Things to Do in South Austin

The Real Deal Holyfield: brisket + egg + cheese + potato. Best breakfast taco in Texas.

The collision of Tex-Mex and BBQ that shouldn't work but absolutely does. The Real Deal Holyfield — brisket, egg, cheese, potato on a flour tortilla — is the best breakfast taco in Texas according to people who've had it. Smoked meats in a tortilla format. Worth the drive south. Sells out.

11500 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748 · Mon 8am-9pm, Wed-Sun 7:30am-10pm. Closed Tue. Sells out. · 512-221-4248 · outdoor

Al pastor tacos at a beer garden under the trees. This is Austin.

Taco truck parked at Cosmic Coffee beer garden. The al pastor is the star — crispy edges, proper pineapple, perfect seasoning. The setting is half the appeal: order tacos, grab a beer from Cosmic, sit under the trees. Multiple locations now but Pickle Road is the move.

121 Pickle Rd, Austin, TX 78704 · Daily 8am-9pm · outdoor

Kids' exploration caves and water features in 284 acres of native wildflowers

284-acre botanical garden dedicated to native Texas plants. The Luci and Ian Family Garden has water features, a stone tower, and exploration caves kids love. Wildflower meadows peak March through May. Children 4 and under free. Stroller-friendly throughout.

4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739 · Tue-Sun 9am-5pm, closed Mon · outdoor · Ages 0+

12 miles of free trails with swimming holes and limestone cliffs

12-mile greenbelt with hiking and biking trails, swimming holes, and limestone cliffs. Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls trails are family-friendly with shallow wading pools when water flows. Free to access. Dogs welcome on leash.

3755-B Capital of TX Hwy S, Austin, TX 78704 · Daily 5am-10pm · outdoor · Ages 3+

Tight, wooded, technical. This is the course Austin disc golfers play when they want to actually be challenged. Free.

18-hole wooded course at Circle C Metro Park with tight fairways, elevation changes, and technical lines. Free to play. One of the more challenging courses in Austin. Bring water — there's no shade relief between holes in summer. Par 64 layout stretching nearly 7,000 feet.

6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739 · Daily 6am-10pm · outdoor

Same quality as the Springdale location, less crowded, easier parking. South Austin's go-to climbing spot.

South Austin location of Bouldering Project with expansive bouldering walls, fitness area, and yoga. Same pricing as Springdale: day pass $25, monthly $95. Easier to park than the East Austin location. Good for South Austin residents who don't want to cross the river.

4477 S Lamar Blvd #600, Austin, TX 78745 · Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm · indoor

Free indoor pickleball courts, no membership. Also has basketball. The senior pickleball crowd on Tuesday mornings is surprisingly competitive.

City rec center with indoor basketball gym, outdoor basketball court, and 4 indoor pickleball courts. Free to use. Senior pickleball Tue and Fri 11am-2pm. Also has a playground, meeting rooms, and programming for all ages. One of the better free pickleball setups in town.

1100 Cumberland Rd, Austin, TX 78704 · Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 1pm-5pm · 512-974-2440

$6 to swim at a waterfall 15 minutes from downtown. Feels like you drove two hours into the Hill Country. Check water levels first.

700 acres with upper and lower waterfalls, swimming in Onion Creek, 7+ miles of trails (3.5 paved, 4 unpaved), and Old Baldy — a 500-year-old bald cypress. $6 adults, kids 12 and under free. Upper Falls is the main swimming spot. 15 minutes from downtown but feels like the Hill Country.

5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744 · Daily 8am-10pm · 512-243-1643 · outdoor

$15/hr kayaks on Lady Bird Lake — cheaper than the other rental spots. South side launch, no reservation needed.

Kayak and SUP rentals on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake. Single kayak $15/hr, tandem $25/hr, SUP $22/hr. Cheaper than Rowing Dock and closer to South Austin. Walk-ups welcome. Good launch point for paddling east toward the I-35 bridge or west toward Zilker.

1621 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704 · Daily, hours vary seasonally · outdoor

$10 drop-in yoga on South Congress. Unlimited monthly is $45. Hard to find a reason not to go at that price.

Community yoga studio on South Congress with $10 drop-in classes. 4-class pass $30, unlimited monthly from $45. In-studio and virtual options. Beginner-friendly. If $33 drop-ins at other studios make you flinch, this is where you go.

4601 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745 · Class schedule varies, check website · indoor

Small, shady, and calm. The South Austin spot for dogs who don't need 50 new friends at once.

Small neighborhood dog park off South Lamar with a surprisingly loyal community. Fenced, off-leash, with shade trees and water. Less chaotic than Zilker — the South Austin regulars keep it chill. Good for dogs who get overwhelmed by big crowds.

1009 Edgecliff Terrace, Austin, TX 78704 · 5am-10pm daily · outdoor

Shaded patio, water stations, dog biscuits, house-brewed pilsner, and artisan pizza. Your dog will be one of a dozen here on any given afternoon.

Big shaded patio with water stations and dog biscuits. Artisan pizza and house-brewed beer. Dogs are part of the furniture here — nobody looks twice. The pilsner and the pizza are both excellent.

1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704 · Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm · outdoor

South Austin brewery where every other table has a dog under it. Food trucks rotate, lagers are clean, nobody's in a hurry.

South Austin brewery with a dog-friendly patio and rotating food trucks. Laid-back neighborhood vibe — the South Austin crowd brings their dogs to everything, and St. Elmo rolls with it. Good lagers and a solid IPA rotation.

440 E St Elmo Rd, Ste G, Austin, TX 78745 · Thu-Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm · outdoor