Deven Wilson

Texas might be scorching in the summer, but you'll find that Austin is cool in more than one sense of the word. Despite conjuring images of golden sand and green cacti, Austin is a natural oasis under the brilliant rays of the Texas sun. Our city offers brilliantly blue lakes and refreshing spring-fed swimming pools for those needing a natural cool down. Our lush canopy of trees casts shade over campy activities, and our AC always stays cracked down to keep it chilled enough to get creative or kick back with a movie. There’s even space for those who feel the season is too hot to wear anything at all (more on that below). Whether it's going for a dip in your birthday suit or playing a round of mini-golf or pulling up to the drive-in, you'll find the best things to do in Austin this summer will keep you busy the next few months.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Austin

Everyone wants to come away from their trip feeling like they saw it all and hope they never stumble across a TikTok post-trip highlighting a destination and making them ask, “Did I even go to [blank]?” Austin, Texas, is one of the cities you don't want to miss out on. With its crave-worthy restaurants and vibrant bar scene, it's the kind of place to spur a first-timer to consider moving here to save on making frequent trips back. It's also a big city with a rural feel. Think natural wonders punctuating a lively downtown, where some of the country's largest festivals happen to take place. Below, you'll find Texan landmarks that’ll make any wannabe cowboy hoot n' holler and spots that buck all expectations. Whether it's your first time here or you're a newbie looking to get a lay of the land, these are the best things to do in Austin.  RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from AustinThe best hotels in AustinThe best Airbnbs in AustinThe best spa hotels in Austin This guide was updated by Austin-based writer Deven Wilson. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character. Streets are the heart of local life; they’re where communities come together, where new local businesses become go-to staples and where urbanites go out, hang out and have fun.  So what are the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now? To find the answer, we reached out to our global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. We then narrowed down the selection to create a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities. Over the last few years, street life has gone through something of an evolution. Outdoor drinking and dining, at one point a temporary measure, has become a staple on many of the streets on our hotlist; only bolstered by green initiatives like pedestrianisation and low-traffic avenues. In other words, these streets have become much more walkable and pleasant places to spend our time. On every street on this list, there are bold, creative new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture: from listening bars to repurposed heritage buildings, these streets are where you’ll find a city’s most exciting cultural trends. Ready for a wander?  RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The w

What makes a city great? Some would say it’s all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre. Others might highlight things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes. We factor in all that and more in our annual survey, which asks city-dwellers around the world to tell us what it’s like to live, work and play in their hometowns right now. Thanks to the opinions and insights of locals on the ground and our global network of city experts, we’re able to create a global ranking of the world’s best cities – and the 2024 results are in. As in previous years, the basis of the ranking remains our global survey of the people who know their city best: the locals. Working with research company Potentia Insight, we surveyed thousands of city-dwellers about the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife in their city. We also asked locals how their city makes them feel: are they happy there? Is it a beautiful place? Is it easy to make social connections? Their thousands of responses gave us a unique insight into the reality of living in the world’s greatest cities right now. Now that international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019, many travellers will be planning a city break this year – so in 2024, we added a little extra weight to a city’s global appeal. Each survey respondent was asked which

What is Zilker Park? The unofficial central park for the entire city, this South Austin greenspace is vital to keeping the spirit of Austin alive. Cross over the historic bridge above Barton Creek on Barton Springs Road, and the art deco stone signs greet visitors coming in for a breath of fresh air. The hike and bike trail goes into and through the park, following the waterline. At the same time, Barton Springs Road directs traffic past the entrances to main park attractions—destinations like the Zilker Botanical Gardens, Zilker’s Moonlight Tower, and the iconic Barton Springs Pool. Lou Neff Road spurs off the main road, encircling the Great Lawn. The massive field is a hub of outdoor activity year-round, with its beloved sand volleyball pits and iconic rock island in the middle. Is Zilker Park worth visiting? Unless nature makes your skin crawl and the idea of meandering around lush grounds with trails leading to a bright blue creek and lake makes you want to hurl, Zilker must be on the Austin itinerary. Especially if you’re in town for ACL Fest, you’ll find that all three days are spent in the park's confines from morning to late at night. What's the best way to see Zilker Park? With a slacker mindset, it’s not uncommon for the typical Austinite to not rise out of bed before 10am on the weekend. So take advantage of the cooler morning temps, empty parking lots, and low-key crowds of early birds in Zilker to get the perfect spot by the creek. What's good to eat near Zilker

What is Paramount Theatre? Originally opened as the Majestic in 1915 as a Vaudeville theater, The Paramounts transformed into a movie palace and a concert venue and now operates as a cultural epicenter for music, film, and comedy in Austin. With a robust calendar of shows and the premier spot for festivals like South By Southwest and Moontower Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, there’s plenty of reason to swing by the Paramount. Is Paramount Theatre worth visiting? While the historic seats are not as comfy as those in more modern theaters, the atmosphere of the historic venue is hard to beat. The rich architecture framing the stage, the elaborate designs holding up the balcony, and the imposing mural overall visiting patrons of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, make for an unforgettable space to catch a show. What's the best way to see Paramount Theatre? The various premieres during SXSW can mean spotting celebrities in the crowds, and the killer lineup of Moontower Just For Laughs Comedy Festival allows one to see top comedic talent in their prime. There is no comparison to catching your favorite flick on the big screen for the first time during their Summer Classic Film Series. The A/C break from the summer heat, the chance to see beloved flicks on a big screen for the first time in a long time since their first run, and the occasional surprise guests create a lowkey fantastic series for film buffs looking for a reason to get out on days over 110 degrees. What's good

What is Barton Springs? Barton Springs is a blend of engineering and nature. Built around one of three springs in Zilker Park and the only accessible one, the pool is merely a boundary to retain the warm spring waters that keep a temp around 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Below the shimmering blue waters, a raw rock bed from the springs' more untouched days, a backdrop of urban snorkeling with schools of freshwater fish, turtles, crawdads, and even the elusive protected salamander. With a picturesque hill for sunbathing, two dams holding the pool on either end and a historic bath house with open-air changing rooms, this is far from your typical city pool. Is Barton Springs worth visiting? Frankly, you can’t afford not to. With affordable admission for visitors, admission is a small price to experience this unique urban oasis. From the fantastic people-watching along the grassy grounds to the skyline views peaking in over the lush landscape of Zilker outside the pool fencing, its reviving waters will leave any visitor eager to come back for more. What's the best way to see Barton Springs? While the best bet to escape the scorching heat that can start as early as May and end as late as October in town, the year-round temps turn the springs into a warm secret during Austin’s mild winters. The constant 68 degrees can feel warm as the air temps dip below 60, and the sparse winter crowds can turn this beloved landmark into a personal paradise. What's good to eat near Barton Spri