35 Things Everyone Should Do In Austin, Texas, Before They Die

Austin is one city you have to visit in the US! Grab your sunscreen and beach towel and head to Zilker Park, where you will find the beautiful Barton Spring Pool - a pool that's unlike any of the pools we're all used to. (Figured we might as well start with a fun, chilled one…😉). There is parallel parking along Baylor Street, though space may be somewhat limited depending on the time.

While Austin's weather is wholly unpredictable, the most bankable times to come are Spring and Fall. On a clear night, the waters of Town Lake shimmer in downtown Austin, reflecting the sunset's orange glow. Nature is a hands-on experience at this curiosity shop of scientific and natural artifacts located in west Zilker Park, which has an old-school, natural history museum vibe.

There are unique opportunities to learn about the city, such as Texas Bike Tours narrated by locals and including a photographer; and Austin Duck Adventures where you splash from the street right into Lady Bird Lake. Zilker Park is also the start of the Barton Creek Greenbelt , an 8-mile (13-kilometer) recreational landscape.

Although lined with hotels and residential complexes, the majority of its shoreline is open to the public, with miles of excellent trails for pedestrians and cyclists, including the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and Pedestrian Bridge, which crosses the river and connects downtown Austin with the southern shore.

Keep in mind that Texas Memorial Museum and the Harry Ransom Center, located on the University of Texas campus, are always free. If you're drawn to discover the city's heartbeat and inner funk, take a picture with the "I love you so much" mural on South Congress Ave, or the "Hi, How are you?" frog mural on Guadalupe and 21st.

The downtown Austin outpost is in a funky vintage theater and while it's slightly smaller than most Alamo theaters, it's got all the same fun stuff: goofy quote-alongs, quirky theme nights and food and drinks delivered to your chair. Of interest to the kids in particular, Austin Visitor Center there is a wonderful special effects theater presentation that takes its viewers on an epic journey through the history of Texas.

Beth Miller is an Austin, Texas based musician with fifteen-plus years experience playing the guitar. Live entertainment might seem like more of an adult activity, but Austin's Long Center boasts diverse programming that appeals to all ages. Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin is home to many famous bars, nightclubs and concert venues.