10 Things To Do in Austin Texas in the Summer
Austin, Texas has a well-deserved reputation for being an incredible city to visit. But what about that summer Texas heat? Is it still worth visiting Austin in August? I decided at 6 months pregnant I was going to go and find out for myself. My conclusion: Austin is an incredible place to visit year-round! There is SO much to do in and around Austin Texas and even on the toasty weeknights, the city is bustling with people and places to go. So if you’re thinking of visiting, go! And to help you start planning your vacation, here are 10 things To Do In Austin Texas.
What is Austin Known For?
Austin is the capital of Texas and has so much to offer. Austin is most known for its live music scene, beautiful parks and lakes, and incredible food. I spent 3 days in this beautiful city and felt like I barely scratched the surface. It also has a budding tech scene and is quickly becoming known as the next Silicon Valley. Think of it as Silicon Valley in cowboy boots.
How Hot is Austin in the Summer?
Like many places, Texas is getting hotter and hotter each year. So visiting Austin in August may not be the first thing you think of in terms of when to go. Summer days in Austin average temperatures in the 90’s with many days well over 100°. When I visited, the days were around 100° and the nights were a balmy 85°. But Texans have ways of beating the heat and learning to embrace those sunny days. Keep reading below for 10 Things To Do In Austin.
1.Barton Springs Pool
One of the best, and most iconic, ways to cool off in Austin is to head to Zilker Park’s 358 acres and take a dip in Barton Springs Pool. This “pool” is actually a natural spring that stays around 68-70 degrees year-round. The pool itself stretches for over 3 acres which makes it big enough to carve out your own space without feeling overcrowded even on the busiest of days. There is a diving board for some extra fun and surrounding grassy areas for picnics and lounging. It’s also home to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander and the educational exhibit Splash! It’s a great place for people of all ages and boasts both beautiful nature and downtown skyline views.
2. Visit the Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
Part hiking trail, part outdoor museum, the Laguna Gloria offers a peaceful escape from the city. The easy nature trail winds through wooded areas with views of the Colorado River. Along the trail, you’ll find giant modern sculptures to marvel at. The Laguna Gloria is also home to the Driscoll Villa which was built back in 1916 with a stunning Mediterranean theme. Connected to the museum, you’ll also find the Art School at the Contemporary and the quaint cafe Spread & Co. Even on a hot day, this one is worth a visit. Thursdays are free admission and the majority of the trails are covered in shade.
3. Mount Bonnell Hike
Located down the street from the Laguna Gloria, Mount Bonnell is considered the highest point around Austin and offers beautiful views of the Colorado River and the surrounding Hill Country. Only about 100 steps up, this easy incline comes with a big payoff at the top with its vistas. Take the dirt path around for even more 360° views. I use the term “hike” here loosely as it’s more of an overlook but it’s worth the trek. There is not much shade here so I definitely recommend coming at sunrise or sunset when temperatures have cooled off a bit.
4. Indulge in Some Texas BBQ
You can’t come to Texas without trying some of the famous BBQ. Texas BBQ is a way of life here and what makes it (arguably) the best, is that it’s smoked for hours on end and while other destinations may be famous for their different sauces, Texas BBQ is typically seasoned with just salt and pepper and is so juicy and tender that it just melts in your mouth. One of the most popular places in Austin for authentic BBQ is Franklin’s Barbecue known for its long lines and being worth the wait! If you’re looking to skip the lines and guarantee there will be barbecue left to enjoy, check out Terry Blacks BBQ. The vibe here is totally Texas and with it’s incredible choices of sides and cuts of meat you can’t go wrong!
5. Explore South Congress
South Congress is a historic neighborhood with plenty of modern flair. From shopping to restaurants, to live music, this is the place to be in Austin! If you’re looking for places to eat in South Congress, check out Perla’s for fine dining seafood and an ultra-hip patio. And if you’re wanting something more casual, head to Austin’s #1 pizza place Home Slice, or grab a burger at Hopdoddy. For dessert, stop at Jeni’s for some made-from-scratch ice cream.
SoCo is also known for its amazing shopping. There’s the retro candy store Big Top, the vintage bookstore South Congress books, and By George upscale clothing boutique. But my #1 regret from this trip…not visiting Allen’s Boots! With over 4,000 cowboy boots this is a country girl’s dream store. So don’t be like me, and make sure to make a stop. I guess it’s just another reason for me to go back.
6. Watch the Bats Take Flight From Congress Street Bridge
Austin is home to the world’s largest urban colony of bats and every night the Mexican Free-Tailed bats put on a spectacular show taking off from Congress Street Bridge. If you’re wondering where to watch the bats fly, there are a few different options. The most popular is along the Congress Street Bridge. It gets really crowded so be sure to arrive early. I chose to watch them from the Butler Hike and Bike Trail. The nice thing about this spot is that even though it was crowded, there is plenty of space to get a great view. You can also take a boat tour or rent a kayak or paddleboard to witness the bats from the water.
So you’re probably wondering, when do the bats fly out from under the bridge in Austin? Every night from mid-march to early November the bats take flight around sunset. It could be anytime between 7:30-9:45 depending on when you visit. Because this is such a popular thing to do in Austin, make sure wherever you are watching, to arrive early.
