When to visit Austin: Spring is one of Austin's best seasons: bluebonnets bloom, temperatures are mild, and outdoor patios and Lady Bird Lake trails are at their liveliest
When is the best time to visit Austin?
Avg Temp
16–26°C
Rainfall
Moderate, ~85mm/month
Best Time
Spring is one of Austin's best seasons: bluebonnets bloom, temperatures are mild, and outdoor patios and Lady Bird Lake trails are at their liveliest
Packing Tips (4)
- Layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons
- Comfortable shoes for walking South Congress and the lake trail
- A light rain jacket for spring showers
- Sunscreen for outdoor festivals
What does Austin cost?
Typical prices
- Budget meal$15.00
- Mid-range meal$40.00
- Cappuccino$5.00
- Domestic beer$7.00
- Taxi (per km)$2.50
- Public transport ticket$1.75
- Museum entry$15.00
- Mid-range hotel (night)$220.00
Local currency: USD
Food & Drink
Franklin Barbecue
Legendary barbecue joint famous for its hours-long line and melt-in-the-mouth smoked brisket.
Uchi
Chef Tyson Cole's influential sushi restaurant on South Lamar, known for creative rolls like the machi cure.
Matt's El Rancho
Austin institution since 1952 serving Tex-Mex classics like the Bob Armstrong dip.
Odd Duck
Farm-to-table restaurant on South Lamar with a rotating seasonal menu built around local produce and wood-fired cooking.
Veracruz All Natural
Beloved taco trailer turned brick-and-mortar known for its migas tacos and fresh-pressed juices.
Home Slice Pizza
South Congress pizzeria serving New York-style slices, a neighborhood favorite since 2005.
La Barbecue
East Austin trailer serving standout brisket and sausage, a favorite among barbecue devotees.
Rainey Street Historic District
Row of converted bungalow bars with backyard patios and food trucks near the lake.
The Continental Club
Legendary South Congress live music venue that has hosted Austin's roots and rockabilly scene since 1955.
Antone's
Historic blues club known as 'Austin's Home of the Blues,' having hosted Stevie Ray Vaughan early in his career.
6th Street
Downtown's dense strip of bars, live music clubs, and dance floors that anchors Austin's nightlife.
Culture & History
The Blanton Museum of Art
University of Texas art museum with an extensive Latin American art collection and Ellsworth Kelly's 'Austin' installation building.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Covers Texas history from indigenous peoples through statehood, with an IMAX theater.
The Contemporary Austin
Modern art museum spanning a downtown site and the Laguna Gloria lakeside sculpture park.
LBJ Presidential Library
Presidential library and museum on the UT campus documenting Lyndon B. Johnson's life and administration.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (South Lamar)
Original location of the dine-in movie theater chain founded in Austin, known for themed screenings and strict no-talking policy.
Paramount Theatre
Historic 1915 downtown theater hosting classic film screenings and the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series.
SXSW (South by Southwest)
World-renowned festival combining film, music, and interactive tech conferences across downtown venues.
Old Settler's Music Festival
Bluegrass and Americana festival held in the Austin area, drawing acoustic music fans each spring.
Nature & Outdoors
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Collapsed grotto with a waterfall feeding a turquoise swimming hole, a popular reservation-only day trip.
Mount Bonnell
Austin's highest point, offering panoramic views over Lake Austin from a short set of stone steps.
Active & Fun
Life Time Athletic Austin
Large full-service fitness club with pools, classes, and weight rooms in the Domain area.
Castle Hill Fitness
Boutique Austin gym known for personal training and a wide range of group classes.
Barton Springs Pool
Spring-fed natural swimming pool in Zilker Park that stays a constant 68-70°F year-round, an Austin summer icon.
Deep Eddy Pool
Austin's oldest swimming pool, a spring-fed natural pool along the Colorado River dating to the 1900s.
Zilker Park
Central park hosting the Zilker Botanical Garden, Barton Springs, and outdoor festivals like ACL, more green space than theme park but a core recreation hub.
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