Free things to do · Austin · United States
7 free things to do in Austin
Austin without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LoneStarMike, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Austin without paying an entry fee: Texas State Capitol, Congress Avenue Bridge bats, Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail and Zilker Park are all free. The Capitol tour, the bat flight, the Harry Ransom Center, the lake trail and many happy-hour music sets are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- July–August and December–January
Free sights and experiences
Architecture · Downtown
1.Texas State Capitol
Stand in the centre of the rotunda and look up at the star in the dome, then walk the grounds' monuments.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Experience · Downtown
2.Congress Avenue Bridge bats
Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset; August, when the young join the flight, is usually the biggest show. Bat-watching boat tours give a close view from the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- After dark
Waterfront · Downtown
3.Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail
Rent a kayak or paddleboard from one of the rental docks and paddle towards the downtown skyline at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
Park · Zilker and Barton Hills
4.Zilker Park
Combine it with Barton Springs and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden just across Barton Springs Road.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Street · South Congress (SoCo)
5.South Congress Avenue
Stay into the evening for live music at the Continental Club.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · West Austin
6.Mount Bonnell
Go at sunset, but arrive early as the small parking area fills.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Hyde Park and the University
7.Harry Ransom Center
Entry is free; check the current exhibition before you go.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | Texas State Capitol, Congress Avenue Bridge bats and Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail | 1–1.5 hours + 1 hour + 1–3 hours |
| Zilker and Barton Hills | Zilker Park | 2–4 hours |
| South Congress (SoCo) | South Congress Avenue | 2–3 hours |
| West Austin | Mount Bonnell | 45 minutes |
| Hyde Park and the University | Harry Ransom Center | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
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Nature · Zilker and Barton Hills
Barton Springs Pool
Swim early in the morning on a summer weekday before the crowds and the heat.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
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Street · Downtown
Sixth Street and Red River
For original bands rather than covers and shots, head to the clubs on Red River Street.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Iconic
Nature · Southeast Austin
McKinney Falls State Park
Check the park's swimming status and day-pass availability before going on a weekend.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Park · Clarksville and Old West Austin
Deep Eddy Pool
Combine a swim with a walk or bike ride on the lake trail.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · South Congress (SoCo)
Continental Club
Early evening happy-hour sets are often free or low-cost and less crowded.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- History
Garden · Zilker and Barton Hills
Umlauf Sculpture Garden
A calm, shaded stop before or after Barton Springs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- The Capitol tour, the bat flight, the Harry Ransom Center, the lake trail and many happy-hour music sets are free.
- Breakfast tacos and food trucks are the best-value meals in the city.
- Avoid SXSW, ACL weekends, the Grand Prix and big UT football weekends unless you are attending; hotel rates can triple.
- Stay near a MetroRapid line or in the university area for lower rates than downtown.
- Barbecue is sold by weight; order a quarter or half pound per person to start and add more if needed.
- Many venues have no or low cover early in the evening.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Austin expensive to visit?
Austin is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Austin?
Texas State Capitol: Stand in the centre of the rotunda and look up at the star in the dome, then walk the grounds' monuments.