This Weekend in Austin, TX
Nov 6–Nov 8· Warm, 71°/49°F
Live music, breakfast tacos, and bats. In that order.
🆓 Free this weekend
Shoal Creek Trail
Downtown to Hyde Park
3.7-mile trail from downtown through Pease Park to West 38th Street. Mix of paved and crushed granite. Shaded, scenic, less crowded than the Lady Bird Lake trail. Passes through Pease Park which has an off-leash dog area. Good for running, walking, or a bike commute from Hyde Park to downtown.
Auditorium Shores Off-Leash Area
Downtown
Designated off-leash section along Lady Bird Lake near downtown. Direct water access, water fountains, benches, and skyline views. Walking distance from Rainey Street and South Congress. The most accessible off-leash park for anyone downtown or in South Austin. Same algae warning as all Lady Bird Lake spots.
South Austin Recreation Center
South Austin
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.
Waterloo Records
Downtown
Independent record store since 1982. Willie Nelson, Spoon, and St. Vincent have all played free in-store shows here. Big vinyl and CD selection plus local Austin music. Outdoor stage for free shows year-round and during SXSW.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Barton Hills
Over 12 miles of trails through Austin's greenbelt with swimming holes, creek access, and shaded limestone corridors. Dogs on leash required on the trails but can swim at designated spots. Multiple trailheads — Spyglass is the most popular. Trail conditions vary with rain.
Pease Park Splash Pad
Old West Austin
Free splash pad, May through October, 8am-10pm daily. Playground and restrooms right there. Shaded trails along Shoal Creek for when the kids finally dry off. You'll burn at least two hours here. Pack a towel.
🌳 Get outside
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Westlake
1,100-acre park on Lake Austin with hiking, camping, and lake access. Dogs on leash in the main park areas. Lake Austin swimming access — calmer water than Lady Bird Lake with less algae risk. $5 weekday entry, $10 weekends/holidays. The drive out is winding and beautiful. Combines well with Turkey Creek Trail (off-leash) which shares the same road.
Deep Eddy Pool
West Austin
Oldest swimming pool in Texas, spring-fed and city-maintained since 1936. A Texas Historic Landmark. Main pool for laps and older kids, wading pool for toddlers. Much less crowded than Barton Springs. Free swim hours offered periodically.
Mohawk
Red River Cultural District
900 capacity, indoor and outdoor stages, three bars. The tiered outdoor patio gives good sightlines from almost anywhere. Books indie rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic. Anchor of Red River since 2006.
Thinkery
Mueller
Hands-on STEAM exhibits for infants through early elementary. Big outdoor water play area, kitchen lab, light and shadow studio. Baby Bloomers hours Fri-Sat 8-10am are under-4 only. Free Tuesdays 3-7pm and Sundays 3-5pm.
Odd Duck
South Lamar
Farm-to-table restaurant on South Lamar with a menu that changes constantly based on what local farms have available. Small plates meant for sharing. The vibe is casual despite the food being refined. Reservations recommended — walk-ins at the bar if you're flexible.
👨👩👧 With kids
Alliance Children's Garden
East Austin
Free garden designed for kids with whimsical paths, hands-on planting areas, and shady picnic spots. Part of the Mueller development. Open daily, free admission.
Zilker Eagle Miniature Train
Zilker Park
15-minute miniature train loop through Zilker Park near Barton Springs. Buy tickets at the depot, first-come first-served. Cash and credit. Under 2 rides free on your lap.
Thinkery
Mueller
Hands-on STEAM exhibits for infants through early elementary. Big outdoor water play area, kitchen lab, light and shadow studio. Baby Bloomers hours Fri-Sat 8-10am are under-4 only. Free Tuesdays 3-7pm and Sundays 3-5pm.
Zilker Botanical Garden
Zilker Park
Japanese garden with koi ponds, real fossilized dinosaur footprints, and a children's garden with scavenger hunt from the gift shop. Streams, waterfalls, stone pathways to explore. Under 2 free. Cheap for Austin residents.
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum
Zilker Park
Tucked behind Barton Springs, this shaded sculpture garden is one of Austin's best-kept secrets for families. Kids can wander among 60+ bronze and stone sculptures on winding garden paths. Under 4 free, youth $2. EBT cardholders get free admission through Museums for All. Small enough that toddlers can't wander too far. Combine it with Barton Springs for a full Zilker day.
🍷 Date night
Mohawk
Red River Cultural District
900 capacity, indoor and outdoor stages, three bars. The tiered outdoor patio gives good sightlines from almost anywhere. Books indie rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic. Anchor of Red River since 2006.
Continental Club
South Congress
On South Congress since 1955. Started as a supper club, now books roots, rockabilly, country, swing, rock, and blues every single night. 200-person room — you're right on top of the performers.
Paramount Theatre
Downtown
Restored 1915 vaudeville house on Congress Avenue. Now books concerts, comedy, classic films, and touring Broadway. The ornate interior justifies showing up for anything they're running.
Esther's Follies
Sixth Street
Political satire, magic tricks, and live music — running for 40+ years on Sixth Street. Shows are 90 minutes. Typically 7pm and 9pm, multiple nights a week. Extra $5 for center seating.
Mount Bonnell
West Austin
Highest point in Austin at 780 feet. 102 limestone stairs, takes two minutes. Lake Austin, Hill Country, and downtown skyline from the top. Free parking on Mt. Bonnell Road. Best at sunset.
🎭 Entertainment
Mohawk
Red River Cultural District
900 capacity, indoor and outdoor stages, three bars. The tiered outdoor patio gives good sightlines from almost anywhere. Books indie rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic. Anchor of Red River since 2006.
Continental Club
South Congress
On South Congress since 1955. Started as a supper club, now books roots, rockabilly, country, swing, rock, and blues every single night. 200-person room — you're right on top of the performers.
Paramount Theatre
Downtown
Restored 1915 vaudeville house on Congress Avenue. Now books concerts, comedy, classic films, and touring Broadway. The ornate interior justifies showing up for anything they're running.
Esther's Follies
Sixth Street
Political satire, magic tricks, and live music — running for 40+ years on Sixth Street. Shows are 90 minutes. Typically 7pm and 9pm, multiple nights a week. Extra $5 for center seating.
Mount Bonnell
West Austin
Highest point in Austin at 780 feet. 102 limestone stairs, takes two minutes. Lake Austin, Hill Country, and downtown skyline from the top. Free parking on Mt. Bonnell Road. Best at sunset.