The capital city of Texas has long been known for its quirky vibe, as captured in the city’s slogan, Keep Austin Weird. But whether you’re looking for the odd or the mainstream, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Austin.
One of the most striking things we noticed about Austin on our most recent trip is how outdoors-friendly the city is. Even in the dead of summer, there are plenty of people walking around downtown, biking in the dedicated biking lanes, and enjoying all the green, open space. If the outdoors is less your thing, don’t worry, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy in Austin, as well.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Austin.
Fun Things to Do in Austin, TX
Barton Springs Pool
The Barton Springs Pool is a huge, spring-fed pool with calm, clear water that stays a constant 68-degrees year-round. I used to think 68 degrees sounded cold for a pool, but on the day we visited, the temperature outside was 98. The water felt shockingly cold when we first stepped in, but after just minutes, our bodies acclimated and it felt incredibly refreshing.
Barton Springs Pool is located in Zilker Park. Parking is included in your admission, except on weekends and holidays. Admission is $9 ($5 for residents) for adults 18 and up, $5 ($3 for residents) for kids 12-17, and $4 ($2 for residents) for kids 1-11. Children under 1 are free. Admission can be purchased online, at an on-site kiosk, or at the window if you’ve brought cash.
Some things to note about Barton Springs Pool
The algae-covered rocks on the bottom of the pool can be very slick and slippery, so you’ll definitely want to make sure to wear water shoes that fit securely on your feet (not flip flops or slides).
The depth of the pool ranges from 0 feet to 18 feet, but you’ll want to keep the little ones on the shallow end, as floaties are not allowed in the deep end.
Lady Bird Lake
Previously known as Towne Lake, Lady Bird Lake is just downstream from Barton Springs Pool and is a beautiful oasis right in the heart of downtown Austin. Swimming in the lake is prohibited, but there are plenty of places to rent a canoe, kayak, paddle boards, or boats with small electric motors. We explored the lake on canoe on a previous trip and saw the most stunning views of downtown.
Bat Tour
Congress Bridge across Lady Bird Lake became a haven for Mexican free-tailed bats after its expansion. Every night, between March and September, the bats emerge at dusk to find food. If you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to the sight of thousands of bats flying across the night sky in a giant swarm. You can watch the show from the shore, or take a sunset cruise around Lady Bird Lake, culminating in a bat viewing. We opted for the cruise, and while the bats did not put on their best show that night, it was still worth it for the incredible nighttime views of downtown Austin.
Peter Pan Mini Golf
An Austin tradition since 1948, Peter Pan Mini Golf offers two themed, outdoor, 18-hole mini golf courses. We fancy ourselves somewhat as mini-golf connoisseurs and we found the course we played to be lots of fun, with plenty of unique obstacles. There is some shade, but if you’re visiting in the summer, it’s definitely better to go either early in the day or later in the evening.
In the summer, they’re open Friday and Saturday, 9am – 11pm, and Sunday – Thursday, 9am – 10pm.
Tickets for one course are $10 for adults and children 6 and up, or $8 for children 5 and under. Tickets for two courses are $15 and $13. You can always opt to continue on to the second course at any time during your game for an extra $5. They stop selling tickets an hour before closing.
Pease Park
This park is one of the most beautiful urban parks we’ve ever visited. The thing that stood out the most was all the shade! Tall, leafy trees are everywhere, making it pleasant to be here, even during a hot summer day. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a splash pad, either. The playground has some really unique climbing structures and swings that even my kids, who have mostly outgrown playgrounds, enjoyed.
One of the park’s defining features is the giant bird’s nest suspended from a dome in the sky. Rope webbing across the floor allows you to bounce around 15 or so feet off the ground.
The park is also home to various rotating art exhibits. When we visited, we got to see a giant troll named Malin, created by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo. The troll is holding a bowl, ostensibly to remind us that we should share the water and resources with the animals that live with us. More than 80% of Malin’s Fountain is made from recycled, repurposed, or found materials.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
While the best time to visit this attraction is no doubt the spring, we enjoyed our summer visit, as well. As we made our way through the gardens, we were surprised around every corner by lifelike animatronic dinosaurs roaring and moving their heads, arms, and tails.
