Everyone loves a good three-day-weekend. But what makes Labor Day (Monday, September 2, 2024) so special is the celebration of American workers who have contributed to the strength and prosperity of our country. If you're planning to spend your Labor Day Weekend in Austin, here are some great ideas for things.

Blue Hole swimming hole in Wimberley texas near austin
Blue Hole in Wimberley. Credit Pierce Ingram.

Things to Do Outside over Labor Day Weekend

Go Tubing
Head to the Hill Country and get on the river with some friends, a cooler and a tube. Float the day away on the super clean, spring-fed San Marcos River. Swish down the Comal River near New Braunfels and enjoy shuttle service to and from the river. In Gruene, it’s all about the Guadalupe River. Visit a local tube rental shop or bring your own tubes, rafts or kayaks for a leisurely trip down the river.

Take a Hike
Drive out to the Hill Country for spectacular hikes, state parks and picnic spots. Spend the day at picture perfect parks like Blue Hole Regional Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park (passes may be required over Labor Day Weekend), Reimers Ranch Park, McKinney Falls State Park (reservations are highly encouraged) and more.

Go for a Cruise
Rent a boat on Lake Austin or Lake Travis for a fun day in the sun. Or, sit back and let the captain do the driving on a Lady Bird Lake boat cruise from Lone Star Riverboat or Capital Cruises, complete with cityscape views and Austin landmark sightseeing.

Watch the Lone Star Le Mans
Head to the Circuit of The Americas and watch drivers compete in a six-hour-long endurance race during the FIA World Endurance Championship, a.k.a. the Lone Star Le Mans. The Lone Star Le Mans is the only WEC round taking place in the United States meaning you won't want to miss this race that puts both the drivers and their cars to the test. 

people standing on Congress Avenue bridge waiting for bats to emerge at dusk in front of downtown Austin skyline
Congress Avenue Bat Bridge. Credit Pierce Ingram.

See the Bats
Labor Day Weekend is in the middle of prime bat watching season. Each night at dusk, both locals and visitors alike gather on the Congress Avenue Bridge or from kayaks on the lake to celebrate the city's unofficial mascots that flock to Austin between early spring to early fall.

See a Movie at the Drive-In
Watch a movie under the stars at Austin’s drive-in theater in the Mueller neighborhood, Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In. Watch a newly released flick from the famed Circuit of The Americas venue at MoonStruck Drive In. Or head to nearby Buda for adult beverages and tasty food at the Doc's Drive In Theatre.

Play a Round of Golf
Take advantage of Austin's public golf courses, designed for golfers of all levels. Head out to Lake Travis and enjoy breathtaking Hill Country views at Falconhead Golf Club. Or stay in the city and enjoy the quick and easy, nine-hole par 3 course at Butler Park Pitch & Putt. More golf in Austin.

Take a Dip in a Pool
Take a dip in one of Austin’s many popular natural swimming pools. Barton Springs Pool stays around 68 to 70 degrees year-round. Perfect for cooling off from the Texas heat. Another local favorite and Austin landmark is the spring-fed Deep Eddy Pool. Treat yourself to a day pass to a hotel pool and cool off in luxury. Lounge in retro-style at the Austin Motel pool, with a frozen cherry limeade cocktail in hand, or opt for a stunning view of the city skyline at the W Austin pool. Check out more hotel pools where you can grab a day pass. 

Image of a plate from Banger's with pancakes, eggs, sausage and hash browns.Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden. Credit to  Charles Lanzieri.

Where to Eat & Drink over Labor Day Weekend in Austin

Sunday Brunch
Labor Day is the perfect time to check out some great brunch spots around Austin! Whether you’re catching up with friends over the Big Band Brunch and “Man-mosas” at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, or indulging in a plate of gorditas rancheras and a michelada from El Alma, Austin doesn’t disappoint when it comes to providing local, delicious brunches each and every weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, don't miss The Peached Tortilla's tasty brunch featuring items like BBQ pork buns, Thai chop chop salad, Korean steak and eggs bowl and more.

Birds-eye view of William Chris Vineyards - large metal building surrounded by rolling Hill Country and green rows of grape vines.
Courtesy of William Chris Vineyards.

Central Texas Tasting Rooms
Austin and the Hill Country are home to a spectacular selection of craft beverage makers, from award winning wineries and distilleries to sprawling brewery complexes with food trucks and more. Explore Texas wines made by local winemaker Rae Wilson at Wine for the People. Or by Still Austin Distillery for a straight bourbon whiskey in the tasting room or on the expansive patio.

Smash burger with fries, chips and guacamole and beet salad in cardboard containers on a metal grate picnic table.Courtesy of Pool Burger.

Patios for a Long Weekend
Labor Day Weekend is all about spending time with friends and family, while surrounded by great food and fabulous music. No one knows this better than Austin (we've kind of mastered the whole patio scene). What better way to celebrate the season than a fresh-air feast with your favorite people? Soak in the views over Lake Austin from Hula Hut's patio, a tiki-inspired restaurant serving up delicious Polynesian-meets-Mexican food and refreshing libations. Cool down on the bright and floral patio at Verbena on West 6th Street, helmed by Chef Nic Yanes of Juniper and Uncle Nicky's. The restaurant delivers a menu reminiscent of old-world farm-to-table fare, that's artfully composed in a modern presentation. Spend a waning afternoon of late summer on the patio at Pool Burger, a tiki bar just off the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Opt for $5 frozen hurricanes for weekday happy hour, or draft Zombies paired with an old fashioned burger, crinkle cuts and soft serve. Watch the world go by on the patio at Hopdoddy, where you can pair house margaritas with sharable green chile queso fries for the table.

Looking for more holiday weekend ideas? Check out our guide to Your Perfect Long Weekend in Austin!