"What are some things to do in Austin?"
Austin is an eclectic city with truly wide ranging interests and pastimes. Nearly every day of the year, there are dozens of great events going on all over town. Whatever your interests are, there's a good chance there's something that will appeal to you.
Live musical performances by world-famous artists? You can get those here.
Live comedy by top talent from around the country? Yup.
Sporting events attended by elite athletes? Got those too.
Nationally broadcast Grand Prix car races?
Classical concerts, ballet, and Broadway shows?
World premieres of top films and plays?
International conferences displaying cutting-edge technology and the latest consumer electronics and software?
Top-notch museums and festivals offering fun and learning for the whole family?
Tours of historic buildings and neighborhoods for a unique perspective on Texas culture?
You can get all of that and more here in Austin. This page gives an overview of activities in town, and links to further information.
Click on a link below or scroll down for some ideas of great things to do in Austin.
Hear Some Live Music
Click here to find Live Music in Austin
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Go to a Play, a Musical, or the Ballet
Whether you like Broadway shows or classical dance, you'll find plenty of choices in Austin. Click the link below to find live performance venues in Austin.
Click here to find Live Performances in Austin
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Enjoy Live Comedy
Austin has a number of live comedy clubs and acts. Click the link below to find some of the most popular venues.
Click here to find Comedy Acts in Austin
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NOTE: For a calendar of plays, musicals, concerts, comedy acts, and other theater events in Austin visit www.austin-theater.com.
Participate in Your Favorite Sports
What's your sport? Running? Swimming? Tennis? Golf?
Austin is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World", but it could just as well be called the "Athletic Event Capital of the World". There may be more athletic events going on per capita here than any other city.
The city has nearly three dozen parks and over 200 green spaces, as well as lots of running and bike trails and golf courses.
There are also many athletic clubs and groups in town, catering to enthusiasts of various sports at all levels.
With all this going on, you're bound to find a group or activity that matches your athletic interests.
Click here to find Athletic Events in Austin
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Watch a Sporting Event
Prefer to enjoy sports as a spectator than a participant? Austin has many choices for you as well. The city has professional, amateur, and collegiate sporting events going on throughout the year.
Click here to find Sporting Events in Austin
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Go to a Museum
Austin has some top-notch museums and outdoor display parks. History, art, science, or children's exhibits, there's something that will appeal to most everyone. Visit our Museums Page to learn about Austin's many museums.
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Visit an Art Gallery
Austin is as famous for its art galleries as its live music. Visit our Art Galleries Page to find out about some of Austin's galleries.
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Recreational Activities
Just looking for some fun, off-the-beaten-path type of activities to enjoy? From segway tours and boat rentals to ziplining and parasailing, Austin and vicinity offer a variety of choices. Visit our Recreational Activities Page to find out.
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Go to the Park
There are nearly three dozen city parks in Austin. Residents love the outdoors, and the hills and woodlands of central Texas provide many opportunities to play and commune with nature. Visit our Parks Page to find out more about parks in Austin.
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Go to the Movies
From the latest blockbusters to first-run indie and foreign films, movie lovers have many choices around town. Visit Fandango to see a list and map of movie theaters in town, along with showtimes.
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Go Shopping
Austin has many opportunities to shop-till-you-drop. Whether it's an air-conditioned shopping mall or a local street full of local shops and cafes, there are shopping districts galore around town. Visit the Shopping Page to find out about shopping in Austin.
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Get Something to Eat
With all this activity, you're likely to get hungry. Fortunately, you'll find a wide range of cuisines and restaurant choices around town, for a light snack or a full meal. And don't forget about Austin's over 1,000 food trucks and trailers.
Visit our Restaurants Page to find out more about Austin's restaurants.
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Volunteer
Austin is a great volunteerism town. Many college students are involved in volunteer activities, and many adults are socially active as well. There are plenty of nonprofit and social service organizations in Austin, serving a wide range of causes. Below are some links to help you connect with an opportunity that interests you.
Volunteermatch
United Way
Volunteering with the City of Austin
Be the Change
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Attend a Conference
As a very desirable travel destination, Austin hosts many conferences and events of all types. Below are some links to find upcoming conferences in town.
Austin Convention Center website
Conference Hound
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Free and Low-Cost Fun
Austin is filled with fun, family-friendly things to do for no or little cost. Many museums are accessible at low cost, or you can go to a park, dine at a casual restaurant or food trailer, or rent a bike or canoe.
For an extensive list of free family-friendly things to do in Austin, visit Free Fun in Austin.
They even have a daily calendar of activities.
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