2026-08-28 08:49:12
Spring wildflowers and summer swimming holes, fall football and western-style winters — every season is rich with reasons to visit Austin.
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Spring blossoms brightly at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, with acres of native flowers and trees. April’s Burnet Bluebonnet Festival celebrates the state flower with music and a carnival. In Fredericksburg, sip local wine and wander Wildseed Farms in peak bloom.
Kick off festival season at SXSW — the famed conference and music, film and comedy festivals held each March. In April, Moontower Comedy Festival welcomes 100+ sidesplitting comics. Listen to trippy experimental rock at the Austin Psych Fest, on stage in May.
Walk or cycle the urban Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail encircling Lady Bird Lake. Explore trails and swimming holes at the Barton Creek Greenbelt, then continue on to the Violet Crown Trail for an urban nature escape.
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Spring is patio season! Sip a boozy lemonade and snack on tacos (try the griddled mushroom version) in Cosmic Saltillo’s garden. Or try Asian-style Texas barbecue on Loro’s shady patio, paired with a mandarin margarita. Five food trucks, draft cocktails and live music make Armadillo Den a backyard party.
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Slow down and beat the heat, Austin-style. Plunge into Zilker Park’s Barton Springs Pool, splash around the historic Deep Eddy Pool or escape to the lush greenery of Krause Springs. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak from Rowing Dock on Lady Bird Lake. Or head out to Lake Travis for fishing and wakeboarding.
At sunset, watch thousands of bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Sing along to the summer musical at Zilker Hillside Theater or spread a blanket for Zilker Park’s Blues on the Green concerts in June. Cold margs and live music make the Oak Garden at Güero’s Taco Bar a summer night hot spot.
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Margaritas + tacos = summer perfection. Try a refreshing strawberry-basil marg and the adobo shrimp taco at Fresa’s. The pineapple-serrano marg at Fonda San Miguel balances sweet and heat perfectly with a wagyu steak taco. And El Alma’s Avocadorita blends tart citrus with creamy avocado as the perfect accompaniment to the lamb barbacoa taco.
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Fall frolics are here. Pick your pumpkin and tackle three mazes at Sweet Berry Farm, then brave haunted history with Austin Ghost Tours. The Austin Symphony Halloween Children’s Concert makes classical music fun for all.
Texas Hill Country scenery meets vineyard bliss on the Driftwood Wine Trail. Sip award-winning cuvée blanc at Driftwood Estate Winery, 100% Texas pours under the oaks at Duchman Family Winery, and seasonal fruit wines or bold reds on the shaded patio at Wimberley Valley Winery.
Football season is electric. Feel the energy at the Texas Longhorns’ Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium or raise a German beer stein during a watch party at Scholz Garten. Catch every play on the outdoor big screen at Victory Lap or grab game-day smashburgers at Nunya Neighborhood Bar.
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Fall calls for barbecue and beer! Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden dishes up smokehouse sausages with a perfect snap, along with a bevy of local craft brews. The Sunday-only barbacoa tacos at Moreno Barbecue are worth the wait, sided with an icecold beer. In-the-know locals flock to Brown’s Bar-B-Que food truck for truly outstanding brisket (grab a draft beer from the next-door Corner Bar).
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Austin sparkles with holiday festivities in the wintertime. Stroll through twinkling tunnels at Zilker Park’s Austin Trail of Lights or cruise the dazzling display at Circuit of The Americas’ Peppermint Parkway. At Auditorium Shores, Austin’s New Year buzzes with live music and midnight fireworks.
Warm up while two-steppin’. The Broken Spoke is Austin’s oldest honky-tonk and a true institution. Old pros and first-timers dance side-by-side at The White Horse. Divey Donn’s Depot is a music haven with affordable drinks and free popcorn.
Rainy day? Lose yourself in the international art collection at the Blanton Museum of Art, explore a storied presidency in the recently reimagined galleries at the LBJ Presidential Library or dive deep into Texas lore at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
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Cozy up with comfort food and drinks. Try hearty Frito pie, spicy chili and the Bloody Caesar garnished with pickled okra at Texas Chili Parlor. Slurp rich tonkotsu pork broth at Ramen Tatsu-ya, sided with gyoza and hibiscus iced tea steeped in lemongrass. Dig into Southern comfort classics and hearty portions on the heated patio at Moonshine Grill.
Plan your own Austin getaway at visitaustin.org/itinerary-ideas
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