Written by HANNAH J. PHILLIPS
The best free things to do in Austin
Austin boasts great food, an emerging arts community, world-class sports facilities, and annual music events like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits.
But not every activity you do here has to cost as much as a festival ticket. Here are the best free things to do in Austin.
Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
Every year up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge, making up North America’s largest urban bat colony.
It's an Austin tradition to sit on the grassy banks of Lady Bird Lake at dusk and watch the bats swarm out from under the bridge.
From the Congress Avenue Bridge silhouetted crowds and onlookers watch Mexican free-tailed bats stream into the evening sky for a night of consuming insects around the Austin, Texas area.
Bat Conservation International has volunteers on hand and holds programs during bat season (between April and November). The best viewing time is in August.
Spectators Waiting for Bat Egress From Congress Avenue Bridge Austin Texas USA
Mt Bonnell
One of Austin’s best vantage points is also one of its oldest tourist attractions, providing panoramic views to visitors since the 1830s.
Rising 775ft from the Colorado River, Mt Bonnell is the perfect place for an afternoon picnic with views of the skyline to the east and the arches of Pennybacker Bridge to the west.
Aerial Fly Over Mount Bonnell and Austin Texas Hill Country over Colorado River and million dollar colorful mansions. Boats and summer fun happening on the river and lakes and the amazing gorgeous green Hill of Central Texas surround ATX in a Spring time green and colorful country side
Central Library
As part of a redevelopment of the former Seaholm Power Plant, the Central Library overlooks Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake and has a rooftop garden, outdoor reading porches and an indoor reading room.
Don’t miss the public artwork on display around the building, including CAW, a 37ft cuckoo-clock sculpture inspired by Austin’s grackle population.
Waterloo Records
If you want to flip through albums and catch some free live music, Waterloo Records is the place to be.
Young woman flips through vinyl records looking for bargains in Austin music shop
Free, intimate performances put on by up-and-coming bands often take place here on weekday afternoons, so time your record store visit right.
Two guitarists rock out on stage at live music showcase in Austin, Texas