtown.

Deep Eddy is filled with fresh well water and isn’t chlorinated. As a result, moss grows on the bottom of the pool and can be bit slick. Consider wearing water shoes to make it a little easier to manage getting in and out.

Just a few steps from Deep Eddy, Pool Burger feels like summer. With the smell of grilling burgers and the clank of the cocktail shaker, the vibe is laid back and fun.

Food (there are options for vegetarians, too) comes from the 1968 Airstream trailer, and tiki drinks come to life at the straw-covered stand. Find yourself a spot of shade on the comfy cushions and sip your mai tai slowly.

One of the city’s coolest honky tonks, The White Horse in East Austin has live music every day of the week. In addition to the entertainment, they have tacos every night/early morning and whiskey on tap. It’s kind of perfect.

One of the nicest things about The White Horse is that it doesn’t have a particular type of crowd and everyone is welcome. You’ll see people of all generations from hipsters to ranchers to rockabillies, so no one really feels out of place. They all pack the dance floor, and many come for the free dance lessons offered Thursday through Saturday.

See live music venues like The White Horse and more on this music crawl tour of the city .

The castle-like stone building that rises from a wild plot of land in Hyde Park was once the studio of renowned European sculptor Elisabet Ney. Built in 1892, the structure that she called Formosa is now a museum dedicated to her life and work.

The Elisabet Ney Museum houses many large-scale works. Subjects of the busts and sculptures range from King Ludwig II of Bavaria (Ney’s benefactor) to Jesus. There are also 19th-century intellectuals, statesmen, and figures from Texas history. Brochures in the museum provide lots of detail about Ney and her work. It is free to visit and definitely worth a stop if you are nearby.

Getting around can be really easy—just pick up a bicycle or a scooter when you see one. With Bcycle bicycle stands and companies like Lime and Jump offering bicycles and scooters all over the city, you’re never very far from an option that will take you a few blocks or to the other side of the city. Most of them only require an app and a credit card.

For a more organized approach, consider this bicycle tour of Austin highlights or check out this tour that takes you around the city on an e-bike .

Trying breakfast tacos is a must when you visit Austin. There are so many great places to try that it’s hard to pick just one. The good news is that many places serve breakfast tacos all day, so you can put together your own taco crawl, if you’re so inclined.

My favorite place for breakfast tacos is Veracruz All Natural . They have several locations, and we like the truck on Manchaca Road because it’s conveniently located at Radio Coffee, so you can easily address all your breakfast needs in one place. Bring your patience because Veracruz is super popular, but the wait is worth it. They’re most well-known for their amazing migas taco.

If you can’t make it to Veracruz All Natural, check out Tacodeli or Torchy’s Tacos. For 20 years, Tacodeli has met Austinites’ tortilla needs, and their breakfast tacos—especially the Otto—are legendary. Torchy’s Tacos, which started out as a food truck, now has 50 locations, so there’s almost always one nearby. Try the queso, too.

Toy Joy is not your standard toy store. An Austin institution for over 30 years, Toy Joy stocks thousands of items to appeal to everyone. You can find expected toys like standard board games and stuffed animals alongside less expected gag gifts, costumes, crafts, and more. From Harry Potter to anime, there’s plenty to see here.

Lady Bird Lake looks a bit more like a river, or at least that’s what I called it until my sister set me straight. It’s actually a section of the Colorado River that has been dammed up. Whatever you call it, it’s the perfect place for outdoor activities and water sports.

Year-round, there are people in kayaks and canoes and on stand-up paddle boards enjoying the lake. Along the banks, you can also rent paddle boats, dragon boats, and other crafts for use. To enjoy the water in a more motorized fashion, check out Capital Cruises, which runs regular excursions. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail runs over 10 miles around the lake.

One of the top holiday traditions in town is the Austin Trail of Lights. This amazing festival fills Zilker Park with more than 2 million Christmas lights.

Along the trail, there are 70 displays and lighted tunnels plus nearly 100 trees lit up in the colors of the season. When you add regular entertainment, food trucks, photos with Santa, and more, it’s clear why the Trail of Lights is super popular.

Typically, about half the nights of the 2-week event are free for the public, which means the trail can get quite crowded. Visitors who want a little more room to move around and perks like easy parking can buy an early-entry ZIP pass or VIP Platinum passes on select nights.

There is plenty to occupy your time if you’re visiting Austin for a long weekend. But, if you have more time or want to see a side of Texas other than the big city, consider exploring the fun things to do in the Texas Hill Country.

Just a half-hour from Austin is the little town of Dripping Springs, Texas , which is certainly worth a stop. You can get a hint of Tuscany at the Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company, enjoy the scenery at Pedernales Falls State Park , and splash down in the natural swimming hole of Jacob’s Well.

If you have a little more time to spare, visit Fredericksburg about 90 minutes away. Founded by German settlers, Fredericksburg has its own unique culture that you might not expect in the heart of Texas. This German town is packed with dozens of wineries and has a cute downtown shopping area. You’ll also find wildflower gardens, historic sites, and the world-class National Museum of the Pacific War . Plus, it’s right by Luckenbach, Texas , the place to go for country music.

Where to Stay South Congress Hotel – A boutique hotel, South Congress Hotel is one of the top places to stay. Some rooms have courtyard or city views, and you can’t beat the rooftop pool bar. Hyatt Place Downtown Austin – A reliable choice for comfortable accommodations, Hyatt Place offers an on-site restaurant, pool, and fitness center. It is within walking distance of most of the main sites. Fairmont Austin – The definition of a luxury hotel, with stellar service, well-appointed rooms, a spa, and five restaurants and bars The Carpenter Hotel – A unique setting in the former carpenter’s union hall near Zilker Park, this boutique hotel has a fabulous cafe, a restaurant serving inventive dishes, and an outdoor pool.

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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Friday 5th of February 2021

I am lucky to live in Austin. You did an amazing job. Cheers

Laura Longwell

Thank you! I'm glad we did justice to your city.

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The Top 14 Things to Do in Downtown Austin, Texas

TripSavvy / Austen Johnson

In addition to holding the title of Texas's state capital, Austin has fully evolved from a hippie university town to a booming, hip metropolis. While much of the action is focused in up-and-coming neighborhoods like South Congress, downtown Austin offers a wealth of amusing possibilities, too. Whether you're a fan of Texas state history and 19th-century architecture, live music, or traditional Texas barbecue, there's plenty to do here. And while ATX's city center is easy to navigate on foot, pedicabs and ride-sharing services are also readily available for short trips.

Venture on The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

Tom Pennington / Getty Images

Those looking to get some exercise while seeing a mix of lovely natural and urban spots will enjoy the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. This popular path passes by Lady Bird Lake, a 416-acre (168-hectare) reservoir, as well as Austin neighborhoods, buildings, and cultural attractions. One option is to start your journey at the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, with views of downtown Austin and the Colorado River. The popular 10-mile (16-kilometer) trail is named after the city's former mayor and his wife.

