Austin, Texas has a reputation for nightlife, live music, and incredible food — and it earns every bit of it. But if you ask a local what they actually love doing here, the answer usually goes well beyond 6th Street. Austin is an outdoor city, a food city, a weird city, and an increasingly world-class travel destination with more to offer than most visitors realize.
Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend, planning a group trip, or just looking for something new to do as a local, this guide covers 16 of the best things to do in Austin — including the two outdoor activities that have quietly become the most talked-about experiences in the city.
1. Float the San Marcos River with Roamer Tours
If there’s one thing Austin locals consistently recommend to out-of-town guests, it’s this: get on the water. And the best way to do that is a guided river tubing trip on the San Marcos River with Roamer Tours.
The San Marcos River sits about 25 miles south of downtown Austin and runs on spring-fed water from the Edwards Aquifer — meaning it stays a refreshing 72°F year-round, no matter how brutal the Austin summer gets. The float takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours, the scenery is stunning, and the whole experience is as laid-back or as festive as your group wants it to be.
What makes Roamer Tours stand out is the all-inclusive setup: round-trip transportation from Austin, tubes, coolers, ice, and a dedicated float host who takes photos and keeps the energy high. It’s the rare Austin activity that requires absolutely zero planning on your end — just show up to Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden and enjoy the ride.
With a 4.99-star rating from over 900 reviews and more than 10,000 guests hosted, Roamer Tours has earned its place as one of Austin’s top-rated experiences — not just for tubing, but for any activity in the city.
Best for: Groups, bachelorette parties, birthday trips, corporate outings, and anyone who wants a uniquely Austin outdoor experience.
Duration: ~4–5 hours total
Pickup: Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden, Austin
Book: roamer.tours/our-tours | Google Reviews | TripAdvisor
2. Kayak or Paddleboard with Boats and Bats
For one of the most magical experiences Austin has to offer, book a guided kayak or paddleboard tour on Lady Bird Lake with Boats and Bats. Founded by Aaron Bell — a guide who has hosted tours since 2011 and explored more than 60 countries — Boats and Bats offers several tour options that combine Austin’s stunning downtown skyline with one of its most iconic natural wonders.
The signature tour is the Sunset Kayak with 1.5 Million Bats: you paddle out onto Lady Bird Lake at dusk and watch from the water as over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in one massive, swirling column. It’s a spectacle unlike anything else in Texas — and seeing it from a kayak on the lake, rather than from the bridge above, is the way to experience it.
Other tours include giant paddleboard bat viewing, a glow paddleboard tour along the downtown skyline, daytime paddleboard tours of the lake, and a tubing option in Austin’s spring water. With 4,000+ five-star reviews and over 10,000 tours hosted, Boats and Bats is one of the most beloved outdoor tour operators in Austin.
Best for: Couples, families, first-time visitors, anyone who wants a show-stopping Austin memory.
Standout tour: Sunset Kayak with 1.5 Million Bats
Guide: Aaron Bell and team
Book: boatsandbats.com | Google Reviews | Airbnb Experiences
3. Eat at Franklin Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue is arguably the most famous BBQ restaurant in the world, and it’s right here in Austin. Chef Aaron Franklin’s brisket has a cult following, and the lines — which often start forming before 8 AM — are part of the experience. Go on a weekday, bring a cooler with drinks, and make a morning of it. The food is worth every minute of the wait.
Best for: BBQ lovers, foodie travelers, anyone who wants to try the most talked-about brisket in America.
Pro tip: Arrive by 9 AM on weekdays. Franklin sells out daily, usually by early afternoon.
Website: franklinbbq.com | Google Maps & Reviews
4. Swim at Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre natural swimming hole fed by underground springs in the heart of Zilker Park. The water stays around 68–70°F year-round, making it the perfect escape from the Austin heat. Locals have been swimming here for over a century, and it remains one of the most beloved spots in the entire city.
Best for: Families, solo travelers, anyone who wants a quintessential Austin outdoor experience.
Good to know: There’s a small admission fee. The pool is open daily except Thursday mornings for cleaning.
