Are you planning to visit Austin Texas? If yes, then let’s dive into this article and look at the top 25 best things to do in Austin Texas.
Make sure to read through this article and then curate your Austin Texas bucket list, afterwards. Austin is flanked by the Hill Country region of the state of Texas.
It is the state’s capital and seat of government.
Below Are Some Of The Top Best Things To Do In Austin Texas
1. Visit The Texas State Capitol
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Hours | Guided Tour Mon-Fri 9:30am-3:30pm Sat-Sun 12:30pm-3:30pm Self-Guided Tour Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:00pm Sat-Sun 9:00am-6:00pm |
| Location | 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 |
The Texas State Capitol is unique and ranks high amongst state capitols in the United State of America.
If you are in Austin, I will recommend that you head over to the Capitol and participate in one of the tours.
They have a self-guided tour and guide led tours. For the self-guided tour, they have Capitol and Ground tour brochures that you can grab and use in navigating your way through the tour.
For guided or guide-led tours, all you have to do is to arrive and wait for a tour to begin.
Question: How long do the guided tours at the Texas State Capitol last?
Answer: The tours will typically last for about 30 minutes. Each new tour begins every 30-45 minutes.
Question: Are you allowed to take pictures inside the Texas State Capitol?
Answer: Yes. You can take pictures while participating in a tour inside the Capitol.
Question: How much does it cost to visit the Texas State Capitol
Answer: It is free to visit and tour the Texas State Capitol. That is for both types of tours, the self-guided and guide-led tours.
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2. Tour The LBJ Presidential Library
| Ticket Prices | Adults $13 Seniors (62+) $9 Youth (13-18) $4 Kids (12 & Under) Free Military Free Veterans $7 |
| Hours | Mon-Sun 9am-5pm |
| Location | 2313 Red River St, Austin, TX. 78705 |
Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) was the 36th president of the United State of America and he has his Presidential Library in Austin Texas.
A visit to this library will give you a lot of insight on President Johnson’s political and personal life.
There are permanent and temporary exhibits at the library. Perhaps, one of the most popular exhibits at this library is the Oval Office on the 10th floor of the building.
This replica Oval Office is designed to duplicate what the office looked like while LBJ was the president.
Another permanent exhibit that is a hit amongst tourists in the Lady Bird Johnson’s office.
There are other interesting exhibits that will surely make your visit worthwhile. You can checkout the replica presidential Limo on the ground floor.
Question: Is there free parking at LBJ Presidential Library?
Answer: Yes, there is free parking in Lot #38.
Question: Is the ticket free to visit LBJ Presidential Library in Austin?
Answer: It depends, yes for some categories and no for others. Active-duty military and family, kids under 12 years old, students of UT Austin, LBJ library members get admission into the library free, all year round. There are days in the year, where admission is free for everybody, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and a few other days. For those who need to pay, admission costs between $4 and $13.
3. Explore The Barton Springs Pool
| Ticket Prices (Daily Rates) | Adults (18-62) $5 or $9 Seniors (62+) $2 or $5 Youth (12-17) $3 or $5 Kids (1-12) $2 or $4 Kids (under 1) Free Veterans Free |
| Hours | Guarded Swim Mon-Sun 8am-10pm Swim @ Your Own Risk Mon-Sun 5am-8am |
| Location | 2201 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746 |
Another one of my favorite top best things to do in Austin Texas is to go get wet at the Barton Springs Municipal Pool.
This natural spring is located in the Zilker Park and it is open to the general public for swimming and splashing around.
This pool derives it source water from underground springs. With its average 70F temperatures, it is ideal for year-round swimming.
The deepest part of the Barton Springs Pool measures about 18ft deep and its shallowest part is basically 0ft.
Please, be sure to adhere to the list of prohibited items. Do not flout their rules.
Question: Can you drink Alcohol at Barton Springs Pool?
Answer: No, you can not drink Alcohol at the pool. If you are caught, you will be sent out of the facility.