Take a Double Decker Bus Tour

Courtesy of Double Decker Austin

Whether you are traveling alone or with a group, one fun way to see the city without having to drive is on an open-air ride with Double Decker Austin . Learn about the city and its history from friendly tour guides as you cruise along. Easily hop on and off the bus to get a closer view of an attraction such as The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum or the Texas State Capitol. The red buses depart from the Austin Visitor Center and Museum of the Weird on Fridays and Saturdays (closed major holidays).

Get Spooked at Museum of the Weird

Bruno Ribeiro / EyeEm / Getty Images

If you'd like an entertaining and possibly creepy type of day in Austin, head to Museum of the Weird on Sixth Avenue, which emulates dime museums made popular by people like Barnum & Bailey Circus founder P.T. Barnum. Check out bizarre artifacts such as shrunken heads, fossils, and wax figures of classic movie monsters. There is even a famous carnival exhibit displaying a frozen caveman in a block of ice that toured the country from the 1960s through the 1980s. The admission price includes a visit to the Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts shop.

Admire the Texas State Capitol

The pink-granite building is the centerpiece of downtown Austin, perched on a hill at 12th Street and Congress Avenue.

Free guided tours are held daily, starting in the South Foyer, but brochures are also available on the first floor for self-guided tours. The Texas Legislature meets every two years, so you’ll have to check the schedule if you want to see an actual session in progress.

If you're hungry, there are some restaurants nearby serving up everything from Indian food to sandwiches and chili.

Barhop in the Warehouse District

Sometimes referred to as “Sixth Street for grown-ups,” the Warehouse District is centered around West Fourth and Lavaca Streets.

If you’re interested in dancing to ’80s and ’90s cover bands, head to Cedar Street Courtyard, a hybrid space of two bars with an outdoor courtyard in the middle. For a little less dancing and more drinking, try Midnight Cowboy.

The Fourth Street area is also home to several gay bars, including Oilcan Harry’s, which has been around since 1990.

People-watch on Sixth Street

The Sixth Street entertainment district—especially the businesses between Interstate 35 and South Congress Avenue—is a popular stop for first-time visitors. This bustling area is packed full of bars of every shape and size, including famous outposts like Maggie Mae's , where you will find many bars and floors, along with three stages. Whether you’re interested in listening to live music, dancing, or drinking, it’s hard to go wrong. 

Plus, the people-watching is free. The area is generally very secure, but if you plan to stick around until 2 a.m., keep an eye out for your safety.

Catch a Show at the Paramount

The historic Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue hosts red-carpet movie premieres, plays, live music, ballets, and stand-up comedy. Built in 1915, the roughly 3,000-seat venue still has many of the initial Art Nouveau stylistic touches and was inducted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. One of Austin's oldest theaters, the Paramount displays an elaborately ornate ceiling and the original stage curtain.

Chow Down at Stubb's Bar-B-Q

Located on the eastern edge of downtown, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is one of the  best concert venues in town  as well as an excellent barbecue joint. High-profile national acts usually play on the outdoor stage, which sometimes hosts as many as 2,000 fans. There’s also a smaller stage indoors.

If you’re just here to eat, make sure you try the slow-cooked brisket. Vegetarians can dine on some sides such as potato salad and coleslaw. To enjoy music and food together, show up on Sunday for the gospel brunch at the amphitheater stage.  

Listen to Some Live Music at the Moody Theater

Home of the long-running Austin City Limits Live series, which airs on PBS, the Moody Theater is also the site of big-name concerts. Everyone from Peter Frampton to Beach House to Lyle Lovett has played on this stage.

Even though there are 2,750 seats, the three-level theater is remarkably intimate. Plus, with multiple bars, you'll almost never have to wait in line for a drink.

Explore Austin's Culinary Scene on Rainey Street

What started as a few old houses turned into bars has grown into a full-blown entertainment district on the southeastern edge of downtown.

Rainey Street is primarily a place to drink. There's even a bar made of metal shipping containers. However, an increasing number of gourmet restaurants have opened up, earning the stretch the title of Restaurant Row. Standouts include Emmer & Rye, named one of Bon Appétit magazine's Best New Restaurants in 2016, and Geraldine's, where Southern-inspired fare takes on a distinctly Austin accent.

Raise a Toast at the Historic Driskill Bar

Whether you’re interested in meeting high-tech entrepreneurs or cattle barons, people from every corner of the spectrum show up at the Driskill Bar , a beautifully elegant locale on the second floor of the historic 1886 Driskill Hotel.

Though it’s located within steps of the madness on Sixth Street, the Texas-style bar is fairly low-key. Sit at one of the chairs around the piano to enjoy the performance and an occasional sing-along. During SXSW and the Austin Film Festival, this is one of the best places to spot celebrities. The bar is open Thursdays through Saturdays.

Watch an Indie Film at Alamo Drafthouse

The Alamo Drafthouse is a unique movie theater that got its start in ATX and evolved into various locations in the city and many across the U.S. If you're in downtown Austin, that outpost is in a funky vintage theater. While it’s slightly smaller than most Alamo theaters, you can expect all the same fun stuff: goofy quote-alongs, quirky theme nights, and food and drinks delivered to your chair. Choose the balcony seats for the best view.

Observe Austin's Famous Bats by a Bridge

Austin's most famous flying mammals make an appearance nightly from March to October, when 1.5 million bats fly out of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue bridge just before sundown.

The best vantage point is the walkway on the east side of the bridge, but you can also bring a blanket and enjoy the show from the hillside below the bridge. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also rent a canoe or kayak and watch the bats from the water.

Watch Now: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Austin's Bat Bridge

Immerse yourself in texas history.

The three-story Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the story of Texas from prehistoric times up until the present.

Using interactive displays, audio recordings, dioramas, and short films, the museum explains how three major industries—ranching, cotton, and oil—played key roles in the state’s evolution.

For a more immersive experience, you can also enjoy an IMAX movie at the museum's Bullock IMAX or Texas Spirit Theater. Both historical films and major motion pictures are featured.

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A local’s travel guide to Austin: what to eat, see and do in three days

Standout spots include food truck parks, honky-tonk hangouts and Lady Bird’s wildflower sanctuary

A ustin has become one of the most popular places in the US to move to, and also to visit. Droves of people descend on the city in March for the South by Southwest tech, film and music festival and in the fall for the Austin City Limits music festival. And Austin is one of the top five destinations in the US for bachelorette parties. Don’t let the bachelorettes scare you away, though. Austin is a great place to spend a few days, so long as you do it like a local.

My family and I moved to Austin 12 years ago, after living in New York for many years. I’ve also lived in Washington DC , the San Francisco Bay Area and Philadelphia. Austin has a feel all of its own: it has a world-class music scene, great food that now goes well beyond Tex-Mex and barbecue, Texas history and fun shopping and museums – all with less hassle than bigger cities in the US.

Here’s my guide to a long weekend there. In addition to picks for adults, I’ve included some recommendations for families that our kids (now teenagers) have loved through the years. And I’m vegetarian, so I’ve chosen some of the city’s best veggie eats options. Don’t worry, my meat-eating wife made sure that I included great barbecue choices, too.

