WHAT TO DO. WHEN TO DO IT.
Seasonal things to do in and around Austin, including day trips within 250 km (155 miles): explore activities, festivals and outings by season, distance and type, with sources and dates on Chronopin.
Nov 1 · Fall. Seasonal windows; check the organizer for opening hours and exact dates.
48 activities within 155 mi (250 km) of the city center · straight-line distances
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Downtown· Arts & culture· 0 mi / 0 km from Austin
A film festival and screenwriters conference; the end date is listed as November 4 or 5 by different sources.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Downtown Austin theaters · Oct 29 – Nov 5 · until Nov 5 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· UT campus· Sports· 1.3 mi / 2.1 km from Austin
College football Saturdays on campus, including home games on October 31 and November 21, 2026.
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Zilker Park· Outdoors· 1.7 mi / 2.7 km from Austin
A spring-fed, year-round swimming hole in Zilker Park that stays cool in summer and chilly in winter.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Barton Springs Pool · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Southeast Austin· Outdoors· 5.9 mi / 9.4 km from Austin
Creek waterfalls, swimming holes, and trails sit inside Austin city limits, with camping available.
Suggested trip: 1 day
McKinney Falls State Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Georgetown, 28 mi north· Family· 24 mi / 38 km from Austin
A cave discovered by highway drilling, with guided tours, gemstone panning, and a rain-proof outing.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Inner Space Cavern · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Dripping Springs, 30 mi west· Outdoors· 24 mi / 38 km from Austin
A collapsed grotto with a waterfall and a natural swimming pool, visited by timed reservation.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Hamilton Pool Preserve · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Lockhart, 30 mi south· Food & drink· 26 mi / 43 km from Austin
A pilgrimage-style Central Texas barbecue stop in the self-declared barbecue capital, sold by the pound.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Kreuz Market · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· San Marcos, 30 mi south· Sports· 28 mi / 45 km from Austin
College football in San Marcos with a Hill Country tailgating scene and a short drive from Austin.
UFCU Stadium · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Lockhart, 30 mi south· Outdoors· 29 mi / 46 km from Austin
A modest Depression-era park near Lockhart with a nine-hole golf course, trails, a pool, and camping.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Lockhart State Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Johnson City, 40 mi west· Outdoors· 30 mi / 48 km from Austin
Limestone river ledges, a wading and swimming area, and hiking and camping make this one of the nearest Hill Country river parks.
Pedernales Falls State Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Blanco, 50 mi west· Outdoors· 42 mi / 67 km from Austin
A working lavender farm with free entry and a shop; bloom peaks around June.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Hill Country Lavender · Apr 16 – Nov 28 · until Nov 28
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Gruene, New Braunfels, 50 mi south· Arts & culture· 42 mi / 68 km from Austin
Texas's oldest continuously running dance hall hosts regional and touring acts most nights.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Gruene Hall · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Gruene, New Braunfels, 35 mi northeast· Arts & culture· 42 mi / 68 km from Austin
Texas's oldest continually operating dance hall hosts live country and Americana most days, including Honky Tonk Thursdays.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Gruene Hall · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Burnet, 70 mi northwest· Family· 46 mi / 75 km from Austin
Guided walking tours go through a cave of water-carved limestone that stays cool in every season.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Longhorn Cavern State Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Natural Bridge Caverns, 20 mi north· Family· 53 mi / 86 km from Austin
Zip lines, climbing, the Twisted Trails maze and gem panning above the caves make a full-day family outing.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Natural Bridge Caverns · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Natural Bridge Caverns, 75 mi southwest· Family· 53 mi / 86 km from Austin
Texas's largest show cave runs cavern tours year-round and a holiday lighting event in late fall.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Natural Bridge Caverns · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Fredericksburg area, 70 mi west· Food & drink· 58 mi / 93 km from Austin
A Hill Country winery with tastings, lavender fields, and live music events.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Becker Vineyards · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Luckenbach, 75 mi northwest· Arts & culture· 61 mi / 98 km from Austin
Tiny Hill Country landmark with a general store, bar, picking circles and a dance hall with regular live music.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Luckenbach general store and dance hall · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Fredericksburg, 90 mi west· Outdoors· 66 mi / 107 km from Austin
Scramble up a huge pink granite dome for sweeping Hill Country views, with cooler months the best time to hike and a dark-sky setting for stars.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Boerne, 30 mi northwest· Food & drink· 67 mi / 108 km from Austin
Saturday-morning market of local growers and makers beside Cibolo Creek trails.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Cibolo Nature Center and Farm · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Fredericksburg, 70 mi northwest· Arts & culture· 67 mi / 108 km from Austin
Sprawling WWII Pacific theater museum and combat zone, with frequent talks and living-history events.
