Best things to do in Austin

Looking for a city that brings the great outdoors right to your doorstep? Austin is the place for you. Yes, Austin’s streets are home to world-class museums, iconic state architecture and live music venues to rival Nashville, but there’s also the stunning natural and artistic beauty at Laguna Gloria and Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge to explore.

It’s also well worth a visit to Austin’s infamous bat-filled bridge to learn why Austin is nicknamed the Bat City. Check out the best things to do in Austin with your rental car. Make the most of your trip to Texas with Hertz.

Circuit of the Americas

9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, TX 78617

Opened in 2012, Circuit of the Americas is the USA’s first purpose-built Formula 1 racetrack. As well as hosting the world’s most famous drivers for the annual Grand Prix event, the 3.4-mile long track hosts an annual calendar of MotoGP and NASCAR races.

Set in 1,500 acres of Texan rolling hills, the combination of technical bends, fast straights and steep rises draw on inspiration from some of the most historic tracks in racing history. Plan a visit to watch a high-octane race, catch a concert, camp out or switch to two wheels and cycle the thrilling track. With an amusement park planned for 2024, Circuit of the Americas has quickly become one of the best things to do in Austin. Luckily for you it’s just a 20-minute drive out of the city.

Laguna Gloria

3809 West 35th Street, Austin, TX 78703

Just five miles from Downtown, enter the oasis of Laguna Gloria. Take a stroll around the 14-acre park and meander through meadow, woodland, gardens and the spectacular Lake Austin waterfront.

Discover incredible art by global contemporary artists. Feast your eyes on monumental sculptures and wooded pathways galore at this tranquil location. You can also enjoy the café, shop and visitor center at the Laguna Gloria.

Take a moment to unwind in nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Exploring the Laguna Gloria is one of the best places to go in Austin to relax.

Texas State Capitol

1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

Downtown Austin is home to the USA’s largest capitol building. Set in 22 acres of landscaped lawns, this iconic Austin landmark is steeped in history. And, of course, history is still being made behind the giant ornate doors.

Many rooms – including the Secretary of State’s office – have been well preserved. Looking the same today as it did 100 years ago, the room is a fascinating insight into Austin’s past. Around the building, artifacts and paintings hang on the walls – including the flag carried at the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto.

Free 30-minute tours walk you through the building and its history, while exhibits in the Capitol Visitors Center take you on a different journey. Expect exhibits on anything from the roots of Texas food to a LEGO replica of the Capitol.

Bullock Texas State History Museum

1800 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701

Nine million visitors have walked through the doors of the Bullock Texas State History Museum, all eager to uncover the ‘Story of Texas’. Established in 2001, the three floors of the museum hold artifacts dating back over 16,000 years.

A trip to the museum is one of Austin’s best things to do to uncover Texan history, culture and art. Exhibitions, films and artifacts combine with special events, including science and heritage days, to make every visit here exciting. As well as insights into local history, you can also catch Hollywood blockbusters in the museum’s IMAX movie theater.

Located just a five-minute drive north of the Texas Capitol, the museum is also just a two minute walk from the Blanton Museum of Art – ideally located for a day of culture and arts.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Marble Falls, TX 78654

Feeling adventurous? Drive north-west for under an hour to reach the 27,000 acres of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. When you arrive, you’ll find miles and miles of boardwalks and trails that take you deep into a fascinating, biodiverse wilderness.

Explore on your own to try and spot the rare golden-cheeked warbler. Or join a ranger-led hike to uncover more about the refuge’s butterflies, songbirds, cats and coyotes. Short on time? Drive straight to the Warbler Vista Sunset Deck for a view of Lake Travis.

Many trails include local information, art and history boards to read as you explore. And, if you’re lucky – and remember your binoculars – the Warbler Vista public area is the best place to spot golden-cheeked warblers.

Paramount Theatre

Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

Dress to impress when you take a seat in Austin’s Paramount Theatre. Established in 1915, the city’s oldest playhouse expects everyone to put on a good show – both on stage, and off. This commitment to old world glamor peaks in mid-May when the glitzy Anniversary Gala sees a giant red carpet rolled out on Congress Avenue and headline acts take to the stage.

Originally designed by John Eberson, Austin’s Paramount is a classic example of his ‘atmospheric theatre concept’. Architecture aside, the gigs, shows and concerts through the rest of the year are varied – and the dress code a little more relaxed than on Gala Night.

Congress Avenue Bridge

Statesman Bat Observation Center, 305 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

Time your visit to Congress Avenue Bridge just right and you’ll witness a natural spectacle unlike any other in Texas. Between March and October, just as the sun sets, 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats leave their roost under the bridge and fly across Lady Bird Lake.

Now regarded as one of the best and most unusual things to do in Austin, the nightly bat spectacle sees crowds of visitors and residents line up along the bridge to watch the bats emerge and begin feeding.

For the best views, arrive before sunset, face east and get a good spot on the grassy hill next to the Statesman Bat Observation Center.

Browse the stalls at Uncommon Objects

Uncommon Objects 1602 Fortview Road, Austin, TX 78704

Picking up a unique vacation souvenir is easy at Uncommon Objects. This is THE place in Austin to shop for the kind of curiosities and antiques you won’t find anywhere else.

Founders Steve Wiman and Ed Gage opened the store in 1991, with five antique dealers selling their unusual wares all under one roof. Since then, the business has grown into new premises, with 24 dealers now gathering treasures for visitors to muse over.

Celebrate your trip to Austin with a doll, magic lantern or a vintage leather armchair. Some of the items on sale are so extraordinary they almost make the unique textiles, typewriters and pottery seem bland by comparison. A perfect place for treasure hunters, interior designers and anyone looking for something a little different to do in Austin.

When you’ve seen all of the best things to do in Austin, don’t miss the rest that Texas has to offer. The world is your oyster with a Hertz rental. Explore the unique town of Fredericksburg and the relaxing waters of Krause Springs – all under 90 minutes from Austin.

Learn more about Austin

Eager to learn more about Austin? Our guides can help you plan every detail about your trip. You just need to get behind one of our wheels and set off on your Texan adventure.

• Best restaurants in Austin
• Austin driving guide
• Austin’s neighborhoods