Day 1: Pool party & pickles

Start your day with a walk or run on the trail at Town Lake (it’s officially labeled on maps as Lady Bird Lake, but locals refer to it as Town Lake). This 10-mile (16km) trail on both sides of a dammed portion of Texas’s Colorado River (a different Colorado River than the bigger and more famous one) is tree-shaded, beautiful and one of Austinites’ favorite places to exercise. If you have time, walk through Zilker Park, which is right next to the trail. If you have kids, go to the new and very fun playground at Butler Park, complete with a splash pad just up the path from the playground.

Austin was one of the cities that started the food truck scene in the US several decades ago, and now there are more than 2,000 food trucks in the city. Some are located in trailer parks that have multiple truck options and picnic table seating. After your morning at Town Lake and Zilker Park, have lunch at the Picnic food truck park, or the nearby original location of local favorite Chuy’s (the Tex-Mex chain is now expanding throughout the US). Other great lunch options include Green Mesquite and Carpenters Hall .

In the afternoon, go for a swim at Barton Springs Pool . Open year-round, this massive basin measures three acres and is fed by underground natural springs. It’s open throughout the day, and it’s free before 8am and after 9pm.

Head back to your hotel or Airbnb for a rest, and then get ready for dinner. Tonight is casual: barbecue at Terry Black’s , or if you’re vegan, the food truck Rollin Smoke for a fantastic vegan barbecue sandwich made with baby portobello mushrooms, spicy slaw, barbecue sauce and pickles. It’s my favorite vegan barbecue sandwich in Austin (who says you can’t have barbecue if you’re veggie?), and it’s located in a food truck park with beautiful old trees shading the tables. Rollin Smoke has very good meat options, too (I’m told).

If you have young children, head to Phil’s Icehouse . They have burgers and a full playground where the kids can play before or after dinner. Just don’t put them on the spinning flower after the meal. And be sure to get some ice-cream after dinner at Amy’s Ice Creams , a longtime favorite of Austinites. Amy’s is located next to Phil’s, and it’s so good we had an Amy’s truck serve dessert at our wedding.

After dinner, head out to see some music at one of Austin’s many local music venues. One of our favorites is the Continental Club . There’s a main club downstairs and the intimate Continental Gallery upstairs, where you can see local musicians in a cozy space. Other great venues include C-Boy’s and the new Moody Amphitheater . For full local music listings on any night, check the Austin Chronicle . And if it’s summer, look to see if Blues on the Green has a free concert that night. If you have kids, take them to the free Rock the Park concert series, produced by local radio station KUTX.

Day 2: Breakfast tacos, books & bats

Start your day back at the lake with a rowing workout that’s almost, but not quite, on the lake. Rō Fitness is a local studio that has outdoor rowing classes by the water. It’s way more fun than working out at an indoor studio.

You’ll need fuel after your workout. Grab a breakfast taco at Veracruz or Tacodeli or Tamale House East . Breakfast tacos are an Austin staple (they are to Austin as bagels are to New York), and all three of these places have delicious options.

Today is a shopping day. Start out at BookPeople , one of the greatest bookstores in the US. It’s locally owned and independent, but the size of a superstore. BookPeople also dares to take a stand on issues, including being one of two bookstores that recently sued Texas state officials over a newly passed book ban law. It has an excellent kids section, and organizes live readings by kids’ authors.

After you’ve gotten your book fix, head across the street to Waterloo Records , one of the best record stores in the US. Waterloo carries new and used vinyl, CDs and merchandise from rock to jazz to local Texas music. For more shopping options, head over to the stores along South Congress Avenue and South First Street (including Roadhouse Relics , a neon art store and gallery that is one of our favorites), and if you want to go thrifting, our teens say Austin Pets Alive Thrift and Texas Thrift are the best.

After all of the shopping, it’s time for lunch. If you’re near BookPeople and Waterloo, head over to Soup Peddler, a local place for homemade soups, smoothies and fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches (trivia: Soup Peddler got its name because the founder started out delivering homemade soup by bike before opening full store locations). Or if you’re near South Congress and South First, go to the food trucks on South First or Underdog or Fresa’s .

As you’re heading back to rest up, grab an ice-cream at Amy’s, a gelato at Dolce Neve or cupcakes at Sugar Mama’s .

Some good dinner options for tonight include Loro , Suerte or Este . And if you’re looking for a vegetarian option, one of my favorite veggie restaurants is Bouldin Creek Cafe . It’s casual, with a great menu that includes vegan chips and queso. If it’s nice out, take a seat on the patio.

Tonight’s activity could be going to see the bats at the Congress Street Bridge. Austin has the largest urban bat colony in North America, and in season they live in one of the bridges that crosses the Colorado River (they migrate to Mexico in the cooler weather). Bat-watching is a lot more fun than you might imagine from horror movies (and these bats look more like birds than vampire bats). If you’re not in the mood for bats, head to the legendary Broken Spoke . Get there early for dance lessons, then hoof it at this classic Texas honky-tonk.

Day 3: Live oaks & Lady Bird wildflowers

It’s your last day in Austin, and it’s a good one for visiting a museum. Some of our favorites include the Bullock Museum to learn all about the history of our state (bonus fact: Texas was once its own country , and some people want it to be its own country again ). If you’re a fan of 1960s history, visit the excellent LBJ Presidential Library , which is the home of the 36th president’s papers. It has good exhibits on the US civil rights movement and 1960s US history in general. Another excellent museum option is the Blanton Museum of Art , or you could tour the Texas capitol (Austin is, after all, the capital of Texas). If you’re a nature fan, head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center . And if you have kids, the Thinkery is an excellent children’s museum.

For lunch, it’s time for more barbecue (you’re in Austin, don’t fight it). Two terrific barbecue trucks are Mickelthwait and LeRoy and Lewis . And LeRoy and Lewis has another of my favorite vegetarian barbecue options: cauliflower burnt ends.

In the afternoon, head back to Town Lake. This time, get out on the water by renting a kayak, stand up paddleboard or paddle boat (a kid-friendly option). If you have time and energy for a drink, head over to the ABGB for happy hour. They have a great beer selection, lots of outdoor seating and local bands playing music.

For your farewell dinner, a few of our favorite restaurants that are a bit on the fancier end are Hestia , Uchi or the Lenoir wine garden, where dinner is served under live oak trees more than a hundred years old. And for a fantastic vegan option, go to Fabrik for a seven-course vegan tasting menu. You’ll need a reservation well in advance (they’re currently booking four to six weeks out). And for your final night in Austin, head out to another music venue. Or if you have kids, take them to the Austin favorite Peter Pan Mini Golf , which has been around for 75 years, or check Do512 Family for family events that are happening the dates you’re in town.

Question Time

When is the best time of year to visit austin.

There’s no dispute: it’s hot in the summer in Austin . A great time to visit is between October and May. From June through September, many days will be over 100F. If you’re here in the summer, spend lots of time at the Barton Springs pool.

Is Austin expensive?

