Things to Do in Austin

The pink granite capitol building, taller than the US Capitol. Free guided tours of the rotunda, chambers and grounds.

🕐 Mon–Fri 7am–5pm, Sat–Sun 9am–5pm; tours hourly

💡 Join a 30-minute free tour at the north entrance. Skip the paid parking; use metered street spots on Congress Avenue or the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on 12th St (first hour free).

The pink granite state capitol building, taller than the US Capitol. Free guided tours explain Texas history and architecture.

🕐 Monday-Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-6pm

💡 Book a free tour online to skip the queue. The grounds have good spots for photos of the building without crowds.

The pink granite building at the centre of Austin. Free guided tours run every 15 minutes, covering Texas history and legislative chambers. The grounds are open 24/7.

🕐 Mon–Fri 7am–5pm, Sat–Sun 9am–5pm

💡 Skip the tour queue by entering the ground floor rotunda doors. Check the Senate and House gallery schedules online before you go.

One of the largest university art museums in the US, with a strong collection of Latin American art, European old masters, and contemporary works.

🕐 Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm, closed Monday

💡 Free admission every Tuesday. Arrive before 11am to avoid school groups. The outdoor Ellsworth Kelly chapel is a must-see.

A 14-acre sculpture park on the shores of Lake Austin with rotating outdoor installations by local and international artists. The historic Mediterranean-style villa hosts small indoor exhibits.

🕐 Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12–5pm (free Thursdays)

💡 Free every Thursday. The grounds close 30 minutes before the building; arrive early to walk the full loop. No food trucks on site, but you can bring your own snacks.

A downtown museum focused on traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino and Latinx art. Rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection of prints and folk art.

🕐 Mon–Thu 10am–6pm, Fri–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12–5pm; $6–$8 suggested donation

💡 Pay-what-you-wish every Thursday. Student discounts with ID. The gift shop has fair-trade ceramics from Oaxaca—good for unique souvenirs.

A large natural spring-fed swimming pool in Zilker Park. The water stays a cool 68-70°F year-round, making it a city-wide hangout in summer.

🕐 5am–10pm daily, free times vary by season

💡 Free entry before 8am and after 9pm from May to September. Bring a towel and lock if you bring valuables.

A 351-acre park on the Colorado River with open fields, a hike-and-bike trail, a botanical garden and a disc golf course. Also hosts free events like Blues on the Green.

🕐 5am–10pm daily

💡 Park on the north side off Barton Springs Road near the tennis courts to avoid the weekend crowds near the pool. Bring a picnic blanket.

A short, steep climb of about 100 steps to a lookout point over the Colorado River and Lake Austin. The view is decent — you can see the city skyline and hills. No facilities at the top.

🕐 Daily 5am–10pm

💡 Go at sunset for the best light, but expect crowds. Park on Mount Bonnell Road, not the shoulder. The steps are uneven; wear decent shoes.

A short, steep climb of about 100 steps leads to a panoramic view of the Colorado River and the Austin skyline. A popular spot at sunset.

🕐 Daily 5am-10pm

💡 Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds and find parking. Bring water—no shade on the trail. The best photos are 30 minutes before sunset.

A large, spring-fed swimming pool in Zilker Park, maintained at a constant 20°C. Popular with locals for lap swimming or just cooling off.

🕐 5am-10pm daily; hours vary by season, closed Thursdays for cleaning

💡 Go early on weekday mornings (before 9am) to avoid crowds and the $9 entry fee; entry is free before 8am from May to September.

A 28-acre garden with themed sections: a Japanese garden, rose garden, and prehistoric garden. Well-maintained paths through native Texas plants.

🕐 Daily 7am-7pm (March-October), 7am-5pm (November-February)

💡 Entry is $2 for adults on weekdays, $3 on weekends. Bring a picnic—there are shaded benches. The butterfly garden is best in late spring.

A natural spring-fed pool in Zilker Park, consistently 20–21°C all year. Entry costs a few dollars for adults, free for children under 12. The water is clear and clean.

🕐 Daily 5am–10pm (hours vary seasonally; check website)

💡 Go early on weekdays before 9am to avoid crowds. Bring water shoes — the bottom is gravelly in parts.

A small but well-kept garden with themed sections: a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and a prehistoric garden with dinosaur sculptures. Entry is $2 for adults, free for children under 12.

🕐 Daily 7am–7pm (hours vary seasonally)

💡 The butterfly trail is lovely in spring. Go on a weekday morning — it's quiet. Bring cash for entry (cards sometimes not accepted).

The University of Texas art museum with a strong collection of modern Latin American and European works. General admission is $12, but free for UT students and staff. Thursday entry is free all day.

🕐 Tue–Wed 10am–5pm, Thu 10am–9pm, Fri–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1pm–5pm, Mon closed

💡 Visit on a Thursday for free entry. The museum cafe has good coffee and pastries. Spend an hour max unless you're a serious art buff.