Fun Outdoorsy Things To Do in Austin, Texas + Itinerary

After years and years of listening to about how nice Austin, Texas, was, I lastly bought an opportunity to go to within the spring of 2026. Living in Denver, it was a fast flight down south. With 4 days free, I bought an opportunity to sort out my lengthy record of issues to do in Austin.

From mountain climbing to paddleboarding to ziplining to barbecue, I used to be blown away not solely by Austin’s ambiance but in addition by the straightforward entry to nature, hiking, and the outside.

Inside, we’ll dive into what I discovered to be the highest out of doors issues to do in Austin throughout my journey, and a fast itinerary on the finish.

What I Found To Be the Top Things To Do in Austin From My Trip

Buckle up! You’re in for a experience with among the greatest issues to do in Austin, Texas!

1. Westcave Discovery Center grotto tour

The West Cave Discovery Center was the stunning spotlight of my journey to Texas.

This was candy, and also you would not have any thought it exists. To entry the Grotto, you must e-book a tour ($20 for adults), which lasts two hours. The hike is a comparatively brief one, possibly 1 mile every means, with a little bit of elevation achieve.

Once you get down, the realm is reworked. It’s inexperienced and plush, with towering bushes above. You can stroll below and overhang to get a greater have a look at the small waterfall, together with the distinctive rock formations. Then, there is a cave you’ll be able to go into.

I ended up with a personal tour due to cancellations, so I bought to ask all of the questions that popped into my head. My information was wonderful and made for a enjoyable afternoon. Truly a beautiful place to spend a few hours.

2. Pedernales Falls State Park

The waterfalls portion of the state park was very nice. The mountain climbing round Texas Hill Country was a bit underwhelming. I hiked about 1.75 miles on the Wolf Mountain Trail and determined to flip round. The path felt like strolling on a dust street, and the views had been meh.

But as soon as I headed over to the falls space, it was much better. Even although the drought meant there wasn’t any operating water from above (and no falls), the spring under was gushing.

This is the realm of the park that I extremely suggest visiting!

3. Lady Bird Lake sundown bat flight kayak tour

This combines so many enjoyable issues into one tour!

Each night time, from March by means of October, bats take off from under the Congress Bridge because the solar dips under the horizon. Watching it from kayaks on Lady Bird Lake is likely one of the coolest issues to do in Austin.

What to anticipate:

• • Get into your kayaks and paddle for 15-20 minutes in the direction of Congress Bridge

• • Learn concerning the historical past of Austin and the bats

• • Watch the bats begin to fly because the sunsets

• • See the buildings alongside Lady Bird Lake gentle up

• • Paddle again because it’s getting darkish

The tour lasts around two hours. As the sunsets get later and later into the summer time, the tour will finish later within the day. For me, it ended round 8:15pm. I had a bit bother discovering locations to get meals round 9pm, so pack a dinner to be protected!

As for the issue of kayaking, it is fairly simple. I’d estimate you paddle a mile to a mile and a half. But it additionally depends upon which firm you go together with. Some will go additional than others.

4. Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area

I’ll be trustworthy, I solely knew about this place as a result of I unintentionally clicked on Google Maps, and it occurred to be on this space. It’s about 45 minutes or so from downtown Austin, so it is a bit far, but it surely’s among the finest locations to see Bluebonnets within the space.

It isn’t a big space, however they pack a punch and had been lovely to {photograph}. All you might want to do is drive to the top of the street, and you will see them.

• • These are inclined to bloom in March and April.

• • Entrance charges had been $5 per automobile.

5. Exploring Rainey Street

Bars. Breweries. Restaurants. Rainey Street was a blast – and I used to be solely there for a few hours within the afternoon. I’m positive it will get much more electrical at night time!

The space was once residential, however over time, the homes had been transformed into bars and eating places. Now, it is one of many must-visit locations in Austin!

6. Hamilton pool

This spot had a lot potential, however sadly for me as a photographer, it was one thing of a bust because of pure forces past my management. But for anybody else planning to hang around at a pure pool and take in the solar, you may have a good time.

It prices $12 to make a reservation (required) after which $8 per particular person after that. They need you to carry money, however they do have a bank card machine.

The path is brief, however steepish for 1 / 4 mile or so. Otherwise, it is flat.

Now to why I used to be bummed out. Normally, there’s first rate water circulation, making for cool waterfall images. Additionally, you are normally allowed to stroll below the overhang to get some cool photographs. Unfortunately, that path is closed because of falling rocks.

I ended up staying for about 5 minutes earlier than going dwelling as a result of I did not carry a washing go well with.

7. Hiking Barton Creek Trail

Just exterior of downtown Austin, the Barton Creek Trail is a pleasant option to stretch your legs and get miles below your belt. Typically, there’s water operating alongside the path with good waterfalls. Unfortunately, it hadn’t rained in months, so the creek was dry and the couple of smaller swimming pools had been very low.

Still, I did over three miles proper after arriving and bought to see an area favourite!

8. Taking a tour of the Texas state capitol

The Texas State Capitol is taller than the US Capitol, for perspective. It’s one helluva constructing, and the tour does a fast run by means of Texas historical past and exhibits off the State Senate and State House Chambers.

Tours are free, run each 15-20 minutes, and final about 45 minutes. All you might want to do is stroll inside and wait till a tour begins. There’s additionally a handful of statues and monuments on the grounds out entrance which can be fascinating and worthwhile.

Use this parking garage for free parking

9. Feasting on Texas BBQ

Oh man, there’s nothing like Texas BBQ! Anytime I’m in Texas, I make it some extent to get barbecue a number of instances. This journey was not any completely different.

