By Lake Travis Zipline Adventures · Updated April 2026 · 12 min read
Planning a trip to Austin, Texas and not sure where to start? This is the complete local guide to the best things to do in Austin TX in 2026, from outdoor adventures and live music to swimming holes, iconic food, and the lake experiences that make Austin unlike any other city in the country.
Quick Answer — Best Things to Do in Austin TX
Austin, Texas is one of the most exciting cities in the country to visit. The best things to do in Austin include ziplining on Lake Travis at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, swimming at Barton Springs Pool, watching the famous bat colony emerge from Congress Avenue Bridge, exploring live music on Sixth Street, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, eating your way through the best BBQ and tacos in Texas, walking South Congress Avenue, and taking a day trip to Lake Travis for a full outdoor adventure. Austin has something for every type of traveler, from outdoor adventurers and foodies to music lovers, families, and groups looking for a serious good time.
Why Austin Is Worth Visiting
Austin is unlike anywhere else in Texas and unlike anywhere else in the country. It is the Live Music Capital of the World, the home of the best BBQ you will ever eat, a city built around outdoor living, and a place where the culture is so genuinely its own that the unofficial motto, Keep Austin Weird, actually makes sense once you spend a day here.
It sits at the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, which means you are never more than 30 minutes from a lake, a swimming hole, a scenic canyon, or a hilltop view that stretches farther than you can see. Downtown Austin has the energy of a major city. The moment you drive west toward Lake Travis, it feels like a completely different world.
Whether you are visiting for a weekend, planning a week-long trip, a bachelorette party, a family vacation, or a group adventure, Austin rewards everyone who actually plans. Here is everything worth doing, ranked and reviewed.
#1 Lake Travis Zipline Adventures (The Best Outdoor Experience Near Austin)
If you are looking for the single most unique and memorable thing to do in Austin, this is it. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is unlike anything else in the state, and most people who do it say it is the highlight of their entire Austin trip.
Here is how it works. You make your way out to Lake Travis, located about 25 to 30 minutes northwest of downtown Austin near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis, where you board a boat that takes you out to Zip Island, a private island in the middle of the lake. Once there, you strap into a harness and spend three hours navigating five world-class ziplines through the Texas Hill Country. The last three are the longest and fastest ziplines in the entire state of Texas, including the Double Barrel Shotgun, two side-by-side lines stretching over 2,800 feet at speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above the lake. The views of Lake Travis from up there are absolutely jaw-dropping.
After the tour wraps up, you get full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island, where you can jump off the boat dock into Lake Travis, relax in a hammock, and enjoy the lake at your own pace. It is a full day on the water, not just a two-hour tourist stop.
The Details
- 5-Line Zipline Tour: $138/person, includes full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island
- Double Barrel Single-Line Tour: $88/person
- Duration: 3 hours for the full tour plus full-day lakefront access after
- Location: Near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis on Lake Travis, about 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin
- Best For: Groups, families, couples, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate outings
- Reservations: Required, book at laketraviszipline.com
Pro Tip: Spring and summer slots sell out weeks in advance. Book early and check laketraviszipline.com for seasonal promo codes.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures before slots sell out. Reservations are required.
#2 Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool is one of Austin’s most beloved institutions and one of the best swimming experiences in Texas. Located inside Zilker Park in the heart of South Austin, it is a naturally spring-fed pool that stays at a constant 68 degrees year round, which sounds cold until you have been walking around Austin in July heat.
The pool spans over three acres, is fed by underground springs, and reaches depths of 18 feet in some spots. Generations of Austinites have grown up swimming here and it still draws massive crowds every warm-weather weekend. The grassy banks surrounding the pool are perfect for lounging, and the whole vibe is quintessentially Austin, laid-back, unpretentious, and genuinely fun.
The Details
- Address: 2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
- Admission: $9 for non-resident adults, free during early morning hours from 5 to 8 AM
- Best For: Families, couples, solo visitors, anyone who needs to cool off
- Website: austintexas.gov
Pro Tip: Go on a weekday morning to beat the crowds. The 5 AM free swim is genuinely one of the best experiences in Austin and costs nothing.