4. Enjoy Live Music
Austin Texas is the live music capital of the United States.
Therefore, one of the top things to do in Austin Texas will be to experience and enjoy live music. There are many live music spots in the city.
Annually, there are many live music festivals that take place, perhaps, the most popular ones are South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits.
Some of them are active all year round, while the others are seasonal. Check out the following.
| Live Music Spot | Address |
| Elephant Room | 315 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 |
| Antone’s Nightclub | 305 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78701 |
| The Continental Club | 1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 |
| Saxon Pub | 1320 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 |
| Mohawk Austin | 912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701 |
| ACL Live | 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar | 421 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Parker Jazz Club | 117 W 4th St #107b, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Firehouse Lounge | 605 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701 |
5. Go To The Zilker Botanical Garden
| Ticket Prices | Adults (18-61) $6 or $8 Seniors (62+) $5 or $7 Youth (3-17) $3 or $4 Kids (under 2) Free Members Free |
| Hours | Spring/Summer Mon-Sun 9am-6pm Fall/Winter Mon-Sun 9am-5pm Summer For Thurs only 9am-8pm |
| Location | 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 |
Very few things can offer you the peace, serenity and tranquility that a stroll through a botanical garden can offer.
At the Zilker Botanical Garden, which is located within the Zilker Park, you can expect to have a wonderful time, communing with nature.
The themes that exist in the garden includes the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and the Rose Garden.
They all have pathways linking to each other. The garden has tours that occur ever second Saturday of the month at 11am and lasts about 60mins.
If you prefer that to a self-guided tour, please plan your visit to reflect that.
Question: Can I visit the Zilker Botanical Garden for free?
Answer: Yes, members and kids under 2 years are allowed to visit for free. Additionally, the garden has certain admission fee free days on certain days during the year. You can take advantage of those days to visit. Even on those days, donations are appreciated.
Question: Can I take photographs in the Zilker Botanical Garden?
Answer: Yes, personal photographs are allowed for free. If you are interested in taking professional photographs, maybe for weddings, then that will attract a $50 fee.
6. Texas Memorial Museum
| Ticket Prices | Adults (13 & Up) $6 or $8 Kids (2-12) $3 or $4 College Students $5 or $7 Kids (under 2) Free UT Austin Free |
| Hours | Sun-Mon Closed Tue-Sat 9am-1pm / 2pm-5pm |
| Location | 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78705 |
Museums are designed to preserve history. This museum does that, but in addition to that, this museum itself is historical.
It was established in 1939 and its major focus is on the preservation of natural history. They have various exhibits in the museum, focusing on geology, paleontology, entomology and more.
The museum has four floors, and it indeed provides a memorable experience.
7. Blanton Museum of Art
| Ticket Prices | Adults $15 Seniors (65+) $12 College Students $8 Kids (under 5) Free UT Austin Free Members Free |
| Hours | Mon-Tue Closed Wed-Sat 10am-5pm Sunday 1pm-5pm |
| Location | 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712 |
The Blanton Museum of Art is another tourist attraction that is located on the grounds of the University of Texas, Austin.
A visit here should certainly make it into your list of the top best things to do in Austin Texas.
They have various exhibits, a permanent collection section and a temporary collection section. The permanent collection has on display, over 21,000 works of fascinating arts.
8. Tour Downtown Austin On A Segway
Austin’s Downtown has a sprawling network of concrete pathways. These provide an ample opportunity for tourists to tour and explore the Downtown on Scooters and Segway.
9. Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
It is not very often that a bike and hike trail is located in the midst of different dimensions of towering skyscrapers.
That is exactly what you will get in this extremely popular and beloved, urban 10-mile bike and hike trail.
It boasts of an average 2.6 million visitors each year and enshrines the very fabric of Austin’s urban culture.
It almost encircles Lady Bird Lake, thus a hike or bike here will give you an experience that is serene and very fulfilling.