Austin hotels can be expensive during big events like South by Southwest or the Formula One weekend. But for most dates, it’s less expensive than larger cities like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Will I need a car to get around Austin?

Most of the places that I’ve recommended are within walking distance from downtown. You can also rent bikes and scooters to get around. Austin’s public transportation is primarily through local buses, which can take you further out if needed. And car-share options are easy as well.

Steve Sachs is managing director of the Guardian US. He has worked at large and startup media companies for more than 20 years. He loves all kinds of music, and his most recent favorite concert, the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame Show, featured a host of singer-songwriters including Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris

• Hometown tour

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25 Essential Things to Do in Austin with Kids (2024)

L ooking for kid-friendly activities in the Austin area? Austin, Texas has exciting historical sites, engaging museums, and mind-blowingly beautiful green spaces to enjoy. Maybe you’re a local Austinite looking for hidden gems that kids will love or maybe you’re a visitor seeking iconic Austin attractions. Keep reading for my list of the best things to do in Austin with kids!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended. Please check out our  disclosure policy  for more details. Thank you for your support!

Things to do in Austin TX with kids

1. learn about steam at the thinkery.

Austin’s premier children’s museum, The Thinkery , takes hands-on exploration to the next level. The museum’s exhibits revolve around STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).

There’s a Kitchen Lab where food meets chemistry and a Light Lab where children can explore color, light, and shadows. Check out the Spark Shop where families discover aerodynamics. It’s the perfect spot for children to learn through play.

For families with younger kids visiting the Thinkery Children’s Museum, there are dedicated play areas where they can play safely and enjoy age-appropriate exploration. There’s Bloom for ages 0 to 3, and the Move! Studio for kids 6 and younger.

2. Explore Zilker Park

Zilker Metropolitan Park is a must-visit destination for families. The park covers over 350 acres in the middle of the city and offers endless outdoor activities. This is where you will find the Barton Creek Greenbelt, an excellent hike and bike trail. There are also kayaks and canoes for rent.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids, no trip is complete without a swim in the icy cold water of Zilker Park’s Barton Springs Pool! A 3-acre recreational pool created by floodgates along Barton Creek, this natural water pool remains a chilly 68 degrees year-round.

During the summer, see what performances are on tap at the Zilker Hillside Theater, or take a ride on a miniature train (the Zilker Zephyr). The park is home to the Zilker Botanical Garden, the Austin Nature and Science Center, a sculpture garden, and more! Plan on spending half a day at the park.

3. See the bats under the Congress Avenue bridge

Austin boasts the largest urban bat colony in the world. On summer evenings, tourists and locals alike line the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge to watch an estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge in search of food.

Bats usually emerge from under the bridge most evenings and create quite a scene (depending on the weather and time of year).

If you choose to base yourself near the bridge near nightfall, bring something to protect yourselves from falling guano!

Other options are a kayak tour on Lady Bird Lake , riding a Segway , or taking a boat ride to see the bats from a different point of view.

4. Learn about government at the Texas Capitol

The Texas State Capitol is a sight to behold, as it’s the 6th tallest state capitol in the U.S. and larger than the capitol in Washington, D.C. Inside is just as stunning. Free tours are offered daily, departing every 30 to 45 minutes.

It’s the perfect way to introduce older children to the legal system as they have an opportunity to view the Supreme Court and the Senate and House Chambers.

Bring your camera to take in the beautiful architectural details inside and out!

5. Austin Zoo

For family-friendly adventures in Austin, the Austin Zoo should be at the top of your list. Located just a short drive from downtown, it’s one of the best places to get up close with a variety of animals in a setting that feels more like an animal sanctuary than a traditional zoo.

What sets the Austin Zoo apart is its commitment to providing a home for rescued and displaced animals. You’ll encounter creatures from around the world, from tigers and lions to lemurs and macaws. It’s a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about wildlife conservation and witness these exotic animals up close.

The Austin Zoo is a small sanctuary, so you’ll get through it in about an hour. Plus, the zoo is located near the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve, so you could combine your visit into a nature-filled day exploring the Texas Hill Country.

6. Soak up the local culture with a South Congress Avenue stroll

South Congress is perfect for strolling, eating, and getting a taste of Austin’s character. Kids will have so much fun at Big Top Candy Shop with its treats from floor to ceiling! You can play outdoor games at TOMS shoe and coffee shop or play dress-up at Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (a costume shop).

Of course, there are plenty of fun spots in Austin for teens and parents. This is your chance to grab the perfect Texas souvenir at Allen Boots, where you can get personally fitted for boots and hats. Jo’s Coffee Shop is the best place to get delicious coffee and boasts a prime location for people-watching.

7. Have an Old-Fashioned Good Time at Peter Pan Mini-Golf

Peter Pan Mini-Golf has been a beloved landmark in Austin for 75 years, and playing a round is one of the most iconic things you can do here!

Open since 1948, this family-owned business was named a State Archaeological Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. Why not take the kids for some nostalgic fun?

You can purchase 18 or 36 holes at a time, each with the classic green turf and fantastical sculptures that Peter Pan Mini-Golf is known for. There are picnic tables, and you can bring your own food and drinks (there’s also BYOB, just no glass!).

If you’re bringing kids to visit The Lone Star State capital, and are feeling adventurous, strike out and explore beyond downtown Austin. You will be amazed at the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, and your kids will love it too!

8. Hit all the best Austin food spots

Of course, I need to mention South Congress has some of the most amazing food options in the city.

One of the best things to do in Austin with kids is head to Home Slice for its massive pizza slices. Torchy’s Tacos is an Austin staple. And Hopdoddy Burger Bar is worth the lines that always seem to be out the door and down the street!

For sweet treats, there’s Gelato Paradiso and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, with unique ice cream creations.

This is also the perfect place to check out the food truck scene since Austin’s has become quite legendary in recent years! Don’t miss some of the originals, including Mellizoz Tacos, TX Shawarma, and Gourdough’s (doughnuts) .

If you want traditional Texas staples try Franklin Barbecue, frequently voted one of the best BBQ in Austin . Terry Black’s BBQ and Lamberts Barbecue are also must-tries. For Mexican food, head to Chuy’s, Fonda San Miguel, or Licha’s Cantina.

9. Ooh and Aah at the Dinosaur Park

If you have dinosaur enthusiasts in your family, you’ll want to check out The Dinosaur Park in Bastrop. This prehistoric-themed attraction is a hit with both kids and adults.

Take the Dinosaur Trail and encounter life-size dinosaur replicas hiding among the trees! Kids will love playing I-Spy-A-Saurus and looking for clues along the trail. There are informative signs and displays along the way, including child-size dinosaurs they can climb on for a picture.

You’ll find outdoor pavilions along the trail that are perfect for picnics and birthday parties. There are also indoor exhibits and the Dino Dig, where you can unearth fossils and learn about paleontology. Of course, you will find dinosaur-themed souvenirs at the gift shop.

10. Try a street art scavenger hunt

If you or your kids love street art, Austin is a fantastic place to be. There’s the “Greetings from Austin” mural and the “Before I Die” wall where kids can write about their hopes and dreams.