#3 Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
Every evening from spring through early fall, 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin in one of the most spectacular natural events you will ever witness. It is completely free, it takes about 20 minutes, and it is the kind of thing you tell people about for years.
The bats live under the bridge from March through October and emerge at dusk to feed, creating an almost endless stream of bats that fills the sky above Lady Bird Lake. You can watch from the bridge itself, from the hike and bike trail along the lake, or rent a kayak and paddle underneath the bridge for a view unlike anything else.
The Details
- Location: Congress Avenue Bridge, downtown Austin
- Best Time: Sunset, March through October
- Cost: Free
- Website: austintexas.gov
Pro Tip: Check the Austin Bat Refuge for predicted flight times before you go. Arrival time varies by night depending on sunset and temperature.
#4 Lady Bird Lake Trail
The Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail is a 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake in the center of Austin and one of the most scenic urban trails in the country. Thousands of locals run, walk, and bike it every day, and for good reason. The trail offers stunning views of the Austin skyline, connects to other city trails, and links directly to Zilker Park and Barton Springs on the west end.
You can walk it, run it, bike it, or rent a kayak or paddleboard and get out on the lake itself. The trail is dog-friendly, completely free, and accessible from multiple points around downtown Austin. It is the easiest and most scenic way to see the city without spending a dollar.
The Details
- Location: Downtown Austin, along Lady Bird Lake
- Distance: 10-mile loop
- Cost: Free for trail access, kayak and paddleboard rentals available nearby
- Best For: Walkers, runners, cyclists, kayakers, dog owners, families with strollers
Pro Tip: Start at Barton Springs Road on the south side for the best skyline views and the easiest access to kayak rentals.
#5 Sixth Street, Live Music, and Comedy
Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World and Sixth Street is where that reputation was earned. Multiple blocks of bars, live music venues, dance clubs, and restaurants make up one of the most energetic nightlife districts in the country, and the best part is that most of the music is free once you walk through the door.
The east end of Sixth Street, known as Dirty Sixth, is the loudest and most chaotic. The west end near Congress Avenue and Rainey Street are a bit more local and laid-back. Both are worth experiencing. On weekends, car traffic is blocked so the party spills into the street, which is exactly as fun as it sounds.
Beyond Sixth Street, Austin’s live music scene extends to legendary venues like Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, the Continental Club, and the Broken Spoke, a genuine Texas honky-tonk that has been operating since 1964.
What most visitors do not realize is that Austin is also one of the top comedy cities in the world. The same creative energy that built the live music scene here has produced a thriving stand-up and comedy culture that punches well above its weight for a city of its size. Austin has launched some of the biggest names in comedy and continues to attract top touring acts year round.
The best comedy venues in Austin include Cap City Comedy Club, one of the premier stand-up clubs in Texas with national headliners performing every weekend, and The Creek and the Cave, a beloved indie comedy venue known for its grassroots shows and up-and-coming talent. The Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue regularly hosts major comedy specials and touring comedians at the top of their game. And then there is Mothership, Joe Rogan’s comedy club in downtown Austin that has quickly become one of the most talked-about venues in the country. Mothership books world-class stand-up acts in a beautifully designed space and has put Austin firmly on the map as a major destination for comedy. If you can get tickets, go. It is one of the most unique entertainment experiences in the city right now.
The Details
- Sixth Street Location: East 6th Street, downtown Austin
- Cost: Free to walk, most music venues charge a small cover
- Best For: Everyone, any night of the week
- Best Time: Thursday through Saturday nights
- Comedy Venues: Mothership, Cap City Comedy Club, The Creek and the Cave, Paramount Theatre
Pro Tip: Start on the east end of Sixth Street and work your way west as the night goes on. Book Mothership and Cap City tickets well in advance, the best shows sell out fast and Mothership in particular is one of the hottest tickets in Austin right now.
