9 Things to Add to Your Austin Summer Bucket List
In Austin, you can’t beat the heat, so you might as well join it. Make the most of the scorching days and sweaty nights with some of the best things to do in Austin this summer. Try the classics, from dipping into freshwater pools to catching a free outdoor concert, or branch out with a Hill Country winery trip or a cold plunge at a day spa.
1. Swim at Barton Springs
2201 William Barton Drive
Barton Springs is a giant, spring-fed swimming pool surrounded by oak trees that captures the spirit of Austin, old and new. Located in Zilker Park, it draws swimmers to its brisk, 68-degree waters year-round — but come summer, all kinds of Austinites pass through the gates to swim laps, suntan, do acroyoga and float with a view of downtown Austin. One thing not allowed here: food, so plan accordingly.
(Photo by Karen Marks/Bat Conservation International)
2. Watch the bats take flight from Congress Avenue Bridge
100 South Congress Ave.
Did you know Austin is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony? Thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats roost beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge before emerging each evening to hunt for insects. Their vast numbers ripple across the sky, making it a treat to watch and hear as they take flight at sunset. Crowds gather on and below the bridge to catch the action, but the view is just as memorable from a paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake.
3. Climb to the top of Mount Bonnell
3800 Mt Bonnell Road
Contrary to popular belief, Texas isn’t all desert. Austin has hills, and they’re best enjoyed in good weather — especially after a storm, when swimming holes fill with fresh, running water. Mount Bonnell, located in Covert Park, offers a free trail to one of the highest points in Austin. At 781 feet above sea level — OK, we never said we had mountains — it gives visitors a sweeping view of the city. Closer to town, the Barton Creek Greenbelt offers 12 miles of trails, seven access points and popular swimming spots like Sculpture Falls and Gus Fruh.
4. See the Zilker Summer Musical under the stars
2206 William Barton Drive
Almost every summer since 1959, Zilker Theatre Productions has staged a free musical under the summer sky. This year’s production of “Singin’ in the Rain” runs Thursdays through Sundays at 8:15 p.m. from July 10-Aug. 15. Come early, claim a spot on the hillside with a low chair and blanket, and take a dip in neighboring Barton Springs before the show.
5. Jam to free live music in the park
We love a concert in the Live Music Capital of the World (obviously). And there’s free beats to enjoy all summer long in Austin’s many outdoor spaces. On June 9-10 starting at 7 p.m., Blues on the Green returns to Zilker Park with headliners Alejandro Escovedo and Brownout, plus other performers. The Long Center hosts its free music series, The Drop-in, all summer long starting on May 21. Plus, the Austin Civic Orchestra takes over the Zilker Hillside Theater on June 5-6 at 8:30 p.m.
6. See a movie at the Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series
713 Congress Ave.
If the heat is getting to you, nothing beats cooling off in a dark, air-conditioned theater. Now in its 52nd year, the Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series returns May 22 with nearly 100 films screening through Labor Day weekend. Opening weekend kicks off with “Casablanca,” “Rear Window” and “Mulholland Drive,” all on 35mm film. Stay tuned for the full lineup, rolling out through September.
7. Visit a Hill Country winery
If you haven’t explored the 100-plus vineyards across the nearby Hill Country — and Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the U.S. — don’t let summer pass without a sip. Plenty of tours depart from Austin, with many wineries just an hour or two away, or make a weekend of it with Fredericksburg as a home base. A few top suggestions: Lewis Wines in Johnson City, Adega Vinho in Stonewall and the dozens of tasting rooms along Fredericksburg’s Main Street.
8. Relax at a day spa
Austin has long embraced wellness culture, and new day spas and wellness destinations seem to pop up all the time. Want to lounge by a hotel pool? Buy a day pass to one of Austin’s many options, like the Fairmont. Need a cold plunge and sauna? Swing by Bathe. Looking for a more luxe escape outside the city? Try Omni Barton Creek or Lake Austin Spa Resort. Just want a fantastic massage? Milk + Honey is a local favorite.
9. Cruise around Lady Bird Lake on a Retro Boat
74 Trinity St.
Boating around Lady Bird Lake is one of the best ways to take in views of downtown Austin. Head to the Waller Creek Boathouse to pick up a Retro Boat, like the pink 1958 Glastron Fireflite known as Gidget or the red 1958 Beeline Sapphire, aka Batgirl. Rentals start at $160 for 90 minutes, with larger Duffy Sun Cruisers available for groups of up to 10.