Summer is here, and there are so many things to get into all around Austin. From swimming holes to outdoor concerts and indoor activities, there are tons of ways to make it unforgettable. We made a list of 29 things to cross off your list to help celebrate the sunny season!
Catch a Free Performance of Bring it On the Musical at Zilker
Bring it On The Musical is coming to Zilker Park starting July 11th. From July 11th through August 16th, Zilker Theatre Productions will be performing Matilda at the park Thursdays-Sundays at 8:15 p.m. Bring it On the Musical will be Zilker Theatre Production’s 66th Annual Zilker Summer Musical. Learn more about the show here.
Take a Water Taxi to Ski Shores
Our friends at Float On Boat Rentals will take you and your crew out to Ski Shores every Friday and Sunday with their Ski Shores Water Taxis. They’ll pick you up at the Walsh Boat Landing and bring you back when you’re done. Enjoy a 40-minute tour of Lake Austin along with free Watertight cocktails while on board. Book your ride here.
Cruise Around in Style With Retro Boats on Lady Bird Lake
Cruise around Lady Bird Lake in style with Retro Boats. These vintage fiberglass boats have been restored to their original jet-age beauty (1958–64), with mid-century retro cool colors, fins, and chrome details. The boats are super easy to drive and only go up to about 4.5 miles per hour so you can feel comfortable driving without any boating experience. The boats hold up to four people and are BYOB as long as your drinks aren’t in glass containers. Learn more and book your boat here.
Sip on $2 Margs at Doc’s
When temperatures reach $100 Doc’s Backyard Grill has you covered. Doc’s offers their frozen margaritas for only $2 anytime the temps reach 100+ degrees this summer. For more drink specials in the summer heat, check out this instagram post here!
Swim and Sun Bathe at Barton Springs
With water temperatures remaining around 68-70 degrees all year, Barton Springs is the perfect place to cool off during the summer. Barton Springs has both a free and paid side with free hours available in the early mornings and evenings. Find prices and hours here. Photo credit: @nicslevin
Hang out at Deep Eddy Pool and Pool Burger
One of our favorite ways to cool off is spending the day at Deep Eddy Pooland then walking over to Pool Burger for icy sips. Deep Eddy Pool is a man-made spring-fed pool and is open daily from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. There is a small fee to enter. Pool Burger is located just steps away serving up fresh burgers and fries, soft-serve ice cream, and tropical cocktails.
Try a Free Yoga Class
Looking to get active this summer? YTX is back with their free summer yoga series at Republic Square through August 5th. Enjoy yoga (starting at 7:30pm), DJ set, cold plunges, fresh juice, local vendors, and more.
Hang at a Hotel Pool with ResortPass
Treat yourself to a little luxury by sippin’ and lounging poolside at some of the top hotel pools across the city. There are plenty of Austin hotels that allow non-guests to live a little and make a splash just for the day via ResortPass.
Make a Day Trip to Schlitterbahn
Perhaps Texas’ best-known water park, Schlitterbahn’s enormous water park is split into four sections with river rides, pools, waterslides, and “adventures from mild to wild” that will appeal to everyone. Every section of the park also has a swim-up bar, a “not-so-lazy river,” a children’s play area, and rides. Plus, Schlitterbahn allows guests to bring their own coolers with a picnic lunch.
Cool off With Sno beach
Sno Beach has been a summer Austin staple since 1993. Beat the heat at this shaved ice trailer serving up both classic and unique flavors like cantaloupe, coffee, sweet tea, and more.
Take a Dip in Krause Springs
Krause Springs is a camping and swimming site located in Spicewood, Texas about 30 miles west of Austin. There are 32 springs throughout the 115-acre property along with a manmade pool and natural pool that flows into Lake Travis. Food and drinks are allowed, while glass and pets are prohibited. It costs $10 to enter.