I did my time and waited in line like everybody else for Franklin Barbeque. Some folks wait 2-3 hours. I solely did 90 minutes. Now, I’ll be trustworthy, it was extremely tasty.

But was it any extra tasty than one other BBQ spot round city? I can not say for sure.

Still, the brisket at each locations I went to melted in my mouth. It was extremely scrumptious, and I miss it!

10. Going ziplining at Lake Travis

What a enjoyable day! I’ve accomplished some nice ziplining in Costa Rica and Rwanda, however I’ve by no means flown over a lake earlier than. So that was distinctive. They say that is the fastest and longest zipline in Texas!

This was a 35-minute drive from Bee Cave (the place my Sonesta Hotel was).

After checking in, your group walks all the way down to the lake to board a ship. This will take you to the opposite facet, the place the ziplines are. From right here, you may gear up and do a brief uphill stroll to the primary of 5 ziplines.

Even although they promote it as 5 ziplines, it is actually simply three good ones. The first two are fairly meh and used as a warm-up. The final three are nice! Especially the final one, which is a double-barreled strategy, the place you’ll be able to race a big different or one other member of your group!

Overall, they are saying you may stroll 1-2 miles. I believe it was nearer to 1.2 miles – most of it uphill, however nothing too difficult when you’re an energetic particular person.

• • Costs: $155 per particular person (after tax), $129 earlier than

• • I like to recommend the earliest time, particularly for summers in Texas

• • You can use their dock to go swimming afterward

• • They can solely take money suggestions

Things To Do in and Around Austin That Look Fun, however I Didn’t Get To Do

These are a handful of issues I had hoped to do on my four-day journey to Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, I could not test every little thing off my wish-list. But that is why return journeys exist!

11. McKinney Falls State Park

Less than quarter-hour from the airport, I had hoped to swing by and see the waterfalls. It presents good mountain climbing with out having to drive too far out of town. If you want one thing to do earlier than or after your flight, it is a good spot to cease!

12. Wild Basin Nature Preserve

Want to get out and luxuriate in nature? Wild Basin Nature Preserve is your spot. It’s a hen haven, so these seeking to see birds and snap some images shall be stoked! Plus, it is solely 20 minutes from downtown.

13. Barton Springs Pool

I did technically go and see it. But I did not have time to get pleasure from it. It was packed to the rim with folks, having fun with the mid-80s climate on a Friday afternoon. It’s a fairly wonderful place to have accessible. I’m positive if I lived right here, I’d go to a bunch.

It’s $9 for a non-resident to visit.

14. Zilker Botanical Gardens

Near the Barton Spring Pool, this space seems to be pretty and is a pleasant place to get pleasure from a sunny afternoon. This is nice for these in search of a quieter day, however nonetheless wish to get out and about.

15. Walk across the University of Texas-Austin

If you get pleasure from seeing school campuses, it may be value an hour or two to take a look at UT-Austin. I’ve heard it is a beautiful campus, and it is a soccer powerhouse within the SEC.

Where To Stay in and Around Austin

My itinerary took me out to Bee Cave, so I stayed on the implausible Sonesta Bee Cave Hotel. It was just lately renovated and was good for my solo journey. New rooms, an up to date pool space, plus a rooftop bar and restaurant meant you had laid-back luxurious all through the lodge.

If you wish to keep in Austin, listed here are a couple of recommendations that look nice and have you ever in a implausible location.

Budget Travel: Holiday Inn Austin -Town Lake by IHG
Mid Tier: Hampton Inn & Suites Austin Downtown
Luxury: Commodore Perry Estate

Quick Austin Itinerary To Help Plan Your Trip

Day 1 in Austin

• • Landed in Austin round midday

• • Hiked 3+ miles on the Barton Creek Trail

• • Sunset with Blue Bonnet flowers at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area

• • Dinner at Meridian 98 at Sonesta Hotel

Day 2 in Austin – mountain climbing and outdoor

• • Breakfast on the Hive at Sonesta Hotel

• • Drove 45 minutes to Pedernales Falls State Park – hiked round

• • Took a guided tour at West Cave Discovery Center (Easily among the finest issues to do in Austin)

• • Checked out close by Hamilton Pool

• • Dinner at Matt’s El Rancho

Day 3 in Austin – discover dtatx

• • Morning tour of the Texas State Capitol

• • Lunch at Franlin Barbeque

• • Sunset Kayak Tour on Lady Bird Lake

• • Food truck dinner downtown

Day 4 in Austin

Day 5 in Austin

• • Early AM flight again to Denver

Random Things To Keep in Mind When Visiting Austin, Texas

• Apparently, there are toll roads throughout. I by no means encountered one, however hold that in thoughts, particularly when you lease a automobile. Hertz supplied to have me pay $15 bucks per day to cowl tolls. Glad I did not try this.

• BBQ in Texas may be PRICEY! My meal at Franklin BBQ was over $35, and that was just for me. I truthfully did not even get that a lot. (You can skip the coleslaw, by the way in which.)

• The Austin airport is tremendous simple to navigate by means of (if not on a loopy, wild weekend)

• Avoid the I-35 between Austin and Kyle throughout rush hour. Construction makes it a car parking zone.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things To Do in Austin

I’m so glad I lastly bought the prospect to discover Austin. It’s far completely different than what I usually do, which is within the mountains, however this was an ideal switch-up. The metropolis is enjoyable, the vibes are immaculate, and I actually loved the out of doors actions and issues to do in Austin.

While the mountain climbing is not the epic glaciated peaks and alpine lakes I like, I discovered the paths to be peaceable and distinctive. And that is all you’ll be able to ask for whereas in nature.

So, as you intend a go to to the Lone Star State, I hope this mini-guide provides you some enjoyable concepts to make your journey memorable!

This first appeared on Explorewithalec.com