Planning a trip to the Southern U.S. in 2019? We’ve got you covered with a rundown of the best things to do in Austin, Texas.
Austin is a hip city that seems to be evolving and changing at a rapid pace. This up and coming U.S. destination hot spot is a blend of traditional Texan culture with today’s weirdest and trendiest. Now is an excellent time to visit this dynamic city full of great food, great music, and great people. With a second route added by Air Canada from Toronto to Austin, getting to this cool corner of the U.S. has never been easier for Canadians. Have a flight booked? Read on for our travel guide with tips and things to do in Austin for your trip.
Things to Do in Austin
Immerse yourself in Austin’s music scene
Live music is everywhere in Austin, it’s an integral part of the city’s culture and history. From famous festivals like Austin City Limits in October and South by Southwest every March to the underground scene found in local pubs, live music is the heartbeat of Austin. There are over 250 live music venues, you might be wondering where to start. Here are just a few places to get you started on your musical journey in Austin.
You can have it all at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, where you can eat authentic Texas fare and hear authentic Texas jams. This place has historic appeal and modern relevance, plus some magical comfort foods.
The Saxon Pub is the place to catch a show and maybe even see a celebrity either playing on stage or in the audience. It’s a great spot to take in Austin’s world-class music scene and a not-to-be-missed thing to do in Austin, especially on a weekend.
Check out The White Horse for your dose of country, bluegrass, cajun, and other soulful Southern styles. If you want to hone your honky-tonk skills, come early for dance lessons on weekday nights.
Visit the Museum of the Weird
Another must-see on your trip to Austin is the Museum of the Weird, which was formerly known as Sfanthor’s Chamber of Horrors. This museum features a movie monster wax museum, mermaids, shrunken heads, and other oddities in their cabinet of curiosities.
Check out the Zilker Botanical Garden
The Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin is endearingly inexpensive (between $1.00 and $3.00 for entry) and nostalgically charming. An array of themed gardens will keep everyone busy for at least an afternoon.
Go to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is a neat alternative to your typical botanical garden experience. Every plant you’ll encounter here is a native Texan, and plays an important role in the ecological projects underway at LJWC. You can feel good about every dollar you spend at this place because it goes toward research, conservation, and educational programs. You can take a stroll, take a hike, and take some beautiful photos while learning lots along the way.
Head to South Congress
Reluctantly known as SoCo, the South Congress neighbourhood is home to various antique shops, local-fare eateries, and vintage clothing stores. It’s a place made for strolling – with lots of original boutiques and shops to draw foot traffic.
SoCo’s many galleries and museums house the historic and homespun action needed to satisfy the interested tourist. These are a must-see if you’re spending some time in Austin. Antique lovers shouldn’t miss a chance to enjoy a curated nostalgic experience that is entirely for sale at Uncommon Objects antique store.
SoCo also features a highly-Instagrammable vista view of the city where you can get a quality fam-jam photo shoot. Bonus: impress your weirdest sibling with the world’s largest urban bat colony – living right under the Congress Avenue bridge!
Best Places to Eat in Austin
Foodies, rejoice! Soul food meets hipster cool here in Austin and there is plenty of food here to please any palate (and please your Instagram followers). On your trip, don’t miss your chance to grab some real Southern comfort food. Try some legit Tex-Mex and sample some of Austin’s famous sweet cream cold desserts. Here are just some of the top spots to eat in Austin.
Franklin Barbecue
One of the top eateries in Austin is Franklin Barbecue, hands-down. It’s an iconic restaurant known not only for their mouth-watering Texas BBQ, but for the long lineup (at least a few hours most days!). As much as everyone says so, it’s truly worth the wait. Grab a few tallboys and chat with your newfound travelling friends whilst you wait in line for some of the best BBQ in the world.
Try Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos has a stellar reputation among locals and travellers alike. Surprisingly, Torchy’s is also suitable for brunch due to their extensive selection of breakfast tacos. Thankfully you don’t need to wake up early, you can order breakfast tacos all day long.