#6 South Congress Avenue (SoCo)
South Congress Avenue is Austin’s most iconic neighborhood strip and one of the best places in the city to spend a few hours without any plan at all. Locally owned boutiques, vintage shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and some of the best street people-watching in Texas line both sides of the street for several blocks south of the Congress Avenue Bridge.
The retro neon signs, the food trucks parked in lots between storefronts, the mix of tourists and locals, and the general energy of the place make SoCo feel more authentically Austin than almost anywhere else in the city. Stop into Jo’s Coffee for the iconic “I Love You So Much” mural, browse the shops, and grab a meal at one of the restaurants along the strip.
The Details
- Location: South Congress Avenue, South Austin
- Cost: Free to walk
- Best For: Shopping, dining, people-watching, photography
Pro Tip: First Thursday, on the first Thursday of every month, South Congress hosts a big event with live music, extended shopping hours, and a street party atmosphere. One of the best free nights in Austin.
#7 Beachside Billy’s at Volente Beach
If you are heading out to Lake Travis for the day, Beachside Billy’s at Volente Beach Resort is the place to eat, drink, and settle in for the afternoon. Located on over four acres of Lake Travis waterfront about 25 minutes from downtown Austin, it is part restaurant, part waterpark, part lakeside bar and one of the most fun spots on the lake.
The food is genuinely good: burgers, chicken tenders, wings, and a solid fish selection served with laid-back lake views. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays keeps the energy up, and the sunsets from the waterfront here are flat-out spectacular. The waterpark side features four slide attractions, two pools, and a private beach swim area, making it one of the best family-friendly spots in the Austin area.
The Details
- Address: 16107 FM 2769, Austin (Volente), TX 78641
- Website: beachsidebillys.com
- Live Music: Fridays and Saturdays
- Best For: Families, groups, lakeside dining, waterpark fun, and sunsets
Pro Tip: Pair this with a morning at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Both are located near each other on the north shore of Lake Travis and make for a perfect full lake day.
#8 Best Food in Austin TX — BBQ, Tacos, and Local Favorites
Austin’s food scene is one of the best in the country and it goes way beyond BBQ, though the BBQ alone is worth the trip. From world-famous brisket to Japanese-Texan fusion, shaved ice, and some of the most creative cooking in the South, here are the Austin food spots you need to know about.
Franklin Barbecue on East 11th Street is widely considered the best BBQ in Austin and one of the best in the entire country. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and sausage cooked low and slow over post oak wood. The line starts before the restaurant opens and it sells out every single day. People who have waited for it say it is worth every minute. If the line is too much, Terry Black’s Barbecue on Barton Springs Road has shorter lines and meat just as good.
The Details
- Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
- Website: franklinbbq.com
- Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, opens at 11 AM, sells out daily
- Pro Tip: Arrive at least an hour before opening. Bring something to do, the line moves, the people are friendly, and the wait is part of the experience.
If Franklin’s line is not your thing, Interstellar BBQ is the move. Located in Cedar Park just north of Austin, Interstellar has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best BBQ joints in the entire state. The brisket is exceptional, the sides are made from scratch, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming without the hours-long wait you will find downtown. It has earned a spot on Texas Monthly’s coveted Top 50 BBQ list and locals swear by it.
The Details
- Address: 2213 Hero Way W, Leander, TX 78641
- Website: interstellarbbq.com
- Best For: World class BBQ without the downtown wait
- Pro Tip: Go early. They sell out too, just not as fast as Franklin.
Loro is the result of a collaboration between Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi, two of the biggest names in Austin food. The concept is Asian smokehouse, which means smoked meats meet bold Asian flavors in dishes that do not fit neatly into any category but taste absolutely incredible. The smoked brisket fried rice, the oak-grilled salmon collar, and the brisket burnt ends are the things people come back for. The space is beautifully designed with indoor and outdoor seating, and the cocktail program is as strong as the food.
The Details
- Address: 2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
- Website: loroeats.com
- Best For: Groups, date nights, anyone who wants something beyond traditional BBQ
- Pro Tip: Go for lunch to skip the dinner wait. The smoked brisket fried rice is a must order.
