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Austin, TX — Staycation Inspiration
10 Things To Do In Town
- Lady Bird Lake Trail + Paddleboard
- Vibe: Active and scenic
- Description: Walk, run, or paddleboard right through the heart of Austin with skyline and nature views.
- Special Events: Moonlight paddle sessions
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- South Congress (SoCo) Stroll
- Vibe: Trendy and eclectic
- Description: Shop indie boutiques, grab tacos or coffee, and snap a pic at “I Love You So Much.”
- Special Events: First Thursdays live music + street parties
- Best Time: Weekends, year-round
- Live Music Night on Red River or East 6th
- Vibe: Loud and legendary
- Description: See a band at Mohawk, Empire Garage, or a dive bar with serious soul.
- Special Events: SXSW (March), Austin City Limits (Oct)
- Best Time: Fall and spring nights
- Zilker Park + Barton Springs
- Vibe: Chill and outdoorsy
- Description: Lounge on the lawn, then cool off in Austin’s iconic spring-fed swimming hole.
- Special Events: Blues on the Green, Zilker Kite Festival
- Best Time: Spring through early fall
- Texas State Capitol Tour
- Vibe: Historic and powerful
- Description: Take a free guided tour through one of the most impressive capitol buildings in the U.S.
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Weekdays, year-round
- Food Truck Crawl
- Vibe: Delicious and casual
- Description: Eat your way through tacos, barbecue, vegan donuts, and more — no reservation required.
- Special Events: Trucklandia Fest (fall)
- Best Time: Year-round
- Blanton Museum of Art + UT Campus Stroll
- Vibe: Smart and stylish
- Description: Explore cutting-edge exhibitions, then roam the tree-lined University of Texas campus.
- Special Events: SoundSpace performance series
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Mount Bonnell Sunset
- Vibe: Romantic and panoramic
- Description: Climb a short staircase for incredible views of the Colorado River and hills.
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Sunset, year-round
- Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
- Vibe: Quirky and crowd-pleasing
- Description: Watch 1.5 million bats emerge from under the bridge at dusk — Austin’s unofficial mascot moment.
- Special Events: Bat Fest (August)
- Best Time: March through October
- Rainey Street Backyard Bar Crawl
- Vibe: Laid-back and buzzy
- Description: Hop between bungalow bars with patios, cocktails, and late-night snacks.
- Special Events: Holiday light-ups and themed parties
- Best Time: Evenings, year-round
10 Things To Do Within 30 Miles
- Lake Travis + Devil’s Cove
- Vibe: Splashy and social
- Description: Rent a boat, swim, or just float and soak up the sun.
- Special Events: Fourth of July boat parades
- Best Time: Late spring through early fall
- Hamilton Pool Preserve
- Vibe: Otherworldly and refreshing
- Description: Swim under a natural waterfall in a collapsed grotto — reservations required!
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Spring and early summer
- Dripping Springs Wine + Spirits Trail
- Vibe: Boozy and scenic
- Description: Visit Hill Country wineries, distilleries, and breweries just 25 minutes away.
- Special Events: Passport wine events
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- McKinney Falls State Park
- Vibe: Nature-focused and chill
- Description: Hike through rocky trails, swim in natural pools, or picnic riverside.
- Special Events: Night hikes and stargazing
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- The Domain Shopping + Food Night
- Vibe: Modern and polished
- Description: Spend a night upscale shopping, dining, or bar hopping in this live/work/play zone.
- Special Events: Domain NORTHSIDE events
- Best Time: Evenings, year-round
- Circuit of the Americas Tour or Event
- Vibe: High-octane and epic
- Description: Catch a Formula 1 race, concert, or drive your own car on the famous track.
- Special Events: F1 Grand Prix, concerts
- Best Time: Fall
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Vibe: Beautiful and educational
- Description: Wander meadows filled with native Texas plants and sculptures.
- Special Events: Luminations (holiday lights), plant sales
- Best Time: Spring
- Sunset Paddle or Cruise on Lake Austin
- Vibe: Relaxed and reflective
- Description: Rent a kayak or hop on a tiki boat and glide past limestone cliffs.
- Special Events: Tiki boat parties
- Best Time: Summer evenings
- Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
- Vibe: Hidden gem
- Description: Take a guided tour into a limestone canyon and cave with a tropical feel.
- Special Events: Guided hikes only
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- Austin Salt Cave or Spa Day
- Vibe: Zen and restorative
- Description: Relax with halotherapy, massage, or sound baths in these growing wellness spots.
- Special Events: Sound healing sessions
- Best Time: Year-round
10 Things To Do Within 60 Miles
- Wimberley Day Trip
- Vibe: Small-town artsy
- Description: Browse galleries, swim at Blue Hole, and wander the Wimberley Market Days.
- Special Events: Market Days (first Saturdays), Wimberley Arts Fest
- Best Time: Spring through fall
- Fredericksburg Wine Country
- Vibe: Hill Country chic
- Description: Visit German-style bakeries and taste local wines with Hill Country views.
- Special Events: Oktoberfest, wine trails
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- Enchanted Rock Hike (near Llano)
- Vibe: Majestic and grounding
- Description: Climb a giant pink granite dome for panoramic views and ancient vibes.
- Special Events: Full moon hikes
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- New Braunfels + Gruene Hall
- Vibe: River town meets honky tonk
- Description: Float the river, then catch live music at Texas’s oldest dance hall.
- Special Events: Wurstfest (November)
- Best Time: Summer (river), fall (music + fest)
- San Marcos River Float
- Vibe: Easygoing and fun
- Description: Rent a tube and float crystal-clear spring water under sunny skies.
- Special Events: Float Fest (summer)
- Best Time: Summer
- Lockhart BBQ Road Trip
- Vibe: Meaty and legendary
- Description: Hit Kreuz, Black’s, or Smitty’s for some of Texas’s most iconic BBQ.
- Special Events: BBQ festivals
- Best Time: Anytime you’re hungry
- Bastrop State Park
- Vibe: Quiet and outdoorsy
- Description: Camp, bike, or hike piney woods just 40 minutes away.
- Special Events: Night hikes and wildlife weekends
- Best Time: Fall
- Georgetown Blue Hole + Square
- Vibe: Chill and charming
- Description: Swim near downtown, then shop or dine on the town square.
- Special Events: Red Poppy Festival (April)
- Best Time: Spring and summer
- Pedernales Falls State Park
- Vibe: Rugged and serene
- Description: Hike to waterfalls and limestone riverbeds in Texas Hill Country.
- Special Events: Stargazing events
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- Marble Falls Day Trip
- Vibe: Underrated and lovely
- Description: Check out local wine, lake views, and pie at the famous Blue Bonnet Café.
- Special Events: Wildflower season (April), Walkway of Lights (Dec)
- Best Time: Spring or holidays
