Best things to do in Austin, Texas
The top 3 according to 2,255 votes from people: Barton Springs Pool · Texas State Capitol · Lady Bird Lake. (Updated Dec 8, 2022.)
Live music, swimming holes, Tex-Mex and bats: the Austin favourites recommended by Visit Austin, locals and TripAdvisor.
Top 10
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1
Barton Springs Pool
Spring-fed pool in Zilker Park that stays around 68–70°F all year.
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2
Texas State Capitol
Pink granite capitol, taller than the US Capitol, with free tours.
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3
Lady Bird Lake
River lake downtown for paddleboarding, kayaking and the hike-and-bike trail.
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4
Sixth Street and Red River
Live music bars in the 'Live Music Capital of the World'.
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5
Congress Avenue Bridge bats
Around 1.5 million bats emerge at dusk from spring to autumn.
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6
Rainey Street
Bungalows turned bars and food trucks.
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7
South Congress Avenue
Quirky shops, the 'I love you so much' mural and the Continental Club.
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8
Zilker Park
350-acre park, home of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
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9
Franklin Barbecue
Famous brisket with queues that start before opening.
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10
Mount Bonnell
Hilltop viewpoint over Lake Austin and the Hill Country.
Candidates
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11
Bullock Texas State History Museum
The story of Texas near the Capitol.
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12
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Collapsed grotto with a waterfall, west of the city.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (28)
The bats under Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset, unforgettable.
Great list for a first visit.
Franklin's line in summer starting at 7am... bring a chair and a cooler.
Or order ahead for pickup, less romantic but no 4 hour wait.
Paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake at sunrise, best way to see downtown.
Zilker Park during ACL weekend is chaos but so much fun.
South Congress for vintage shopping and the 'I love you so much' wall.
Kayaking under the bats is a whole experience.
Franklin Barbecue is worth the wait, get there at 8am with a chair and beers.
Breakfast tacos everywhere, Veracruz All Natural is the one.
Austin has changed so much in 10 years, still love it though.
Add Lake Travis for a boat day if you have time.
Don't skip the Blanton Museum, the Ellsworth Kelly chapel is beautiful.
Austin in August is brutal, Barton Springs is the only way to survive.
Mount Bonnell is like 100 steps, totally doable even in summer heat.
Keep Austin weird 🤘
Red River for live music, Sixth Street for bachelorette parties lol
Accurate. Stubb's and the Mohawk on Red River are the real deal.
Texas Capitol free tour, it's taller than the US Capitol and they'll remind you 😄
Classic Texas, everything bigger 😂
Hamilton Pool was closed when we went because of bacteria levels, check before you drive out.
The Bullock Museum is a great rainy day option, really well done.
Mount Bonnell at sunset, short climb, great view.
Watching the bats fly out from the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset, so unique 🦇
Barton Springs is 68°F all year, best swim in Texas.
Rainey Street bungalows turned into bars is such an Austin thing.
Sixth Street is fun but Rainey Street is where it's at.
Hamilton Pool needs a reservation now, plan ahead.