In recent years, numerous publications have named Austin one of the best cities in America, and it’s easy to see why. With so much to offer, you might be wondering what to do first. Although the city has evolved significantly due to its growing population, this list includes activities that both locals and visitors should add to their bucket lists.
Marvel at the World-Famous Congress Bridge Bats
Visit the Congress Avenue Bridge, home to Austin’s most famous attraction—the bats! It’s truly an awe-inspiring sight to watch 1.5 million bats take to the sky at dusk in their nightly pursuit of mosquitoes. This is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Relax at Hamilton Pool, an Austin Oasis
Hamilton Pool is a stunning swimming hole nestled in a natural limestone grotto, complete with a 50-foot waterfall and a small beach area. Due to its popularity, reservations are required during the busy summer months, so be sure to book ahead.
Start Your Own Bike Gang Adventure
Feel like a local as you cruise around Austin on an electric minibike! Gather your friends or family, form your own “bike gang,” and explore the city in a unique way. Biker gang adventures and rentals are available daily, and kids 15 and under can ride for free with a parent. It’s a fantastic bonding experience for couples, friends, families, or coworkers.
Tour Austin in Style With Haunted ATX Hearse Limo Tours
Instagram에서 이 게시물 보기
Whether you’re a visitor or a local, the eerie style of Haunted ATX’s hearse and limo tours will captivate you. Climb into a hearse converted into a passenger van or a limo wrapped in spooky art, and visit historic locations while hearing tales of the ghosts that haunt them. The tour is a fascinating mix of Austin history, spooky stories, and intriguing insights into the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Make a Splash with Austin Duck Adventures
View this post on Instagram
Austin Duck Adventures offers a unique way to see the city—by land and water! This popular tour begins at the Austin Visitor Center downtown, takes you through the city’s famous sites, including the Texas Capitol, and ends with a splash into Lake Austin. The tour runs seven days a week and is a fun way to explore Austin’s highlights.
Put Your Skills to the Test at Austin’s Escape Game
If you’re looking for a challenging and entertaining activity, check out The Escape Game in Austin. With a variety of experiences to choose from, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste. Our top pick is “Gold Rush,” but every room offers a unique and thrilling challenge.
Get Inspired at Wonderspaces
Wonderspaces is an extraordinary, 28,000 square foot art installation in Austin that will blow your mind. It’s an exquisite funhouse of light installations, technology, mirrors, and pure imagination, offering a diverse sensory experience that everyone will enjoy. Tickets sell out quickly, so plan ahead for this dazzling indoor activity that provides plenty of space for socially distanced fun.
Experience High-Speed Thrills at Circuit of the Americas Karting
View this post on Instagram
Karting has arrived at Circuit of the Americas, and this time you’re not just watching—you’re driving! COTA Karting offers high-speed entertainment on the only Formula 1 track in the United States. Whether you’re an elite racer or a novice, you can enjoy 10 minutes of race time on a technical course that includes elevation changes, hairpin turns, and all the thrills of a Formula 1 circuit.
Ascend Mount Bonnell
Eighties~enwiki at English Wikipedia, Mount bonnell, CC BY-SA 3.0
At 775 feet, Mount Bonnell is Austin’s highest point and offers breathtaking views of Lake Austin, the city skyline, and the surrounding hills. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists, and a must-visit for anyone looking to capture the beauty of Austin.
Rent a Boat on Lake Travis or Lake Austin
Spending a day on the lake is a quintessential Austin summer activity. Our friends at Float On Boat Rentals provide easy access to both Lake Travis and Lake Austin, with the option to hire a boat captain. Whether you’re looking to relax or engage in water sports, a day on the lake is always a good idea.
Take a Selfie at the Texas State Capitol
Visiting the Texas State Capitol is a uniquely Austin activity that combines education with fun. A quick stroll around the grounds is a popular activity, but for a deeper experience, join a tour with Texas Capitol City Tours. The one-hour tour provides fascinating insights into Texas history and the Capitol building itself.
Savor Austin’s Famous Breakfast Tacos
They’re all about taco life in Austin. Some of our favorite breakfast taco spots are:
Pueblo Viejo
Pueblo Viejo is a success story from food truck to brick and mortar. The Don Chago is a breakfast taco without eggs, which begs the question: Is it even a breakfast taco? Try one and see if you agree that the answer is “yes.”
El Primo
This “cash only” spot on South 1st isn’t flashy, but the family-owned trailer has been serving tacos since 2004, meaning the griddle has had over 15 years of seasoning. That is impossible to replicate. Jose Luis Perez, the owner, also makes his chorizo, so make sure to add it to your order.
Joe’s Bakery
This is a hangover staple: two eggs of any style, two tortillas, pork carne guisada, beans, potatoes, and your choice of deep-fried bacon or sausage. A word of caution: two tortillas are never enough, so ask for more to take home.