Grab a slice of New York in Austin
Home Slice Pizza is the uncontested home of the best slice in Austin. So good, in fact, that you may as well go for the whole pie. Bring friends to help you through one of their famously large New-York Style pizza pies (18 inches!).
Get dessert at Amy’s Ice Cream
Grab a cone at Amy’s Ice Cream, a famous local iced creamery with 12 locations in Austin city. Open until 11 p.m., it’s a real nostalgic option for your trip. There are hundreds of flavours in rotation, including their famous Mexican Vanilla ice cream!
Best Places to Grab a Drink in Austin
What a great time to go out drinking in Austin. Unlike other cities, there are lots of unique places where you can drink your fill without the obscene bar tab.
The Brixton on East 6th
Tired of top 40 playlists? Head to The Brixton for cheap drinks and the best of 90s-2000s hip hop. They have a rooftop patio, which makes them the ideal destination on a hot Austin evening.
The Cat’s Pajamas on West 6th
An 80’s-themed spot with a playful vibe, this place even has swings at the bar! With their delicious Pina Coladas, the Cat’s Pajamas is better known for their beach drinks than anything Authentically Texan. You can get a sweet view of the city from their patio, so that has to count for something.
The Tiniest Bar in Texas (West 5th)
Yes. It’s actually called the Tiniest Bar in Texas and yes, it’s literally the tiniest in the State. It might even be the smallest bar you’ll visit, ever. TBIT is a popular tourist attraction and yet they don’t overcharge for drinks. How refreshing! Mercifully there is enough space on their outdoor patio.
Things to Do in Austin for Free
Rarely could you visit a city so vibrant and trendy and yet so affordable. If you’re literally trying to spend zero dollars, then you’ll be happy to hear that some of the best things to do in Austin are free. Here are just a few options.
Watch 1.5 million bats eat 20,000 lbs of bugs
Witness the largest known urban bat colony take flight when the SoCo bats leave from underneath the Congress Avenue bridge. Go to the top of the bridge on the east side for prime viewing as they take off. Is it super creepy or super cute? You decide!
Take pictures of Austin’s murals and graffiti
Surely you’ve seen the famous “I love you so much” on the side of Jo’s Coffee. Well now is your chance to see it in real life and feel the love! For more sweet graffiti action, check out Graffiti Park. Sadly the original, cooler graffiti park has been closed to make room for condos. The free canvas of street art now lives on at Castle Hill. You can even bring a spray can and make a contribution to the canvas.
Free the nip and take a dip at Hippie Hollow
Hippie Hollow is the only clothing-optional public park in Texas and features a beautiful rocky shoreline with a swimming area. There are nature and hiking trails as well as an ADA accessible trail. It’s free to enter but if you bring a vehicle you will have to pay for parking.
Yard Dog Art Gallery
Another free and fun thing to do in Austin is heading to the Yard Dog Art Gallery to see a collection of unique art from North American artists. You can see the entire collection for free, but don’t fall in love with anything – the pieces themselves cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Where to Stay in Austin
Budget travellers and hostel-goers will love Drifter Jack’s Hostel in Austin. It’s one of the top guesthouses in the city. Guests rave about the funky design, chill vibes and friendly staff. This Austin hostel also hosts lots of activities, making it an ideal stay if you’re a solo traveller. You’ll never want to leave!
For a mid-range option check out the Hilton on East 4th. They offer a convenient downtown location, ideal for SXSW goers. Bring your bathing suit because this one offers a 48-foot saline pool.
For a luxury experience in Austin, you can visit the Driskill on Brazos St. This landmark hotel in Austin has been around since 1886 and holds a lot of history. Experience the nightlife nearby on 6th Street and then come home to a traditional Texan vibe with rich rustic furniture and some true Southern hospitality. For more Austin hotels deals and places to stay, use our search engine below to find the best deal on your perfect hotel for your Austin vacation.
Plan Your Austin Vacation
A clean and friendly place with plenty to do, Austin, Texas is great for solo travel, couples, and families. Click here to book your trip to Austin today using Skyscanner’s search tools. Find information and deals on hotel bookings, rentals and more.
Published July 2019. Prices correct at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
