From Hill Country Blooms to Action-Packed Festivals and Warm Weather Days
Springtime in Austin means never running out of things to do and see. Attend music festivals, catch high-speed sporting events, take a Hill Country drive to see stunning wildflowers, witness the bats at sunset or simply enjoy a cold-drink and live music on a patio.
See Colorful Wildflowers
Go on a drive through the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country and witness the annual wildflower bloom. You’ll find vibrant Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes on roadsides, natural areas and parks and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Take a Dip in a Swimming Hole
Austin’s warm climate means that by mid-to-late springtime, it’s already warm enough to take a dip in one of the area’s beloved swimming holes. Head to the cool waters of Barton Springs or a nearby oasis like Blue Hole in Wimberly, just a short drive from the city.
Drink & Dine Al Fresco
Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather by enjoying dinner and drinks at one of the city’s many patios. Enjoy tacos and live music beneath the oaks at Guero’s, beer and brats on the large deck at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, or pizza and wine at Flo’s WIne Bar.
Attend Spring Festivals & Events
Spring in Austin is a busy time of year with events and festivals for everyone’s tastes. Catch a premier at the ATX Television Festival, jam out at the Austin Blues Festival, watch a heart-pounding NASCAR race, belly laugh at the Moontower Comedy Festival, try thoughtfully crafted dishes at Field Guide Festival and so much more.
See the Bats
Austin is home to 1.5 million Mexican free tailed bats from late March to early Fall. Head to the Congress Avenue Bat Bridge to catch a glimpse of these winged creatures as they leave their nests nightly in search of dinner.
The long-awaited SXSW Conference and Festivals makes its highly anticipated…
What to Pack & Expect
While other destinations are still defrosting come springtime, Austin is experiencing gorgeous temperate days ranging from 60-80 degrees. If you’re spending any time outside, the mid-day sun will definitely warm you up, so plan to pack short sleeves and shorts for most activities, but don’t forget a light jacket for chilly mornings.
Can’t Miss Spring Festivals & Events in Austin
Springtime in Austin is a busy time of year with seasonal events and festivals taking place nearly every weekend. Race fans will want to head to Circuit of The Americas for MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix and the NASCAR Cup Series. Take part in South By Southwest, the iconic festival in conference bringing together music, film, comedy and the latest on tech and business. Experience Austin’s music scene at one of the many music festivals like Austin Blues Festival, a family friendly fest with blues and soul music, or Austin Psych Festival, featuring psychedelic rock and indie sets alongside immersive light displays. For foodie focused festivals, Hot Luck and Field Guide Festivals bring together the best local chefs so you can sample delicious bites all weekend long. Put on your boots and cowboy hat and head for the Austin Rodeo to see cowboys and cowgirls compete nightly followed by performances by top country artists.
For First-Timers
Kick off the day with a breakfast taco and a walk around Lady Bird Lake for spectacular views of the city. Then head to South Congress for a mix of local and high-end shopping. End the night at Guero’s for live music on the patio and a cold drink.
For Families
Start your morning on an Austin Duck Adventure Tour where you’ll ride through Downtown Austin before the amphibious-craft takes you out onto Lake Austin. Grab lunch at the Picnic food truck park before heading over to Peter Pan Mini Golf for funky, old-school style putt-putt.
For Outdoor Adventurers
Head for a morning hike through the lush Barton Creek Greenbelt. After your hike reward yourself with a dip into the refreshing Barton Springs Pool. Then enjoy an early patio dinner on South Congress before heading north to the bridge to watch the bats emerge at sunset.
For Music-Lovers
Opt for live music and tasty eats at the Big Band Brunch at Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden or the Gospel Brunch at Stubb’s. For a bit of live music history head to ACL Live at Moody Theater. Tour the venue and learn about the longstanding Austin City Limits PBS show and explore backstage areas. End the night at the iconic Antone’s for a mix of rock, blues and soul artists.
From late March through early fall, Austin’s Mexican free-tailed bats can be seen nightly flying out from the Congress Avenue Bridge. Later in the season, population numbers are typically higher due to more of the colony being present and baby bats being ready to take flight.
Which months are the best to see wildflower blooms?
While wildflower season can shift slightly from year to year due to winter weather conditions, Austin and the Hill Country typically get blooms from March through early April, with some blooms as early as February.
Find plenty of spots to cool down in when Texas temps heat up. Take a dip in the beloved Barton Springs Pool located in Zilker Park or check out Deep Eddy Pool, a man-made pool that locals love. Just a short drive from Austin, Krause Springs and Blue Hole are popular spring fed swimming holes. Jacob’s Well is another popular spot, however swimming availability depends on rainfall levels and is currently not allowed.
