Unique Things To Do In Austin Texas | A Complete Texas Guide For You

Dec 18, 2024

Last Updated on: Jul 4, 2025

Travel Blog

Year-round sunshine and a pleasant weather condition make Austin the hub of outdoor pursuits. So, from hiking and biking to visiting the best parks, you have a lot of unique things to do in Austin Texas. 

Also, you must not forget that Austin is home to the Circuit of The Americas. It is the venue of the  Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. So, Austin is the place if you want a good mix of adrenaline rush and quiet retreat in nature.  

Moreover, tourism is in the soul of Austin. No wonder that almost every renowned platform like Forbes, Money Magazine, or the US News and World Report considers Austin one of the topmost places to sell for tourism.

So, do you also want to explore the things to do in Austin Texas? Here is your Tour and Travel guide. 

Unique Things To Do In Austin Texas (Including Free Activities While Traveling On A Shoestring)

Unique Things To Do In Austin Texas

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best seasons to visit Austin. You can expect a mild temperature in these seasons, with temperatures recorded around 70 degrees F.

Avoid visiting Austin in the summer. The temperature shoots up to 90 degrees F, and the high humidity in the air makes it even more uncomfortable. 

Nevertheless, when in Texas, you must not miss the following activities.

1. Visiting The Zilker Metropolitan Park

Visiting The Zilker Metropolitan Park

The Zilker Metropolitan Park is located on the banks of the Colorado River. This 350-acre space is a great space for strolling. Here, you can also take a dip at the Barton Springs Pool. 

Moreover, the Zilker Metropolitan Park is the venue for some of the most happening events in the city. It hosts the ABC Kite Fest and Austin City Limits Musical Festival. 

2. Hiking And Biking At Ann And Roy Butler Trail

Hiking And Biking At Ann And Roy Butler Trail

Are you looking for free things to do in Austin Texas, and want to spend some time in nature? You must visit the Ann And Roy Butler Trail for biking and hiking. The trail leads you to Lady Bird Lake. 

 It is also a popular place for running and walking for the locals. 

The trail has a 1.3-mile boardwalk, and from here, you can enjoy the most amazing views of Downtown Texas. Moreover, the highlights here are the zinc belts featuring the lyrics of the most famous songs of Texas. 

The fountains and scenic overlooks further make this place perfect for complete relaxation. Also, when you are at the Ann And Roy Butler Trail, you can see the Austin bats. Austin is famous for these nocturnal creatures and it is the biggest habitat of bats in the entire North America. 

3. Planning A Visit To Texas Capitol

Planning A Visit To Texas Capitol

If you are traveling on a shoestring and want to explore the best things to do in Austin Texas, a visit to the Texas Capitol is a great idea. It is free of cost, and you can explore the entire area in one to two hours.

In 1986, the Texas Capitol became a National Historic Landmark. Further, it has secured a place in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Texas Capitol is engineered with Texas granite and is even taller than the US Capitol in Washington DC by 14 feet. 

Today, the Goddess of Liberty statue at the top of this dome is made of aluminum. The earlier statue was made of zinc and it was replaced during the massive restoration work in the 1990s. 

4. A Free Visit To The University Of Texas In Austin

A Free Visit To The University Of Texas In Austin

A visit to the University of Texas in Austin is a must if you are looking for free things to do in Austin Texas. The Moody Center here is a popular venue for concerts and is widely visited by residents and tourists.

Do you want to watch a grand Broadway show? You can catch a show at the Bass Concert Hall. The Bass Concert Hall even hosts small traveling acts. 

However, to have the most maddening experience here, you have to visit the Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. It can accommodate over 100000 visitors and the open-air setup resonated the cheer on the days of UT football games. 

5. Watch The Austin City Limits Live At The Moody Theater

Are you a fan of The Austin City Limits? You must plan a visit to the Moody Theater. In the history of American Television, Austin City Limits is the longest-running musical series. 

