Summer weekend in Austin
How locals do summer in Austin — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Austin
Congress Avenue Bats
FamilyDowntown
Up to 1.5 million bats fly out at sunset from Apr–Oct.
Barton Springs Pool
OutdoorsZilker
3-acre spring-fed pool, 68°F year-round — Austin's living room.
Lady Bird Lake Trail
OutdoorsDowntown
10-mile loop with kayak rentals and the bat bridge at dusk.
McKinney Falls State Park
OutdoorsSoutheast
Limestone falls, swimming holes and quick hikes 20 min from town.
Rainey Street
NightlifeRainey
Old bungalows turned into bars with food trucks in every yard.
South Congress (SoCo)
Food & DrinkSoCo
Boutiques, food trailers and the I Love You So Much wall.
Where to eat
Loro
$$Asian smokehouse · South Lamar
Tyson Cole + Aaron Franklin — smoked brisket meets Thai chili.
Suerte
$$$Modern Mexican · East Austin
Heirloom corn tortillas + suadero tacos — book a seat at the bar.
Uchi
$$$$Modern Japanese · South Lamar
Tyson Cole's sashimi tasting — Austin's first James Beard winner.
Franklin Barbecue
$$Texas BBQ · East Austin
Aaron Franklin's brisket — line up before 10am or sell out.
Veracruz All Natural
$Tacos · Multiple trailers
Migas tacos that have launched a thousand morning queues.
Live & on stage
Austin City Limits
Zilker Park · Oct 2–4 & 9–11 · Festival
Blues on the Green
Zilker Park · Jun – Aug Wednesdays · Blues / Free
Levitation Festival
Mohawk + Empire · Oct 30 – Nov 1 · Psych Rock
SXSW Music
Citywide · Mar 13–22 · Indie / Mixed
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Barton Springs Pool, South Congress (SoCo), Lady Bird Lake Trail. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Austin and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.