10. Tour The University Of Texas At Austin
The prestigious University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is of course located in Austin Texas.
It attracts many visitors yearly and there is so much to do on the school’s grounds.
Some of the museums we discussed above are situated in the school and tourists find them enticing enough to visit.
Apart from the museum, as a tourist you can check out many other parts of the university.
The UT Tower is one of the most popular landmarks in the university, its history is unique, and it gives an amazing backdrop for photographs.
Other spots to visit while at the university include but are not limited to the “Turtle Pond”, “Battle Oaks & Barbara Jordon Statue”, “The Drag” and many more.
11. Race At K1 Speed – Indoor Karting Austin
| Ticket Price | Speed Pass $64.95 1 Race $25.95 2 Races $46.95 3 Races $59.95 |
| Hours | Mon-Thurs 12pm-10pm Friday 2pm-12am Saturday 10am-12am Sunday 10am-10pm |
| Location | 2500 MC Hale CT, Austin, TX 78758 |
Are you up for an indoor challenging adventure? While in Austin, go checkout the K1 Speed – Indoor Karting outfit.
This building is fully airconditioned and it has a track that will challenge you. You can participate in a race with a group of friends or get on the track by yourself.
These fully electrified “go karts” will give you a racing experience that is truly memorable.
They are authentic and they offer the best wheel-to-wheel racing experience than any another karts in the market.
Question: What is the minimum height for Kids to drive a go Kart in K1 Speed?Answer: Kids need to have a minimum height of 48” to race in the junior Karts which have a top speed of 20MPH. Those who are 58” or taller can race in the adult Karts, which can reach a top speed of 45MPH on a 20HP electric motor. Also, meeting the height requirement alone is not enough to guarantee a race. The establishment’s management will have to make the final approval decision.
Question: Do they have Arcade Games at K1 Speed – Indoor Go Karting
Answer: Yes, they do.
12. Taste Your Way Through The Breweries
| Brewery | Address |
| Jester King | 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736 |
| The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co | 1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704 |
| Zilker Brewing Company & Taproom | 1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 |
| Austin Beerworks | 3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758 |
| St. Elmo Brewery Company | 440 E St Elmo Rd G-2, Austin, TX 78745 |
| Meanwhile Brewing | 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744 |
| Lazarus Brewing Co. | 1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 |
| The Brewtorium | 6015 Dillard Cir A, Austin, TX 78752 |
As they say, you have not really visited a new city until you get a taste of its locally brewed beer.
To that end, it is only reasonable that we highlight some of the quality local brewing outlets in Austin.
There are many of them, each with tweaks and twists to their recipes and formulations. Check some of them out during your visit.
13. Explore The Lady Bird Lake From The Rowing Dock
| Rental Prices | Kayak: Single $20/hr or $45/day Double $25/hr or $55/day Canoes: $30/hr or $65/day Paddleboards: $25/hr or $55/day Pedal Kayaks: $30/hr |
| Hours | Mon-Sun 9am-8pm |
| Location | 2418 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746 |
Another top best thing to do in Austin Texas is to explore the Lady Bird Lake. There are various public lunch spots around the banks of the lake.
If you have your own paddleboard, kayak, canoe, and life jacket and are comfortable getting on the water by yourself, then you should explore these free public launch spots.
If you want to rent any of the items that you will be using on the lake, then I suggest that you head over to the Rowing Dock.
They rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, pedal kayaks and so on.
Question: Do I need to sign a waiver before I can rent or launch off the Rowing Dock spot?
Answer: Yes, you will need to sign a waiver and the waiver can be gotten there.
14. Dip in The Hamilton Pool
Even though Austin is not flanked by the Ocean or Gulf, like Corpus Christi, it sure has its fair share of water bodies that you can swim or splash around in.
Hamilton Pool Preserve is another spot to visit as part of your things to do in Austin Texas bucket list.
Please, be sure to consult with park attendants on what is open and what is not, your safety is always paramount.