Before you catch a live screening of the series at Moody Theater, you can also take a tour. The tour starts from 11 AM from Monday to Saturday and continues for 90 minutes. 

6. Spending Some Time By Lake Travis

Spending Some Time By Lake Travis

There is no dearth of natural wonders in Austin, and Lake Travis is surely one of the most prominent among them. Its shoreline is 271 miles and it has a length of 64 miles. 

Lake Travis is created by taming the water of the Colorado River with the Mansfield Dam. You can take a drive along the dam to assess the vastness and beauty of this lake. 

Furthermore, you can stop by the Mansfield Dam Park on the way. It is a beautiful place for a lot of outdoor pursuits. You can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, and hiking here. 

Moreover, the sunset looks most beautiful at Lake Travis. So, it is called the “Sunset Capital of Texas.” 

7. Visiting The Circuit Of The Americas

If you are in Austin in October and are a Formula 1 fan, you must visit the Circuit Of The Americas (COTA). It hosts the United States Grand Prix Race every October. Attend this event to experience the most beautiful fusion of light and speed.

With the crowd going crazy in the stadium for their favorite teams and racers, the ambiance becomes electric during the race. The racing track also has the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. It’s the largest venue for outdoor concerts in Austin. 

Moreover, you can visit the COTA tower here and reach the observation platform for a Hawkeye view of the racing track below and the entire surroundings. The ticket will cost you around $35.

Are you looking for more unique things to do in Austin Texas? You must plan a visit to South Congress Avenue, Blanton Museum of Art, and Sixth Street. 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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The Last Ski Only Resorts In The USA: Why Do They Still Exist?