Mi Madre’s
Mi Madre’s #0 breakfast taco is a massive four-ingredient breakfast taco stuffed with bacon, potatoes, egg, and cheese. The Vegetarian Migas Taco (#8) is also enormous. One taco is more than enough here, but you can always order two.
Veracruz
Some tacos don’t live up to the hype. This is it. You can add avocado, but unlike other breakfast tacos, which require a flour tortilla, migas require only a corn tortilla.
Marcelino’s
View this post on Instagram
Marcelino’s has since been a local favorite. Tacos are served in a cafeteria setting with a smile. Sticking to your favorite breakfast tacos is the way to go here, but we wholeheartedly suggest including potatoes—they’re fashioned like french fries and come in spicy or regular varieties; always go for the spicy.
One Taco
The I Love Bacon taco won the “Breakfast Taco Taste-off” competition a few years ago and remained one of the town’s favorites. It’s stuffed with cheese, bacon, potatoes, eggs, and bacon.
Nixta Taqueria
Nixta serves off-menu breakfast tacos made from fresh ingredients on hand. Their migas taco is a hidden menu item usually available only to regulars and anyone friendly enough to request one.
Dine at Austin’s Best Restaurants
Austin has become a top destination for culinary talent, thanks to its vibrant food scene and relatively low operating costs. From food trucks to fine dining, the city offers a wide range of dining options that will delight any food lover.
Seek Adventure With Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
For an adrenaline rush, try ziplining over Lake Travis. The views are breathtaking, and the experience is truly one-of-a-kind. Expect to reach speeds of up to 60 mph as you soar over the lake.
Visit Austin’s Legendary Breweries
Austin’s craft beer scene is booming, and there are countless breweries to explore. Texas Twisted Tours offers guided brewery tours, providing a safe and fun way to sample the best ales and IPAs from a local’s perspective. The first round is on them at each location!
Unwind at Zilker Park
Zilker Park is Austin’s 351-acre green space that serves as a hub for many special events, including ACL, the Zilker Kite Festival, and SXSW. It’s also a great spot to relax, spread out a blanket, and enjoy the outdoors.
Disappear Into Magic at Magic’s Theater
Located in Southwest Austin, Magic’s Theater offers a close-up magic show on Friday evenings and a full auditorium-sized magic show on Saturday evenings. The theater also houses a magic museum with items from Harry Houdini’s collection. Plus, you can bring your wine for a small corkage fee.
Explore Rainey Street
Rainey Street has become one of Austin’s most popular nightlife spots, with older homes converted into bars with fantastic outdoor patios. The area is also home to some excellent dining options, making it a great place to spend an evening.
Float the River with Texas State Tubes
Floating the San Marcos or Guadalupe rivers is a relaxing way to spend a day cooling off in the water. Texas State Tubes offers transportation from Austin to the rivers, making it easy and safe to enjoy this quintessential Texas activity.
Visit Local Wineries
Central Texas is home to a burgeoning wine scene, with dozens of world-class wineries within an hour’s drive of downtown Austin. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just enjoy a good glass of vino, the Texas Hill Country has plenty to offer.
Challenge Yourself at Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures
Waterloo Adventures is one of Austin’s most unique activities, combining elements of Waterworld, Total Wipeout, and Gladiator into an exhilarating aquatic adventure. The park offers incredible scenery, outdoor fun, and unrivaled excitement.
Cruise Lady Bird Lake
LoneStarMike, AustinSkylineLouNeffPoint-Jun2010-a, CC BY-SA 3.0
One of the best ways to see downtown Austin is from the water. Lady Bird Lake offers a peaceful setting for a day trip or sunset paddle. Don’t forget to bring your favorite beverage and a waterproof camera to capture the views!
Fire a Full-Auto Uzi at The Range at Austin
For an unforgettable experience, test your skills with an Uzi at The Range at Austin. This state-of-the-art facility offers a variety of shooting packages, including rifles, pistols, shotguns, revolvers, and automatic firearms.
Stroll Down South Congress
Justin Jensen, SoCo, CC BY 2.0
South Congress is a vibrant mix of eclectic, fashionable, and funky. The area is packed with shops, restaurants, and live music venues, and offers great views of the downtown skyline and the Capitol from the top of the hill.
Hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt
The Barton Creek Greenbelt is one of Austin’s best-kept secrets. Stretching from Barton Springs Pool to Sculpture Falls, the greenbelt offers excellent rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. It’s especially beautiful when the water is flowing.
Conclusion
Austin, Texas, boasts over 300 days of sunshine each year, making it the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. From public art to lakeside parks, the city offers a wealth of activities for everyone. Pair that with its incredible dining scene and laid-back atmosphere, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect vacation. These 25 activities showcase the best of what Austin has to offer, whether you’re a local or just visiting.