15. Catch A Game At The Texas Memorial Stadium
If you are visiting Austin during a game weekend, you can catch a game at the Texas Memorial Stadium.
It is located on the Campus of UT-Austin and it is the home of their football team – the Longhorns.
16. Explore The Austin Zoo
| Ticket Prices | Adults $18.95 Seniors (60+) $17.95 Kids (2-12) $15.95 Military $17.95 Kids (under 2) Free Members Free |
| Hours | February – October Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:00pm Sat-Sun 9:30am-6:00pm November-January Mon-Fri 9:30am-4:00pm Sat-Sun 9:30am-5:00pm Entrance Closes 1hr Before |
| Location | 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736 |
The Austin Zoo is another place that attracts tourists who are visiting Austin Texas.
This Zoo is relatively new, compared to Zoos in other cities. One of the things that is super impressive about this Zoo is the history of how it started.
In its inception, it started out as a goat ranch in 1990 and by year 2000, it had grown into a Zoo, accommodating much more than goats.
17. Mexic-Arte Museum – Things To Do In Austin Texas
| Ticket Prices | Adults $7 Seniors $4 Students $4 Military $4 Kids (under 12) $1 Members Free |
| Hours | Mon-Thurs 10am-6pm Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Sunday 12pm-4pm |
| Location | 419 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 |
The Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin Texas is designed to enable the collection, preservation and display of the Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.
It does this by presenting art by both veteran artists and emerging artists from the US, Mexico and Latin America.
18. Bullock State History Museum
The Bullock State History Museum is one of its kind in Austin.
In addition to being a museum where the story of Texas, with its historical relevance unfolds, it also has a theatre where visitors can watch new and trending Hollywood movies.
The museum has several exhibitions which are designed to buttress its core mission of preservation and showcasing of Texas history from diverse perspectives.
19. Double Decker Tour Of The City
Experience the city of Austin aboard a double decker bus.
As a visitor to Austin, this tour will give a view of Austin that is remarkably different from what you can see from just a moving car or while standing on the ground.
This buses have separate drivers and tour guides, that way the tour guide is focused on narrating stories and giving information to passengers about all the attractions that they drive or go by.
20. Congress Bridge Bat Watching
21. The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake
22. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
23. Go Wine Tasting
24. Austin Steam Association Museum
25. Austin Aquarium
Looking For Where To Stay While In Austin, Texas. Check Out The Hotels Below
Like cities typically of Austin’s size, there are many options for accommodation while visiting. Where you ultimately decide to stay may depend on what you have on your bucket list but all the same, look at the following.
- Fairmont Austin
Breakfast? – Yes
Pool or Hot Tub? – Yes
Price Range? $290 – $890 (prices can vary with deals)
Location: 101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701 - Residence Inn By Marriot Austin Southwest
Free Breakfast? – Yes
Pool or Hot Tub? – Yes
Price Range? $199 – $250 (prices can vary with deals)
Location: 6000 US-290, Austin, TX 78735 - Hyatt Regency
Breakfast? – Yes
Pool or Hot Tub? – Yes
Price Range? $320 – $575 (prices can vary with deals)
Location: 208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Summary Of The Top Best Things To Do In Austin, Texas.
- Visit The Texas State Capitol
- Tour The LBJ Presidential Library
- Explore The Barton Springs Pool
- Enjoy Live Music
- Go To The Zilker Botanical Garden
- Texas Memorial Museum
- Blanton Museum of Art
- Tour Downtown Austin On A Segway
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
- Tour The University Of Texas At Austin
- Race At K1 Speed – Indoor Karting Austin
- Taste Your Way Through The Breweries
- Explore The Lady Bird Lake From The Rowing Dock
- Dip in The Hamilton Pool
- Catch A Game At The Texas Memorial Stadium
- Austin Zoo
- Bullock State History Museum
- Double Decker Tour Of The City
- Congress Bridge Bat Watching
- The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Go Wine Tasting
- Austin Steam Association Museum
- Austin Aquarium
