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.

Visiting Barton Springs Pool

How many cities can boast a three-acre, spring fed pool right in the center of town? Austin can, with the famous Barton Springs Pool. Fed by four bubbling springs, this natural wonder maintains a brisk 68-70° year ‘round. Surrounded by grassy embankments, visitors to the pool can lounge in the shade…

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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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48-Hour Austin LGBTQ+ Itinerary

LGBTQ+-Owned and Gay-Friendly Things to Do in Austin, TX Austin is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the country, with a perfect score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign. But you won’t find just one “gayborhood” here. The community is integrated throughout the city, which means that…

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Visiting the Zilker Botanical Garden

If Zilker Park is the heart of Austin, then surely the Zilker Botanical Garden is the heart of the city’s favorite park. This 28-acre expanse of lush greenery, flowers, and streams welcomes over 150,000 visitors every year to wander the grounds and enjoy a peaceful respite from the city. Over the 6+…

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Visiting the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum

Nestled on six lush acres in the heart of Austin, the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum has become a favorite oasis for visitors. Showcasing a permanent collection of bronze figurative sculptures by American sculptor Charles Umlauf in South Austin, the UMLAUF also features rotating contemporary…

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View the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Austin

On the afternoon of April 8, 2024, join the crowds gathering on rooftops, city parks and in the Texas Hill Country to watch the solar eclipse. It will be an exciting time to be outside and see the moon pass over the sun on the eastern edge of its path from Texas to Maine. In Austin, the partial…

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ACL Music Festival Survival Guide

Everything You Need to Know Before Attending ACL Festival October is one of Austin’s busiest months of the year with multiple annual music festivals and large events happening. Of them all, one of the most popular is Austin City Limits Festival which derives its name from the longest running music…

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Guide to Austin's Barton Creek Greenbelt

The Barton Creek Greenbelt, which travels through South Austin, is the go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes in the city. You can enjoy hiking, biking, rock-climbing, bouldering, swimming and even lazily passing a day perched in a hammock or sunbathing on a boulder along Barton…

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Electric Vehicle Charging Spots Near Things to Do

Exploring Austin in an electric vehicle? We highly recommend it as the city is stupendously EV-friendly. So if you’re looking for a place to park and charge while you wander, eat, recreate or explore, we’ve got you covered with where to find electric vehicle charging stations in Austin, including…

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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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