After a hot Austin day, Sisters Sno Shack is the perfect stop. This beloved local institution serves some of the best shaved ice in Texas, with dozens of flavors made from real fruit and quality syrups. It is the kind of place that has a cult following for a reason. Simple, delicious, and completely refreshing on a Texas summer day. There are multiple locations around Austin so you are never too far from a fix.
The Details
- Website: sisterssnoshack.com
- Best For: Families, kids, anyone cooling off after a day outdoors
- Pro Tip: Get it after Barton Springs or after a day on Lake Travis. Cold shaved ice after a hot day on the water is an unbeatable combination.
#9 The Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin is the largest state capitol building by square footage in the country and stands about 15 feet taller than the US Capitol in Washington DC. Free guided tours run throughout the day and give you a solid overview of Texas history, the building’s architecture, and the current political landscape of the state. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and worth a walk even if you skip the interior tour.
The Details
- Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
- Cost: Free
- Website: tspb.texas.gov
- Best For: History lovers, first-time visitors, families
Pro Tip: Combine this with a walk down Congress Avenue to South Congress and stop at the Congress Avenue Bridge to check on the bat situation while you are there.
#10 Lake Travis Day Trip
If you have a full day and want the best outdoor experience the Austin area has to offer, spend it at Lake Travis. The lake sits about 25 to 35 minutes northwest of downtown Austin in the Texas Hill Country and offers more things to do than any other single destination near the city: ziplining, cliff swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, boat parties, lakeside dining, and some of the best sunset views in Central Texas.
Start at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, spend the afternoon at Beachside Billy’s, paddle the coves with Austin Paddleboard and Kayak, and end with sunset views from The Oasis on Lake Travis. That is a day in Austin worth coming back for.
For the full breakdown of everything to do on the lake, read our complete guide to the Best Things to Do on Lake Travis.
The Perfect Austin Itinerary — How to Spend 2 Days in Austin
Not sure how to structure your trip? Here is how to see the best of Austin in two days.
Day 1 — The Outdoor Day
8 to 9 AM: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Start with the ziplines while energy is high. Book ahead at laketraviszipline.com.
12 to 1 PM: Lunch at Beachside Billy’s. Lakeside food, drinks, and waterpark access on Lake Travis.
3 to 5 PM: Paddle with Austin Paddleboard and Kayak. Rent a kayak or paddleboard in the calm Lake Travis coves.
6 to 7 PM: Sunset at The Oasis on Lake Travis. Best sunset views in Central Texas with live music on the deck.
Day 2 — The City Day
7 to 8 AM: Free swim at Barton Springs Pool. Free entry before 8 AM, crystal clear spring water.
10 AM to 12 PM: Walk South Congress Avenue. Browse the shops, grab coffee at Jo’s, and take in the SoCo vibe.
12 to 1 PM: BBQ lunch at Franklin Barbecue or Interstellar BBQ. Do not leave Austin without eating proper Texas BBQ.
2 to 3 PM: Texas State Capitol. Free tour and a walk down Congress Avenue.
7 to 8 PM: Congress Avenue Bridge bat watching. Free and genuinely spectacular.
8 PM onward: Sixth Street. Live music, bars, and the full Austin nightlife experience.
Frequently Asked Questions — Best Things to Do in Austin TX
What are the best things to do in Austin TX?
The best things to do in Austin TX include ziplining at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, swimming at Barton Springs Pool, watching the bat colony emerge from Congress Avenue Bridge, exploring live music on Sixth Street, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, eating BBQ at Franklin Barbecue or Interstellar BBQ, dining at Loro, cooling off at Sisters Sno Shack, walking South Congress Avenue, and taking a full day trip out to Lake Travis. Austin offers a mix of outdoor adventure, iconic food, live music, and lake experiences that make it one of the best cities in the country to visit.
What is Austin Texas famous for?