Austin is a fun place to get a map and go searching for all the spots! For a self-guided tour with the exact locations of many of the most popular street art in Austin, check out this post on Austin’s official website.

If you have tweens and teens who are into selfies, don’t miss the Ice Cream Museum or the Austin Selfie Museum .

11. Head up to Mount Bonnell for sunset views

Historic Mount Bonnell is the perfect spot for a panoramic view of Austin and the surrounding area. It only takes about 10 minutes to climb to the top, and seeing the city from this perspective is stunning.

Plan to arrive close to sunset before heading out for a bite to eat. The entire experience shouldn’t take more than 15 or 20 minutes.

12. Take a Swim in One of Austin’s Local Swimming Holes

One of the best things to do in Austin, Texas for kids is experience one of the area’s amazing natural wonders. A memorable way to explore is taking them swimming! 

About 45 minutes from the city is Hamilton Pool Preserve, a beautiful natural lagoon that has become quite popular. You need to make reservations to visit during the busy summer season (May to September). Also, make sure to wear good water hiking shoes, because it’s a 10–15-minute walk to reach it.

After an easy hike, you’ll come upon the collapsed grotto and waterfall at Hamilton Pool Preserve. It’s absolutely beautiful and it’s perfect for the whole family.

Small children enjoy wading along the pebble beach, and braver big kids can venture further into the depths of the natural pool for a swim.

That’s not the only natural swimming spot to consider! Of course, you can always head to Barton Springs Pool in Austin’s Zilker Park. A short drive away, there’s Krause Springs in Hill Country with 32 springs and two swimming pools.

The Blue Hole at Wimberley is a section of Cypress Creek that’s perfect for spending the day playing and swimming.

Texas State Parks are another great place to spend the day. McKinney Falls State Park offers a day full of outdoor fun, with hiking, biking, historic ruins, and a fun swimming grotto.

13. Visit the essential museum of Texas history, The Bullock Texas State History Museum

The Bullock Museum tells the history of Texas through its collection of artifacts, photos, and hands-on experiences. Kids will love the IMAX movie theatre, the La Belle shipwreck exhibition, and the ability to trace the state’s history through interactive exhibits.

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM, and there’s free admission for kids ages 3 and under.

14. Inner Space Cavern

If you’re looking for a unique excursion that will make a lasting impression, take a guided tour of Inner Space Cavern in Georgetown.

Explore caverns and natural wonders underground, then head up to the Inner Space Mine and pan for gemstones.

15. Hike at Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center

For more outdoor activities for kids of all ages, head to Round Mountain northwest of Austin. Here, the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center is a unique wildlife and nature preserve that features 2 distinct ecosystems: a savanna and a lower, more diverse canyon biosphere.

Not only is Westcave stunning to see, but there’s a lot you can learn about nature. The preserve is very popular and reservations should be made in advance.

You can see the park through guided tours, and there are a few different ones to choose from!

There are great educational programs for homeschoolers, daytime and nighttime hikes, as well as hikes themed around photography or bird watching. You won’t want to miss exploring the lush grotto and seeing the 40-foot waterfall!

16. Head to an Austin Waterpark or Splash Pad

During the summer months, one of the best things to do in Austin with kids is get in the water! In the greater Austin area, you can visit a splash pad that’s perfect for younger kids in every neighborhood near downtown. And Austin’s water parks are great for families with kids of different ages.

Just a short drive north is Typhoon Texas in Pflugerville, where you can enjoy a day of play at the combined water and adventure parks. There is also Rock ‘N River Water Park in Round Rock. Or you can take the family to the indoor Splash Shack in Cedar Park any time of year!

Also, about an hour south of Austin is the ever-popular Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. This is the original Schlitterbahn , a 70-acre outdoor water park resort along the banks of the Comal River, known for having over 40 diverse water attractions that appeal to all kinds of visitors.

17. Austin Nature & Science Center

If you’re looking for free things to do in Austin, Texas with kids, an excellent choice is the Austin Nature & Science Center inside Zilker Park! This nature center is a great place to take the kids if you want to burn an hour or two.

There are hands-on activities both indoors and outdoors. The hiking trails feature local wildlife and fun installations.

18. Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

A great way to do some sightseeing in Austin is on a kayaking tour of Lady Bird Lake . Along both shores of the lake, you can find multiple vendors offering hourly rentals of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. They also provide life jackets and wet bags if you need them.

19. Visit the Cathedral of Junk

The Cathedral of Junk is undeniably one of the best things to do in Austin, Texas with kids! This quirky attraction offers an unforgettable experience for families.

It’s all made of 60 tons of found objects and is the brainchild of the artist, Vince Hannemann. You’ll see the Cathedral of Junk on his private property which he opens to the public. He doesn’t charge visitors for entry, but donations are appreciated.

You can meet Vince and explore what he’s created. The whole place is like a unique playground for kids. They can climb, crawl, and wander through this towering structure made entirely of recycled materials. This is a great stop for anyone looking for Weird Austin, but especially kids who are interested in art.

20. See the Peacocks at the Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve

Austin has so many beautiful green spaces where you can enjoy nature, and all of them are unique. Take Mayfield Park, for example. A big reason families visit is for the resident peacocks! Plus, it’s free to visit.

These gorgeous birds roam freely throughout the park and are known for their calm nature. Kids can often get surprisingly close to the birds, making it a unique opportunity for young animal lovers to observe and interact with wildlife in a safe environment.

The park itself is worth the visit, boasting beautiful gardens, peaceful lily ponds, and picturesque walking trails. You can explore archways into hidden gardens, watch the Koi fish in the pond, or explore stone structures. Mayfield Park is also a great spot for family photos and picnics.

21. Visit the Austin Steam Train Museum

One of the best family things to do in Austin is head to the Austin Steam Train Association Museum and ride a vintage train! The museum itself is a treasure trove of vintage railcars and artifacts. You’ll get a glimpse into the rich history of railroading in Texas and how it helped shape the state.

Most people visit the museum to go on themed train rides. Whether it’s a seasonal holiday ride like the North Pole Flyer or a Wild West adventure on the Hill Country Flyer, the whole family will have a blast. Kids can dress up, enjoy onboard entertainment, and take in the Texas Hill Country scenery.

22. Austin Aquarium

The Austin Aquarium is your chance to get up close and personal with a variety of marine life and exotic animals. It’s a small, local aquarium and the perfect size for a family. You can explore interactive exhibits featuring colorful fish, sharks, reptiles, birds, and more. There might even be animals that you can touch and feed!

23. Austin Toy Museum

For kids and adults who never grew up, the Austin Toy Museum is a must-visit location. You’ll find the storefront along Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, making it a quick, convenient stop for visitors and locals alike.

Parents will love introducing their kids to the toys they grew up with in the 80s and 90s. And kids will have fun playing vintage video and arcade games!

There’s an admission fee that gives you access to unlimited gameplay. Adults can stop by the bar inside for a local craft beer.

