93 Things To Do In Austin, TX This Summer

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin this summer, look further! I’ve got 93 Fun Things for Adults to do in Austin, an activity for every day of summer!

Sunset at Blues on the Green

It’s officially the first day of summer! And we’ve hit 100 degrees so needless to say, summer is in full swing here in Austin. There are 93 days until fall and here are 93 fun things to do in Austin this summer! Most of the lists I looked at were packed with stuff to do with kids or toddlers, which is great, but why should kids get all the fun? I mean they are already out of school for three months after all. Since I am always looking for random, fun things to do during summer, here is a list I always wish I had on hand! It’s packed with fun festivals, music events, frozen boozy cocktails and some cool things to do in-between!

Festivals and Events in Austin this Summer

1. First Sunday Yappy Hours at South Congress Hotel– We love our dogs in Austin and Grocery Pup & Wondercide, local pup brands, are putting on yappy hours every first Sunday from 8:30am-10:30am. Attendees can enjoy Grocery Pup samples, Juice Society samples, FitJoy bars, tunes by DJ Cassandra and much more! July’s Yappy Hour is July 14th (2nd Sunday) due to the 4th of July.
2. Quesoff at The Mohawk– The annual Quesoff is hosted on July 27th and sure to be extra cheesy and delicious. Entrance to this event is a $3 with a donation to the Central Texas Food Bank at the door and open to all ages and families!
3. Free Day of Yoga– On Labor Day you can catch free yoga classes all over town. Use this as an opportunity to check out that new studio you’ve been eyeing.
4. Blues On The Green– One of Austin’s most famous summer music events, this gathering has turned into a little ACL if you ask me. Grab your cooler and your dog and head out for some sweaty tunes this summer.
5. Summer Classic Film Series at The Paramount– I’ve always loved the Paramount, such an iconic venue. Venture back to the golden age of movies and go see a classic film one evening this summer!
6. Longhorn Meat Market’s 50^th Anniversary Party– Longhorn Meat Market is celebrating their 50th birthday on Sunday, June 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets include a BBQ plate prepped by pitmaster Jimmy Ho of @thesmokingho, cookies, live music, yard games and activities, and entry into the raffle (including raffle packages from YETI, NXNW Brewing Co., Güero’s Taco Bar and more). Kids 12 and under eat free.
7. Sound & Cinema– The concert and movie are free at the Long Center but come early for the food trucks and cocktails. Those aren’t free but certainly a unique setting to catch a show.
8. Austin Pride– Though June is typically when most cities celebrate Pride month, Austin likes to do their own thing and celebrate in August. The parade and festival take place downtown on August 26th.
9. Movies in the Park– Technically this fun lingers into the fall but this summer they are showing Caddyshack and Freaky Friday.  Relive your childhood one summer eve!
10. Alamo Drafthouse Movie Party– When it’s too dang hot to be outside, move the party inside at one of Alamo Drafthouse’s movie parties! Singing and quotealong is encourage and there is usually some fun swag!
11. Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival– Hot sauce lovers unite! I have a deep love for all things spicy and this is a fun way to try some of Austin’s hottest flavors. Sunday August 25th.
12. Trailer Food Tuesdays at The Long Center– Austin is home to some great food trucks and over the summer they get together on select Tuesdays so you can try them all in one place!
13. Zilker Summer Musical– Grab a picnic and head out to Zilker to see their summer musical! This season it’s The Little Mermaid and shows run Thursday-Sunday evenings but double check their site for details. PS- no pups allowed at this one.
14. Austin Symphony Concerts in the Park– Get classy and enjoy some tunes on the lawn at The Long Center. Grab a blanket, some friends and something cool to drink. Shows run on Sunday evenings until August 27th.
15. Unplugged at the Grove– It’s kinda like Blues on the Green but at a bar with a bathroom. I like that. Shows run every Thursday until September.
16. Austin Symphony 4th of July Concert and Fireworks– If you’re looking for the perfect place to watch fireworks, head over to The Long Center for some great views and good tunes.
17. Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic at COTA– Willie Nelson and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are playing and dreams really do come true. Catch this show while Willie is still playing!
18. Float Fest– Tubing, camping and concert. Sounds pretty Austin to me. Saturday and Sunday July 20th & 21st, there are shuttles to and from Austin, San Antonio and San Marcos. 
19. Bat Cruise– If you want a truly unique bat viewing experience, sign up for a Bat Boat Cruise! There’s a DJ, food and oh it’s BYOB. Runs Tuesdays through the season. Where to Cool Off
20. East Austin Hotel Pool– The newest edition to Austin’s Eastside, this hotel boast major Palm Spring vibes and is great place to cool off.
21. Barton Springs– No summer in Austin would be complete without a visit to Barton Springs Pool. Come early on the weekends or else you risk standing in line in the heat.
22. Blue Hole– If you’re up for a quick drive, head out to Wimberly to enjoy the beauty of the Blue Hole’s crystal waters. During the summer reservations are required.
