Austin Insider Blog

This blog, written and curated by Visit Austin staff, shares the things that visitors love and locals can't get enough of.

Where to Go Camping Near Austin

When the weather cools to a gentle 90ish degrees, it’s time to blow the dust off your camping gear, fire up the engine on the RV, rile the kids up with talk of s’mores and ghost stories and go! Central Texas is liberally dotted with camping options that range from primitive to premium. Here are our…

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Austin's Best Outdoor Activities this Fall

Austin is an outdoor lover’s playground. And with its enviable location in the heart of Texas Hill Country, visitors can find everything from scenic state parks to crystal clear lakes close by. So, whether you’re a hiker, biker or boater, you’re sure to find your bliss in Austin this fall. Hiking…

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Your Complete Fall Bucket List

Celebrate fall in Austin with tons of seasonal activities, including pumpkin patches and corn mazes, spooky tours and amazing outdoor adventures in the scenic Texas Hill Country. We have 23 festive fall things to do in Austin to get you started. Sweet Eats Fruit Farm. Credit Haley Plotkin. 1…

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Austin Farmers Markets Worth Visiting

There are few things as refreshing as a sunny morning in Austin, surrounded by fresh produce, colorful bouquets, hot coffee and the sound of a local musician wafting through the stalls at one of our many farmers markets. Whether you're in town for a few days or a few weeks, a visit to one of our…

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Best State Parks & Recreation Areas Near Austin

Austin is surrounded by incredible parks and outdoor recreation areas. With rolling green meadows, wide open spaces, giant cypress and oak trees throughout the countryside and along creeks, limestone cliffs, rocky riverbeds, rivers, lakes and caves, Central Texas has some of the most diverse…

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Day Trip Destination: Bastrop

Visitors travel across Texas in search of serene vistas and wide-open skies… but that road trip isn’t necessary. Austin is lucky enough to be just 30 minutes away from neighboring Bastrop, a city whose charm cannot be overstated. Just a hop, skip and a jump from the heart of Austin. Bastrop feels a…

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First Timer's Guide to Zilker Park

More than 1.3 million people visit Austin’s Zilker Park each year. It’s time for you to be among them! Zilker Park is one of the locals’ favorite places to find fun and fellowship. Live music and theater, sports and games, and simple enjoyment of the great outdoors await at this emerald isle at the…

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Visiting Jacob's Well

The other-worldly beauty of Jacob’s Well—along with its year round water temperature of 68°F—makes it a popular swimming hole for hot Texas summers. Located within the 81 acres of Jacob’s Well Natural Area in Wimberley, TX, this stunning spot is a must-see. Due to drought and low water levels…

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Best Places to Kayak and Paddleboard in Austin

Summer, spring, fall or winter, there’s rarely a bad time to get out on the water for a paddle session in Austin. So grab a kayak or paddle board, drop your camera in a waterproof bag, and enjoy the sun from one of the many sparkling bodies of water nearby. Here are the best places to kayak and…

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