24. Dart’em Up

Laser tag can be a little too intense for younger players, but Dart’em Up is the solution! This unique foam dart arena is one of the coolest things to do in Austin with kids ages 5 and up.

It’s a new spot that’s become a popular destination for families, offering hours of fun with arcades, video games, ping pong, their amazing foam dart arenas, and more! Head to the armory to upgrade your weapon and enjoy hour-long games with friends.

Looking for a date night idea? There are adults-only nights with beer and wine! Just check the Dart’em Up website for times, because they hold different hours every season.

25. Austin’s

Austin’s is a fantastic family entertainment center in the Austin area, known for its exciting activities that cater to all ages. This sprawling destination offers a thrilling mix of amusement park rides, arcade games, and delicious pizza.

The park’s outdoor attractions include go-karts, bumper boats, and a miniature golf course, but that’s just the beginning. Indoors, you’ll also find a massive arcade with every game you can think of, as well as a rock-climbing wall!

Austin’s is known for its top-notch buffet that includes fresh pizza and a quality salad bar. There’s even a full bar with screens for watching the game while the kids play.

Where to Stay in Austin

• Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa – This AAA Four Diamond luxury resort is located a half-hour west of downtown. With world-class golf, tennis, and spa facilities, as well as a variety of dining options, it’s a great option for families traveling with kids and teens and one of the best family resorts in Texas !
• Hyatt Regency Austin – This property has a central location downtown, about 15 minutes walking to South Congress. There’s an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center, and some rooms have river and downtown views!
• Fairmont Austin – This upscale property has gorgeous swimming pools, a coffee shop, and a fitness center. Some rooms offer beautiful city views.
• We have also stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown which has a convenient location and great free breakfast.

Try Out All the Fun Family Things to Do in Austin!

When you’re looking for things to do in Austin with kids, I encourage you to strike out and explore beyond downtown Austin. You’ll be amazed at the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, and your kids will love it too!

Looking for more Texas things to do? Don’t miss these posts:

• 15 Fun Things to Do in San Antonio with Kids
• San Antonio at Christmas
• best weekend getaways from Dallas.

The post 25 Essential Things to Do in Austin with Kids (2024) appeared first on Kids Are A Trip™ .

Where to Eat

The 25 Best Restaurants in Austin Right Now

There’s plenty of barbecue and Mexican — as you’d expect — but also world-class Japanese, Korean and more. Comments welcome, as always.

Credit... Courtney Pierce

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By Priya Krishna and Brett Anderson

• April 22, 2024

In the Where to Eat: 25 Best series, we’re highlighting our favorite restaurants in cities across the United States. These lists will be updated as restaurants close and open, and as we find new gems to recommend. As always, we pay for all of our meals and don’t accept free items.

East Austin | Wine bar

Birdie’s is not just another wine bar. Chalk that up to the partnership of Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and her husband, Arjav Ezekiel — she’s a highly skilled chef, and he has the energy and affability of the dancing tableware in “Beauty and the Beast.” Birdie’s is the place to be whether you just want to drink something interesting or you’re planning the big night out. In Ms. Malechek-Ezekiel’s hands, simple food — a creamy vegetable soup, roasted carrots with pesto — feels anything but simple. Add to that an electric atmosphere and wine glasses that seem to magically refill themselves — you’ll want to return just to see what the couple might cook or pour next. PRIYA KRISHNA

2944 East 12th Street, Unit A; no phone; birdiesaustin.com

East Austin | Caribbean

The chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph made a name for himself in Austin with the pastries at Emmer & Rye and Hestia , which he co-owns. Here at Canje — an ode to his Guyanese roots, with a menu that also stretches across the Caribbean — he has switched gears, with brilliant results. The food is a tangy, spicy, coconutty dreamscape. Tilefish soaked in tamarind and rum butter. Prawns brushed with a verdant green seasoning and smoked chiles. A tres leches cake drenched in coconut milk. What makes the jerk chicken so supercharged with flavor? Mr. Bristol-Joseph ferments his seasoning. And plan on at least one order of the buttery Guyanese-style roti per person. PRIYA KRISHNA

1914 East Sixth Street, Suite C; 512-706-9119; canjeatx.com

Comadre Panadería

East Austin | Bakery

Hidden in an unassuming building in a residential neighborhood is the concha-meets-funfetti-pastry fever dream that is Comadre Panadería. Here, conchas dusted with Barbie-pink strawberry jamaica powder share space with a sheet cake topped with prickly-pear buttercream and a black-bean honey bun. Every creation from the baker Mariela Camacho feels simultaneously innovative and nostalgic — as if a panadería took a trip through the snack aisle of an American grocery store. PRIYA KRISHNA

1204 Cedar Avenue; no phone; comadre-panaderia.square.site

Cuantos Tacos

East Austin | Mexican, Tacos

In a city of superlative tacos, the ones that Luis “Beto” Robledo (above) makes at Cuantos stand out. It’s the choricera — a round pot with deep sides and a shallow center, commonly used for cooking the meats in their own fat — that makes the difference in these Mexico City-style tacos. The standout is the suadero, in which brisket is plucked from the pot, still dripping with juices, sliced into thick slabs and then loaded into fresh, two-bite tortillas with plenty of cilantro and onion. These tacos demand to be eaten immediately, messily and with the understanding that you’ll be ordering three more. PRIYA KRISHNA

1108 East 12th Street; 512-905-0533; cuantostacosaustin.com

Cherrywood/East Austin | Modern Texas

Locavore restaurant iconography tends toward still-life-worthy artichokes, tomatoes and gourds. Dai Due is different. Its commitment to Texas ingredients, extending from produce to its wine list, is all but unrivaled, yet the image that best captures the restaurant’s ethos is meat sizzling over live fire. The chef and owner, Jesse Griffiths, channeled his passion for Texas’ great outdoors — and more specifically the animals he hunts there — into this lusty, idiosyncratic butcher shop and chophouse. The seasonal vegetables are often very good, in no small part because they’re often cooked in tallow (as are the seasonal fried crawfish hand-pies, which are wonderful). But you’re here for what the chef de cuisine, Janie Ramirez, is grilling over Texas post oak: coffee-cured antelope leg fillets, aoudad meatballs, memorably flavorful pork chops, and quail stuffed with boudin and plated with pickled blueberries. BRETT ANDERSON

2406 Manor Road; 512-524-0688; daidue.com

South Lamar | Thai

If the chef Lakana Sopajan-Trubiana’s zippy, herbaceous and deeply comforting northeastern Thai food tastes farm-fresh, that’s because it is. Ms. Sopajan-Trubiana, who was raised on a farm in Isaan, grows many of the vegetables and herbs used in her restaurant, and her green thumb makes the Thai flavors sing. Dishes you’ve seen at other Thai restaurants, like laab or red curry, seem far more interesting here. The om gai, a chicken soup heady with lemongrass and dill, is comfort in a takeout container. PRIYA KRISHNA