Website: austintexas.gov (Barton Springs Pool) | Google Maps & Reviews
5. Explore South Congress Avenue (SoCo)
South Congress Avenue — known locally as SoCo — is Austin’s most iconic shopping and dining street. It’s lined with vintage boutiques, local restaurants, food trucks, and the kind of only-in-Austin shops that make the city feel genuinely eccentric. The stretch between Oltorf and Monroe is walkable and endlessly browsable. Grab breakfast at Hoover’s Cooking or a slice at Home Slice Pizza and wander from there.
Best for: Shopping, people-watching, finding Austin souvenirs that aren’t from an airport gift shop.
Explore: South Congress Ave on Google Maps
6. Catch a Show on Sixth Street or in the Warehouse District
Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World” for a reason. On any given night — including weeknights — there are dozens of live music shows happening across the city. Sixth Street is the most famous strip, but the Warehouse District (around West 4th and 5th) tends to draw a slightly older crowd and more varied genres. Red River Cultural District is another must for indie, punk, and country acts.
Best for: Music lovers of every genre.
Pro tip: Most venues on 6th Street have free or cheap covers. You can bar-hop and catch multiple sets in a single night.
Explore: Austin Live Music Guide | 6th Street on Google Maps
7. Visit the Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol building in downtown Austin is one of the most impressive state capitol buildings in the country — it’s actually taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Free guided tours run daily, and the surrounding grounds are beautiful for a walk.
Best for: History buffs, first-time Austin visitors, families.
Admission: Free.
Website: Texas State Preservation Board | Google Maps & Reviews
8. Kayak or Paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake (Self-Guided)
Lady Bird Lake is a reservoir on the Colorado River that runs right through the heart of Austin. Several outfitters offer kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals directly from the lake’s banks. It’s a genuinely beautiful way to see Austin’s skyline from the water — and if you want a guided experience with a bat show included, check out Boats and Bats above.
Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, couples, anyone who wants a scenic workout.
Rental options: Rowing Dock | Lady Bird Lake on Google Maps
9. Breakfast Tacos and Brunch
Austin’s breakfast and brunch scene is exceptional. Torchy’s Tacos, which started as a single Austin food truck, has grown into a beloved local chain and still makes some of the best breakfast tacos in the state. South Congress Café is a local institution for Tex-Mex breakfast with bottomless mimosas.
Best for: Anyone visiting Austin for the food scene — which should be everyone.
Pro tip: Austin breakfast tacos are a religion. Don’t leave without trying at least two spots.
Torchy’s: Google Maps & Reviews | South Congress Café: Google Maps & Reviews
10. Walk or Bike the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail
The 10-mile trail around Lady Bird Lake is one of the best urban trails in the United States. It’s flat, well-maintained, and offers sweeping views of downtown Austin. You can walk, run, or rent a bike from one of the B-Cycle stations along the route.
Best for: Active travelers, joggers, cyclists, and anyone who wants to see Austin from a different angle.
Admission: Free.
Website: austintexas.gov (Trail Info) | Google Maps
11. Day Trip to Wimberley or Fredericksburg
Austin is perfectly situated for Texas Hill Country day trips. Wimberley (about 40 minutes southwest) has artisan shops, Blue Hole Regional Park, and one of the best farmers’ markets in Central Texas. Fredericksburg (about 90 minutes west) is the heart of Texas wine country, with dozens of wineries and world-class peach season in summer.
Best for: Travelers with a rental car who want to see beyond the city limits.
Wimberley: Google Maps | Fredericksburg: Google Maps
12. Visit Zilker Park and the Botanical Garden
Zilker Park is Austin’s crown jewel of public green space — 358 acres along the south shore of Lady Bird Lake. The Zilker Botanical Garden is a hidden gem, especially in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Best for: Families, picnics, and outdoor lovers.
Admission: Park is free; Botanical Garden has a small fee.
Website: austinbotanicalgarden.org | Google Maps & Reviews
13. Take a Brewery or Distillery Tour
Austin has a world-class craft beverage scene. Jester King Brewery in the Hill Country is one of the most acclaimed farmhouse breweries in the U.S. Zilker Brewing Co. and Meanwhile Brewing are excellent within the city. On the spirits side, Treaty Oak Distilling in Dripping Springs offers outstanding tours and tastings.
Best for: Craft beer and spirits enthusiasts, groups looking for a relaxed afternoon activity.
