Austin, Texas is a state capital known for its beauty and charm. The big city keeps a perfect balance of small-town hospitality and an eclectic yet modern appeal. The city has plenty to do and is a great destination to visit for outdoor adventures, lively nightlife and cultural activation events. Afrotech, which is the premier tech and diversity conference for the Black community, will be held in Austin this November 2023. While visiting the Texas capital for the largest tech conference for Black tech innovators, travelers should explore the local culture.
Check out all the best events and activities that visitors should indulge in while in the Austin area.
Exciting Activities To Try While in Austin
Enjoy a Pub Crawl
The PubCrawler is an active tour that can be run by its guests. Visitors should grab their favorite people (or join a group, if traveling solo) and embark on a private biking tour that requires a little stamina. Groups pedal to transport themselves to bars, food trucks and murals in the downtown area. The PubCrawler provides comfortable seating and even has backup electric pedal assistance in case its guests are busy enjoying the libations or their calves give out.
Zip Lining
For adrenaline junkies, the zipline over Lake Travis is the perfect activity during their time in Austin. Participants of this fun airborne voyage can enjoy the beautiful environment while they zip through the forest and over the water. This zipline is the longest and fastest in Texas and offers a fun outdoor adventure for people of all ages. Equipment, boat transportation and unlimited water bottles are provided to participants to ensure a safe tour.
Dinner and A Show
Tourists will find fun nightlife in the entertainment district. The music scene of Austin is thriving and local venues offer rock, blues, jazz, hip-hop, punk and Latino shows. The Moody Theatre showcases live music, performances and hosts private events. This dinner is set in downtown Austin, so a nice meal is a great way to conclude a night on the town. The high energy of the Electric Shuffle is appreciated by locals and visitors alike. Food, cocktails, table games (like shuffleboard) and live concerts are all offered at Electric Shuffle.
Escape Rooms
The downtown Austin Escape Room has many differently themed adventures for visitors to embark on. Seven themes are available to choose from: prison break, the depths, the heist, gold rush, playground, classified and train through time. The venue even offers virtual escape rooms and at-home mysteries for work teams, families and friends to play anywhere.
Austin City Limits Music Fest
The ACL Festival is an annual event hosted by the city of Austin. The fest is held in October and offers a diverse lineup of both local and national artists and acts each year. With nine stages and over 100 performances over the span of two weekends, the festival attracts visitors from all over and is a very popular attraction.
Best Things To Do in Austin for Relaxing Cultural Immersion
River Cruises
Lady Bird Lake is a large reservoir in a major recreation area of Austin. Visitors can choose from a few river boat operations that offer sightseeing tours. Sunset, moonlight and kayaking tours are among the most popular offerings. Tours are available in the warmer months and even during the winter. Tourists can choose between an array of affordable boat tours that explore the culture of Austin.
Cat Lounges
This lounge is ideal for animal lovers who want to relax with furry friends. Book a private party, donate, adopt a cat or even participate in seasonal events like the pumpkin painting pawties at the Cat Lounge. Anyone over six years of age who will interact with the cats gently can enjoy this lounge. There are plenty of picture opportunities and the lounge even offers memberships for the most persistent cat lovers.
Wonderspaces
The Wonderspaces are an immersive and interactive art experience that boasts a full bar. Seventeen art installations are present and guests can enjoy specially curated cocktails. The installation is open year-round but changes the artworks on view a few times a year, so that visitors can observe something new. General admission costs anywhere from $0 (for children under three years old or members) to $25.
Take a Dip in Austin’s Waters
Barton Springs is a freshwater pool and a popular hangout spot in Austin. Visitors can lounge in the grassy areas of the surrounding forest or swim in the natural water spring that comes from the Edwards Aquifer. Admission to the spring ranges from $2 to $5 for locals and $4 to $9 for visitors, while veterans and children under the age of one can enter for free. The spring is a federally protected habitat and the depths of the water range from zero to 18 feet.
Visit the Texas Capitol Building
Cultural connoisseurs can explore the Texas landmark that stands 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington. Visitors can take tours of the official building and learn more about historic and cultural events like the Texas Revolution. The Capitol offers themed tours that highlight the plight and triumphs of Women in Texas history.