20 Things To Do In Austin In The Winter
The winter months are the best time to visit Austin if you want to avoid the crowds. Except for SXSW season in March, winter is a slightly quieter season in ATX. And even though January and February aren’t the most popular months here, there are still lots of things to do in Austin in the winter!
(By the way, if you're looking for the best weather in Austin I recommend April-June or October-November.)
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheWacoThings.com!
If you're visiting Austin during the holiday season (late November - Christmas Day) be sure to check out these fun holiday activities in Austin or the best holiday bars in Austin!
20 Things To Do In Austin In The Winter
1. Go to Crux Climbing Center
You'll warm up in no time at all at this epic climbing gym in Austin! They have two locations, and they're both actually by really cool places to eat/drink in case you want to make a day of it.
The north/central location of Crux Climbing Center is next to the Brewtorium, one of our awesome Austin craft breweries that has German-inspired food, and the south location of Crux is near Cosmic Coffee + Beer, which features a few really good Austin food trucks, beer, wine, and coffee.
WEBSITE | 121 Pickle Rd #100, Austin, TX 78704
2. Walk Around Lady Bird Lake
Even in the winter months, the walking trail around Lady Bird Lake will be bustling with runners, bikers, strollers, and dogs. Park underneath the MoPac bridge (put 2101 Veterans Dr, Austin, TX 78703 in your maps) and enjoy a brisk walk with a view of downtown. Head to the east side of I-35 if you want to walk on that amazing Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk (which has the best views of downtown. It's where I snapped the picture above!)
3. Stop for some warm breakfast tacos
Tacos taste great in Austin year-round, but a warm breakfast taco is especially delicious on a cold winter day. Here's a definitive guide to the 11 best breakfast tacos in Austin + a map so you can find one near you, fast.
4. Visit a cozy coffee shop that you've never tried
You'll find lots authentically Austin coffee shops on the east side. For instance, Cenote is in a renovated historic home, Flat Track shares a space with a bicycle shop, and Lazarus is a brewery/coffee shop combo with a big, cozy leather couch. Stop by, cozy up with a latte, and enjoy a conversation or a good book. Here are 10 cool coffee shops in east Austin.
5. Go kayaking
Yep, you can go kayaking all winter long! If you're up for a little adventure and you're not afraid of getting a bit wet, head out on Lady Bird Lake near downtown. Rent one from Austin Kayak Tours.
6. Buy something from a local Austin boutique
There are lots of unique stores in Austin, but two to consider are Take Heart and Slow North.
(Note: South Congress used to be full of lots of local boutiques, but due to the massive growth in this city, SOCO is now lined with bigger national stores. Still fun! But if you want to shop at an Austin boutique, east Austin is your best bet.)
WEBSITE | 1211 E 11th St Suite 100, Austin, TX 78702
WEBSITE | 2700 W Anderson Ln. #410, Austin, TX 78757
7. Try some Texas Barbecue
Nothing like a giant BBQ meal to get you all cozy in the Austin winter!
There are several Michelin-starred bbq restaurants in Austin (you can see them here), or just check out this map of the best BBQ in Austin.
8. Go visit a brewery
Austin is home to a huge number of local craft breweries. You can enjoy a cozy indoor space while you try a flight of delicious beer and food. Try visiting ABGB if you enjoy light German lagers, or Pinthouse if you want some delicious hoppy IPAs. Both of these breweries serve bomb pizza.
Or check out this guide to the best breweries with food in Austin.
9. Go two-stepping at Broken Spoke
Don't know how to two step? They offer classes! This is one of the oldest and most iconic dance halls in Texas. It makes for a great evening activity in the winter months.
WEBSITE | 3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
10. See a play at the ZACH
Get tickets and enjoy a play or a musical at the lovely ZACH in South Austin. It's one of the 10 oldest theatre companies in the country. {Photo: ZACH Theatre}
WEBSITE | 202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
11. Hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt
I actually love hiking in Austin in the winter more than any other season! The brisk air feels amazing, and the trails are a lot less crowded. (And don't worry - it rarely gets too cold in Austin.)
The Barton Creek Greenbelt is my favorite hiking spot in Austin. Here's a beginner's guide to the greenbelt so you know where to park and hike.
And if you've already done that hike and need more ideas, here are 15 fun hiking trails in Austin + a map of where to find them.
WEBSITE | 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy B, Austin, TX 78704
12. Visit an Austin museum
Visit an Austin museum like The LBJ Presidential Library, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, or the Blanton Museum of Art. These are honestly the 11 best museums to check off your list in Austin, including museum-free days where you can get in at no cost.
13. Spend a day shopping at The Domain
It's an EPIC shopping destination in north Austin. While it is an outdoor mall, the stores are close together you don't need to be outside for very long at any point.
WEBSITE | 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
14. See the sunset at Mount Bonnell
That winter sun just looks extra beautiful setting behind the homes of west Austin. This "mountain" gives you the best view of the sunset in Austin. There's free parking at the address listed below.
If you've already been to Mount Bonnell, here's a map of all of the other places you can watch the sunset in Austin.
3800 Mt Bonnell Rd, Austin, TX 78731
15. Get tickets to a live performance at The Paramount Theatre
From comedy to music to movies, there's always something interesting going on at this historic downtown Austin theatre.
WEBSITE | 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
16. See a movie at Alamo Drafthouse
There are few better things to do in Austin in the winter than cozy up with a chocolate porter and a bowl of popcorn and enjoy a movie.
WEBSITE | 1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
17. Enjoy a rooftop bar happy hour before the sun sets
The popular rooftop bars in Austin won't be as crowded in the winter months! Go early (during happy hour) to enjoy the beautiful winter sun.
18. Visit Bull and Bowl for some happy hour and bowling
This is a fun Austin indoor spot in the winter where you can get some happy hour drinks and bites and enjoy a game or two of bowling! {Photo: Bull and Bowl}
WEBSITE | 501 W 6th St #200, Austin, TX 78701
19. Go Shopping on South Congress
This is the most iconic shopping destination in Austin. You'll find international brands (Hermés, Everlane, Madewell) as well as a few local boutiques (By George) and amazing restaurants and coffee shops.
20. Swim in Barton Springs
Don't call me crazy - lots of people actually swim in this famous Austin spring in the winter months!
The tourist crowds won't be there, so you can enjoy lots of space for a polar plunge or some heart-pumping laps at Barton Springs. (It's 68 degrees year-round.)
WEBSITE | Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
A few more ideas for winter in Austin: some of the most charming local bookstores in Austin, a guide to the best NEW restaurants in Austin, and the cutest wine bars in Austin.
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