Top Things to do in Austin, TX
Austin has been on the move for more than 150 years and continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities. From its small-town origins as the capital of the Republic of Texas to today, Austin has been a hub for culture, innovation, and progress.
Today, Austin is the perfect blend of charm and sophistication. Nestled in the hill country along the Colorado River, it is home to world-class museums and performing arts venues, a thriving culinary scene with over 2,000 restaurants, 250+ music venues, and hot new hotels that combine urban style with outdoor adventure.
Austin is a weird and wonderful place. Live music, boundless natural beauty, and a legendary food scene make the Texas capital one of the best places to visit. Here are 25 reasons why you should add Austin to your travel list.
There are plenty of things to do in Austin, no matter what kind of activity you’re looking for, whether you want to visit museums, participate in water sports, or relax with a drink at one of the many bars in downtown Austin. Check out a list of the top places to visit in this beautiful city!
The 20 best tourist attractions in Austin, Texas
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Circuit of the Americas
Circuit of The Americas is the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility designed for all racing classes in the United States. The Circuit hosts the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix and a diversity of other motorsports and entertainment events throughout the year.
In addition to Formula 1 races and other international competitions, Circuit of The Americas features a variety of attractions for visitors, including a driving experience, live concerts, an entertainment venue, and more.
The Circuit of The Americas also boasts an iconic 25-story Observation Tower that overlooks the entire facility and surrounding area and a state-of-the-art Medical Center with two helipads for easy transport of patients to local hospitals.
The Turn 1 upper deck provides a unique view of one of the circuit’s most challenging sections while also offering fans a spectacular view of downtown Austin.
With over 30,000 seats in its grandstands, Turn 1 is one of the three main grandstands at COTA. It also boasts 12 suites and numerous concessions stands throughout the grandstands.
Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool is a spring-fed swimming pool located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. It is open year-round to the public, except when the water temperature drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit; in those cases, the pool is closed for up to two weeks for the safety of swimmers.
The pool has three sections, the largest of which is about 2 acres (0.81 ha) in size. It is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68 to 70 °F (20 to 21 °C).
The pool is filled from Barton Springs and is considered a “disappearing” river during low rainfall and drought periods. It is located on the grounds of Zilker Park and is administered by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
Barton Springs Pool Austin is also home to multiple endangered species of salamander living below the dam; humans rarely see them due to their underground habitat and shy nature.
Austin Aquarium
Austin Aquarium offers families affordable fun 365 days a year. The aquarium has many different fish, birds, and reptiles to enjoy, and you can even get up close with some animals in the touch tanks.
Austin Aquarium is home to over 10,000 fish and aquatic animals worldwide. The aquarium has a variety of activities and exhibits for all ages; you can pet stingrays, feed birds, turtles, and fish, or explore the touch pool. In addition, scuba diving with sharks is available by reservation.
The underwater-themed facility also offers educational camps and birthday parties.
The main attraction at Austin Aquarium is the underwater tunnel that goes through its shark exhibit. The tunnel gives visitors a fantastic view of the sharks as they swim above and around them on all sides!
Another popular activity for guests is feeding time with the stingrays: you can feed them right out of your hand!
McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls State Park is a state park in Austin, Texas, the United States, at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers it. The park opened in 1976 on land donated by Thomas F. McKinney and is named after him.
McKinney Falls State Park is a recreational oasis just minutes from downtown Austin. It features two beautiful waterfalls cascading layers of ancient limestone to form swimming holes below. The lush greenery and calm waters make this an ideal picnic or outdoor retreat location.
McKinney Falls State Park has a primitive camping area where visitors can stay overnight. During the summer months, there is also a pool to cool off in.
In addition, Mc Kinney Falls State Park has many trails where visitors can walk or ride their bikes. Volunteers will maintain these trails, which are always safe for families and children to enjoy!
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas, is one of the most exciting places in the city. It is a complex consisting of three museums. The first is the famous IMAX movie theater, which has a giant screen in Texas.
The second is the museum itself, which tells about Texas and its history. Thirdly, it is a museum where you can see all kinds of things related to science and nature.
The museum presents the best of what has been written about Texas’s history and does so in the most exciting way.
It is dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting the artifacts and archival records of Texas’s history and, particularly, to presenting exhibits and programs that illustrate Texas’s cultural diversity and heritage.
The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas, is a fascinating and educational place to visit. It’s full of artifacts, exhibits, and other displays of Texas history. I learned a lot about the history of Texas while visiting the museum.
Mueller Lake Park
Mueller Lake Park is attractive, with a small lake and wooded areas. It is located in the Mueller neighborhood of Austin, Texas. The district was once the site of Austin’s airport. The city redeveloped the area to be mixed-use, with residential, retail, and commercial space.
