Spring is almost here! And with it comes loads of outdoor fun in Austin. From picnics in the park to scenic biking trails and alfresco patios, you’ll find that our town knows how to make the most of this sunshine season. Here are 15 fun things to add to your Austin spring.
Credit Pierce Ingram.
1. Witness Wildflowers in Bloom
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in southwest Austin displays 650 native Texas plant species in gardens and on nature trails (reservations are encouraged). Or take a day trip to the Texas Hill Country, where meadows and valleys burst into a colorful carpet of bright bluebonnets every spring. Be sure to stop in historic Fredericksburg and visit Wildseed Farms, a family-owned wildflower farm featuring blooming fields. In Burnet, known as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas,” snap a selfie with the giant bluebonnet statue. Visit April12-14, 2024 during the annual Bluebonnet Festival, featuring live music, parades and a wildflower show. Discover more places to see wildflowers near Austin.
Waterloo Records. Credit Spencer Selvidge.
2. Rock a Rainy Day
Don’t let a few raindrops ruin your good time in Austin. Go shopping in the trendy West Sixth District, where you can wander the bookshelves at BookPeople, thumb through the rare vinyl at Waterloo Records and grab a bite to eat at the Whole Foods Market flagship store. Or slip into a theater seat and catch a blockbuster or an art house flick at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema or Violet Crown.
Hot Luck Live Food & Music Festival. Credit Alison Narro.
3. Attend a Spring Festival
Some of Austin’s most exciting events happen during the springtime. Tune in to see international speakers, up-and-coming bands and emerging films at SXSW, happening from March 8-16, 2024. The Moontower Just For Laughs comedy festival, held over 10 days from April 10-21, 2024, brings some of the funniest and oddest comics from around the globe to The Paramount and State Theatre stages. Reserve May 4-5, 2024 to attend the spring Pecan Street Festival, a juried art fair featuring more than 300 artisans, local foods and kids' activities. The Memorial Day weekend Hot Luck Festival, held May 23-26, 2024, in various venues around Austin, features chef-driven food experiences and events with live music.
Barton Springs Pool. Credit Nathan Fluellen.
4. Make a Splash at a Swimming Hole
The Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls areas of the Barton Creek Greenbelt are local secrets. Hike for about a half-mile and you’ll find Twin Falls, known for its relaxing shallow stream waters and rocky areas for climbing. Hike a mile farther and you’ll reach Sculpture Falls, another hidden gem watering hole. The year-round temperature of the crystal-clear, spring-fed Barton Springs Pool is an invigorating 68 degrees. It's a beautiful spot in Zilker Park for swimming, sunbathing and people watching. Find more places around Austin to take a dip.
The Contemporary Austin – Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria. Credit Brian Fitzsimmons.
5. Explore Must-See Museums
The Blanton Museum of Art (buy timed tickets in advance online) features the dazzling permanent exhibition Ellsworth Kelly's: Austin, a 2,715-square-foot stone building with brilliant colored glass windows and a totemic wood sculpture. See outdoor installations by internationally renowned artists at The Contemporary Austin’s Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria, nestled on the Lake Austin waterfront (buy tickets in advance to ensure entry).
Loro. Credit Arts+Labor.
6. Drink & Dine on a Patio
Spring is the perfect time to dine outdoors. P6 offers some of the best rooftop views in the city at the stylish LINE hotel. Watch a live band as you savor a craft brew in the sprawling outdoor beer garden of the new Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden outpost at South Lamar. In the Clarksville neighborhood, kick back under the shade of a historic heritage tree on the patio at Bar Peached. Soak in the backyard barbecue vibe at Loro, an Asian smokehouse and bar. Dine on some of Austin’s tastiest tacos under the oak trees on the sprawling patio at Fresa’s South First.
Zilker Park. Credit Ryan Kyte.
7. Picnic in the Park
Pack a picnic and amble over to Zilker Park, a 360-acre oasis in the heart of downtown that’s the site of festivals, free music and live plays at Zilker Hillside Theater. It's also the home to Zilker Botanical Garden (advance tickets available online), UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum and Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming hole.
Covert Park at Mount Bonnell. Courtesy of Austin Parks and Recreation.