BY  sagnika Sep 8, 2023

The weather is cooling down, and snow is falling, and that means it’s time to start taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy some winter sports! Skiing is definitely at the top of our list, as well as hitting the ski resorts for a day of adventure. But did you know that there are actually a few ski only resorts left in the USA? Why do they still exist and what are some of the pros of visiting a ski-only resort? How Did It Start? Ski only resorts first started in the 1980s when snowboarding became popular. There was a stereotype surrounding snowboarders that insinuated that allowing skiers and snowboarders to use the same mountains was unsafe. This is because snowboarding was still such a new sport. This means there weren’t as many snowboarding instructors available, and most snowboarders were self-taught. Resorts wanted everyone to be as safe as possible, creating a ban on snowboarding based on overall safety. Over time, snowboarding became more popular and bans were dropped as it became evident that there was no safety issue. What Are The Only-Ski Resorts? If you are looking for places to ski, then you have to read the article to find out! If you are questioning how many Ski resorts in USA, I would say there are many! However, what are the only-ski resorts? Today, only three ski-only resorts are left in the USA, namely: Alta Alta is situated in Utah with 2614 acres of terrain that is more appropriate for Sking. It is a ski-only area popularfor the excellent quality of powder snow, allowing advanced skiers to have a wonderful experience. It is considered one of the best places to ski in North America. This area restricts snowboarding. However, it was in 2014 that Wasatch Equality filed a lawsuit against the ban on snowboarding, stating that it violated the 14th Amendment. However, the lawsuit was overruled, stating no lawsuits were being violated. There is a partner resort, Snowbird, which allows snowboarding and has almost 2500 acres of terrain apt for skiers and snowboarders for beginners, intermediate and advanced people. Mad River Glen Mad River Glen is another North American resort in Fayston, Vermont. The resort did allow snowboarding till the 1991-1992 Ski session. However, it was due to issues on the main lift in 1986, leading to a confrontation that snowboarding had to face restrictions. There have been further issues with snowboarders, which led to full restrictions. And 75% of the stakeholders on the mountain are restricting it based on the last voting that took place in 1995.  The closest snowboarding experience you will get in Vermont is Sugarbush, which has 484 acres of ski terrain.  Deer Valley The ski area of Deer Valley is located in Utah, and it does not allow snowboarding. The terrain has 2026 acres, which is perfect for intermediate runs for Skiers, and the resort is quite strict with their rules of only-ski. In the whole of North America, it is one of the most expensive resorts.  It is one of the best ski resorts in the USA. It is an upscale resort. Hence, you must pay a premium for the services.  If you want snowboarding options nearest to the resort, you should book Park City, which has access to 7 terrain parks with 7300 acres of terrain, making it a perfect place for snowboarders. What Are The Pros Of Ski Only Resorts? When it comes to the pros of visiting a ski-only resort, it really comes down to what kind of experience you want. Whether the resort serves a certain clientele or has tougher slopes, it all ties together to give you a one-of-a-kind experience that would be hard to find elsewhere. For all of the locations that are ski-only, there is a specific kind of ambiance and experience that one can take in when visiting. Only Ski resorts are safer because there can be a collision, especially when people are skiing and snowboarding together.  The snow quality of the terrain improves if there is only one type of sport for a specific area or location. For example, only skiing helps in maintaining the quality of the powder of the snow. There is also a specific culture and tradition of a place that comes with only ski resorts. Snowboarding makes the terrain unstable, leading to unsuitable terrain for skiing. Reasons Why Snowboarding Is Banned In Some Sking Resorts? One of the main reasons why these three Sking Resorts have banned Snowboarding is safety concerns. A lot of people believe that due to the sideway stance of snowboarding, they have a blind spot that might lead them to harm another skier or a snowboarder. The snowboarders also have a reputation for being more inconsiderate of their surroundings and reckless on the slopes. This worries a lot of skiers, making it compulsory for resorts to adjust their services based on their premium clientele. The quality of the snow has an impact, especially when snowboarding takes place. Because the force of their landing is much more forceful as compared to skiers. The force cuts the snow, impacting the powder form. However, if the resort is good with large terrain, the cutting of the snow powder will not matter. Also, the safety of the skiers does not depend on snowboarders as it is often the lack of experience or dangerous trails that can pose harm to skiers more. What Should I Bring To A Ski-Only Resort? So what kinds of supplies and gear do you need to bring with you to a ski-only resort? We recommend owning a few items and bringing those along. This includes ski clothing, ski goggles, and boots. This ensures that you have items that fit you well and that you’re comfortable in. In terms of skis and poles, we highly recommend renting those. This reduces the need to transport them long distances and greatly reduces the stress of preparing to go skiing. Ski-only resorts have an interesting history. While they’ve mostly disappeared, there are still a few places for a unique trip out on the slopes. If you’re looking for a new way to experience skiing, we highly recommend one of these ski-only resorts! Wrapping Up! So, are you excited to try out skiing? Or Are you already an experienced skier? This is the perfect opportunity to visit one of these resorts and experience a tumultuous but passionate run. Enjoy the beautiful locale and the resorts' premium services, creating a perfect vacation experience. Comment below to let us know your favorite adventure sport and if you have tried skiing! Read Also: Looking For Your Next Fun-Filled Family Vacation: Head To Aquaventuras Park Top 3 Party Destinations For Safety-Conscious Tourists A Traveler’s Guide To Lutsen

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HopTraveler.com Review: About HopTraveler.Com, The Best Features, How To Use, And More

BY  Sibashree Aug 6, 2025

From the best skyline locations in Dubai to the best safari spots in Tanzania! This is how vivid the HopTraveler.com platform is. However, is it the last word in tourism and travel lifestyle?  This is what we will figure out in this Tour and Travel Blog. We will also discuss whether the site meets the EEAT standards or is just a clickbait hogging the limelight everywhere.  What Is HopTraveler.com? Redefining Digital Travel Planning  “HopTraveler.com is your Travel, Tourism, Adventure website. We provide you with the latest breaking news from the Tourism all over the world.” This is what the “About Us” page of the website says. 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Amazing Things To Do At Yosemite National Park | Action Tour Guide

