Outdoors · Austin · United States
7 best outdoor things to do in Austin
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Margaretwmiller, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Barton Springs Pool, Congress Avenue Bridge bats and Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 13–19 hours across 5 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 13–19 hours
- Areas
- Zilker and Barton Hills, Downtown and Southwest Austin
Outdoors in Austin
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Nature · Zilker and Barton Hills
1.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
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
Garden · Southwest Austin
5.Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Late March to April is peak bluebonnet season and the best time to visit.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Southeast Austin
6.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
7.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
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Zilker and Barton Hills | Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park | 2–3 hours + 2–4 hours |
| Downtown | Congress Avenue Bridge bats and Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail | 1 hour + 1–3 hours |
| Southwest Austin | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | 2 hours |
| Southeast Austin | McKinney Falls State Park | Half a day |
| Clarksville and Old West Austin | Deep Eddy Pool | 2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 3 free, 3 low cost, 1 mid-priced. Book ahead for McKinney Falls State Park. The longest visit is Zilker Park; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- McKinney Falls State Park: Day passes can sell out on busy weekends; reserve online through Texas Parks and Wildlife.
How to fit them into 5 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Zilker and Barton Hills): Barton Springs Pool, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Zilker and Barton Hills and Downtown): Zilker Park → Congress Avenue Bridge bats, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Downtown and Southwest Austin): Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail → Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Southeast Austin): McKinney Falls State Park, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Clarksville and Old West Austin): Deep Eddy Pool, at least 2 hours.
The best months to be outside
- November: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds. Mild, sunny days and cool nights; comfortable for walking and Hill Country trips.
- March: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 8 rainy days, very busy crowds. Warm and pleasant, with spring wildflowers starting; SXSW brings huge crowds and very high hotel prices.
- April: highs of 27°C (81°F), about 7 rainy days, busy crowds. Bluebonnets and warm, comfortable days; one of the best months, though storms are possible.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Downtown — High-rise hotels, the Capitol, Sixth Street bars and the lakefront
- South Congress (SoCo) — Boutiques, food trucks, neon signs and Capitol views along South Congress Avenue
- Zilker and Barton Hills — Parkland, Barton Springs and the greenbelt southwest of downtown
- Clarksville and Old West Austin — Leafy streets, small restaurants and West Sixth Street shops
More of Austin
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Austin?
Barton Springs Pool. A 275-metre-long natural pool fed by underground springs that keep the water around 20°C all year, with a grassy slope for sunbathing.
+Which of these are free in Austin?
Congress Avenue Bridge bats, Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail and Zilker Park.