Suggested trip: 1 day
National Museum of the Pacific War · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWAustin· Bend, 100 mi northwest· Outdoors· 69 mi / 111 km from Austin
A trail leads to a travertine waterfall hidden in a river canyon, best in the cooler months.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Colorado Bend State Park · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Northwest side· Family· 69 mi / 112 km from Austin
Select-night Halloween event with scare zones, shows and daytime family programming.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Six Flags Fiesta Texas · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Alamo Heights· Holidays· 70 mi / 113 km from Austin
A winter light trail through the garden; a family evening is listed for December 11, 2026.
Suggested trip: 1 day
San Antonio Botanical Garden · Nov – Jan · until Jan 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· East Side· Sports· 71 mi / 115 km from Austin
NBA home games, opening October 20, 2026.
Frost Bank Center · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Pearl District, 3 mi north· Food & drink· 72 mi / 116 km from Austin
Saturdays feature South Texas farmers and ranchers, Sundays local artisans, held rain or shine.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Pearl · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOW
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Downtown· Holidays· 73 mi / 118 km from Austin
Strings of lights stay on in cypress trees along the River Walk from late November into early January.
San Antonio River Walk · Nov – Jan · until Jan 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Southside, 8 mi south· Outdoors· 77 mi / 123 km from Austin
Bike or walk the Mission Reach trail linking four 18th-century missions in Texas's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Missions Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan, Espada · Oct – May · until May 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Brenham, 70 mi northwest· Food & drink· 82 mi / 132 km from Austin
A self-guided visit with an observation deck over the production floor and a scoop shop for ice cream made on site.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Blue Bell Creameries · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· College Station, 95 mi northwest· Sports· 87 mi / 140 km from Austin
SEC football in one of the country’s biggest stadiums, with Aggie traditions like the Midnight Yell and 12th Man.
Kyle Field · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Bryan, 100 mi northwest· Food & drink· 90 mi / 144 km from Austin
A long-running Texas winery with tastings, tours and harvest-season events near College Station.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Messina Hof Winery · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Washington, 75 mi northwest· Family· 95 mi / 152 km from Austin
The birthplace of Texas, with Independence Hall, a living-history farm and museum, plus big Texas Independence Day events each March.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWDallas· Waco, 95 mi south· Food & drink· 96 mi / 154 km from Austin
A shopping and food-truck campus around the Waco silos, with seasonal decor and its Silobration concert series.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Magnolia Market at the Silos · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWDallas· Waco, 95 mi south· Sports· 97 mi / 155 km from Austin
College football on the Brazos River, with tailgating beside the stadium.
McLane Stadium · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWDallas· Waco, 95 mi south· Family· 97 mi / 156 km from Austin
A Brazos River bluff zoo with a Texas habitat area and animal encounters including penguins.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Cameron Park Zoo · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Todd Mission, 55 mi northwest· Festivals· 114 mi / 183 km from Austin
A themed weekend village with jousting, artisans, music and feasting, running through the fall in the Piney Woods.
Texas Renaissance Festival grounds · Oct 10 – Nov 29 · until Nov 29
IN SEASON NOWSan Antonio· Vanderpool, 85 mi west· Outdoors· 114 mi / 183 km from Austin
Bigtooth maples turn red and orange in the canyons, making this the Hill Country's best-known fall color hike.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Lost Maples State Natural Area · Oct – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Huntsville, 70 mi north· Outdoors· 134 mi / 216 km from Austin
Pine-forest hiking, paddling and camping on Lake Raven, with fall color unusual for east Texas.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Huntsville State Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Needville, 45 mi southwest· Outdoors· 142 mi / 229 km from Austin
Lakes and trails bring close views of alligators and birds, and an observatory runs public star nights.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Brazos Bend State Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· South Houston· Sports· 145 mi / 234 km from Austin
NFL games in a retractable-roof stadium from September into winter.
NRG Stadium · Sep – Jan · until Jan 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Downtown· Arts & culture· 146 mi / 236 km from Austin
Classical, pops and film-with-orchestra programs run at the downtown hall through the concert season.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Jones Hall · Sep – May · until May 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Downtown· Arts & culture· 147 mi / 236 km from Austin
Opera productions at the Wortham Theater Center across the autumn-to-spring season.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Wortham Theater Center · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Downtown· Sports· 147 mi / 236 km from Austin
NBA home games downtown from the late-October opener through the spring.
Toyota Center · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· EaDo· Sports· 147 mi / 237 km from Austin
Houston’s NWSL side plays home matches at the same downtown stadium from spring into autumn.
Shell Energy Stadium · Mar – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· EaDo· Sports· 147 mi / 237 km from Austin
MLS soccer at the downtown stadium, with a loud supporters section and a long regular-season schedule.
Shell Energy Stadium · Feb – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· East End· Arts & culture· 150 mi / 241 km from Austin
A folk-art maze of tile, wrought iron and found objects built by one man, with seasonal tours and events nearby.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Orange Show Center for Visionary Art · Oct – May · until May 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWHouston· Second Ward· Outdoors· 154 mi / 247 km from Austin
A former golf course turned into display gardens, native ecosystems and walking trails near downtown, with a rotating calendar of seasonal programs.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Houston Botanic Garden · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season