This southern city in Central Texas is one of the best places to live in America, on the basis of excellent city life, job prospects and affordability; it is one of the fastest-growing cities in U.S.  Austin is being a breeding ground for innovations, technologies, and start-ups in recent years, thanks to The University of Texas and other major universities that they are creating an incredible pool of talent and a highly educated workforce. It has also been nicknamed as the ‘Silicon Hills’ because of the cluster of high-tech companies in the metropolitan areas of the city. Whether you are looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids or romantic things to do in Austin today, the city has everything to offer you.

Here we have listed some of the top things to do in Austin Texas while holidaying, so follow this travel guide to make your trip memorable:

• Visit Texas State Capitol 

The Texas State Capitol is the most beautifully designed pink-granite building located in central Austin, Texas. Earlier this building served as the seat of government of Texas but in the year 1986, it was recognized as National historic landmark. Without giving any entrance fee you can easily take a tour of this place and gain some knowledge about the history of Texas. You can also take tour guides who have incredible knowledge about the place and will answer all your questions related to its history, so if you have a keen interest in history then it is one of the best things to do in Austin on the weekend.

• Enjoy At The Zilker Metropolitan Park

This 351-acre park is considered as most-loved park of Austin, as this place serves as home to a variety of recreational activities, special events, facilities for individuals as well as families. Various amenities will be provided to you such as- 3 picnic sites, shelter, golf course, playscape, clubhouse, Barton Springs pool, recreational centre, botanical gardens, hillside theatre, and a lot more. The park also hosts some of its signature events like – trail of lights, Zilker holiday tree, summer musical fest, park kite festival, and some more. So if you are an adventure freak then definitely visit this park and make amazing memories. If you are looking for some of the top things to do in Austin this weekend then this park is an idea choice.

• Spend Some Time In Soco District

South Congress Avenue nicknamed as SoCo is a district 5 miles south of downtown Austin. This district has a vital role in the weird culture of the city as it is a favorite place for shopaholic’s who are in search of conversation-starting outfits, because of numerous shops specializing in retro clothing and fancy boutiques. This district also serves you with a plethora of excellent eateries, restaurants, live music shows, and clubs. So if you want to get yourself some limelight stealing outfits and want to fulfill your appetite with special delicacies of Austin then surely visit this district. It is one of the unique things to do in Downtown Austin at night with your friends or family.

• Blanton Museum Of Art

If you are a patron of art then you should definitely visit this museum at Austin campus of the University of Texas. Blanton is the home for more than 1900 impressive and extraordinary artworks ranging from Renaissance paints, modern artworks, massive prints, baroque paintings and a wide collection of contemporary Latin American art. The collection here is unique and diverse but the most famous if Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin a stone chapel of 252 sqm with black and white marble panels and colored glass windows.

• Experience Bliss At Lady Bird Lake

An adorable outdoor place in the city is greatly admired not only for its beautiful flora and fauna but also for Ann and Roy Butler Hike and bike trails which encircles the entire lake. This trail is very popular amongst runners, walkers, and cyclists whether locals or tourists. Along the edge of the lake, there is an urban path where one can relax, eat, or even picnic with family on weekends and get a scenic view at sunset. If there are children accompanying you on your holiday then surely visit this lake to give children a hands-on experience with gardening and enable them to participate in programs like insect investigation which will increase their interest in nature.

• Enjoy Nightlife At The Sixth Street

If you are visiting Austin – the live music capital of the world, then your trip would be incomplete without discovering freshly brewed talent in Sixth Street. This vibrant and lively street comes to life at night to entertain its visitors to the fullest. The area of the Sixth Street sings at night with the activities from bars, shops, pubs, clubs, and live music shows. If you are a party animal and want to enjoy your holiday to the fullest then it is one of the free things to do in Austin Texas with your family and kids.

• Entertain Yourself At The Moody Theatre

The best address of music in the city is Austin City Limits Live (ACL Live) at the Moody Theatre, this theatre with a capacity of 2800 people hosts approximately more than 100 concerts a year. ACL Live is one of the longest-running music series in the history of American television. So if you are a music lover and want to attend a live music concert then book your tickets well in advance from their official website.

• Enjoy Delicacies At Different Eateries And Restaurants

Mouth-watering barbecue and lip-smacking queso are the two most delicious foods that Austin will serve you. Being in Austin if you have not tasted queso, then you have barely enjoyed your vacation I would say. Queso is served as a side dish or as an appetizer it has melted cheese with chili-pepper and tortilla chips, I am sure this dish will excite your taste buds. You can enjoy this excellent dish at Magnolia Café, Torchy’s Tacos, and Taco Deli. Franklin Barbecue and Driftwood’s Salt Lick BBQ are the two most famous barbecue spots which serve thousands of hungry Austinites on a daily basis.

• Amaze Yourself By The Haunted History Of Austin

Austin too has an uncanny side, if you are interested in listening to some terrifying ghostly stories then go on the storyteller led haunted walking tour. Make sure you have a strong heart as the stories may chill your nerves and scare you to the deepest, get yourself ready and mentally prepared for the spooky and uncanny tales of ghosts and murderers.

• Enjoy Segway Adventure

There are many segway tours operator in Austin like Segway Nation Tours, Gliding Revolution, Transport Yourself Segway tours, and many more. These segway tours run the year-round and are operated five times daily and are one of the best ways to experience the maximum of the city in less time. A morning historical tour, two short sightseeing tours, and an evening bat and ghost segway tour is being operated on a daily basis, so if you have less time and can’t explore the maximum of the city then go for a segway tour.

• Enjoy The Sight Of Austin Bats

Congress Avenue Bridge is being home to approximately 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats every year during spring. These bats have been settled here since 1980 and have created crevices that are perfect for them to take refuge against predators. You will be highly impressed by the night exodus of these creatures when they emerge for their nightly excursion to purge the city of annoying insects before heading back to the fall in central Mexico. So, if you have some spare time in your hands then this is one of the interesting and cheap things to do in Austin tonight.

What’s next waiting for you?

The beautiful places to visit in Austin and cool things to do in Austin mentioned above cater to people of all ages whether young or old, this city will never disappoint you and will not leave a stone unturned to amaze you. Apart from visiting a plethora of attractions and, you can also spend your day peacefully amidst lush green beauty either walking or biking on trails or go for a lovely swim, but whatever you do in the daytime always save enough energy to enjoy nightlife and live music at a bar or club in Austin as it is worth enjoying and will definitely create a special memory in your heart. So what are you waiting for, plan your trip, book your flight tickets and enjoy this great and glamorous city.

About Author: Ayushi Malhotra