Moon 52 Things to Do in Austin & San Antonio

THIS IS MY AUSTIN

What will it be that makes you fall in love with Austin? Its artistic soul? Its incomparable dining and drinking? What will really send you head over heels is its laid-back, relax-and-stay-a-while attitude. This is a city where you can go out in pajamas and feel right at home.

Our food scene is world class yet unpretentious. We’re as proud of our food trucks as we are of our James Beard award winners. Butcher paper is piled high with tender brisket, hot pierogis from the farmers market melt in your mouth, and our hippie heritage means the vegetarian options are showstoppers. Care to sip something strong? How does a wine or whiskey trail sound? What about a distillery reviving an ancient desert spirit?

The stars at night are, of course, big and bright, so our nightlife buzzes with energy. You’re guaranteed laughs at comedy shows, snacks at drive-ins, and exquisite cocktails along Rainey Street. In the dancehalls, we do the Lord’s work teaching beginners how to two-step to twangy songs about heartbreak. Never forget this is the live music capital of the world, where upstarts play alongside superstars.

You can’t talk about Austin without talking about festivals. In addition to famed South by Southwest and Austin City Limits, there are events nearly every week that capture the city’s fun-loving atmosphere, overflowing talent, and all-around joy.

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s no surprise we love a chance to bliss out in nature. Go waterfall hunting, urban kayaking, or jungle hiking. The rolling Hill Country unfolds in a kaleidoscope of colors if you catch it at the right time, with roads like gentle roller coasters offering sweeping views.

San Antonio beckons from the south, with a uniquely preserved lens on Texas en español. Rich Mexican traditions are everywhere, from refreshing paletas and mouthwatering tacos to the annual Fiesta. See this sister city from a bike along the Mission Trail or from behind your fingers on a ghost tour.

This proud piece of Texas packs in the flavor and the fun. It’s amazing bites, a stiff drink on a night out, a local band catching fire, and a day in the sun. Try it all. Savor all the weirdness that makes Austin, Austin. And don’t forget your sunglasses.

