Top Things To Do In Austin This Summer

If you’re traveling and find yourself in the ATX, the capital of Texas, we have your itinerary ready for you!

Summer is here, meaning it’s time for vacations, getaways, adventures, and roadtrips…and we highly suggest coming to Austin, Texas, y’all.

We’re the capital city of the state and the Live Music Capital of the World, and we like to keep it weird. We kind of have something for everyone, whether you’re into shopping, the great outdoors, history, or food. And our top suggestions of things to do in ATX include:

1. Eat Barbecue: Austin is full of amazing, award-winning dining options, including lots of breweries, food trucks, and tex-mex restaurants. However, our main claim to fame is barbecue at places like Interstellar, Stiles Switch, Black's Barbecue, Salt Lick, Cooper's, The County Line, and Franklin Barbecue.
2. Visit The Capitol Building: The Texas State Capitol opened in 1888, and even if you don’t care about politics, this pink granite landmark is quite the sight to see. 
3. Take A Dip: Pool water from underground springs, a 50-foot waterfall that leads into a canyon, a fully submerged cave, natural pools…We have it all and more. Try to beat the heat by spending time at Blue Hole, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Jacob’s Well, Krause Springs, Barton Springs Pool, and Hamilton Pool.
4. Hike: In addition to watering holes, this city is full of hiking trails. You can walk or bike around the city on the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail, watch the sun set atop Mount Bonnell, birdwatch at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, or see the falls of McKinney Falls State Park.
5. See The Bats: The Congress Avenue Bridge is an iconic spot in Austin, and if you visit at just the right time, you can see the Congress Bridge Bats fly out just before sunset. 
6. Learn Some History: The Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the "Story of Texas." One of the museum’s most notable pieces is the Goddess of Liberty, which stands sixteen feet tall and was originally on top of the Capitol building!
7. Have An Instagram-Worthy Picnic: Zilker Metropolitan Park offers over 350 acres of space for frisbee, reading, playing, flying kites, napping, and picnics, all with views of the city skyline. There are playgrounds, concession stands, a botanical garden, a theater, and a miniature railway, too, and this is where the Austin City Limits Music Festival takes place. 
8. Do Some Shopping: South Congress is full of unique boutiques, hotels, and restaurants, as well as several recognizable murals. It’s a must-see stop for any tourist.  
9. Play Putt-Putt: Peter Pan Mini-Golf has been around since 1948, and the courses feature whales, dinosaurs, castles, and other magical barriers. It’s also BYOB!
10. Visit A Cathedral: The Cathedral of Junk is an attraction like no other. It’s made with over 60 tons of, well, junk. Just go…Trust us…Visit it.
11. Do Some More Shopping: The Domain is an outdoor shopping mall that offers retail,  restaurant, and residential space. You can shop, you can eat, and then you can do it all again!
12. Get Dirty: Last but not least, there is Sixth Street (aka Dirty 6th), a historic and famous street, full of entertainment, where you never know what you’ll see.

This is just a sampling of all that’s offered, and we hope you get to visit ATX soon. But wherever your summer travels lead you, remember to have a safe/fun time…and remember to call Cothron’s at 512-472-6273 if you need a locksmith!