After traveling all over Texas and the United States, I’ve come to realize that Austin is truly my favorite city! Austin is filled with historical landmarks, cool clubs, live music, near-weekly festivals and events, and lots of free things to do! One notable feature of Austin is the focus on small, local business, green living, and tolerance of other people. You might simply be wandering about and happen upon a flash mob or some other fun event. One time, I was just walking with friends at Our Town Lake Park when we heard drumbeats coming from a bridge. We followed the noise and happened upon a huge ensemble of percussionists. You can go almost anywhere if you have an open mind and want to explore a bit. I have only experienced a small taste of that which Austin has to offer, but here are some of my favorite free things to do in Austin.
Visit the Capitol
Right in the heart of the city sits an amazing building that closely resembles the White House. The building you see is the Texas state Capitol. Admission is free. Many people are satisfied by simply entering the first 100 feet or so of the building, which has portraits of Texas’ various past governors, but feel free to explore! The Capitol is filled with interesting plaques, pictures, busts, portraits, and statues. If you walk a little further, you will eventually wind up at the gift shop, which is full of plenty of Texas- and Austin- inspired gifts and souvenirs!
After exploring the capitol building, take a walk on the lawn. I would recommend bringing some breadcrumbs, seeds, or other squirrel-friendly foods because the Capitol squirrels are friendly! The outside lawn is not only home to several friendly squirrels and pidgeons, but also has several interesting historically-significant statues and monuments. You can look around or just sit down and relax. Kids might enjoy rolling down the light hills with their soft green grass.
Parks and Surrounding Things to Do Zilker Park is probably Austin’s most famous park. You can enjoy the outdoors by walking, biking, etc. or you can take part in newer events such as geocaching or ultimate disc. Austin has several other parks, too, including the Blunn Creek Nature Preserve (near St. Edward’s University off of Woodward street).
While at Zilker Park, one very interesting attraction is the Nature and Science Center. This is a free mini-zoo featuring Texas-native animals and plants. In addition to various gall wasps, fish, and birds, the Center also features a bobcat and a retired former-cowdog-coyote. The Nature and Science Center also features collections of various specimens from different plants and animals, such as bones and exoskeletons, and has a “Dino Dig” where kids can unearth replicas of fossils.
Festivals
Austin is the host to several fun and entertaining festivals throughout the year. The Pecan Street Festival takes place on 6th street and hosts several vendors and performers. The South by Southwest music and film festival takes place during spring break. You might be able to catch a free show or two, but even if you can’t, just walking down 6th street during this time of year will surely bring you some entertainment. A few years ago, I spotted the Naked Cowboy, as well as several ‘aliens’ and ‘astronauts’ (in costume). The “Thrill the World” event, where hundreds of people dress up as zombies and do Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance, also takes place in the city. In addition to this, you might also enjoy Marley Fest, the Texas Relays, and the Zilker Park Kite Festival.
South Congress South Congress Avenue, which starts at the Capitol and leads to South Austin, has several interesting free things to do. Other than Zilker Park, south of Lady Bird Lake you can find plenty of interesting, Austin-specific events. On the South Congress bridge, between spring and fall, you can watch the bat colony! The South Congress Bat Colony is the largest urban bat colony in the world! After the sun sets, you can watch clouds of bats fly Eastward to catch their ‘dinner’ for the night. The bat bridge is a very popular event, so you should arrive early to get a good spot! The best places to watch are near the lake and standing on top of the bridge.
If you travel further South, you will find the SoCo shopping district. This truly fits with the common Austinite adage of “Keep Austin Weird.” There you’ll find Big Top Candy Shop, an old-fashioned store which sells interesting candies such as chocolate-covered bacon, “bat guano,” and hotdog-shaped candy, as well as shaved ice, ice cream, assorted chocolates and gummies, and sodas. You’ll also want to visit Lucy in Disguise, an extreme costume shop. Uncommon Objects, which bears a Jack-a-lope on its sighage, is a very neat antique store filled with a lot of Masonic items as well as other curios.
While in South Austin, you might also want to visit St. Edward’s University, a Catholic Liberal Arts University. The campus is very beautiful, and is designed for pedestrian traffic. Many local non-students will walk their dogs or take their babies on a stroll. Depending on the season, you may be able to enjoy fresh pomegranates growing near Holy Cross and Teresa Halls, or sample some loquats in front of Trustee Hall. Make sure you check out the neo-gothic Main Building, which resembles a castle, and the Grotto, a chapel built in to the hill. Speaking of the hill, it is actually an extinct volcano (as you may discover by reading the trail signs at Blunn Creek). You can relax at the Sorin Oak tree, stop by the coffee shop, or watch the sport teams play. St. Edward’s has a great view of downtown Austin, too!
UT and the Drag
On Guadalupe, next to the University of Texas, you will find lots of shops, restaurants, and coffee shops known as the “Drag.” Across the street, you will find the University of Texas, which is one of the largest and highest-ranked Universities in the country. The whole UT area provides a great place for walking, and you can also stop and look at the various plants, buildings, statues, and fountains spread across campus.
Overall… Austin is an amazing city. There is always something going on, including several free events! Go out walking, driving, or biking about town and you are bound to find something free and fun to do. Enjoy Austin! For free!