TO DO LISTS

Hike & Bike

6 Save a horse, ride a bicycle

18 Hike the Greenbelt

31 Explore underground at Natural Bridge Caverns

34 Bike the Mission Trail

43 Get away to Fredericksburg

45 Find every waterfall at Colorado Bend State Park

49 Explore a Texas jungle at Palmetto State Park

52 Hike through fall colors at Lost Maples

Get on the Water

1 Howl at the moon in Zilker Park

9 Kayak beautiful Lady Bird Lake

18 Hike the Greenbelt

38 Float the river in San Marcos

44 Take a dip in Hamilton Pool

45 Find every waterfall at Colorado Bend State Park

Sip Something Strong

3 Go bar-hopping along Rainey Street

12 Sip a craft brew

40 Drink ancient desert spirits

42 Sip your way through Texas Wine Country

47 Drink with the devil at the Devil’s Backbone Tavern

50 Sip liquid sunshine on the Texas Whiskey Trail

Taste of Texas

5 Taste Texas at addictive barbecue joints

14 Eat like royalty at food trucks

17 Eat your way through the best farmers market in Austin

26 Unwrap an ice-cold paleta

28 Eat tacos for all three meals

Nightlife

2 Learn how to two-step at a hoedown

3 Go bar-hopping along Rainey Street

7 Laugh your heart out at a comedy show

10 Run with the cool crowd on East 6th Street

11 See why Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World”

12 Sip a craft brew

19 Kick back at a drive-in movie

41 Paint the town red at the oldest dancehall in Texas

47 Drink with the devil at the Devil’s Backbone Tavern

Art & Culture

4 Celebrate Austin’s festival culture

13 Dive into Latin American art at Blanton Museum

16 See cutting-edge art at Austin’s East Side galleries

25 Hunt for murals

27 Immerse yourself in art at Hopscotch

30 Wear a flower crown at Fiesta

32 Shop in “Little Mexico” at San Antonio’s Historic Market Square

35 Stroll through King William Historic District

36 Take in art along the River Walk

37 Walk in tranquility at the Japanese Tea Garden

Neighborhoods & City Streets

3 Go bar-hopping along Rainey Street

8 Find vintage treasures in North Loop

10 Run with the cool crowd on East 6th Street

15 Check out the ever-changing South Congress Avenue

33 See the best of old and new San Antonio in the Pearl District

35 Stroll through King William Historic District

36 Take in art along the River Walk

Family Friendly

19 Kick back at a drive-in movie

20 Answer the bat signal on Congress Avenue Bridge

21 See the peacocks at Mayfield Park

23 Bask in the glow of holiday lights

26 Unwrap an ice-cold paleta

29 Get spooked on a ghost tour

31 Explore underground at Natural Bridge Caverns

39 Fire an apple cannon at a fall festival

46 Step back in time at Dinosaur Park

48 Fly through the trees at Zip Lost Pines

Only in Austin

1 Howl at the moon in Zilker Park

2 Learn how to two-step at a hoedown

4 Celebrate Austin’s festival culture

8 Find vintage treasures in North Loop

11 See why Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World”

14 Eat like royalty at food trucks

19 Kick back at a drive-in movie

20 Answer the bat signal on Congress Avenue Bridge

24 Touch the sky at Mount Bonnell

25 Hunt for murals

Only in San Antonio

26 Unwrap an ice-cold paleta

28 Eat tacos for all three meals

30 Wear a flower crown at Fiesta

32 Shop in “Little Mexico” at San Antonio’s Historic Market Square

34 Bike the Mission Trail

36 Take in art along the River Walk

1 Howl at the moon in Zilker Park

Outdoor Adventures • Get on the Water • Family Friendly • Only in Austin • Best in Summer

Pups zoom by but the clouds crawl at sunset in Zilker Park. The summer day just got bearable as the heat starts to wane, but there are still blanket sun bathers baking in the last of the rays. Pause from taking in the sinking sun to look behind you. Framed perfectly against the park, the Austin skyline shines in the east, as the last bit of sun turns everything golden.

It’s hot and the days are long in the summer, but that’s perfect. Grab a bag and stuff in a picnic blanket, swimsuit, and towel. You’ll have time to make the night swim next door at Barton Springs after a sunset dinner on the Great Lawn. If you enjoy raw animal expression, plan this evening for the night of a full moon. On that night, tradition dictates that everyone at Barton Springs must howl like a wolf. The springs and the park are quintessential Austin. The howling is too.

If you don’t want to pack your own dinner, head over to the food trailers across from the park and order food to attack on the lawn. At The Picnic (1720 Barton Springs Rd., www.thepicnicaustin.com) a handful of food trailers circle their wagons. Coat and Thai serves saucy Thai entrees in foil pouches with rice or noodles. Try the crab rangoons or the sweet Pad-Peanut Sauce. Cannone Cucina Italiana serves fresh pasta and sandwiches on focaccia bread that satiates carb-lovers. Carbonara swims in a runny, yolky yellow sauce I want to lick off the plate. The Mighty Cone serves crunchy battered chicken, shrimp, and avocado in a flour tortilla with coleslaw. Keep in mind there’s a daily dinnertime rush, so be prepared to wait at least 15 minutes to get your food. Once your dinner is in hand, head to Zilker Park to watch the sunset.

Zilker Park’s Great Lawn is a perfect picnic post. A flat space surrounding a big rock outcropping and lined with oak trees, the lawn has the added bonus of city skyline views that are stunning. The people watching is top notch, too. From your piece of lawn, take in the volleyball players, the yogis, and the kids biking by. Music floats past from portable speakers, and dancers deftly maneuver light-up hula hoops and flaming rope darts. Most people are doing what you’re doing—hanging out on blankets to watch the sunset. A peaceful green space in the city center, Zilker sees an impromptu community gathering each evening. Keep an eye out for rogue frisbees sailing past and friendly dogs coming to sniff hello. The golden, glowing pink sunset is a bonus.

