This Weekend in Austin

Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World. Any given weekend, 250+ venues have live shows — from dive bars on Red River to amphitheaters on the lake.

• 6th Street — free cover most venues before 10pm
• Red River Cultural District — indie, punk, electronic
• Continental Club — legendary South Congress venue
• C-Boy's Heart & Soul — blues, funk, and soul on South Congress
• Broken Spoke — authentic Texas two-stepping since 1964

With 300+ days of sunshine, Austin's outdoor scene delivers year-round. Trails, lakes, and greenbelts are just minutes from downtown.

• Barton Springs Pool — 68°F spring-fed swimming year-round
• Lady Bird Lake — kayak, SUP, and the iconic hike-and-bike trail
• Barton Creek Greenbelt — 13 miles of hiking and swimming holes
• Mount Bonnell — best sunset views of Lake Austin
• McKinney Falls State Park — waterfalls 15 min from downtown

From legendary BBQ to inventive food trailers, Austin's culinary scene makes every weekend a food adventure.

• Franklin Barbecue — worth the wait (get in line by 8am)
• Rainey Street — historic homes turned into bars and restaurants
• SFC Farmers' Market — Mueller and Sunset Valley, every Saturday
• South Congress food crawl — from tacos to Thai to brunch
• Craft breweries — Jester King, Pinthouse, Live Oak

Austin is one of the most family-friendly cities in Texas. From interactive museums to splash pads, kids never run out of things to do.

• Thinkery — hands-on children's museum in Mueller
• Austin Zoo — small but kid-friendly in the hills off 290
• Peter Pan Mini Golf — an Austin institution since 1948
• Zilker Zephyr miniature train and Zilker Botanical Garden
• Splash pads — Mueller, Liz Carpenter, Butler Shores

You don't need to spend a dime to have a great weekend in Austin. Some of the best experiences are completely free.

• Texas State Capitol tours — free, no reservation needed
• Congress Avenue Bridge bats — 1.5 million bats at sunset (Mar–Oct)
• Graffiti Park at Castle Hills — murals and street art
• Lady Bird Lake Trail — 10 miles of trail with skyline views
• Blues on the Green — free concert series at Zilker Park (summer)

Austin's creative spirit shines through its museums, galleries, theaters, and public art. Every weekend offers something inspiring.

• Blanton Museum of Art — free on Thursdays, $12 weekends
• Bullock Texas State History Museum — IMAX and interactive exhibits
• South Congress mural walk — "I love you so much" wall and more
• The Contemporary Austin — modern art at Jones Center and Laguna Gloria
• Paramount Theatre — films, comedy, and live performances since 1915