If you’re in the market for a cheap day out in Austin, Texas, there are some great free activities you can enjoy. You can visit the George Washington Carver Museum in South Congress, the Big Top Candy Shop, and the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry. Free admission is available on Sundays. Other fun things to do in Austin include the 360 overlook, Austin Aqua-Dome, and Callahan’s General Store, which features the daily life of a Texas rancher. Lastly, if you’d like to enjoy a live concert, you should check out the Brush Square Museums, which host free events during the year.
Mount Bonnel
The city is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world, with 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats taking flight in tandem. You can watch from a bridge and catch the sunset over the Colorado River. Bats do not stay around all winter, but between May and early autumn, you can catch a glimpse of them if you are lucky enough to spot them. To see them, you’ll want to come early in the morning.
If you’re traveling with kids, consider visiting Austin’s famous Live Music District. The city has a vibrant live music scene, and many things to do for free. Music lovers can listen to live music at Waterloo Records and Video. The Austin Zoo also offers free admission and is home to the Texas State Aquarium. For more free activities in the area, head to Waterloo Records & Video.
Another fun free thing to do in Austin is to visit the city’s state capitol. This is Austin’s seat of government and the I Love You So Much mural is an iconic Austin landmark. If you’re not a history buff, check out the Austin Nature & Science Center, a museum of natural science and nature. You’ll also find educational exhibits, hands-on activities, and recreational activities at the Texas State Capitol. No matter where you end up, you’ll find something to do on a budget.
Mayfield Park
One of the city’s most popular attractions is the State Capitol, located in downtown Austin. This state capitol features tours and exhibits, including a giant Lego model of the entire state that took 65,000 blocks to build. Regardless of what type of art you’re into, there are plenty of free things to do in Austin, Texas. The state capitol is also a prerequisite to checking out other attractions in downtown Austin.
For food, the Blazer Tag cafe offers pizza, burgers, nachos, funnel cakes, and cheese sticks. The Blazer Tag cafe has arcade games, pinball machines, and skee-ball. Families can try their hand at a game or two at the Blazer Tag cafe. There are even free things to do in Austin for adults without children. In the evening, enjoy a live concert in the Oak Garden at Guero’s Taco Bar.
The Deep Eddy Pool, which is the oldest swimming pool in the state, is a favorite among younger kids. It is also the oldest pool in Texas and uses water from three on-site wells. There are also 11 splash pads available for the public to enjoy. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of the swimming pool and playground. Afterwards, enjoy the gardens and quaint cottages.
Barton Springs Pool
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing dip or a place to cool off, you can’t go wrong with Barton Springs Pool in Austin, TX. The outdoor pool is 68 degrees, so you’ll never run out of options for cool water. Best of all, admission is free on weekends and during daylight hours. Barton Springs is an Austin favorite, and it’s open all year round. During the winter months, you can take part in a Polar Bear Plunge, and in the summer, you can simply cool off in the outdoor swimming pool. It’s also home to the critically endangered Barton Springs Salamander.
Free activities in Austin include hiking around Lady Bird Lake. A scenic hiking trail winds through downtown Austin and is a favorite of nature lovers, cyclists, and anyone seeking fresh air. While there are no swimming areas at Lady Bird Lake, you can take a dip in the nearby Barton Springs Pool. During the summer, this free attraction is packed with people. Regardless of whether you’re in the mood to swim or simply want to relax, Barton Springs Pool is a great option for families or friends.
Unplugged at the Grove concert series
For those who enjoy live music, KGSR’s Unplugged at the Grove concert series is a must-see. Held every Thursday from April through September, this popular series features local, regional, and national musicians. There’s no cover charge, and the performances are free. You can also enjoy great food and a movie, as long as you can walk around Austin!
While the music is free and open to the public, donations are greatly appreciated. Buckets are passed out at intermission asking for donations. Any amount is welcomed. Concessions will be available for purchase. The event is supported by the Economic Development Department of the City of Austin and the Cultural Arts Division of the city. Check out the full schedule at KGSR’s Unplugged at the Grove web page for more information.
For fun free things to do in Austin, Texas, check out the Unplugged at the Grove concert series. The series, produced by KGSR, is Austin’s longest running free concert series. There’s no cover for this event, and food and beer are available for purchase from local vendors. Parking is free, but you may want to pack a picnic if you’re heading out to this concert series.
Blanton Museum of Art
For fun free things to do in Austin, Texas, consider the Blanton Museum of Art. One of the country’s premier university art museums, the Blanton houses a collection of over 18,000 works of art from around the world. Highlights include European paintings, ancient Greek and Roman vases, and contemporary works from the Americas. Visiting the museum on a Thursday or third Thursday of the month is free, and admission is free for all ages.
Among the free things to do in Austin are the numerous festivals and 27 public pools. You can also visit the Austin Nature & Science Center for an interactive kids’ program, or take a tour of the Capitol. A few other fun free things to do in Austin include the Blanton Museum of Art, a free admission day every Thursday, and the production facility of Amy’s Ice Creams. For adults, there are many free outdoor activities in and around Austin, including storytelling and bocce ball.
For art lovers, the Blanton is an excellent place to visit for a family day out. The museum features the first photograph ever taken – by Joseph Nicephore Niepce in Burgundy, France – and many other pieces from around the world. If you want to learn more about art history, check out the Bullock Museum and the Blanton Museum of Art. If you’re in the mood for a museum, you can even take a walk along Congress Avenue, where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the Texas State Capitol.
Austin’s children’s museum
For the little ones, the children’s museum is a wonderful free experience. The museum contains everything from vintage collectibles to board games to finger traps and wind-up figures. You can even take part in a free play session! There are 3 locations in Austin. For even more fun, you can visit the museum’s miniature stores. If you’re traveling with small children, you might want to try a Trader Joe’s!
Located at Zilker Park, the Austin Children’s Museum has interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that will engage even the youngest of children. The museum also hosts “Living History Days” that feature costumed volunteers and colorful characters from Texas state history. Families with children can also take advantage of Zilker Park, a giant park full of playgrounds and splash pads. Younger children will especially enjoy the Dino Pit and Eco Detective Trail.
For children, the Thinkery children’s museum is another great place to spend time. Located in the Mueller neighborhood, this museum features hands-on activities to inspire young minds. There are also special events and animal encounters at the Austin Zoo, which you can also book in advance. For a discount, you can also use Tiqets, an online service that offers discounted Austin Zoo and Aquarium tickets.
Austin’s aquarium
One of the best free things to do in the capital city of Texas is visiting the aquarium. This aquarium is located in a strip mall and is filled with thousands of species of animals, including reptiles, tropical fish, and endangered ring tail lemurs. There are even turtles and lorikeets, so you can get up close and personal with some of these creatures.
The Zilker Botanical Garden is another free attraction in the downtown area. This garden is full of heritage live oak trees. There are also Japanese gardens, a prehistoric garden, and a rose garden, as well as a bubbling stream. Kids between the ages of three and 17 can go for half-price admission. You can also enjoy free admission on certain days of the month. You can also bring your dog.
For younger visitors, you might want to visit the Thinkery, a children’s museum with hands-on activities. Afterwards, you can visit the Austin Aquarium, which features an array of marine life and many different kinds of animals. You can book a special event and enjoy the aquarium as well. If you want to save money, you can also visit the Austin Zoo and Aquarium at the same time. Tiqets also offers a discounted dual pass for the two attractions.