A rejuvenating night swim lies a short walk away at Barton Springs Pool (2131 William Barton Dr., 512/974-6300, https://austintexas.gov). Simply cross Barton Springs Road and head up the hill to find the entrance just south of the big lawn. Spring-fed, the three-acre pool is open for daytime swimming year-round, but from April 30 to September 30, the lifeguards leave at 8pm and the pool stays open for one last hour of frolicking under the stars. At 9pm, admission fees are waived, except for on full moon nights when fees are charged ($5 for adult residents, $9 for visitors) and capacity is limited to the first 750 people. There are changing rooms by the entrance, a diving board around the other side, and grassy lawns for bonus lounging. The deep end plunges 18 feet in some parts. Do yourself a favor and just jump in. Getting in slowly is torture, but once submerged, the 68-70 degree water feels great. Remember, this is a living spring with different types of fish darting around, a few turtles, and some sensitive and utterly adorable salamanders.

You’ve been licked by a dog in Zilker Park. You’ve been nipped by a fish at Barton Springs. You have howled at the moon with a bunch of wild animals. You’re dripping and tired from swimming on a hot summer night. Congratulations, you are officially keeping Austin weird. Please pick up your trash to help keep Austin beautiful.

Connect with . . .

4 Celebrate Austin’s festival culture

14 Eat like royalty at food trucks

15 Check out the ever-changing South Congress Avenue

2 Learn how to two-step at a hoedown

Nightlife • Only in Austin

So, you have two left feet. That’s OK. Austin bars do the Lord’s work by teaching absolute beginners to scoot across the dance floor with grace. The city has deep country roots, of course, but every weekend brings a new city mouse who has never learned to quick-quick slow-slow, that basic two-step routine essential to shuffling around to twangy songs about love and heartbreak. Those mice can take lessons here and, with any little amount of courage, storm the dance floor in the correct position without interrupting the experts as they twirl in perfect time.

First things first: dress the part. Wear those cowboy boots you spent $300 on. Or any boot, really. Barring those, wear any close-toed shoe so your feet might survive if stepped on by a well-meaning dance partner. Throw on the denim. In Austin, blue jeans are the right outfit for anything but floating the river. Do you have a cowboy hat? Wear it if you feel confident, but it’s not essential. If you must have one, choose lighter material; felt will make you sweat. You’re ready!

Did I mention lessons? Sign up at an early hour to learn with other plebeians, so no one else will see you trip over your own feet. Rooted in the foxtrot, this historic dance was first called the “valse a deux temps” but “two-step” was ultimately catchier. You’ll need a partner so bring a friend, but be prepared to switch partners throughout the lesson. You’ll stand facing your partner with your left arm around their shoulder or waist (generally shoulder for ladies and waist for men) and your right arm up and out from your body. Some instructors ask you to get very close, leaning your body weight into your partner, while others let you dance with space between you. Shift your weight confidently and slide around the floor in a counterclockwise circle to the tune of Dale Watson, Carson McHone, or Mike and the Moonpies. Slow, inexperienced dancers should stick to the center of the circle. The better dancers will move faster around the perimeter. That’s good etiquette, but realistically you will end up maneuvering with people of all speeds, so watch out and try not to kick anyone. Step between your partner’s feet; that’ll help.

Crowds include people of all ages. Once the bands start playing, spectators just milling around on the edge of the dance floor will be asked to dance. Prices for lessons usually range from free to cheap, but some venues also have cover charges, especially when live bands are playing. Be sure to check in advance.