23. Paddleboard Lady Bird Lake– At least once a summer, I grab my dog’s life jacket and make her go paddleboarding with me. It’s good bonding time. This is perfect to do with that friend that is in town.
24. Deep Eddy– Not quite as iconic, or chilly, Deep Eddy is a local’s paradise. Grab a swim and cool off from those 100 degree temps.
25. Pedernales Falls State Park– You can head outside of town, only 30 miles, for the afternoon or go camping. The limestone covered park is a great place to cool off.
26. McKinney Falls State Park– Even closer is McKinney Falls, a mere 13 mile jaunt. You can practically take an uber. Go for a swim, hike with your dog or even camp overnight. There is mountain biking too if that’s your thing.
27. Howl At The Moon Swim– One of my favorite Austin tradition’s is the Howl at the Moon swim! It happens every full moon, this summer that’s July 16th, August 15th and September 13th at 8:30pm. Entrance $5 and limited to the first 750 people to keep things safe.
28. Hamilton Pool– Easily one of Austin’s treasures, this place gets crowded early. They even now require reservations to get in so plan ahead before making the drive. Don’t forget cash for parking.
29. Krause Springs– This oasis is a wonderful respite during the hot Texas summers. The springs keep the water pristine and constantly flowing. No credit cards accepted so stop by the ATM on your way out to Spicewood. They seem to keep their Facebook page more up to date if you need more info!
30. The Wetdeck at The W Hotel– Finding water in which to cool off is usually my #1 priority on any given day during the beating Austin summers. The W Hotel’s Wetdeck turns into a pretty fun, brotastic time if that’s your scene and is most appropriate for adults after 1pm. There are several different options for pool passes and access to the Wetdeck during the week, so be sure to check them out and make a reservation!
31. Twin Falls– One my most favorite greenbelts in Austin, be sure and check the water levels before you make the trek to Twin Falls. It’s dog-friendly but please clean up after your pets!
32. Jacob’s Well– This is the place to go if you want to get a bunch of Instagram likes. It does get crowded, so crowded that you need to make a reservation ahead time if you want to swim.
33. South Congress Hotel Day Pass– I’m partial because it’s in my neighborhood but if it’s possible to have a crush on a hotel then South Congress Hotel would be mine. They offer pool passes to locals for only $30. Play hooky one day and enjoy the pool.
34. Float Fridays at Austin Motel- Floating in a pool watching movies is exactly how I want to spend these hot summer nights, thank you very much. Austin Motel also has pool passes to keep ya cool.
35. Westlake Beach– Who knew Austin had so many beaches! Only open on weekends, be sure to call ahead and double check they aren’t closed for a private party. Entry is $8.
36. Hippie Hollow– Texas’s only nudist park is of course located right near Austin! It’s worth visiting at least once, even if you’re shy, it’s certainly a memorable time!
37. Float the Guadalupe– It’s practically like an Austin initiation, you must float the river at least once while you live here. Round up your friends and head out for a good time. Bring sunscreen and bag to collect your empty beer cans.
38. Fredericksburg– If you can’t catch a flight to get out of town this summer, Fredericksburg provides the perfect escape from the city. Plenty of great restaurants, adorable B&Bs and oh, there’s tons of wineries.
39. Lukenbach– The tiniest town in Texas! and it’s a quick drive from Austin. It’s quaint and the cloggers are cool. Wear your boots and get ready for a little two steppin’ because this is Texas after all!
40. Schlitterbahn– Let your inner kid out and enjoy some water slides and fun this summer. Sure there might be some kiddos crawling around but you can still make a fun day of it!
41. Lake Austin Spa– Now this is what I am talking about it! If you need to zen out, head to Lake Austin Spa for a retreat. You can go for the day or for the week.
42. Austin Steam Train– Skip the day rides and book ahead for one of their beer dinner rides. Adult-Only and Family Friendly cars available.
43. Round Rock Xpress Game– We don’t have any pro-sports teams in Austin but the Round Xpress makes for a fun night! Head out to the ballpark and enjoy some baseball and hot dogs. They also have pools you can rent. Not kidding.
44. Enchanted Rock– Get out an enjoy some nature, maybe even get a little exercise. Makes for a fun day trip!
45. Concert at Whitewater Amphitheater– After you’re done floating the river, if you have any energy left, catch a concert at Whitewater Amphitheater. It’s a fun venue, with a great lineup this summer like Pat Green, The Revivalists and Shakey Graves!
46. Texas Wine Tours– Let someone else do the planning for you and head out for a wine tour in the Hill Country. Coordinate your DD and enjoy a fun day of wine this summer!
47. Sage Hill Inn– You can rent little casitas for a group of gals or a romantic weekend getaway. They have a great pool, delicious food and a relaxing spa. The perfect place to decompress.
48. Lucky Arrow Retreat– Getaway to gorgeous Dripping Springs, Texas for the night! Lucky Arrow is like fancy camping with a pool, which I love. They have AC cabins and super cool yurts you can stay in. They are pet friendly too. Lots of restaurants around and be sure to make a stop at Texas Olive Oil Company just down the road!
    