Grab Something Sweet at Zed’s Ice Cream
Zed’s Ice Cream is serving up unique creamy creations over on the east side and in Tarrytown. Zed’s ice cream is unique in that they use a blend of Tillamook vanilla soft serve swirled with fresh fruit from the Willamette Valley. Fruits include banana, pineapple, strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry with toppings like chamoy, honey, toasted coconut, Oreos, and more.
Explore Austin on the Water With Rowing Dock
Rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard at Rowing Dock on Lady Bird Lake. All their transportation devices are dog-friendly so your pup can come with you to explore. Looking to get out on the water at sunset? Check out their Guided Bat Tour where you’ll get a picture-perfect view of over 1.5 million bats flying overhead. Learn more about all rentals here.
Indoor Mini Golf at Dirdie Birdie or Spare Birdie
Take cover from the sun and head indoors for a round or two of mini golf at Dirdie Birdie at the Domain or Spare Birdie in Cedar Park. Both places offer an extensive food and beverage menu so you can sip and snack while you get into a little friendly competition.
Enjoy this legendary Austin tradition: Blues on the Green
KGSR has announced that Austin’s longest running summer concert series, Blues on the Green is back! This concert series started in The Arboretum in the 90’s, they’ve now moved to Zilker Park. Mark your calendars for August 5th and August 6th. Get more info here.
Shop for Seasonal Fruits and Veggies at a Local Farmers’ Market
As the seasons change, new fruits and veggies come into season, and with summer comes ripe watermelon, strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, corn, and much more. Austin has several farmers’ markets every weekend in different areas of the city where you can shop small and support our local farmers. Check out a list of Austin’s farmers’ markets, their hours, and where to find them here.
Charter The Austin Sunshine Boat
Austin’s legendary Sunshine Machine just got a makeover! The inside has had a beautiful complete restoration and can be chartered for day use, sunset, ect. Learn more about this little piece of Austin getting new life or book here.
Join Knightcap Austin for a Night of Chess
Knightcap invites people of all skill levels to join them at some of the swankiest spots around town! Follow them on social or check ou their website to see when the next pop-up is!
Pedal Kayaks on Lake Travis
Take a little trip out north and head to Lake Travis for the day. Austin Pedal Kayaks is located on Lake Travis and offers unique pedal kayaks that feel similar to biking on the water! Along with pedal kayaks, they also offer normal kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. They’re open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and are walk-up friendly. They also offer special sunset paddles that take off at 7:15 p.m. Learn more about Austin Pedal Kayaks and all they offer here.
See a Show During the Long Center’s Drop-In Concerts
The Drop-In is back at the Long Center with more music than ever. Now through August 14th, stop by the Long Center’s lawn on Thursdays for a free concert with the Austin skyline as the backdrop. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the tunes. Find the full summer schedule here.
Get Creative and Crafty at Upstairs Circus
Escape the heat and head indoors to grab a cold cocktail and try your hand at crafting at Upstairs Circus. Upstairs Circus is where a DIY workshop meets a cocktail bar. Choose from a menu of DIY projects, including woodworking, jewelry making, concrete work, painting, and much more. While you work, grab a cocktail (or three) from their bar. They offer happy hour specials and bottomless mimosas on the weekends. Learn more and make a reservation here.
You can also tap into your creative side by visiting MUD Studio, they offer a wide variety of ceramic classes.
Another fun class we’ve taken recently is from Palette. They offer painting classes paired with wine!
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jaws
Jaw’s celebrates 50th years this year! Austin offers a one of a kind way to enjoy the classic with Jaws on the Water. This event is a completely immersive way to experience Jaws! Get tickets here.
Catch a Classic with Paramount Summer Classic Film Series
Calling all movie buffs! The Paramount is back with their Paramount Summer Classic Film Series. Now through Labor Day weekend they are screening films from all eras of cinema history. Check out the schedule here.
Grab Some Friends and Try and Escape Game
This is one of those things that every time our team does one, we agree that it was a blast! They have a variety of rooms that you get 60 minutes to escape from. The last one we did was the cosmic themed one, we escaped with seconds to spare and are already discussing when we can go back to try another room. Book your Escape room here.
