Austin is growing at an amazing pace, and it’s no wonder. The city is home to awesome activities, events, and an incredible food scene. The list of unique things to do in Austin is as long as the city is awe-inspiring.
You Won’t Find These 7 Unique Things To Do in Austin Anywhere Else
Austin offers something for outdoor lovers, foodies, festival seekers, and pretty much everyone in between. Check out these seven unique things to do in Austin, TX, that you can’t do anywhere else.
1. Stroll Along Lady Bird Lake
It won’t take long to see why Lady Bird Lake is one of the most recommended outdoor activities in Austin. Created to help limit flooding along the Colorado River, this Austin exclusive is a gem you don’t want to miss.
It features a 10-mile hike and bike trail connecting many Austin neighborhoods with downtown and is home to a host of recreational activities. You can enjoy fishing, paddling, and boating on your own or join one of the many sightseeing cruises on the lake.
2. Tour the Texas State Capitol Building
The expression “everything’s bigger in Texas” is on full display in the state Capitol building. A designated National Historic Landmark, it features impressive architecture and expansive grounds. If you are staying downtown, the multiple bus stops along the complex’s perimeter make getting here simple.
When not in session, you can enjoy free guided tours of the rotunda and both chambers. They take about 30 minutes and highlight all of the key areas in the building. If you prefer, you can opt for a self-guided tour of the building, grounds, and surrounding complex. Use a brochure from the helpful visitor center or follow signs to the mobile tour stations.
3. Watch Thousands of Bats Take Flight
Austin, TX, is often called the City of Bats, and for good reason. It is home to one of the world’s largest urban colonies of bats. Some estimates put the number of bats primarily located near the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge at 1.5 million, with year-round colony numbers averaging 100,000.
One of the unique things to do in Austin is to watch the nightly bat emergence from several key locations near the bridge. It is a great family-friendly free activity in the heart of the city. Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation offers helpful viewing tips and advice for first-time bat watchers.
Be mindful of protocols that help protect the bats, their habitat, and you. For example, never handle the bats. If you find one injured or struggling, report it to the Austin Bat Refuge. You also want to avoid shining bright lights at or near the bats.
The best viewing is along the bridge between mid-March and October or November. From late July through August, you can catch a glimpse of the bat pups learning to fly and hunt. If you prefer a more structured viewing approach, there are plenty of bat-watching tours you can take.
4. Splash in the Barton Springs Pool
Fed from natural springs that flow under Austin, the Barton Springs Pool is a favorite place for Austinites to cool down from the summer heat. The water averages a comfortable 68 degrees year-round and eventually makes its way into Lady Bird Lake.
Barton Springs Pool is a cool place to hang out with family and friends. And, with three acres of water, there is plenty of room for everyone who visits. Entrance is through the Zilker Metropolitan Park, and you can check with the city for current hours, rates, and parking information. Austin RV Park is an excellent place for families to stay in the area, or check into one of the local hotels in this growing part of town.
5. Help Keep Austin Weird at Local Hot Spots of Curiosity
The city lovingly adopted the “Keep Austin Weird” catchphrase and has run with it. There are dozens of businesses catering to the slightly off-kilter in the city; some of the most unique include:
- Sparky Park is a neighborhood pocket park run by the City of Austin. It is a former electrical substation that has been transformed into a recreation and rental space full of quirky art.
- The Cathedral of Junk is a backyard clubhouse built using, well, junk. You must make an appointment to visit.
- The Eureka Room is a participatory experience that takes place within a 100-square-foot room. It is a truly unique Austin experience that is great for individuals and small groups. Reservations are required.
You can also catch many other fun, if slightly weird, experiences like Fairy Alley, Curia Arcanum’s House of Curiosities, and the Museum of the Weird.
6. Revel in the Deliciousness of the Museum of Ice Cream
Seven Museums of Ice Cream are located worldwide, each with a local flair. So, while it’s not strictly unique to Austin, the city’s Museum of Ice Cream is a specially curated experience.
Its name says it all. The Museum of Ice Cream is a one-of-a-kind, all-you-can-eat ice cream extravaganza for all ages. Learn about the history of this iconic dessert while enjoying immersive exhibits like the sprinkle pool. The Austin Museum of Ice Cream has a diner, candy shop, bar, and retail store in a totally cashless environment.
7. Enjoy Live Music
Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, and a stay at one of the city’s unique accommodations can set you up to take in a show on almost any night of the week. Check out local bands at one of the clubs along Sixth Street or a big-name act at one of Austin’s major entertainment venues.
Enjoy the Many Unique Things There Are To Do in Austin
Auston RV Park is an excellent home base from which you can enjoy the many unique things to do in Austin. Whether you want to catch the bats taking flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge or tour the grounds at the Texas State Capitol, we are conveniently located near many exciting activities you can’t experience anywhere else. Check out our rates and book your site today.