BY  Sibashree Oct 28, 2024

Yosemite National Park comes with great news for the explorers. The park has ended its reservation season early in 2024. So, for the rest of the year, you can enjoy a drive through the park without reservation.  In a social media post, Yosemite National Park authority has mentioned “ending the 2024 reservation season after this weekend (October 13)."  With no stress about getting a reservation, Yosemite National Park will surely be the destination for trekkers and wildlife lovers. However, before you plan a trip to the park, you must have a detailed idea of what to do there.  Best Things To Do At Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park allows you to explore many activities, from camping to hiking. Therefore, setting the itinerary right can be a little taxing, with many options available.  So, here, I will discuss the outdoor pursuits in the park, with special emphasis on hiking, wildlife exploration, and stargazing.  Yosemite National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1984.  Hiking In Yosemite National Park This park has more than 750 miles of hiking trails. Further, if you want to explore the park’s ecology, wildlife, and geological formations closely, hiking is the best way out.  So, you can try these most popular hiking trails in Yosemite National Park.  Upper Yosemite Falls Trail Trekking Length: More than 10 Kms Difficulty Level: Hard Pet Friendly: No Time Of Trekking: Around 6 Hours  How about exploring a hiking trail that takes you to the top of the tallest waterfall in America?  You will also love the best views from Columbia Rock as you advance in your expedition.   Mirror Lake Loop Trekking Length: 8 Km Difficulty Level: Easy Pet Friendly: Yes  Time Of Trekking: 2 Hours The beautiful trekking route takes you to Mirror Lake and Tenaya Creek. Further, the calm water of the lake shows the most beautiful reflections of the surrounding cliffs.  However, often, the lake does not have adequate water, and then it looks like a meadow with sandy areas and grasses. So, it is also known as Mirror Meadow.  Nevada Fall Via The Mist Trail Trekking Length: Around 10 Km Difficulty Level: Hard Pet Friendly: No Time Of Trekking: 4 Hours   Nevada Fall Via The Mist Trail is a signature hike, allowing you to explore many spectacular views scattered around it.  Located on the Merced River, the water in the fall has a misty appearance. Further, falling from a height, the water of the cascade looks like an avalanche.  Lower Yosemite Falls Trail  Trekking Length: 2 Km Difficulty Level: Easy Pet Friendly: Yes Time Of Trekking: 30 Minutes   A deafening sound of water will fill your ears as you complete the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail trek and stand on the footbridge. This hiking trail is the best for enjoying beautiful views of Yosemite Falls and creeks. Further, throughout the trek, you will learn about the park’s culture and history.  Exploring Wildlife At Yosemite National Park “Approximately 95% of the park is designated wilderness. The entire park is surrounded by four national forests, several adjacent portions of which are designated wilderness areas, thereby providing connectivity with the larger landscape.” - UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Surrounded by forests and extensive wilderness, Yosemite National Park is home to around 90 mammal species. Further, this park has many amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, and fish. I will talk about the birds and fish in detail shortly. So, here is a brief overview of the mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects found here.  Mammals Black BearsBighorn SheepPacific FisherRed FoxBatsMountain LionsDeerGrizzly BearAmphibians Sierra NewtPacific TreefrogCalifornia Red-Legged FrogYosemite ToadsReptilesSierra Fence LizardSierra Alligator LizardsWestern Pond TurtleSierra GartersnakeSierra Mountain KingsnakeNorthern Pacific Rattlesnake (It is the only venomous snake out of the 13 species of snakes found here.)InsectsElderberry Longhorn BeetleCaddisfliesGrasshoppersBristletails Among the species found here, grizzly bears, foothill yellow-legged frogs, and California red-legged frogs are the ones on the verge of extinction. Fragmentation of habitat, air pollution, and the invasion of non-native species are the primary reasons behind this process of eradication.  Stargazing In Yosemite National Park  The minimal light pollution and extensive wilderness make Yosemite National Park a great space for stargazing. Further, from July to October, this park is a great space to observe the Milky Way.  