When guests come from out of town for a special event or wedding, they sometimes enjoy staying a few extra days. In the midst of everything going on, it can become difficult to help them find fun things to do. We understand that you want to keep your guests happy, but you shouldn’t have to worry about entertaining them. So forget the stress, we’ve compiled a list of some interesting things for them to do so that you don’t have to!
1. Barton Springs Pool
Texas heat can be tough to deal with sometimes, but a trip to Barton Springs Pool is just the right cure. Getting its water from nearby natural springs, this spot stays a cool 68 degrees all year long. Barton Springs is an Austin favorite, attracting many locals and visitors all year long. In the summer time, the pool is open 6 days a week from 5am-10pm, closing on Thursdays for cleaning.
2. Hope Outdoor Gallery
When people visit Austin, there are a few things that should be on their “must-see” list. Hope Outdoor Gallery is one of them. Located on Castle Hill, this outdoor area is a three-story graffiti wall for artists to display positive messages and art. The area was originally slated for houses, but after running into zoning problems the space remained empty for some time. People began to paint the walls of the abandoned area. Instead of taking it as an act of vandalism, the owners now let artists apply to add on to the wall, creating an outdoor gallery for everyone to enjoy. The spot is a true reflection of “Keep Austin Weird,” and deserves every bit of the praise it receives.
3. Watch The Bats Fly Out From Under the Bridge
Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony. Tucked away under the bridge during the day… you would never know they are there. But at night, the 1.5 million bats fly out to hunt. It’s an amazing site to see, attracting tons of people every night.
4. Zilker Park
This 350-acre park has a wide range of activities to enjoy. With spacious lawns to enjoy picnics, the botanical garden, hike and bike trails, sports areas, and plenty of water activities, the park provides endless amounts of outdoor entertainment. It is also the site of many large events throughout the year such as Austin City Limits and the Zilker Kite Festival. For more information regarding it’s amenities, visit the park website.
5. Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell arguably provides one of the best views of Austin. Situated alongside Lake Austin, the spot allows you see to all of downtown, the lake, and the surrounding hills. You don’t have to be a climber or professional hiker to reach the top either, as it has a staircase that gets you to the amazing sights. The top area has lots of room to bring a picnic and relax for a while. The highest spot in the city, it’s definitely a must-see.
6. Alamo Drafthouse
After spending the day visiting outdoor places in Austin, it’s always nice to have a relaxing evening indoors. The Alamo Drafthouse is a cinema that began in Austin in the 1990s. It’s well known for having strict policies on cinema etiquette such as no talking or texting during the movie. If you want an undisturbed cinematic experience, Alamo Drafthouse is the place to go. It’s also a theatre with seat service, so there is no waiting in line for popcorn and drinks. They have a full food menu, as well as traditional movie snacks that you order from your seat. Servers are very inconspicuous, and you almost never notice them come and go. They also hosts various events such as sing-a-longs or showings of old movies. The overall experience is well worth a visit if you have never been.
7. Museums
Austin has a lot of great museums to visit. Some of the most popular include the Blanton Museum of Art, Bullock Texas State History Museum, and the LBJ Presidential Library. Part of The University of Texas, The Blanton contains the largest collection of art in Central Texas with a permanent collection of over 17,000 works.
8. The Texas State Capitol
The Capitol building is located in Downtown Austin with the main entrance facing Congress Avenue. It is the largest State Capitol in the United States, and is taller than the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. A National Historic Landmark, it contains the Office of the Texas Governor as well as chambers of the Texas Legislature. The Capitol grounds are home to many different monuments and statues. With so much history and information to learn, a visit to the Capitol is something everyone should do at least once. Best of all, the tours are FREE!
As the 11th largest city in the United States, Austin has an endless amount of things to do. Whether guests are in town for a wedding, private party, or corporate event, they will be in a place with tons of entertainment, making their time here unforgettable.