The park is an old airbase decommissioned in 1999 and then redeveloped into a mixed-use community within the City of Austin. In addition to the lake and its surrounding parklands, there are also sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Mueller Lake Park is a great place to walk, exercise your dog, go for a run, or enjoy the outdoors. It’s also a lovely location for photography, and there are plenty of events in the park year-round.
In addition, Mueller Lake Park is a beautiful, quiet park that is perfect for an afternoon of reading or just relaxing.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a 7.9-mile (12.7 km) stretch of public land that follows Barton Creek in Austin, Texas.
Over 750,000 people visit the greenbelt annually, and it is considered one of the best rock-climbing sites in Texas. It is also a popular destination for mountain bikers, swimmers, and hikers.
The Barton Creek Greenbelt features several hiking trails that allow visitors to explore this beautiful area of Central Texas.
The trail system includes more than seven miles of paved pathways and two miles of natural footpaths along Barton Creek.
These trails are designed for both walking and biking, so whether you’re looking for a scenic walk or an exciting bike ride, you can find something fun.
Visitors should bring plenty of water as there are no restrooms on this hiking trail. There are also some great spots to stop for taking photos or relaxing with friends and family members who love nature as much as you do!
Zilker Botanical Garden
Zilker Botanical Garden was established in 1955 as the Austin Civic Garden Center by the nonprofit Austin Council of Garden Clubs.
In 1983, the City of Austin leased the land from the Austin Independent School District for 99 years and created a public park. The Parks and Recreation Department now operates the park for citizens’ enjoyment.
As one of the top tourist destinations in Austin, Texas, Zilker Botanical Garden is a hidden gem in the city’s heart.
This popular attraction is a 30-acre oasis with stunning gardens, unique art installations, and gorgeous views. A staple for Austin visitors for over 50 years, it’s no wonder people love to visit this “mini-Central Park.”
Zilker Botanical Garden is arranged as a series of smaller gardens, each with its own theme. Most of the gardens are connected by paths and trails, which makes it easy to walk around and see them all.
Aside from the botanical garden, there are many other attractions within Zilker Park, including Umlauf Sculpture Gardens & Museum.
Thinkery
Thinkery is Austin’s home for “what’s next” in creative discovery and learning through play. A new home in Mueller, a 7-acre, master-planned community on the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport site, is quickly emerging as one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Central Texas.
If you’ve got little ones (or grandkids) visiting over the holidays, this is a great place to take them. And since it’s indoors, even if it rains or gets hot outside, you can still have fun at Thinkery!
One of the most exciting things is a small fountain that appears to have been made by a child. It’s a bit of a three-foot-high brick wall with water trickling down it in a few places.
The water makes squiggly lines on the wall and then runs off into a shallow trough at the bottom, where it drains away; you can see the freshwater flowing in through an open pipe at one end of the track.
Austin Zoo
Austin Zoo is a small zoo in Austin, Texas. It is located on the southwest corner of the city’s limits and functions as a rehabilitation and conservation center for injured or orphaned animals that can not be released back into the wild.
Some animals are brought in after being rescued from circuses or other situations where they are poorly treated. They are rehabilitated, taken care of at the zoo, and displayed for visitors in their new homes.
The Austin Zoo in Texas features animals from around the world. All are rescues who found a home at the zoo. There are over 300 animals and 100 different species. The zoo was founded in 1990 by Patti Clark, who hoped to create a haven for unwanted animals.
Austin Zoo’s mission is to assist needy animals through rescue, rehabilitation, and education. The zoo welcomes over 150,000 visitors annually and continues to grow every year. In addition to the animal exhibits, there is a petting zoo and pony rides for children.
Summary
With about 1 million people growing, Austin has fun things to do and see. From outdoor adventures like hiking in the Hill Country to enjoying a day at the lake with your dog, Austin is a dog-friendly city.
In addition, this great city has plenty of great restaurants, shopping, theaters, museums, and entertainment.
Austin’s climate is mild most of the year, with temperatures rarely reaching extremes in either direction. Spring and fall are precious times to visit, when wildflowers can be seen around town, and there are many nature trails.
In addition, you might want to plan your trip around one or more of Austin’s famous festivals, like the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October or during Thanksgiving weekend.
Austin offers an incredible range of activities to enjoy during your visit. Some of my favorites include hiking around Town Lake, taking in a show at Zilker Hillside Theatre, and watching a game at Disch-Falk Field.
When I have a few hours free, I like to walk around the University of Texas campus and visit some of my favorite places, like the Harry Ransom Center, Littlefield Fountain, and Gregory Gymnasium.
Austin is a place where things happen. So much happens that it can be hard to keep up. And so much of it is weird and wonderful, and it’s easy for visitors to get overwhelmed.