7. Listen to Live Music
Austin has been dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World” and it definitely lives up to the name. One of the best things about the music scene here in Austin is the variety of styles. The most famous venue in Austin for live music is The Continental Club. What began as a private supper club back in 1955 is now considered the granddaddy of live music venues. The venue features everything from rock, to country, to blues, and more.
My first stop in Austin was to the Elephant Room. This underground jazz bar has nightly music and swanky cocktails. My favorite thing about this bar is that it truly is all about the music. The tables in the front stage half of the room are considered “Listening tables” meaning you must keep conversation quiet and to a minimum. If you sit here, it’s to appreciate the show. The music here blew me away!
If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, head to the Armadillo Den. This giant outdoor 3-acre venue features nightly live music combined with outdoor games and food trucks. I loved this bar because there was something for everyone! The bar area and patio were a great place for people to hang out and watch tv. The lawn area was full of camping chairs and lawn games for a more relaxed vibe. The long picnic tables were a great place to watch the band and enjoy any of the 4 food trucks’ grub. They even offer axe throwing! This place felt more like a family gathering or holiday party than your average bar. If I lived in Austin, this would absolutely be my neighborhood hangout spot!
8. Take a Tour with AO Tours
AO Tours offers amazing guided bus tours throughout the city and beyond. While a lot of bus tours can seem stiff and boring, AO Tours really focuses on having guides who are performers, engaging with riders, and providing a fun and entertaining experience. If you’re only visiting Austin for a few days, AO Tours is a great wait to see a lot of the city with limited time. I took the Austin & Hill Country Panoramic Tour. This tour was about 2 1/2 hours with stops along the way. We made stops at the Capital, Mount Bonnell (with enough time to climb up to the top), Mozart’s Coffee and Bakery, Hill Country with a scenic lake overlook, and all through historic neighborhoods. My guide was really knowledgeable and made this an amazing experience.
9. Get Out on Lady Bird Lake
Another great way to beat the Texas heat is to get out on the water. I rented a kayak from Austin Rowing Club to take in the city sights from Lady Bird Lake. The lake, also known as Town Lake, is actually a reservoir from a damned-off portion of the Colorado River. It runs through downtown Austin and is a great way to see the city. You can also rent stand-up paddleboards or join one of their rowing programs. Along the water, I enjoyed checking out the extremely large turtles, seeing blue herons, and taking in the combination of the urban skyline and stunning wildlife. It should be noted, that swimming is not allowed in Lady Bird Lake after tragic drownings occurred due to the current and underwater debris. But overall, this was my favorite adventure in Austin.
10. Enjoy the Food and Drink Scene
Austin is famous for its incredible food scene and everywhere I went here was amazing. There’s no shortage of food trucks, Tex-Mex and barbecue, and places to wet your whistle. Here are a few of my favorites:
Easy Tiger - What started as a bakery and beer garden, has turned into a full menu of incredible eats. Their famous sausages and breads make for incredible sandwiches and the variety of salads and cheeses offer something for everyone. I also just loved the decor and vibe of this place.
Cookbook Bar & Cafe - This is one of my favorite breakfast places that I’ve found. Located in the Austin Public Library, Cookbook features not only an incredible farm-to-table cafe and bakery but also houses over 500 local cookbooks. They host cooking demos and create recipes featured in future cookbooks. When I visited, I had a magical bacon and egg crostata that was the perfect way to start my day!
Anthem - By far my favorite find on my Austin trip was Anthem. I had just left Laguna Gloria and was ready for some AC so I found a random restaurant and headed there. As soon as you walk in you’ll be blown away by Anthem’s island vibe. The drinks come in cool tiki mugs and the whole place is the right amount of kitschy and cool. But it was the food that stole the show here. The JFC Popcorn Chicken and Miso Mac Daddy were a foodie’s dream dishes. I can’t recommend this place enough!
Carpenter Hall - Carpenter Hall has a little bit of everything. An open-air hotel, an incredibly cozy coffee shop and cafe, and a fine dining restaurant with an adorable patio. This was where I stayed while I was in Austin so I got to experience all sides of it! The cafe offers breakfast tacos and pastries from Easy Tiger as well as amazing lattes and drinks. The Lady Bird latte was out of this world! At night, I dined at Carpenters Hall and had an incredible meal. I highly recommend the Labneh and Feta Dip as well as the Texas Strip Steak. They also offered amazing mocktails!
Speaking of N/A Drinks - One thing I found while traveling pregnant is that not a lot of places offer non-alcoholic beer options or mocktails. Austin blew me away at every stop with its variety of n/a drinks. The mocktails at the Elephant Room and Carpenters Hall were delicious and Armadillo Den even had non-alcoholic craft beers!
Austin is one of those cities that just pulls you in and makes you feel right at home. There is so much to see and do here any time of year but definitely don’t let the summer heat stop you. This is my new favorite big city and I can’t wait to come back in different seasons and find even more things to love about this Texas town. To learn more go to www.visitaustin.org and watch the full episode below.