    Cool Places to Eat and Drink in Austin This Summer

    

49. NadaMoo!– Visit Austin’t best vegan ice cream and coffee shop for treats that everyone can enjoy! My favorite are their coffee shakes!
50. Jester King Brewery– One of the funkiest breweries in town! It’s a fun place to head out to to enjoy some local brews and while you’re at it, grab some seasonal specials from their kitchen!
51. Lick Honest Ice Creams– Cilantro Lime? Lemon Lavender? Lick has some of the most delicious and interesting flavors of ice cream in town! They even have ice cream sandwiches this summer too!
52. Poptails and Live Music at Stephen F. Austin– Their Summer Sunset Series runs every Thursday night starting 7pm with live music, weekly rotating cocktail specials and even frozen “puptails” for your furry friends! 
53. Sip poolside at Kitty Cohen’s– There is literally no place cooler in Austin. Dip your toes into their wading pool and sip on frozen cocktails all summer long.
54. Frosé at Hotel San Jose– One of my personal favorites, grab a glass of frozen rosé from Hotel San Jose on those steamy evenings after a long day of work.
55. Sno-Beach– Basically, all my college dreams are being relived. Grab a mountain of shaved ice covered in some syrup concoction and enjoy.
56. Hay Elotes– Satisfy your sweet tooth at Hay Elotes! This under the radar eastside shop serves some up some tasty treats like the Mangolada!
57. Deep Eddy Distillery– Grab a bus load of your friends and plan a trip out to Deep Eddy Distillery. The space is fun and a great place to spend a weekend afternoon.
58. Celebrate National Tequila Day– In celebration of National Tequila Day on July 24, El Naranjo is offering 20% off margaritas and tequila concoctions. El Naranjo is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and dinner service runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
59. Bluegrass Series at Sour Duck Market– Every Tuesday from 6:30-8:30pm Sour Duck Market will be hosting live bluegrass music! Be sure and try the Frankly Organic Turmeric Mule on tap all summer– so refreshing!
60. Celebrate Christmas in July at Lala’s Little Nugget– If you love Christmas as much as I do than this is the place for you! They celebrate Christmas everyday here!
61. Secret Garden Happy Hour– Summer Fridays just got a whole lot better with Trace’s new happy hour that offers boozy sno-cones and large format drinks!
62. Take A Tour of Still Austin Whiskey Co.- One of Austin’s only urban distilleries, take a tour of how they use Texas grain to make some of the best spirits in town. Stay afterwards for a cocktail flight at their bar that is dog-friendly and has AC!
63. Play Champong– But seriously! Get fancy with this college drinking game favorite at the Four Seasons! Available daily, reserve ahead to get your own Champong table.
64. Cow Tipping Creamery– They started as mere food truck slinging soft-serve near campus. Now their legendary treats are served up at their brick and mortar in South Austin.
    

