Austin Vacation Guide
Activities, Attractions & Ideas Deep in the Heart of Texas
Book a vacation in Austin and experience adventure, diverse culture and relaxation in one of the top destinations in Texas! Austin is known for its live music scene, rich flavors served by hundreds of restaurants, and natural beauty that beckons visitors to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're looking to kick back at Lake Travis or sample different cultures, Austin welcomes you to explore it all. Interested in the top things to do? Check out this roundup of the top Austin activities and attractions.
Quick Guide: Top Austin Activities & Attractions
- South Congress Avenue
- 6th Street
- Zilker Metropolitan Park
- Mount Bonnell
- Graffiti Park at Castle Hills
- Barton Springs Pool
- Lake Travis
- Austin Zoo
- University of Texas Longhorns Football
- 20-plus Golf Courses
- State Capitol
- LBJ Presidential Library
- Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail
- Bullock Texas State History Museum
- The Driskill
- Thinkery (Children's Museum)
- The Blanton Museum of Art
- Austin Live Music Crawl
- Austin City Limits Live
- 200-plus Live Music Venues
- Some of the World's Best BBQ and Foodie Tours
- The Domain, Barton Creek Square Shopping Centers
- 2nd Street District
- Annual Events and Festivals in Austin, including SXSW and ACL Festival
In-Depth Vacation Guide
Vacation in Austin and plan a memorable trip in one of the top destinations in Texas! iTrip Austin
manages vacation rentals in Lake Travis, Round Rock, Dripping Springs, Spicewood and Cedar Park.
Austin’s thriving metro attracts millions of people a year who enjoy an eclectic mix of culture paired with local charm. Although best known for live music, Austin offers guests access to outdoor activities, historical sites, arts and culture, small towns, sports, and nightlife.
Outdoor Activities in Austin
The city's location borders the Hill Country region, which includes several lakes suited for water recreation. One of those spots is Lake Travis, a destination perfect for boating, swimming and watching sunsets. View vacation rentals on Lake Travis.
Other top things to do include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and swimming year-round in Barton Springs Pool. Off the water, families can plan city tours, go hiking and biking, rock climbing, play golf, and take relaxing horseback rides. Kids won't want to miss the Austin Zoo, Austin Aquarium and mini-golf.
Located just 20 minutes north of downtown Austin, visitors can explore the small town of Round Rock. While there are many reasons to visit Round Rock, one top attraction is Kalahari Resort Water Park, the largest indoor waterpark resort in the U.S. Plus, this destination has a walkable downtown, parks, golf courses, AAA baseball, and a large outlet mall and an IKEA.
Interested in playing golf? Check out the golf courses in Spicewood. Lakecliff Country Club features an Arnold Palmer design complete with 12 lakes and Hill Country views. Golfers interested in a more casual game enjoy playing Pedernales Golf Club, aka Willie Nelson's Cut-N-Putt. After the round, head to one of the local barbecue restaurants.
Austin Art, Entertainment and Culture
The fun doesn't stop there. Austin has grown into a popular place to live and visit, all while honoring its culture and heritage. Top landmarks include the Texas State Capitol, Mount Bonnell, Congress Avenue and University of Texas-Austin, home to the Texas Longhorns college football team.
Those looking to immerse themselves in art and culture will find dozens of art galleries and museums. The most popular include LBJ Presidential Library, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Thinkery, Graffiti Park and Blanton Museum of Art.
In addition, one of the top ways to experience Austin's cultural diversity is attending a festival. The city hosts at least one a month, celebrating music, rodeos, food and art. Signature events include SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Urban Music Festival, Republic of Texas Biker Rally and the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar and Circuit of the Americas (COTA) racing.
Visitors can stay near downtown or book vacation rentals in Cedar Park, a suburb northwest of Austin. This area is family-friendly and offers a laid-back atmosphere close to all of Austin’s top attractions.
Local Food and Shopping
For a taste of local flavor, head to nearby Dripping Springs. Perfect for a day-trip, Dripping Springs welcomes guests to explore Texas Hill Country Olive Company, distilleries, wineries and breweries. Adventure-seekers will also find rock-climbing opportunities, waterfalls and horseback riding.
No Austin vacation will feel complete without experiencing its live music and nightlife. Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” due to its 200-plus music venues and thousands of shows a year. For more nightlife options, there are bars, comedy clubs, theaters and nightclubs.
Before heading home, experience some of the best shopping in Texas. To browse boutiques, visit the 2nd Street District, an area lined with locally owned shops. Then spend a day at The Domain, home to well known brands and independent designers who focus on a ‘buy local’ approach.
Vacation and Short-Term Rental Homes in Austin, TX
Why wait? Start
planning your Austin vacation and browse our rental homes.
Want to maximize your rental investment? Partner with a
local property manager in Austin specialized in short-term rentals. iTrip Austin serves Lake Travis, downtown Austin, Round Rock, Dripping Springs, Spicewood and Cedar Park.
Visit the blog to learn more about vacationing in Austin and start planning your getaway!
iTrip® Austin offers vacation rentals in and around Austin, Texas including the following areas:
Lago Vista, Dripping Springs, Round Rock, Spicewood and Cedar Park.
