8 Cheap Things to Do in Austin, Texas
Austin isn’t the cheap city it used to be. Hotels have gotten pricey, and a night out on Rainey Street can add up fast. But some of the very best things to do here are still free, or close to it.
In this guide
- 1. Tour the Texas State Capitol
- 2. Swim at Barton Springs Pool
- 3. Watch the bats at dusk
- 4. Walk or bike around Lady Bird Lake
- 5. Climb Mount Bonnell for sunset
- 6. Hunt for murals
- 7. Eat breakfast tacos and food truck meals
- 8. Catch free live music
- More free and cheap ideas
- Saving money on your trip
- Common questions
You can swim in a natural spring, watch a million bats fly out at dusk, tour a state capitol and hear live music most nights of the week without spending much at all. Here are eight cheap ways to enjoy Austin.
1. Tour the Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol is free to visit, and the guided tours are free too. It’s built from pink granite, and yes, Texans will tell you it’s taller than the US Capitol in Washington. Everything is bigger here, as they love to say.
Look up from the center of the rotunda at the star in the dome. It looks tiny, but it’s actually eight feet across. Afterwards, walk around the huge grounds, which are full of old trees, monuments and squirrels.
2. Swim at Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs is the heart of Austin. It’s a three-acre natural pool fed by underground springs, and the water stays around 68 to 70 degrees all year. In summer, that feels amazing. In winter, the brave locals swim anyway.
Entry costs a few dollars, less than a movie ticket. It’s in Zilker Park, which is free and huge, with a lawn for picnics and great views of the skyline. The pool closes for cleaning one day a week, so check the schedule before you go.
3. Watch the bats at dusk
This is my favorite free thing in Austin. Under the Congress Avenue Bridge lives the largest urban bat colony in North America, up to one and a half million Mexican free-tailed bats. At sunset, they pour out from under the bridge in a long, swirling black ribbon to feed.
The season runs from about March to October, and the bats are usually gone by early November. Watch from the bridge itself or from the grassy bank on the south side. You can also rent a kayak and watch from the water. It’s a strange, wonderful sight.
4. Walk or bike around Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake is a wide stretch of the Colorado River that runs through downtown. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail circles it for about 10 miles, and it’s completely free. You’ll share it with runners, dog walkers and paddleboarders.
You don’t have to do the whole loop. The boardwalk section on the south side is the prettiest part, with great skyline views. If you want to get on the water, kayak and paddleboard rentals are pretty cheap by the hour.
5. Climb Mount Bonnell for sunset
Mount Bonnell is one of the highest points in Austin, and it’s free. About a hundred steps take you to the top, where you’ll see Lake Austin curving below, with mansions along the shore and the hills beyond.
Go at sunset, but get there a little early, since parking is limited. Bring a snack and find a spot on the rocks. It’s a popular spot for proposals, so don’t be surprised if someone drops to one knee.
6. Hunt for murals
Austin is covered in street art, and finding it costs nothing. The most famous murals are the “Greetings from Austin” postcard on South First Street and the “I love you so much” wall on South Congress. Expect a short line to take your photo.
While you’re there, walk up South Congress Avenue. It’s full of vintage stores, boot shops and quirky boutiques. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a fun few hours. East Austin also has a lot of great murals on its side streets.
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7. Eat breakfast tacos and food truck meals
Breakfast tacos are basically a religion in Austin, and they’re cheap. A couple of tacos with eggs, potato, bacon or chorizo will run you well under $10 and keep you full until lunch. Veracruz All Natural, with its migas taco, is a local favorite.
For lunch and dinner, eat at the food trucks. They’re all over the city, often parked together in lots with picnic tables. You’ll find barbecue, Thai, Korean, Mexican and more, usually for less than half what a sit-down restaurant would cost.
8. Catch free live music
Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, and you don’t need to buy concert tickets to see why. Many bars have free shows, especially in the early evening. The Continental Club on South Congress is famous for its happy hour sets.
Sixth Street and Red River have bars with live music every night, and many have no cover charge. Just tip the band if you enjoy them, and buy a drink or two. That’s how they keep the music free.
More free and cheap ideas
The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas is free on Thursdays. Hamilton Pool and the Pennybacker Bridge viewpoint are worth the drive. And Zilker Park often hosts free events and outdoor movies.
Saving money on your trip
Visit outside the big festival weekends. During SXSW in March, Austin City Limits in October and the Formula 1 race, hotel prices can triple. Downtown parking is expensive, so use rideshare or the local buses, and a day pass is cheap.
Common questions
Is Austin expensive to visit?
Hotels can be, but food, music and outdoor activities are cheap. With a little planning, you can keep costs down.
What’s the best free thing to do in Austin?
Watching the bats fly out from the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset, from March to October.
When is the cheapest time to visit Austin?
Winter and summer, avoiding the big festival weekends. Summer is very hot, though.
Do I need a car in Austin?
Not for downtown, South Congress and Zilker Park. A car helps for Hamilton Pool and the Hill Country.
Where should I stay on a budget?
Look just outside downtown, on the east side or around the university, and use rideshare to get around.
