Free Things to Do in Austin That Are Actually Worth It

Austin sits in the heart of Texas and serves as the state capital as well as its fourth-largest city. Known for its exciting nightlife, mouthwatering barbecue, historic landmarks, sprawling parks, museums, and a thriving music culture, it proudly carries the title of Live Music Capital of the World. Beyond the food and fun, travelers will be glad to know the city also offers plenty of free experiences. You can spot wildlife at the Austin Nature and Science Center, dive into Texas history at the Bullock Texas State History Museum (on select free days), take in sweeping views from Mount Bonnell, or watch thousands of bats soar from the Congress Avenue Bridge—all without spending a cent.

So, are you ready to explore Austin without spending a penny? Below is a list of the best free Austin activities

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is situated on the north side of the Texas Capitol and serves as one of the best places to visit in Texas for history buffs. It features a magnificent granite structure with a copper dome on top and consists of a 35-foot-high bronze star. The museum consists of three levels with several displays that provide visitors with an insight into the 16 thousand years history of Texas, including space exploration, the Texas Revolution, and pop culture. Additionally, the museum also features multimedia displays, such as augmented reality and an IMAX cinema, which features great movies. The museum offers free entry on certain days, while the cinema charges a ticket. (Pro tip: time your visit for the free days—history feels even better when your wallet stays full.)

The Austin Nature and Science Center is situated within the Zilker Metropolitan Park and provides visitors with a range of free interactive scientific and nature displays. You can explore a variety of exhibitions here on topics including physics, wildlife, geology, astronomy, paleontology, and biology. The Dino Pit exhibitions feature fossils of dinosaurs. The birds of prey section consists of injured birds that have been rehabilitated there, including owls, hawks, and vultures. The Small Wonders building showcases the tiniest local animals. There is also a forest trail in the park where visitors can stroll and explore more than 45 native trees. The admission to the center is free, but the educational programs and several camps charge a fee. (Basically, you can get smarter here for free—unless you want bonus classes, then bring your wallet.)

The Austin Campus of the University of Texas is an expansive building that offers free tours of its beautiful museums, art, and stunning architecture. It consists of various noteworthy locations including The Blanton Museum of Art that is a great place for art lovers, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum that features a number of exhibitions including presidential documents and displays like LBJ's limousine, and the UT Tower which is the main building of the campus, features 27 floors and is 304 foot long, providing visitors an aerial view of the university (note: tower tours usually require a ticket). You can also take a free self-guided tour to see the MLK Jr. Statue in the Mall, and also keep an eye out for Bevo, a friendly longhorn for which the university is famous. (Just don’t try to bring him home—he doesn’t fit in carry-on luggage.)

South Congress Avenue, also known as SoCo, is a well-known neighborhood in Austin that features a wide range of stores, eateries, and entertainment venues, and is a great place for window shopping in Austin. You can browse various renowned stores like Prima Dora, famous for its Austin-themed magnets, mugs, and apparel, vintage stores like Prototype Vintage, Feather's Boutique Vintage, Shop Letterpress PLAY, which sells handcrafted items made from paper, and Allens Boots, famous for its wide assortment of boots. The Avenue also hosts fitness classes, concerts, and Second Sunday festivities with food trucks and live music, making it one of the most enjoyable things to do in Austin for free. (Warning: window shopping here may cause accidental boot purchases.)

Zilker Metropolitan Park is a well-known park in Austin that spans 351 acres and offers a wealth of enjoyable and free activities. Visitors can take part in hiking, cycling, and have a picnic on the verdant grounds of the park. It also features the Zilker Botanical Garden, where visitors can explore native flowers and plants, and Barton Creek, nearby, where visitors can swim and paddleboat for free (Barton Springs Pool itself usually charges admission). Moreover, two well-known events take place in the park, which visitors can enjoy for free: the Trail of Lights, where the park's trails are illuminated with lights, and the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which draws music artists from around the world. (Even if you can’t get into the festival, the people-watching is free entertainment.)

Mount Bonnell is situated in Covert Park and serves as one of the highest points in Austin, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the city for free. There is a short, paved route that leads to this viewpoint, located 775 feet above the Colorado River. Once you have reached the top, you will be able to witness the views of Downtown Austin, Lake Austin, and the surrounding Hill Country Landscape. It is also a great place to witness the beautiful sunrises and sunsets of the city. The trail is easy, and people of all experience levels, whether beginners or experienced ones, can enjoy this free trip. (Plus, you can brag about “hiking a mountain” without actually climbing Everest.)

The Congress Avenue Bridge is situated in the center of Downtown Austin and is home to one of the biggest urban bat colonies in the world, with approximately 1.5 million Mexican bats. An estimated 750,000 baby bats are raised annually by female Mexican bats at the bridge, making it the biggest maternity colony. Every evening, these free-tailed bats come out from under the bridge, drawing large crowds to observe the spectacle. It is one of the top free things to do in Austin, providing a free show in the middle of the city. If you want to view them more closely, there are also bat-watching cruises that run along the river and are reasonably priced. (Tip: don’t stand directly under the bats unless you want a… let’s say “souvenir” from above.)

Choose from Austin’s best stays, where convenience and comfort meet the city’s signature charm:

7.3 Good

Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown Convention Cente

500 North Interstate 35 Austin, us

8.1 Very good

Hilton Austin

500 East 4th Street Austin, us

8.8 Very good

Fairmont Austin Gold Experience

101 Red River Street Fairmont Gold Austin, us