In addition, there are multiple hotspots in the park for stargazing. So, check out the table below to know where to enjoy the starry affair the most. Stargazing Location In The ParkBest Spots Yosemite ValleyEl Capitan MeadowCook's MeadowSwinging BridgeTunnel ViewGlacier PointGlacier Point OverlookWashburn PointTioga RoadTenaya LakeOlmsted Point Wawona is another popular stargazing location in the park, and it offers a peaceful experience.  Stargazing Experiences You Cannot Miss As you set out to stargaze in Yosemite National Park, you will encounter many unique sights. However, watching the moonbows or climber’s headlamps are the two most common stargazing experiences in the park.  Climber’s Headlamps During spring and fall, many climbers spend their nights on the cliffs of Yosemite Park. As they notice the first star coming out, they turn on their headlamps.  Moonbows April to June is the waterfall season in the park. On full moon nights in that season, the moonlight creates a rainbow in the mist of Yosemite Falls.  Even if your eyes cannot catch the colors, your camera surely will.  Birdwatching In Yosemite National Park  This national park is a favorite of birders, considering the presence of 262 species. Among them, 165 are habitat and migratory species, while the remaining one are transient species.  Further, the elevation of the park ranges between 2000 to 13000 feet. So, you will notice massive changes in the behaviors and features of the birds found here.  Yosemite Conservancy birdwatching outing and Christmas Bird Count are some of the programs that you can join if you want to locate the local, migratory, and transient ones.  Some common species of birds found here are the Great gray owl, American dipper, spotted owl, and Western tanagers.  A park-wide census of willow flycatchers has been conducted in the park. The report shows that these species do not breed in the park anymore.  Rock Climbing In Yosemite National Park  Yosemite National Park is a hub of rock climbers. Rock climbing here is beyond big wall climbs or conquering the cliffs. Further, almost every big wall in the park has a distinct ecosystem for you to explore.  Some popular rock climbing spots in the park are Merced River Canyon and Tuolumne Meadows. However, climbing the El Capitan is the most adventurous outdoor pursuit you can try in the park. The Oscar-winning movie Free Solo has further put this rock-climbing destination under the spotlight.  Water Activities At Yosemite National Park  Swimming, boating, rafting, and fishing are the best water activities in Yosemite National Park.  Swimming You can swim in almost any water body in the park. However, swimming is prohibited in the following water bodies. Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River Lake Eleanor Reservoir Wawona Domestic Water Intake Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Emerald Pool  Silver Apron Further, for the best cooling-off experience, you can try swimming in the Merced River.  Boating And Rafting  The best locations for boating and rafting in Yosemite National Park are Merced River, South Fork Merced River, and Tenaya Lake.  Rafting in the Merced River is a popular summer activity in the park. So, you can rent a raft or try kayaking here.  Further, you must wear a personal floatation device for kayaking and rafting in the South Fork Merced River or Tenaya Lake.  Fishing In Yosemite National Park  Are you over 16? Then, you will need a California fishing license to fish in the park. Further, you must abide by the California and Yosemite Park regulations about fishing.  Nevertheless, the best places for fishing in the park are: Merced River South Fork Merced River  Frog Creek Adair Lake Hanging Basket Lake Sacramento pikeminnow, California roach, and riffle sculpin are some native fish species in the national park. Furthermore, trout is the most common non-native species in the region.  Yosemite National Park At A Glance Location: California, United States Highest Point: Mount Lyell (3,997 Meters) Area: Around 1,200 Square Miles Operating Hours: 24*7 Origin of Name: Uzumate, meaning Grizzly Bear Visitor Centers: Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, Yosemite Exploration Center, Valley Wilderness Center, etc. How To Reach: Visit the park from the west through Highways 41, 140, and 120. However, to reach the park easily, you will have to take Highway 120. Further, please note that the Tioga Pass Entrance remains closed from November to May or June.  Best Time to Visit: May to June Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Travelling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.