Season guide · Austin · United States
Austin in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Warm days, wildflowers and SXSW; storms and flash floods become more likely by May. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 24 rainy days across March–May. March–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 11°C (52°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 24
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 23°C (73°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 8 | 11.9 h | 5/5 |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 7 | 12.9 h | 4/5 |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 9 | 13.7 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 27°C (81°F), and 24 of the year's roughly 84 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: SXSW music, film and tech festival (usually mid-March)
- March: Rodeo Austin (usually March)
- April: Bluebonnet season in the Hill Country (usually late March to April)
- April: Eeyore's Birthday Party in Pease Park (usually late April)
Make the most of the weather
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Nature · Zilker and Barton Hills
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Experience · Downtown
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
Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail
A reservoir on the Colorado River through central Austin, circled by the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, a loop of about 16 km.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
Park · Zilker and Barton Hills
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
Viewpoint · West Austin
Mount Bonnell
A short flight of about 100 stone steps climbs to one of the highest points in Austin, above Lake Austin, with views over the river, the hills and the 360 Bridge.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Day trips in spring
- Lockhart (About 45 minutes by car) — Designated the 'Barbecue Capital of Texas' by the state legislature, Lockhart has several historic barbecue restaurants, some in old meat markets serving brisket and sausage on butcher paper, plus a handsome 1890s courthouse.
- San Antonio (About 1.5 hours by car) — Texas's most-visited city has the Alamo, the River Walk and four other Spanish colonial missions that together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Austin?
Yes: March–April are among the best months. Warm days, wildflowers and SXSW; storms and flash floods become more likely by May.
+What is the weather like in Austin in spring?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 24 rainy days over the season.