Bargain-PriceD Activities

Cheap Things to do in Austin

Visit the Texas State Capitol!

The Texas State Capitol, built of native pink limestone, is taller than the US Capitol building and definitely worth a visit. The grounds are green and shady – great for a picnic. Bus it or Bike it! Or get free two-hour parking at the Capitol Visitors Garage.

See the Bats Fly! – Congress Avenue Bats

Every evening from March through October, up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge and fill the surrounding sky. Get there early if you want a good spot on the bridge!

Be Active at Zilker Park

Home to the annual Austin City Limits (ACL) Concert, a hillside theater, the Botanical Gardens, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Zilker Park offers playing fields, picnic tables, and playgrounds adjacent to the Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail.

Go Swimming at Barton Springs Pool

Considered by many to be the best swimming hole in town, this 900 plus foot pool in Zilker Park was formed when Barton Springs was dammed. The water is 68 degrees year-round. Cost is $3 for adults.

Hook ‘Em at the University of Texas (UT) Campus

UT is home to many museums including the Ransom Center (home of an original Gutenberg Bible), the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art, and the Texas Memorial Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum (complete with animatronics life-size joke telling LBJ!) is also on the UT campus. Check out the Bob Bullock Texas History museum too while you’re there!

Go for a Bike Ride, a Run, or Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

The Town Lake hike and bike trail offers multiple trails along Lady Bird Lake ranging in distance up to 10 miles. While you’re there, rent a kayak or learn to paddle board! The Texas Rowing center or The Rowing Dock are the places to go. The city of Austin website also has a complete list of the entire hike and bike trails around the city and where they are located.


Other Things to do in Austin

Watch a Movie While Eating Dinner at the Alamo Drafthouse!

With several different locations throughout Austin, you can always find a great movie and even greater food! They frequently have live shows, director debuts, and sing-a-longs with full course meals. If you need a laugh, make sure to check out ANY Master Pancake movie (pairing a bad movie with live, hilarious comedians)!

2-Steppin’ and Boot-Scootin’ at The Broken Spoke!

Start your time in Texas right, by learning how to 2 Step at one of the best Honky-Tonks this state has to offer! Lessons are given almost nightly, live country music is played, and some delicious chicken fried steak is served! I can hear you saying “y’all” already.

Food Trucks!

There are food trailers & trucks all over the city, with so many different cuisines! From delicious beet fries at East Side Kings to giant donuts with bacon and maple icing, I’m positive you can find a trailer to fall in love with!

Catch an epic sunset at The Oasis on Lake Travis

Head over right before sunset and order some Tex-Mex. This 30,000 square-foot restaurant sits 450 feet above the lake and is the largest outdoor restaurant in Texas. The terraced views overlooking Lake Austin are breathtaking!

Catch Some Live Music

You’re in the Live Music Capital, home of SXSW (South by Southwest) and ACL (Austin City Limits), with music on almost every corner! From singer-songwriters to indie pop to metal to hip-hop, there is something for everyone, almost all the time! – Want to get hip to the scene? Check out some of the local music and entertainment blogs! Austin Town Hall is one of my favorites!

Catch a Play or a Musical

ZACH Theatre is the oldest continuously operating theatre in Texas (founded in 1933).

The Vortex is an alternative theater. Not your parents’ plays. Salvage Vanguard Theater! Check out a creepy puppet show or some other equally off-kilter (and fun) show. Zilker Hillside Theatre and UT’s Shakespeare at Windale put on great shows during the summer as well.

Get Your Laughs Down on Sixth Street

Esther’s Follies presents musical comedy, magic, and a political, satirical revue with the bustling backdrop of Sixth Street in its stage front window! Get a Texas-size view of the world through song and dance routines, and material pulled from the nation’s headlines.

Catch a Movie on the Silver Screen

On October 11, 1915, the Paramount Theatre, then called the Majestic Theatre, opened its doors to the public. The Paramount is a must-see experience in the heart of downtown Austin (713 Congress Avenue). The Paramount doesn’t just show classic movies; the Paramount also plays host to plays, musicals and recording artists.

How to Stay Updated

When Where What Austin. Add them on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on all the cool things happening in Austin.

Do 512.  All your entertainment needs!

Austin 360. More fulfillment of all your entertainment needs!

Free Fun in Austin. Exactly what it sounds like

365 Things Austin. Sharing the best things to do in Austin each day.

The Austin Chronicle. A free, weekly newspaper with music, events, food, and politics. And don’t forget to check out the Missed Connections! You never know…!

Austin Outside Guide. Provides details on area parks, bike trails, boating and lake activities, camping, and more!

Today In Austin. Community-wide ‘bulletin board’ for a variety of events happening in the city.

Tips from Past Members

  • Follow your favorite local music venues, restaurants, hang out spots, groups on Facebook and/or Instagram

  • Groupon is great for getting discounts on food, products, and services you already plan on getting or need.

  • Hooked is an app that advertises deals and special for restaurants that are going on during a specific time

  • Carry a Tupperware in your backpack at all times in case of events with free food.

  • Crash UT events if convenient for free pizza and also cool lectures and whatnot.

  • The more roommates, the cheaper the living situation AND the more fun you’ll have.

Outdoor Activities

  • Mount Bonnell

  • Greenbelt

  • Mayfield Park (Peacock Park)

  • Big Stacey Pool

  • Austin 360 Bridge Overlook

  • Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake

  • St. Edward’s Park

  • Barton Springs Pool

  • Zilker Park

  • Lake Austin

  • Enchanted Rock

Museums

  • Mexic-Arte Museum

  • The Blanton Museum of Art

  • The Contemporary Austin

  • The Harry Ransom Center

  • Bob Bullock Texas State Museum

  • The Thinkery

  • LBJ Presidential Library and Museum

  • George Washington Carver Museum

  • Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum

Live Music

  • Mohawk

  • Continental Club/Continental Club Gallery

  • Antone’s

  • Emo’s

  • Stubbs

  • Hotel Vegas

  • The Parish

  • Hole in the Wall

  • White Horse Honky Tonk

Festivals

  • Pecan Street Festival: Bands, food vendors, and an artisan market.

  • Texas Book Festival

  • Oktoberfest

  • Austin City Limits. Famed music festival held in Zilker Park

  • Austin Film Festival

  • Eeyore’s Birthday Party

  • Celtic Festival

  • Formula 1

  • Trail of Lights

  • Zilker Kite Festival

  • Rodeo Austin

  • SSW. Free shows, parties, food, etc.!

  • Moontower Comedy Festival

  • Austin Wine and Music Festival

  • Keep Austin Weird Fest

Other Cool Places

  • Uncommon Objects

  • I Luv Video

  • Austin Central Library

  • Eastside Yoga

  • Half-Priced Books

  • Book People

  • Waterloo Records

  • Instagramable pop-ups

Thrift Shops

  • Uptown cheapskates

  • Treasure City Thrift  

  • Buffalo Exchange

Murals around the City

  • Greetings from Austin

  • Butter Half