50 Fun Things to Do in Austin

1. Try Austin’s favorite food: tacos! Some of the best are served up by Veracruz All Natural, Discada and Torchy’s Tacos.

2. Sample a variety of food trucks in one location at The Picnic, where you’ll find Cannone Gelato Italiano serving classic flavors like pistachio and salted caramel, and Eggman ATX offering hearty breakfast sandwiches

Micklethwait Craft Meats. Credit to Andrew Thomas Lee.

3. You’re not doing Austin right if you don’t try some of our world-famous barbecue. Get in line for the ultra-tender brisket crafted by James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Aaron Franklin at Franklin Barbecue. Try the Brisket Frito Pie topped with chili and cheddar cheese at Micklethwait Craft Meats. Or sample meats like lamb chops, tri-tip and hot links at Space Kat BBQ.

4. Dine on the patios at Fresa's South First and Birdie's, or sip craft cocktails and slurp oysters on the oak-tree shaded patio at Perla's.

5. Taste your way along the scenic Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, home to more than 60 wineries. Or sample the beers from local microbreweries on the Austin Craft Beer Trail.

Fresa's. Credit Nick Simonite.

6. Dine at Fareground, Austin’s very first food hall. You'll find outposts of some of the city’s favorite eateries serving up an array of items, including sushi, burgers, baked goods, salad bowls, Mediterranean fare and tacos

7. Enjoy brunch with a side of music at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, serving lip-smacking barbecue during its rousing Sunday Gospel Brunch. Or meet the locals at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, where 100+ craft beers are served, and 20 varieties of sausage are grilled during their Sunday brunch that features live music.​

8. Don’t leave Austin without sampling some of our town’s best Tex-Mex cuisine, including breakfast tacos from Cisco's, Bob Armstrong queso at Matt’s El Rancho and sizzling fajitas, nachos and quesadillas from Maudie’s.

9. Make your first stop the Austin Visitor Center's new location in the historic Phillips Building. Get insider tips on the best Austin has to offer, hop on a tour, shop for goods made by local artisans, and sip a cup of coffee at the on-site 5th & Brew. You can also check out the online Gift Shop for Austin-themed goodies.

Austin Visitor Center. Credit to Paulina Skarbowska Wiewior, @bateyes.atx.

10. Shop South Congress Avenue, known for its funky stores and chic boutiques. Check out the kicks at Allens Boots, one-of-a-kind jewelry and clothing by local artisans at Paper Work and vintage treats from Big Top Candy Shop.

11. Flip through an extensive selection of vinyl at the North Lamar location of Waterloo Records and catch a free in-store performance by an emerging local musician. Get comfy in the cafe that serves beer, wine and coffee.

12. Spend some time at the original flagship Whole Foods Market, where you’ll find restaurants, a beer and wine bar, free rooftop live music and events.

Courtesy of Waterloo Records.

13. Shop ‘til you drop in the 2nd Street District, teeming with Austin-owned boutiques that offer everything from Japanese-inspired collectibles at Akiba Texas to gorgeous jewelry from Eliza Page and toys and sweet treats at the Toy Joy and Yummi Joy stores.

14. Start your day with farm-fresh produce, artisan goods, colorful flowers and live music at the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown, held on Saturdays in Republic Square. Or go to the Texas Farmers Market at Mueller on Sundays.

15. Search for retro treasures in the North Loop neighborhood, where Room Service Vintage and Blue Velvet are good bets for affordable clothing and home decor finds.

16. Listen to singers, songwriters and musicians perform on the Oak Garden stage at Güero’s Taco Bar.  While you watch, dine on corn tortillas filled with chicken or beef and wash them down with a hand-shaken margarita or ice-cold beer.  

17. Get a taste of Austin’s cocktail culture at Whisler's, known for creative concoctions with unique ingredients, and the reservations-only Midnight Cowboy, serving classic libations in a sultry speakeasy.

White Horse. Credit Arts + Labor.

18. Slip into a real honky-tonk and go two-stepping at The White Horse, with live country jams seven days a week. Or drop in at Little Longhorn Saloon during its happy hour, with $3 draft beers Tuesday through Friday.

19. Watch a band on South Congress Avenue at the legendary Continental Club, which has been hosting live music ranging from rock to country for over 60 years, and is often the site of surprise celebrity performances. Step inside the swanky C-Boy's Heart & Soul on South Congress to see top-notch nightly performances of classic soul and R&B.

20. Hit some of Austin’s best LGBTQ+ bars on Fourth Street in the Downtown Warehouse District, with dancing and DJ sets at hot spots that include Rain on 4th, Highland Lounge and Oilcan Harry’s.

21. Toast the latest Texas Longhorn victory at Scholz Garten, Austin’s oldest drinking establishment and the place to celebrate University of Texas football wins since 1893.

22. Fall brings exciting events to Austin. Tune in for this year's edition of the annual Texas Book Festival, held November 14-15, 2026. See and buy works from over 150 Texas makers and vendors at The Front Market, an independent marketplace held November 21-22, 2026 at Waterloo Park. And get a jump on your holiday shopping at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, running from November 13 through December 24, 2026.

23. View a stunning collection of modern art at The Contemporary Austin at the Jones Center and get free same-day entry to The Contemporary Austin–Laguna Gloria, a Mediterranean-style villa with an outdoor sculpture park on Lake Austin. Advance tickets are available and walk-ups are welcome.

