Things to Do in Austin

Experiencing Austin's famous live music scene is undoubtedly among the top things to do. Venues like the legendary Continental Club on South Congress or The Mohawk downtown have been integral to the city’s music culture, nurturing scores of talented bands over decades while attracting genre eclectic crowds nightly. Elbow up to their retro bar counters or find a table on their compact floors to catch rising indie rock, blues, and country talent, bringing the house down with raw, intimate shows. Visitors get transported by the palpable creative energy in these iconic spaces that provide a window into why music indisputably courses through Austin’s veins, making it every music lover’s paradise worth experiencing on a trip here.

With a slogan like “Live Music Capital of the World,” it’s no surprise that Austin hosts significant music festivals that all music lovers should attend. The two-week SXSW music and media festival held each March turns Austin into one massive music showcase, with 2,000+ performers playing at venues citywide alongside pop-up musical events on every street. Music fans will discover talented emerging musicians across all genres while catching arena shows from significant headliners. While downtown is SXSW central, East Austin offers an edgier vibe. Another world-famous music festival held over two October weekends in Zilker Park is Austin City Limits. The lineup spans indie darlings, legends like George Strait, international sensations like Swedish House Mafia, and rap stars like Lil Nas X. 

The 60-ton Cathedral of Junk is one-of-a-kind folk art made from reused junk covering house artist Vince Hannemann's backyard. Exploring this Austin icon allows an utterly unique experience: climbing towers, tunnels, and layers of random secondhand objects arranged into an immersive maze. Hannemann began accumulating spare junk in 1988, nailing objects together for stability and adding new pieces. With a grant in 2010, Vince could fully realize his vision. Now, the Cathedral of Junk is open for all to play upon, epitomizing the “Keep Austin Weird” motto with interactive art made from reused materials. Visitors marvel at the cathedral's intricate architecture, discovering new treasures with every turn, making it a must-see destination for those seeking unconventional art experiences in Austin.

Ringed by lush Zilker Park and the funky bars of Rainey Street, Lady Bird Lake offers many funniest things to do in Austin, Texas, like over 10 miles of hiking, biking, and paddling trails right downtown. Outdoor enthusiasts can rent kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards and spend hours gliding by skyline views of the city. Or walk the scenic hike and bike loop trail to access spots like Lou Neff Point with its epic downtown panoramas. Nearby Barton Creek Greenbelt also has over 7 miles of creekside trails leading to swimming holes that cool off overheated hikers. With the year-round sunshine and green space surrounding the sparkling waters, Austinites love exercising and relaxing alongside Lady Bird Lake.

Widely renowned as having one of the nation's most prominent university art museums, the Blanton Museum's impressive permanent collection at the University of Texas spans European masterworks to modern Latin American art and contemporary American pieces. Within the Blanton’s light-filled and welcoming space, visitors can explore over 18,000 artistic and culturally significant works, admire special exhibitions—like the contemporary show Relational Diachronic from artist Sara Rahbar or the upcoming Speaking of Fashion showcasing sartorial stories through masterpieces and photography—take a guided tour, grab a bite at the cafe and museum store, or relax outdoors at the museum’s gardens and grounds overlooking downtown Austin City skyline views. 

In Franklin Barbecue, carnivorous travelers looking to sample the tastiest brisket, ribs, and smoky BBQ treats in Austin City flock to each day. Located in a rustic East Austin spot, be prepared to arrive early and wait patiently in the famously long lines snaking around the block for the privilege of sampling Aaron Franklin’s life-changing smoked brisket, pork ribs, house-made pickles, irresistible baked beans, creamy potato salad, and banana pudding. Franklin Barbecue first caught the attention of Austin locals, then Texas food media mavens, before attracting visits from celebrity barbecue aficionados like Anthony Bourdain, Rick Bayless, and former president Barack Obama. Trying the pull-apart tender and delicately smoky meats and signature sides at Franklin Barbecue is one of those not-to-be-missed quintessential Austin to do things.

When the sun sets in Austin City, the eclectic and legendary 6th Street comes alive with festivity. Known as the entertainment district located in downtown Austin, the area’s 30+ lively bars and clubs offer something for all partygoers. There are booming dance clubs spinning hip hop, house music, and Latin/Reggaeton beats, rocking live music venues, casual pubs with craft brews on tap, flashy piano bars keeping it classy, steamy jazz lounges invoking vintage Vegas vibes, and multi-level super clubs hosting DJs into the wee hours. Festival-like vibes pulse down the street as visitors take in street performers, live DJ booths pop up in vacant lots, neon-lit pedicabs cruise by in search of new friends, and all manner of rowdy tourists and energetic locals mingling outside colorful and iconic clubs along 6th Street ready to dance off some steam. 

With Austin City's longstanding Tex-Mex influences combined with its recent artisan food boom, visitors will find countless funky and delicious local taco joints and food trucks to sample a local favorite: warm handmade corn or flour tortillas stuffed with savory meats like chili-rubbed brisket, citrus-marinated chicken or classic breakfast tacos with peppery chorizo, fluffy egg, and melted cheese. Pair those tacos with some of Austin's signature local craft breweries like Austin Beerworks, who offer crisp pilsners, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co's Belma's Big Tusk hazy IPA, or one of Zilker Brewing Co’s rotating seasonal options. With endless tasty tacos and delicious local brew combinations available everywhere from buzzy South Congress to East 6th hole-in-the-walls to indie food truck parks, enjoying Tex-Mex tacos with local beer is undoubtedly a beloved iconic thing to do for visitors and locals in the creative, funky, and community-driven Austin City.