    Stuff to Do in Austin This Summer

65. Yoga Brunch at Vista Brewing– The first Saturday of every month, join Vista Brewing for a feel-good yoga class  Grab your friends to stretch and move in this one hour Vinyasa Flow class beginning at 10 a.m., followed by a healthy brunch at 11 a.m.
66. Zilker Botanical Gardens– Zilker has so much more to offer than just Barton Springs and the Great Lawn. It’s Zilker Park’s 100th Year Anniversary all year long and celebrate by finally visiting their lovely gardens.
67. Succulents by Reeve– Hit up this cute spot for an evening of fun with friends making succulent pots and get snacks, wine and even go home with a cute plant!
68. Mt. Bonnell- Hike up to Mount Bonnell for sweeping views of Lake Austin! Head up around sunrise or sunset if you can and stop by the Mayfield Park and Preserve to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous peacocks!
69. East Austin Succulents– Basically, millennials are keeping the plant business alive. Visit one of Austin’s best shops and pick up a little plant baby and see how long you can keep it alive.
70. Go To A Class At Paper + Craft Pantry– From calligraphy to pottery, there are always fun classes to chose from. Let your inner creative side have a little fun (indoors!)
71. Austin Art Garage– Visit because it’s that place you always say you’ll stop in and check out but never really do.
72. The Blanton– When it’s too dang hot to be outside, head over to the Blanton. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the space is!
73. State Capitol– Get a little educated about our fair state by taking a tour of the Capitol! It’s free and who knows, you might learn a little something. Head to the Cloak Room afterwards and grab some drinks in this staffers haunt. 
    
74. iFly– I tried this earlier this year and I haven’t screamed with that much excitement in a long time. It was actually really fun!
75. Spa Day at Four Seasons Downtown– Spend the day getting pampered at the Four Seasons Spa, you can even add on a services like Moroccan Oil Head Massage or Dry Brushing complimentary!
76. The Contemporary Austin– Visit any of The Contemporary’s great sites: Laguna Gloria, Waller Creek or their museum. Ai WeiWei has an exhibit going on so go check it out!
77. Peter Pan Mini Golf (BYOB)– Grab some friends and go play some good ol’ fashioned mini golf. Don’t forget your cooler- it’s BYOB! Bring cash and remember no glass.
78. Lake Travis Zipline– When you’re looking for something different to do last minute, try ziplining out on Lake Travis! Enough of a thrill without going to the extreme like say actual sky diving.Inner Space Caverns
79. Inner Space Caverns– I had driven by this place a gazillion times on my drives in and out of Austin and finally one day Brandon and I made the trip to check it out. There are tons of caverns beneath Austin and it was a fun tour.
80. Pick Peaches– Check ahead before you go but there are lots of different pick-your-own farms all around Austin!
81. Take a tour of the street art in Austin– If you haven’t noticed, there are lots of murals all around this city. Pay homage to the artists and take a tour one summer evening of your favorites!
82. Austin Duck Adventures– You’ve all seen the duck boat and you know you wanna go on it at least once! Have a little cheesy fun and take a tour this summer!
83. Go Dancing at The Broken Spoke– Get your honky tonk on at one of Austin’s oldest dance halls! Don’t know how to two-step? Dance lessons begin at 8pm every Wednesday through Saturday.
84. Play a Round at Lions Municipal Golf Course– Help save MUNY by teeing up at this public golf course at least once this summer!
85. Beach Volleyball at Aussie’s– Nothing says summer like some sand volleyball! Catch a game at Aussie’s everyday except Saturdays.
86. Catch a Show at Violet Crown Cinema– I’ve said it before, this is one of my favorite date nights! Grab a drink and a bite at their bar before catching an artsy flick.
87. Jaws on the Water– Yes, there is a place where you can watch Jaws while floating on the water. Only if you’re brave! The Best Eats in Austin this Summer 
88. Stand in line at Franklin– Just in case you haven’t done this already, pick a day and go through the ritual of waiting in line to get some of the most delicious barbecue in the world!
89. Salt Lick– Summer is the perfect time to head out to Salt Lick! Grab your cooler and head out to their all you can eat feast! They have their own winery right next door too!
90. Snow’s BBQ– Just a little over an hour drive from Austin, head out early to try Snow’s BBQ! It’s been rated best barbecue in Texas by Texas Monthly in case you needed more motivation and I had the pleasure of meeting the one and only Tootsie and it was a real treat. Only on Saturdays until they run out!
91. Odd Duck Summer Dinner Series– On the last Monday of each month from July – September, Odd Duck will be hosting a dinner series on the patio. There will be 40 seats per dinner, pre-purchased here. Each dinner will feature courses highlighting local farmers, ranchers, wines, beers, and spirits.
92. Barley Swine Summer Discounted Chef’s Tasting Menu– If you’ve ever wanted to get fancy and eat at one of Austin’s best restaurants, this summer is your chance! Beginning Tuesday July 9, Barley Swine is launching a discounted tasting menu for $65 dollars a person, regularly priced at $95.
93. Opie’s Barbecue– There’s lots of good barbecue around central Texas and Opie’s has always been a great stand by. Their tater tot casserole is something I still think about!