Austin Texas is famous for being the Live Music Capital of the World, its world-class BBQ scene including Franklin Barbecue and Interstellar BBQ, the Keep Austin Weird culture, South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits (ACL) music festivals, Barton Springs Pool, Lady Bird Lake, Lake Travis, the Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony, and the Texas State Capitol. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and a major hub for the tech industry.
How many days do you need in Austin?
Most visitors spend two to three days in Austin and feel like they covered the highlights. A weekend is enough to do the outdoor experiences on Lake Travis, hit Barton Springs, eat great BBQ, walk South Congress, and experience Sixth Street at night. If you want to do everything on this list including day trips to the Hill Country, plan for four to five days.
What is the best time of year to visit Austin?
The best times to visit Austin are spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) when temperatures are comfortable and the city is at its most active. Spring brings wildflowers, SXSW in March, and ideal weather for outdoor activities. Summer (June through August) is peak season for Lake Travis, Barton Springs, and outdoor adventures, but temperatures regularly hit 100 degrees. Winter is mild and much less crowded.
Is Austin good for families with kids?
Yes, Austin is excellent for families. Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, the Congress Avenue Bridge bats, the Texas State Capitol tours, and Sisters Sno Shack are all great for kids. Beachside Billy’s at Volente Beach on Lake Travis is one of the best family waterpark experiences in the area. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is family-friendly for kids who meet the weight requirements.
What outdoor activities are there in Austin?
Austin has exceptional outdoor options. The best outdoor activities in Austin include ziplining at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, swimming at Barton Springs Pool, kayaking and paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis, hiking the Barton Creek Greenbelt, walking the Lady Bird Lake Trail, cliff swimming at Tom Hughes Park, watching the bats at Congress Avenue Bridge, and exploring Zilker Park. Lake Travis, located 25 to 35 minutes from downtown, offers the widest range of outdoor adventure activities in the entire Austin area.
What is the best thing to do in Austin for a group?
The best thing to do in Austin for a group is Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. It is the most unique group experience in the Austin area, with ziplining for all experience levels, a boat ride to a private island, and full-day access to the lakefront property afterward. It works for friend groups, corporate outings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and family reunions. Book at laketraviszipline.com, reservations are required and slots fill up fast.
What is the best area to stay in Austin?
Downtown Austin puts you walking distance from Sixth Street, Lady Bird Lake, South Congress, and most of the city’s major attractions. South Austin near Barton Springs and Zilker Park is a great option if you want a more neighborhood feel. If you are planning to spend significant time at Lake Travis, staying in the Bee Cave or Lakeway area cuts your drive time considerably and puts you right at the edge of the Hill Country.
What should I not miss in Austin?
Do not leave Austin without doing at least these five things: eating real Texas BBQ at Franklin Barbecue or Interstellar BBQ, swimming at Barton Springs Pool, watching the bats at Congress Avenue Bridge, experiencing live music on Sixth Street, and getting out to Lake Travis for a full day. If you only have time for one outdoor adventure, make it Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. It is the experience most Austin visitors say they wish they had known about sooner.
Is Austin expensive to visit?
Austin can be done at almost any budget. Many of the best experiences are free, including the Congress Avenue Bridge bats, the Lady Bird Lake Trail, South Congress walking, and the Texas State Capitol. Barton Springs Pool is under $10. Sisters Sno Shack is a few dollars. Where costs add up is dining, live music venues with covers, and outdoor adventure experiences like Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. They are more expensive, but worth it for the memories! A two day Austin trip with one lake day, BBQ, and Sixth Street nights typically runs $200 to $400 per person depending on where you stay.
Make the Most of Your Austin Trip
Austin rewards people who actually plan. The best outdoor experiences, especially anything on Lake Travis, book up fast during spring break, summer, and holiday weekends. Do not be the group that shows up hoping to walk on.
Start your Austin trip with a day on Lake Travis. Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures now and lock in your spot before slots are gone. Then let the rest of the trip fall into place around it.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our guides to the Best Things to Do on Lake Travis, Lake Travis vs Lake Austin, and Top 5 Date Ideas in Austin.