4204 Menchaca Road; no phone; deedeeatx.com

Discada serves one type of taco, and it’s unforgettable. The restaurant uses the discada method, also known as “cowboy wok” cooking, that’s popular in Mexico City. In this style, various chopped meats and aromatics are cooked in a plow disc from a tractor and added in layers, to build on the rendered fat and flavor from each one. The tacos, brought to Austin by the high-school friends and co-owners Anthony Pratto and Xose Velasco, are dainty but pack a big punch. Even in a taco-saturated city, there’s truly nothing else like Discada. PRIYA KRISHNA

1319 Rosewood Avenue; 512-920-5473; discadatx.com

South Lamar| Oaxacan

El Naranjo’s story — from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant to its current incarnation inside a slick, window-lined space on South Lamar Boulevard — mirrors that of Austin’s restaurant scene over the past dozen years. But the restaurant’s roots are in Mexico. Iliana de la Vega and Ernesto Terrealba opened the first El Naranjo in Oaxaca City in 1997, and the Austin restaurant’s food, now overseen by their daughter Ana Torrealba, still reflect those origins. The daily-changing ceviches, huitlacoche-queso empanadas and blistered octopus will make you fall in love with the cooking. But it would be a mistake to miss the moles: the dark, raspy, 30-plus ingredient mole negro; or the nutty, relatively lean mole blanco, sparked with a drizzle of habanero oil. Either pairs well with a refreshing mezcal cocktail. BRETT ANDERSON

2717 South Lamar Boulevard, Suite 1085; 512-520-5750; elnaranjorestaurant.com

East Austin | Coastal Mexican

Este is inspired by the seafood dishes of the Mexican coast, but it’s not strictly limited to them. The menu isn’t filled with faithful recreations of the aguachiles and tostadas found in cities like Ensenada or Veracruz. Instead, the chef Fermín Núñez isn’t afraid to go off-road in the name of uncovering something delicious. Grilled turbot with salsa verde shines even brighter with a rich slick of hummus on the bottom. Hazelnuts and brown butter enliven the salsa macha in the grilled squid. “You wouldn’t find it in Mexico,” Mr. Nuñez said of his cooking. “But it is Mexican.” PRIYA KRISHNA

2113 Manor Road; 512-522-4047; esteatx.com

Holly | Israeli Texan

Ezov’s food features Texas ingredients in dishes that are colorful, sprightly spiced and inspired by the chef Berty Richter’s upbringing in Tel Aviv. There are audibly crisp falafel riding a swirl of tahini, amba and schug; cubes of pomegranate-stained raw snapper, scattered with chopped pistachios; and juicy, skewered kofta riding a bed of fire roasted eggplant and topped with charred, oil-slicked pine nuts. If you’re interested in wines from the Eastern Mediterranean, especially Lebanon, ask to see the bottle list. That said, if you dare to order the everything bagel martini, consider yourself warned. BRETT ANDERSON

2708 East Cesar Chavez; 512-305-1118; ezovatx.com

Franklin BBQ

East Austin | Barbecue

Why wait hours for barbecue in a city where there are excellent alternatives? Fair question. The answer is that Franklin’s barbecue is as good, if not better, today than it was when Aaron and Stacy Franklin graduated in 2011 from a food truck to this cinder block building. Mr. Franklin has since become one of the country’s most recognizable pitmasters. His buttery-tender brisket, juicy sausage and weekend-only beef ribs remain consistently exceptional. And the hospitality, extended even in the pre-opening hours to customers waiting on the sidewalk, bears none of the entitlement or cynicism typically found at restaurants where the demand for seats so vastly exceeds the supply. All of which makes Franklin a rare breed: a restaurant that has become a tourist attraction, while upholding the standards that made it famous in the first place. BRETT ANDERSON

900 East 11th Street, Austin; 512-653-1187; franklinbbq.com

InterStellar BBQ

Anderson Mill | Barbecue

Texas barbecue has always been great. It has also never been better . Get yourself to this northwest Austin joint for a taste of how both things can be true. The brisket and pork spare ribs are as good as any you’ll find, traditionally prepared and reminiscent of what Texans have been eating for generations. But the owner and co-pitmaster John Bates also applies the techniques and creative license of fine dining to expand the Texas barbecue repertoire, which here includes pulled lamb shoulder, pork belly glazed with peach tea and turkey breast marinated in hefeweizen. The sides are so delicious — smoked scalloped potatoes, a citrusy beet salad topped with pumpkin seeds — you could even post a sign once unthinkable near Texas barbecue: vegetarians welcome. BRETT ANDERSON

12233 Ranch Road 620 North, Suite 105; 512-382-6248; theinterstellarbbq.com

Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop

Holly| Tex-Mex

Are you the type of person who finds outsize comfort in short-order cafes and diners, preferably with a bit of age on them? Perhaps you feel the same about Mexican restaurants where you can get a pork chop with your huevos, the taco selection runs to nearly 20 and refried beans are effectively unavoidable? You’ll love Joe’s, which also happens to be a time capsule from the era when East Austin was a working-class Mexican American stronghold. The breakfast-and-lunch restaurant has been run by the women of the Avila family for most of the years since Joe Avila opened it in 1962. You’ll undoubtedly want more of the fluffy, housemade flour tortillas; extras are 50 cents apiece. BRETT ANDERSON

2305 East Seventh Street; 512-472-0017; joesbakery.com

Kemuri Tatsu-Ya

Holly | Barbecue Izakaya

Kemuri is arguably (along with Blood Bros. BBQ , outside Houston) the state’s most fully realized Asian-influenced barbecue place. What the chef-owners Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto call a Texas izakaya is also a full-service restaurant that imagines what a Japanese chef might have been cooking at a Texas roadhouse 100 years ago. The answer covers a lot of ground, from smoked eel, hamachi collar and brisket to rayfin jerky, karaage with egg salad and a daily-changing sashimi. Mr. Aikawa and Mr. Matsumoto are innovative tastemakers who operate a number of popular Texas-inspired Japanese restaurants in Austin. This restaurant and bar, first opened in 2017 and decorated with Texas flags, taxidermy and vintage signs in Japanese, is their crowning achievement, at least thus far. BRETT ANDERSON

2713 East Second Street, Austin; 512-803-2224; kemuri-tatsuya.com

LeRoy and Lewis

South Manchaca | Barbecue

The pitmaster Evan LeRoy has been building a following for his open-minded take on Texas barbecue since 2017, when he opened the first LeRoy and Lewis as a food truck with his wife, Lindsey, and partners Sawyer and Nathan Lewis. So it’s no surprise to find crowds at the brick-and-mortar location that opened this winter. Established favorites (Citra hop pork sausage, brisket burger, cauliflower “burnt ends”) are on a menu that also expands on L and L’s freewheeling style. Lamb kofta tacos and smoked Italian beef sandwiches are among the new additions that will leave diners grateful to live in the age when Texas barbecue is so open to experimentation. (Note: The original LeRoy and Lewis is still parked outside the South Austin Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden .) BRETT ANDERSON