8. Hike Mount Bonnell
Austin is pretty as a picture in springtime, so you’ll want to find the best photo spots. Head to Pennybacker Bridge on Loop 360 to get a perfect sunset snap, hike Mount Bonnell’s gentle slope for a bird's-eye view of the lake or drop in at Mayfield Park for a glimpse of their famous peacocks.
Mueller Texas Farmers Market. Credit Julia Keim.
9. Shop Local at the Farmers Market
There are few things as refreshing as a sunny morning surrounded by fresh produce, colorful bouquets, hot coffee and the strum of live music wafting through the stalls at one of Austin's many farmers markets. Browse homemade treats and gourmet snacks at the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown, held Saturdays in Republic Square. Or, make a Sunday morning trip to the idyllic Texas Farmers Market at Mueller.
Whiskey Garden. Courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.
10. Dine at a Food Truck
Post up at The Picnic, a food trailer park offering plenty of picnic tables and must-try eats from trucks like Coat & Thai and The Mighty Cone, located just down the road from Zilker Park. Dig into fresh-pulled pasta and homemade Italian sauces at Patrizi’s. At Ranch Hand, try the organic grain bowls filled with locally sourced meats and vegetables. The Vegan Nom, Austin’s original all-vegan taco truck, serves up breakfast tacos all day long. Grab creative Gulf Coast inspired comfort food like a fried fish sandwich and jalapeño poppers from the Huckleberry food trailer in the whiskey garden at Still Austin.
Barton Creek. Credit Ryan Kyte.
11. Get Outdoors
Strap on a helmet and bike along the leafy 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, which winds along shimmering waters and has picturesque views of Austin’s skyline. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is also a great destination for mountain bikers, offering varied terrain within a beautiful landscape of cliffs and shaded groves alongside scenic Barton Creek. Road riders will want to bicycle from downtown to Mount Bonnell, peddling Scenic Drive along the waters of Lake Austin and catching an awesome sunset view from Pennybacker Bridge. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, Lake Travis Zipline Adventures offers five pulse-pounding ziplines (one being the longest in Texas) to take you on an exciting outdoor adventure.
Winery in Driftwood. Credit Laolu Onabanjo.
12. Head to the Hill Country
It’s easy to take a day trip to the beautiful Texas Hill Country, located close to Austin. In Dripping Springs, sip your way through the Distillery District and stop at Treaty Oak Distilling, featuring Alice’s Restaurant and The Rickhouse, an open-air lounge serving craft cocktails made with Treaty Oak gin and whiskey. In Driftwood, dig into family recipe brisket and pork ribs at The Salt Lick BBQ, a cash-only barbecue destination. Then head off on the Driftwood Wine Trail, where you can sample award-winning wines at popular spots like Duchman Family Winery and Fall Creek Vineyards.
Courtesy ATX Open.
13. Cheer At A Sports Event
Catch one of Austin’s many exciting sporting events. Watch NASCAR races at COTA, Austin FC soccer matches at Q2 Stadium, top women tennis players in the ATX Open, and the San Antonio Spurs competing in two I-35 Series NBA basketball games. Get the scoop on the top 10 sporting events in Austin.
Courtesy of AO Tours.
14. Take An Open-air Tour
Enjoy the outdoors while seeing the sights on an Austin tour by bus, bike, boat, pedicab, walking and more. Comfortably cruise around Austin on a fat-tire electric bike during a YourBikerGang.com group tour. Hop on and off the bus as you wish to explore on your own along Double Decker Austin’s route. From the comfort of a convertible Mercedes Sprinter, see Austin and the Texas Hill Country with AO Tours Austin. Find more information about Austin tours.
Armadillo Den. Credit Alex Thomas.
15. Catch A Concert
Listen to live music at one of Austin’s indoor/outdoor venues. At Armadillo Den, musicians perform nearly every night at the sprawling three-acre venue that also features two bars, food trucks and axe throwing. Empire Control Room & Garage offers a large space for big-name performers, a 350-person indoor space, and the quieter outdoor patio for chilling between sets. See shows in a variety of genres and join the roster of fans who have visited Historic Scoot Inn since 1871. With a hip Rainey Street address, Icenhauer’s is the place to be for live music, DJs and karaoke. Discover more great places to see outdoor concerts.