Summer is here and we’ve got you covered for the best ways to spend those sunny days! Here is our ultimate Austin Summer Bucket List!
Lady Bird Lake
Head out to Lady Bird Lake where you can SUP, kayak, canoe, or even ride in a retro boat or a swan boat! In other words, you will have to get out there several times and try them all!
You can see the bats from the Congress Avenue Bridge. However, I prefer to see them from below on a bat cruise!
Beaches
Visit a local “beach”. For instance, Emma Long Park, Lake Pflugerville, or Austin’s “Secret Beach“.
Parks
Above all, you have to see the new Alliance Children’s Garden playground at Butler Park. In addition, you can cool off by splashing at the Liz Carpenter Fountain splash pad.
Bring the bikes up to the Brushy Creek Trail and stop at all the playgrounds along the way! For instance, Brushy Creek Lake Park.
Summer is the perfect time to try new things. Therefore, you should try riding the go-karts at Austin’s Park or inside Pinballz.
Water Parks
Visit a waterpark! For instance, try Typhoon Texas, Rock’N River, Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures, Splash Shack, Kalahari, or Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark.
Austin Must-Do’s
No Austin summer is complete without a dip in Barton Springs. However, you will need a reservation.
Make reservations to check out Hamilton Pool, then have a beer at Family Business while the kids run around and play. In other words, it’s the best way to relax after a long hike!
See the fairy homes at the Zilker Botanical Gardens! However, this is a temporary exhibit. Therefore, make reservations to see them before they end the exhibit on August 1st.
Make reservations to see Little Shop of Horrors, the Zilker Summer Musical. This is usually at Zilker Park. However, this year it is at the Hill Country Galleria.
We like to go to locally owned places most of the time. Therefore, we love mini golfing at Peter Pan Mini Golf.
Visit 3 of the best spots in Austin, all next to each other: Mt. Bonnell, Mayfield park, and Laguna Gloria.
Swim in the Barton Creek greenbelt before all the water dries up. Rope swing at Gus Fruh on the greenbelt!
Visit all the splash pads or local public pools.
Visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum or the Texas Memorial Museum.
Go to the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller, followed by a visit to the Thinkery.
Day Trips
Try floating down a river! For instance, the San Marcos, Comal, or Guadalupe.
Book a cabana at Son’s Island and spend the day playing out on the water.
Book a party barge or pontoon boat out on Lake Travis.
Swing from a rope swing at Blue Hole in Wimberley or Krause Springs in Spicewood.
Make a reservation to see the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center.
Hike at McKinney Falls State Park or Pedernales Falls State Park.
Hike to a waterfall at Crockett Gardens and Falls or Chalk Ridge Falls.
See the Friday Fireworks at a Round Rock Express game in Round Rock.
Take a day trip to Ink’s Lake to splash in the Devil’s Watering Hole.
Drive out to Johnson City and visit the Science Mill and the LBJ Ranch.
Take your dinosaur lovers to see the Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek or the real dinosaur tracks in Leander.
Take a day trip to Waco and see the Mayborn Museum, the Dr. Pepper Museum and the Cameron Park Zoo.
Take a day trip to San Antonio to see the DoSeum and the San Antonio Zoo.
Drive through the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and go down into the caves at Natural Bridge Caverns.
Visit a local swimming hole! For instance, Blue Hole in Georgetown or Jacob’s Well.
Drive out to Garner State Park and float in the crystal clear waters of the Rio Frio.
Indoor Fun
Go climbing indoors at Austin Bouldering Project or Crux Climbing Center.
Join a summer reading program and visit the new Austin Central Public Library or BookPeople.
Bowl under the sea at Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl.
Play laser tag or shoot dart guns at Dart Em Up, Main Event or Blazer Tag.
Jump around at Urban Air or Altitude.
Visit the Austin Aquarium and Indigo Play (they’re right next door).
Cool down while playing indoors at Pikopye’s Town or Mt. Playmore.
See some art at the Blanton, which is free for kids under 12. In addition, it’s also free for everyone on Thursdays.
Take the kids roller skating at Playland Skate Center.
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