Howdy, traveler! Ready for a little trip down south? Allow us to introduce you to Austin, the gem of Texas. This capital city is a hotbed of culture, music, and good vibes. With over 2 million residents, it’s the perfect mix of diversity and tech-savvy. If you’re a foodie, you’ll feel right at home in Austin, where the cuisine scene is vibrant. But that’s just scratching the surface. Austin is also home to cultural attractions. Surely, you’ve heard of live music and festivals like South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits.
Austin’s gratis gems
That scene’s worth checking out, to be sure — but all of that can add up quick. Are there any dollarless ways to spend the day? Indeed, there are. There are many free things to do in Austin, y’all:
- Visit Zilker Metropolitan Park: This park is home to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, and picnicking.
- Explore the Texas State Capitol: The Texas State Capitol is a historic building that offers guided tours at no cost.
- Hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt: This scenic hiking trail offers beautiful views of the Austin area.
- Check out the Contemporary Austin: This contemporary art museum has two locations, one of which is always free to the public.
- Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: This center is dedicated to preserving native plants and offers a variety of free educational programs.
- Take a stroll along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail: This trail runs along Lady Bird Lake and offers beautiful views of the Austin skyline.
- Check out the Migratory Bird Center: This center is home to a variety of bird species and offers free guided tours.
- Visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden: This garden is home to a collection of sculptures by Charles Umlauf and is free to the public.
- Visit the Elisabet Ney Museum: This museum is home to a collection of sculptures by Elisabet Ney and is free to the public on the first Sunday of every month.
- Go stargazing at the Austin Astronomical Society: The Austin Astronomical Society holds free star parties every month where you can view the stars through telescopes.
The whole day can be pretty affordable, it turns out. So pack your bags, grab your dancing shoes, and head on down to Austin for a one-of-a-kind experience. Yee-haw!