5621 Emerald Forest Drive; 512-962-7805; leroyandlewisbbq.com

Micklethwait

For those who come to Austin for great barbecue but don’t want to wait in a certain hourslong line , Micklethwait remains reliably great. The owner, Tom Micklethwait, specializes in the oak-fired Central Texas-style, and unlike many Texas pitmasters who have expanded into multiple locations, he has kept his operation lean — you can taste the attention and care that goes into the meats. The bright, balanced sides and dreamy oatmeal cream pie are a bonus. PRIYA KRISHNA

1309 Rosewood Avenue; 512-791-5961; craftmeatsaustin.com

Windsor Park/East Austin | Barbecue, Deli

Giving Jewish deli food the barbecue treatment is one of those ideas that feels obvious as soon as you chow down on peppery, smoky slabs of pastrami between two thick pieces of toast with a big smear of mustard. But you didn’t think of it. The chef Geoffrey Ellis did. Mum Foods — which operates as a brick-and-mortar as well as a farmers’ market stall — is a sandwich lover’s dream, a place where the ratio of meat to bread to condiments feels obsessively considered. PRIYA KRISHNA

5811 Manor Road; 512-270-8021; mumfoodsatx.com

Nixta Taqueria

East Austin | Mexican

At Nixta, Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi are throwing a big backyard party, and you’re invited. Mr. Rico, the chef, uses heirloom varieties of corn that he grinds himself to make the outstanding tortillas, and his arsenal of vibrant salsas and sauces can make even a plate of raw vegetables feel cutting-edge. Ms. Mardanbigi’s warm service makes the place seem more like a friend’s house than a restaurant, and her Iranian heritage occasionally finds its way into dishes like sholeh zard, a marriage between the Persian rice pudding and arroz con leche. PRIYA KRISHNA

2512 East 12th Street; no phone; nixtataqueria.square.site

North Side | Southern

Many people consider Texas part of the Deep South. Olamaie embraces this, with buttermilk biscuits that are the stuff of county-fair blue ribbons (albeit offered with sturgeon caviar), oysters Rockefeller and gumbo z’herbes that would bring nods of approval in New Orleans. Nevertheless, Olamaie, housed in a renovated bungalow, is not defined by its exacting takes on traditional dishes. Amanda Turner, the chef de cuisine, nimbly stretches the boundaries of Southern cuisine. The smoked amberjack crudo sparkles with leche de tigre and chile crunch. The grilled pork chop is redolent of jerk spices. This is expansive Southern cooking, befitting a native Texan who was raised in the diverse kitchens of its capital city. BRETT ANDERSON

610 San Antonio Street; 512-474-2796; olamaieaustin.com

Ramen Del Barrio

North Austin | Mexican Japanese

The chef Christopher Krinsky probably isn’t the first person to put taco toppings on ramen, but he certainly won’t be the last. In his tiny shop tucked inside a grocery store, the bowls of ramen are flavor bombs whose blending of Mexican and Japanese tradition works brilliantly — mole serves as the dipping sauce for tsukemen, while carnitas and charred chiles swim in the tonkotsu. And no, the restaurant doesn’t serve birria ramen, so don’t even think about asking. PRIYA KRISHNA

1700 West Parmer Lane, Suite 100; no phone; ramendelbarrio.com

What, exactly, did they put in this snapper to make it taste this good? And the cabbage? And the beans? At this Mexican-inspired restaurant, practically every dish inspires that level of wonder. Only a chef as wildly creative as Fermín Núñez could think to give beans the aligot treatment and slather them on a tlayuda, or reinvent the Choco Taco with cinnamon semifreddo and peanut caramel. Mr. Núñez is charting a distinctive path for himself in Mexican cooking. PRIYA KRISHNA

1800 East Sixth Street; 512-522-3031; suerteatx.com

Bouldin Creek | Japanese

In 1995, Tyson Cole, a white, Florida-born sushi novice, was hired by Takehiko Fuse, a revered Japanese chef working in Austin, on the condition that he learn to speak, read and write Japanese. That discipline is still evident in the food at Uchi, the restaurant Mr. Cole opened eight years later. This sequence of events helps explain how Austin, a landlocked city where people of Japanese descent make up only 0.2 percent of the population, became home to one of the country’s most dynamic Japanese restaurant scenes. Dishes that partner raw or lightly cooked seafood with non-Japanese marinades and sauces, fruits and even goat cheese are emblematic of Uchi’s locally influential cross-culture style — now found at Uchi locations around the country. Nevertheless, dinner here is a uniquely Austin experience. BRETT ANDERSON

801 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-916-4808; uchi.uchirestaurants.com

Bouldin Creek | Korean

Underdog is a wine bar and shop combined with a Korean American restaurant. The appeal of eating here is as simple and direct as the concept. The menu is filled with successfully playful takes on Korean cuisine, including a steamy egg soufflé covered in bonito flakes, Korean fried chicken with shiso ranch, and thick-cut galbi that showcases Texas beef. The worldly wine list is smartly curated and offers glasses (and even half-glasses) of wines (like a 2010 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino) that are normally only available by the bottle. The co-owners, Claudia Lee and Richard Hargreave, a sommelier, bring a personal touch to their fashionable place. The business is named after their dog, Squid, in case you’re wondering. BRETT ANDERSON

1600 South First Street, Suite 100; 512-367-2441; underdog-atx.com

Veracruz All Natural

Various locations | Mexican

In the Texas breakfast-taco wars, Veracruz All Natural remains one of Austin’s stalwart champions. And it’s not just because of the restaurant’s beloved migas taco, a delightful mess of tortilla chips, scrambled eggs and pico de gallo wrapped in a fresh corn tortilla. The sisters and owners Maritza and Reyna Vazquez have created a mini-chain of taquerias, inspired by their coastal Mexican hometown, that helped move the city beyond Tex-Mex, toward Mexican fare that emphasizes fresh produce, bright flavors and pressed juices. Austin is a better food town for it. PRIYA KRISHNA

Various locations; veracruzallnatural.com

Wee’s Cozy Kitchen

Downtown | Malaysian

In Texas, it’s not unusual to find exceptional food in a gas station or convenience store. Wee’s Cozy Kitchen, which recently located from a Shell station to the downtown corner store Royal Blue Grocery is the perfect example. The food by owner Wee Fong Ehlers is as good as ever, and the scene is still the same: satisfied locals digging into bowls of curry laksa that are heady with herbs and chiles. From her tiny kitchen, Ms. Ehlers cooks every dish to order, even freshly chopping the lemongrass. Wee’s provides all the warmth of home cooking, and yes, you can pick up a six pack of beer, too. PRIYA KRISHNA

609 Congress Avenue; 512-577-8626; wees-cozy-kitchen.square.site

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Priya Krishna is a reporter in the Food section of The Times. More about Priya Krishna

Brett Anderson joined the Food desk as a contributor in July 2019. He was restaurant critic and features writer at The Times-Picayune, in New Orleans, from 2000 to 2019. He has won three James Beard awards, including the Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award, and was named Eater's Reporter of the Year in 2017 for his reporting on sexual harassment in the restaurant industry. More about Brett Anderson

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