In the minutes leading up to golden hour, travelers and locals alike gather at the trailhead and embark on the steady climb.įrom the peak, the sunset coats the downtown skyscrapers and the light bounces along the glistening Colorado River.įor a more private experience, come here at sunrise for a similarly brilliant show. The most common time to complete the hike is at sunset. The rather diminutive peak of 775 feet is still enough to place you above everything else, rewarding each hiker who dares climb up over 100 stairs. The city has several urban hiking trails that are worth your time, but none bring you to the highest point in Austin. Those visiting Austin can find the best views in town at the summit of Mt. Read Next: Be sure to read our guide to the best things to do in San Antonio! 5) Summit Mt. See the best of downtown and much of Austin on this e-bike tour. On Saturday, the downtown farmers’ market draws in the crowd, before they all float towards Cesar Chavez St.

The latter showcasing contemporary Mexican art. Along with South Congress, you can best get to know the city by exploring downtown.īy day, you’ll find the sun beaming down on the many sparkling skyscrapers, its busy streets teeming with activity.ĭowntown is where you’ll find the state capitol building, Austin Visitor Center, the Museum of Weird, and the Mexic-Arte Museum. Long before its ascension to the music capital, Austin was simply Austin. The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.īarton Springs Pool is the perfect place to be on a hot Texas day! 4) Downtown Austin Let’s dive into our list of the best things to do in Austin, Texas. Our Austin city guide will help you whittle it down to nothing but the best.

In a city with its hands in so many buckets, travelers will quickly find themselves with a packed itinerary. Best Luxury Hotel in Austin: Hotel Saint Cecilia.Best Mid-Range Hotel in Austin: East Austin Hotel.Best Hostel in Austin: Firehouse Hostel.So much so that your time seeking out what is there to do in Austin will be evenly split between music, food, and the hot Texas sun. Spur-heeled cowboy boots hit the pavement in the evenings and honky-tonk tunes flow out of many of the 250+ live music venues.īut to the contrary, South Congress flips the script with vintage wear, colorful murals, and third-wave coffee.įood trucks gather in local parks slinging eats from the four corners of the globe, while the scents of traditional BBQ catch the nose.īetween the contrasts and wonderful weirdness, is a city focused on protecting its urban nature.

Here in Austin, the world stops on Saturdays for kickoff. The joy of discovering Austin is peeling back each layer, uncovering unique neighborhoods that go against the grain. With its unofficial motto, Keep Austin Weird, the Texas state capital is a conglomerate of personalities and home to some of the best things to do in Texas. Wondering what activities and attractions you can’t miss in the Live Music Capital of the World? Our guide to the best things to do in Austin is just what you need!

Things to do in downtown austin