Broken Spoke, The White Horse, and Sagebrush are three honky-tonk bars serving up dance classes. They all serve food too, so you can have dinner there before hitting the dance floor. Broken Spoke on South Lamar offers excellent hour-long lessons for $8 from Wednesday through Saturday starting at 8:30pm. Expect to dance pasted to your partner and to really nail the fundamentals. Open since 1964, this venue has hosted Willie Nelson and saw the rise of outlaw country and cosmic cowboy progressive country with heroes like Jerry Jeff Walker in the 1970s. It’s kept its old country charm amid the high-rises springing up around it. An indoor dance floor with low ceilings is set at the back of the hall, with lots of tables for beer drinking and chicken-fried steak eating. Day one fans are a loyal clientele. A crowd of real country music lovers frequents the place, but everyone is welcome for a small cash cover.

The White Horse on the east side offers free lessons a couple times a month at 7pm, usually on a weekday. Check their website to get the latest information before you go. Crowds skew younger and see plenty of overflow from East 6th street bar-hoppers, so this isn’t a typical country music dancehall. Expect a bigger beer selection and space to roam inside and on an outside patio. Bands here include local stars like Carson McHone playing excellent sets tucked into a corner in front of a red curtain. It’s a great place to bring out-of-town friends.

Sagebrush on South Congress Avenue is owned by some of the folks behind The White Horse, but it’s newer and bigger. For a $5 suggested donation, lessons every Wednesday at 7pm will encourage you to switch partners, but you don’t absolutely have to. The top-notch instructors standout for teaching both men and women how to spin their partners, with some cool options for getting out of a “cuddle” step where you dance side-by-side. Sagebrush has high ceilings and a row of chandeliers over the dance floor inside, with a handful of pool tables and lots of seats. Their jukebox plays country-western gold, and the big backyard dirt patio has food trailers and tons of tables, making it one of my favorite hangouts. Bands range from country-western on Wednesday nights to metal to blues.

Even if you can’t dance, you can walk along through a two-step. As local country musicians fire up the dance floor with ease, even your shyest friends will find themselves dancing circles around the wood floors. Check your inhibitions at the door. Mike and the Moonpies said it best: You look good in neon.

Connect with . . .

5 Taste Texas at addictive barbecue joints

10 Run with the cool crowd on East 6th Street

12 Sip a craft brew

3 Go bar-hopping along Rainey Street

Nightlife • Sip Something Strong • Neighborhoods & City Streets • Only in Austin

With dozens of unique bars all within a few minutes of each other, Rainey Street is a bar-hopper’s dream. This city block of bars and restaurants was built on the bones of historic bungalows from the 1930s. Today, those little houses have been turned into polished watering holes, with more high-rises going up regularly, but it’s the small reminders of the past that draw people in. It’s also the ample open-air patio space at every bar, the cocktails, delicious food, live music, and food trailers sprinkled throughout. The following stops are organized by location, moving from south to north, but with everything so close together, it’s easy to hop from place to place in whatever order the night takes you.

Take your pick of 54 Texas beers on tap at Craft Pride (61 Rainey St., 512/428-5571, https://craftprideaustin.com). Half pint pours are my favorite way to taste more than one beer on a lightweight’s tolerance while listening to local bands. In the backyard patio, Austin taco purveyor Taco Flats (https://tacoflats.com) serve up Mexico City style tacos on house-made corn or flour tortillas. The trendy, tender birria style beef taco in a lightly fried tortilla with a side of dipping broth, or consume, is a must. As an added bonus, visit on Tuesday evenings for $1 off tacos.

A little further down the road, find the glowing, hot pink mini food truck, Little Lucy’s (424/235-8297, https://littlelucys.com). Hot, fresh mini donuts rolled in flavored sugars like pumpkin spice, horchata, and butterscotch and bourbon are a magnet for the bar crowd looking for scrumptious calories.

Step into Lucille (77 Rainey St., 512/322-9270, http://lucilleaustin.com/index.html) for the dark booths and sheer red curtains inside. Booth space is scant, so you’ll likely stand inside, but romantic vibes drip from the flower draped chandeliers. Dark wood floors and enchanting booths aside, the music is loud and funky, and I almost always end up on the back patio anyway. Try a wasabi Bloody Mary for a punchy pick-me-up.

A couple steps north, the best sausages in Austin are served at