Austin Capitol Building. Credit David Aguilar. 

24. Stop in at the historic Texas Capitol Visitors Center and get a Lone Star State history lesson during a free guided tour of the handsome pink granite Texas State Capitol.

25. Play it smart at the Thinkery, Austin’s hands-on children’s museum that incorporates science and technology into fun interactive exhibits and engaging activities. Thinkery is open Tuesday-Sunday.

26. Visit the free Brush Square Museums that include the limited-entry Susanna Dickinson Museum (the only Anglo adult survivor of the Battle of the Alamo) and the O. Henry Museum, the former residence of the famed short story writer.

27. Visit an impressive collection of museums at The University of Texas at Austin, including the Blanton Museum of Art, featuring Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin, a stone building with brilliantly colored glass windows; the Harry Ransom Center, housing cultural archives that include the first photo; and the LBJ Presidential Library, with inspiring exhibits on U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

i love you so much mural. Credit Arts + Labor.

28. Snap a selfie in front of one of Austin’s iconic murals. The popular I love you so much mural is painted on the wall of Jo's Coffee on South Congress Avenue. Hi, How Are You features a bug-eyed bullfrog named Jeremiah, originally drawn by outsider folk artist Daniel Johnston, near The University of Texas at Austin campus. And the colorful Greetings from Austin postcard is a must-shoot in South Austin.

29. Celebrate African American heritage at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center through exhibits, programs and theatrical productions.

30. While The Paramount Theatre, a 110-year-old performance venue and movie theater in the heart of downtown Austin, is closed for renovation through spring 2027, you can still watch films and attend events next door at The State Theatre.

31. Get an insider’s look at the history and culture of Texas at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, containing three floors of interactive exhibits, the Texas Spirit Theater, an IMAX Theatre and The Star Cafe.

32. See multiple museums with the new, easy-to-use Austin Insider Pass. After purchase, it is delivered to your phone via text and email, and is ready to use immediately at participating attractions.  

33. See a show at Esther's Follies, specializing in sketch comedy and hilarious musical numbers. Or head, to the Fallout Theater, presenting sketch, stand-up and improv comedy shows by new and seasoned comedians.

34. View Mexican and Latin American artwork at the Mexic-Arte Museum, and snap a photo with one of the rotating murals painted on the side of the museum.

35. Catch a concert at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, named for the long-running Austin City Limits television music series filmed here that hosts artists of every genre. Sign up for a behind-the-scenes tour.

Elisabet Ney Museum. Courtesy of Austin Parks & Recreation. 

36. Browse the vibrant galleries that showcase local emerging artists, including Austin Art Garage, Women & Their Work and the Old Bakery & Emporium (located in an 1870s national landmark on Congress Avenue), which presents juried art shows.

37. See everything from opera to dance and family musicals at the Long Center, one of Austin’s leading performance venues. This state-of-the-art space offers both indoor and outdoor performances on three stages.

38. Tour the free Elisabet Ney Museum, housed in what was once the German-born sculptress’ studio, and see portrait sculptures of notable 19th-century Texans.

39. Bike or hike along the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, which winds along the shoreline and boasts panoramic views of Austin’s skyline.

40. Hike up the stone steps of Mount Bonnell and get a sweeping view of the city from atop this Lake Austin landmark that has been a popular attraction since the 1850s.

41. Explore Mayfield Park, home to incredible gardens and colorful preening peacocks that make the perfect backdrop for photos.

42. Putt your way through the kitschy Peter Pan Mini-Golf, featuring two 18-hole miniature golf courses filled with fun obstacles and colorful characters that include a towering T. rex.

Barton Creek Greenbelt. Credit Andrew Chin.

43. Hike or bike along the Barton Creek Greenbelt to find Gus Fruh, a swimming hole known for its famed Urban Assault limestone rock wall that’s a favorite of climbers. Explore further to discover the hidden Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls areas.

44. Join fellow Texas Longhorn fans in cheering on the beloved University of Texas at Austin Longhorns. The team's football games are played at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

45. Harness the cowboy spirit in the Texas Hill Country during a guided horseback trail ride with Maverick Horseback Riding in Lockhart or Texas Trail Rides at Lone Star Ranch, just outside Downtown Austin.

46. Be among the first to experience COTALAND, the new theme park at Circuit of The Americas. The amusement park brings more than 30 rides and attractions to one of Austin's favorite entertainment destinations.

47. Make tracks to the free Austin Nature & Science Center to explore nature trails, see wildlife and dig for “dinosaur fossils” in the Dino Pit.

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Credit to Hans Millet Photography.

48. Wander around Zilker Park, a 360-acre oasis in the heart of the city that’s home to the Zilker Botanical Garden, Barton Springs Pool and leafy trails that lead to outdoor artworks at the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum.

49. Hike through the beautiful Texas Hill Country landscape of limestone cliffs and stone river beds along the Pedernales River at Pedernales Falls State Park. Follow Juniper Ridge Trail, which leads to the park’s rushing Pedernales Falls.

50. For an adrenaline rush coupled with an awesome view, Lake Travis Zipline Adventures offers five pulse-pounding ziplines (one being the longest in Texas) to whisk you away on an exciting outdoor adventure.

Discover more things to do in Austin with our events calendar.