Looking for the best things to do in Austin? Locals point newcomers to five essentials first: live music on South Congress and Red River, a swim at Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail, the Congress Avenue Bridge bats at dusk, and real Texas barbecue. Here’s how Austinites actually spend their time — by district, by night, by budget, and by who you’re with.
Things to do in Austin, by district
South Congress (SoCo)
Austin’s most photogenic strip: boutiques, food trucks, Allen’s Boots, live music, and the murals everyone snaps — “I love you so much” and “Greetings from Austin.”
Downtown & Sixth Street
The nightlife core, plus the Texas State Capitol, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and the Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony — the largest urban bat colony in North America — that streams out at sunset from spring through fall.
East Austin
The city’s creative side: breweries, taco joints, coffee, galleries and murals. Great for a laid-back afternoon and evening.
Rainey Street
A row of old bungalows turned into bars and patios — a distinctly Austin place to drink and hop between spots.
Zilker & Lady Bird Lake
Austin’s outdoor heart: Barton Springs Pool (spring-fed, ~68°F year-round), Zilker Park, and the 10-mile hike-and-bike trail around the lake for walking, running, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Things to do in Austin at night
Music first: Sixth Street and Red River for bars and venues, the Continental Club and Broken Spoke honky-tonk for the classic Austin sound, and Rainey Street for patios. In summer, time dinner around the bat flight at Congress Bridge, then chase it with late-night tacos.
Indoor & rainy-day things to do in Austin
Duck into the Blanton Museum of Art, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the LBJ Presidential Library, or an Alamo Drafthouse movie. The Thinkery is the go-to for kids, and South Congress and The Domain cover indoor shopping.
Free things to do in Austin
- The Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail
- The summer bat flight at Congress Avenue Bridge
- A tour of the Texas State Capitol
- Sunset from Mount Bonnell
- The South Congress murals and window-shopping
Things to do in Austin for couples
Paddleboard Lady Bird Lake, catch sunset at Mount Bonnell, hear live music at the Continental Club, wander South Congress, or drive out to Hill Country wineries and Hamilton Pool (reservations required) for the day.
Things to do in Austin with kids
Family wins: the Thinkery, Zilker Park and the Zilker Zephyr train, Barton Springs, the Austin Nature & Science Center, Austin Zoo, and the bat flight — always a kid favorite.
What Austin locals actually recommend
Which barbecue is worth the line right now, which East Austin spots are overrated, where to hear music without the Sixth Street crowds — that’s the stuff you only get from people who live here. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Austin community, real Austin neighbors answer “what should I actually do this weekend?” and share the local spots the guidebooks miss. Join your Austin neighbors free →
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Austin?
Locals send first-timers to hear live music on South Congress or Red River, swim at Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, walk or kayak Lady Bird Lake, watch the bats stream out from under Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk, and eat Texas barbecue. Add the Texas State Capitol and a SoCo stroll for a perfect Austin day.
What is there to do in Austin at night?
Austin nights are built around live music: Sixth Street and Red River for bars and venues, the Continental Club and Broken Spoke for classic Austin sounds, and Rainey Street’s converted-bungalow bars. Cap it with the summer bat flight at Congress Bridge or late-night tacos and food trucks.
What can you do in Austin when it rains?
Rainy-day Austin means museums and indoor fun: the Blanton Museum of Art, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Thinkery for kids, and an Alamo Drafthouse movie. South Congress and Domain shopping stay dry too.
What are free things to do in Austin?
Lots of Austin is free: the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail, the summer bat flight at Congress Avenue Bridge, a Texas Capitol tour, the view from Mount Bonnell, and the famous murals (‘I love you so much’ and ‘Greetings from Austin’) on South Congress.
What are the best things to do in Austin for couples?
Couples love a paddleboard or kayak on Lady Bird Lake, sunset from Mount Bonnell, live music at the Continental Club, dinner and shopping on South Congress, and Hill Country wineries a short drive west of town.
What are fun things to do in Austin with kids?
Family favorites include the Thinkery children’s museum, Zilker Park and the Zilker Zephyr train, Barton Springs, the Austin Nature & Science Center, Austin Zoo, and watching the bats — kids love the bat flight.