There are plenty of areas for kids to climb and play here, and there’s even a sandbox and a section with giant logs where you can try to build a shelter. Our favorite part was being able to walk behind the waterfall and enjoy the cool darkness, while looking out at the bright sunlight through the rushing water.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
This museum is HUGE. It spans four floors and tells the story of Texas from before it was settled, all the way through today. We loved the interactive exhibits and games where you got to sail a ship and fire the guns, or pretend to be a settler preparing for a cross-country voyage and decide what to take with you. There’s also a 3D IMAX theater, so we learned all we’ll ever need to know about fungi.
Admission to the museum is $13 for adults and $9 for kids 4-17. Admission is free on every first Sunday of the month, thanks to HEB Free First Sundays. It’s open every day of the week, 10 AM – 5 PM. Parking is available at the on-site parking garage and costs $15 for all-day parking.
Beyond Van Gogh & Beyond Monet
This immersive experience is better for older kids, or anyone with an appreciation for art. There are two rooms, one which explains the history and background of the two artists, and the other which displays their art in an incredible, floor-to-ceiling (and INCLUDING the floor and ceiling) presentation. The artwork is projected onto the entire room, including all four walls and two giant pillars, the ceiling, and the floor, and set to calming music that makes you feel as though you are inside the paintings. Benches and chairs are set up throughout the room so you can sit and enjoy the experience.
Tickets start at $34 and can be purchased here.
Mural Hunting
Austin is home to some incredible murals. Our favorite was the ‘Willie for President’ mural at 1415 South Congress Ave, but there are so many great ones throughout the city. Here are some others to check out:
- GREETINGS FROM AUSTIN –1720 S. First St.
- LOVE FROM AUSTIN – 1912 S. Congress Ave.
- YOU’RE THE YEE TO MY HAW – 1701 S. Congress Ave.
- SMILE! EVEN IF YOU DON’T WANT TO – 1511 S. Congress Ave.
- I LOVE YOU SO MUCH – 1300 S. Congress Ave.
- WOMEN VOTE – 111 E. Cesar Chavez St.
- PEACE LOVE AUSTIN – 201 Colorado St.
- TAU CETI – East Second St. & Brazos St.
- SELENA & LOTERIA – 1619 E. Cesar Chavez St.
- RHAPSODY – 1021 E 11th St.
- WE RISE – East 12th and Chicon Streets
- YOU’RE MY BUTTER HALF – 2000 E. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
- HI, HOW ARE YOU? – Guadalupe St. & 21st St.
- AUSTINTATIOUS – 453-401 W 23rd St.
Shopping on South Congress Ave
There are tons of great shops on South Congress Ave. We had fun trying on boots at Allen’s Boots at 1522 S. Congress Ave. They’ve been around for almost 50 years, harkening back to the days when S. Congress looked nothing like it looks today!
Blazer Tag
Blazer Tag was not on our original itinerary, but as we drove past, we couldn’t help but be fascinated by this strange building topped with a giant spaceship guarded by gun-wielding aliens. We stopped in and were not disappointed. Blazer Tag features an old-school arcade, with tons of fun, modern arcade games – but with REAL tickets! The kids had a blast watching the miles of tickets dispense after hitting the jackpot.
The family-owned entertainment center also houses Texas’ largest indoor laser tag arena, with three stories of ramps, bridges and towers. We had so much fun racing around the arena, blasting our opponents.
My favorite thing about Blazer Tag was how affordable it was! A game of laser tag is just over $10 per person, per game, with discounts for multiple games. They have plenty of specials going on all summer long, and when we visited, they were offering 50% off!
Uncommon Objects
If you’re looking for the weirdest and oldest collectibles, furniture, and miscellaneous items for sale, you’ll find them here. The staff is super friendly and always willing to share the story behind any of the merchandise. We saw an ancient skeleton that was used at a medical school and a giant light-up E.T., and those weren’t even the weirdest things there. Uncommon Objects is right near Blazer Tag, so you can visit both in one shot.
That’s a wrap on our most recent Austin trip. For more great Texas Hill Country getaway ideas, check out these posts.
Some notable favorites from previous visits were Thinkery, Austin’s children’s museum, Splash Shack in Cedar park, and Austin’s Park & Pizza for more arcade and amusement park fun.