Jester King: Google Maps & Reviews | Treaty Oak: Google Maps & Reviews
14. Two-Step at the White Horse or Broken Spoke
If you’ve never two-stepped, Austin is the place to learn. The White Horse on East 6th Street offers free two-step lessons early in the evening and books excellent local country and americana acts. The Broken Spoke on South Lamar is Austin’s most legendary dancehall, open since 1964 and a true Texas institution.
Best for: Groups, couples, anyone who wants the real Austin country music experience.
The White Horse: Google Maps & Reviews | Broken Spoke: Google Maps & Reviews
15. Visit the Blanton Museum of Art
The Blanton Museum of Art on the UT Austin campus holds one of the largest art collections in the American South — over 21,000 works. The permanent collection is free on Sundays, and the outdoor installation “Ellsworth Kelly Austin” is a stunning standalone building worth visiting on its own.
Best for: Art lovers, museum-goers, anyone looking for a quieter cultural experience.
Admission: Paid most days; free on Sundays.
Website: blantonmuseum.org | Google Maps & Reviews
16. Watch the Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Flight
Every evening from late March through early November, an estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge — the largest urban bat colony in North America. Watching from the bridge is free and impressive; watching from a kayak on Lady Bird Lake with Boats and Bats is unforgettable.
Best for: Families, first-time visitors, anyone who wants a truly one-of-a-kind Austin memory.
Admission: Free (bridge viewing).
Season: Late March through early November.
Location: Congress Avenue Bridge on Google Maps | Bat Conservation International (learn more)
Tips for Planning Your Austin Trip
Best time to visit Austin
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities. Summer is hot — regularly above 100°F — but it’s also peak season for river tubing, live music festivals, and outdoor events. Winter is mild compared to most of the U.S., and Austin stays lively year-round.
Getting around Austin
Austin is a car-friendly city and most visitors rent a car or rely on rideshares (Uber and Lyft are widely available). Downtown, SoCo, and East Austin are walkable or easily bikeable. If you’re planning a river tubing trip with Roamer Tours or a kayak tour with Boats and Bats, no car is needed — transportation is included or the meetup is centrally located.
How many days do you need in Austin?
Three to four days is enough for a solid Austin trip — one day for outdoor activities (river tubing or bat kayak tour), one day for food and music, one day for neighborhoods and day trips. A full week gives you time to genuinely explore. Austin rewards slow travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Austin
What is Austin, Texas most known for?
Austin is most known for live music (it calls itself the “Live Music Capital of the World”), exceptional BBQ, a vibrant outdoor culture, the University of Texas, and a tech industry that has made it one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. It’s also famous for being, as locals say, “weird” — meaning it has a strong culture of independent businesses, artistic expression, and community identity.
What is the #1 thing to do in Austin?
It depends on what you’re looking for — but if you’re visiting Austin in spring, summer, or fall, floating the San Marcos River with Roamer Tours or watching the bat flight from a kayak with Boats and Bats are consistently among the highest-rated experiences in the city.
Is Austin good for a group trip?
Austin is excellent for group trips. The city has a strong infrastructure for group activities — from guided river tubing and kayak bat tours to live music venues and private dining experiences. Roamer Tours and Boats and Bats are both purpose-built for groups and have hosted thousands of bachelorette parties, birthday groups, and corporate outings.
What should I not miss on a first visit to Austin?
On a first visit, don’t miss: Franklin Barbecue (arrive early), a live music show on 6th Street or in the Warehouse District, a river tubing trip or bat kayak tour, and at least one meal on South Congress. Those four experiences will give you a genuine sense of what Austin is about.
How far is the San Marcos River from Austin?
The San Marcos River is approximately 25 miles south of downtown Austin — about a 25-minute drive. Roamer Tours provides round-trip transportation from a central Austin meetup point, so you don’t need a car to make the trip.
Make the Most of Your Austin Trip
Austin has a way of surprising people. Visitors come expecting live music and BBQ — and they get both — but they leave talking about the river, the bats rising from the lake at sunset, the neighborhoods, and the feeling that the city is somehow both big and intimate at the same time.
Whatever brings you to Austin, make sure you get outside. The San Marcos River is 25 miles away, Barton Springs is 10 minutes from downtown, Lady Bird Lake is right in the heart of the city, and the Hill Country starts right at the city’s edge. Austin’s best experiences are the ones that get you off the tourist trail and into the city’s actual rhythm.
Ready to book? Start with these two experiences that Austin visitors rave about most:
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