With just about 800,000 people, Austin is the fourth largest city in Texas and the fourteenth largest in the United States.
In fact, Austin is one of the largest metro areas in the United States, coming in just below Charlotte and St. Louis. Go big or go home, huh? But despite its size, Austin strives to maintain the counterculture college town vibe and trademark quirkiness that continues to attract creatives and corporations alike.
Wondering what to do in Austin, Texas? The real question is what isn't there to do in Austin! This city has it all — outstanding food, a hearty drinking culture, nightly live music, the great outdoors, undeniable style, and quirky boutiques teeming with unique finds. And, true to Texan form, the Tex-Mex tacos and barbecue are some of the country's best, though it's only a sampling of what you'll find on the menu.
You can easily fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is only a 15-minute drive or Uber/Lyft to the hotel.
Find out more about the airport below.
Reserve your room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin to receive the discounted rate.
6505 N Interstate 35
Austin, TX 78752
Enjoy a warm DoubleTree cookie on arrival at our convenient location in Central Austin just three miles from the University of Texas and downtown and 20 minutes from Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Zilker Park, South Congress and The Domain are all are within a 20 minute drive. We have an outdoor pool and spa, fitness center.
After you register, you will be able to access the link allowing you to book a discounted hotel room at $209 per night.
REGISTER
Discounted rate = $209 per night (Ends January 26th, 2024)
This list features 10 things to do in Austin, Texas featuring sightseeing, attractions, tours, museums, and more that locals love just as much as visitors!
The SXSW Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the tech, film and television, and music industries. Located deep in the heart of Austin, Texas, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery. Explore 2024 registration options, badge access, and more.
Everybody has a friend that claims their city has the most restaurants per capita. You hear that from Austin locals all the time. While it may not offer the most restaurants per capita, it's definitely a hot market for culinary talent looking to escape the high prices of running a boutique restaurant along the nation's coasts. Austin City Guide recently released our Best Austin Restaurants Guide that is organized like this things to do list. We figured we'd give it a quick plug here since everybody loves to eat!
There are two large river boat operations on Lady Bird Lake that are super packed during warmer months taking people on bat watching tours. When they bats leave, they still offer great sunset, sightseeing, and moonlight cruise tours of Lady Bird Lake. There's also a few companies that offer kayaking tours that are very popular because the weather can be perfect on a weekend afternoon.
Do you believe in furry tails? Indulge your kitty fix or adopt your new family member with a visit to the newest, coolest, chic lounge in Austin...Purrfecto. This is the only cat lounge in Austin and a one of a kind activity that will warm your heart.
A uniquely Austin activity that usually takes about an hour, visiting the Texas State Capitol is both enjoyable and educational. Who knows, you might get lucky and bump into Alex Jones protesting against masks, science, or some idea of civic responsibility. While a lot of people will stroll the grounds, take some selfies, and head out, you can go inside on a tour with Texas Capitol City Tours that feature 1 hour tours for $20 a person.
Get to know Austin's Hill Country with a distillery tour in Dripping Springs. You and your crew can take a private ride from your location in Austin to three celebrated distilleries: Dripping Springs Distilling, Treaty Oaks Distillery, and the Desert Door Distillery. Maybe take some notes on how to make your own hooch in case prohibition circles back to the new America. Or just enjoy drinks at each location and soak in the views. The guys at Austin Tour Company make it fun, safe, and legal to let go a little. It's a great idea for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or just a group get away.
Climb up above the tree lines and then zip across the forest and water like a modern Tarzan with (hopefully) more than a loin cloth. Lake Travis Zip lines offers a chance to suspend your pedestrian life with something more airborne as you zip through, across, and over some of Austin's best scenery. Zip lines offers one of the most highlighted photographic opportunities available to declare to your social media pals that you're bravery is not grounded to bikes and scooters.
We love biking in Austin and nobody knows the trails and sites better than Mike. His crew offers a variety of tours to choose from including a couple on Austin's premiere mountain bike trails and a few that explore the city itself. You might think summer is the only time for a bike tour in Austin, but due to our warm weather these tours run all year round
Wonderspaces offers 28,000 square feet of art installations to dazzle every corner of your mind, like Hoshi By NONOTAK Studio. An exquisite fun house of varied installations of light, mirror, technology, and pure imagination, Wonderspaces features a sensually diverse experience that everyone will love. Tickets sell out, so check online to find a day and time to go spend a few hours blowing your mind with this indoor activity that features plenty of space for socially distanced fun alone or with your crew.
Located downtown next to the Austin Visitor Center, this is the #1 escape room in Austin. You and your friends will work together to find clues and overcome challenges to ultimately complete a mission and ESCAPE! The Escape Game has 5 different adventures to choose from including The Heist, Gold Rush, Playground, Classified, and our favorite - Prison Break.
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network is a dynamic group of professionals representing the women of SEMA. The SBN oversees the continued development and management of the SEMA Mentoring Program, the Annual SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, opportunities for SBN Member Networking, SBN Communications, SBN Projects, development of articles and member features, contributes regularly to SEMA Member News, and much more!
nicoleb@sema.org
909-323-2149