10 Austin Outdoor Fun Activities
Pumpkin patch season may be over, but there’s still plenty of nice weather and fun to be had outdoors. The late fall to winter season in Austin is a wonderful time to leave electronics inside and safely head out with family or friends in small groups.
Here are 10 fun outdoor activities that you can safely enjoy with your loved ones around Austin:
1. Enjoy Some Farm Fun
Located just 30 minutes north of Austin in Georgetown, Sweet Eats Fruit Farm has a Christmas fair from November 17th to December 31st, complete with Santa and reindeer. All activities are included for $16 per person. At Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, you can take a trip back through time. A “living history park and museum,” their mission is to preserve 1800s Texas for future generations with different themed historic areas such as a Tonkawa Indian Encampment and German Emigrant Farm. They’re open Thursday through Sunday for guided tours with advance reservations. They also host fun classes such as Covid-safe Texas Two-Step and Blacksmithing lessons.
2. Smell the Flowers at the Botanic Gardens
Visits to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are available with advance reservations. Tickets are free for members, children under four, and UT Austin faculty, staff, and students while admission costs $12 for adults and $6 for kids 5-17. They are currently hosting two special exhibits: Fortlandia, a collection of forts custom designed and built by local architects, designers, and artists, and Luminations, a walkway through the Arboretum lined with lights. Or you can simply enjoy the vibrant wildflowers in season.
3. Discover Austin Artists
Although this year’s Austin Studio Tour is mostly taking place online, there is an outdoor component open for self-guided tours where you can see exciting exhibitions. The East and West Studio tours are combined this year, showcasing 420 Austin-based creatives. It runs from Nov. 14th to the 22nd and is free!
4. See a Movie at a Drive-In
Check out “the first and only urban drive-in,” Blue Starlite. $25 gets you a car slot for two passengers at any of their three locations (Mueller, Downtown, and Round Rock). Or get out of town and head to Buda for family-friendly features at Doc’s Drive in with its retro vibe for just $12 a car. The Stars and Stripes Drive In in New Braunfels is also open, and they have a great playground for kids.
5. Go Horseback Riding
For the equestrian-minded, there are several ranches close to Austin where you can get lessons or simply go for a trail ride. Texas Trail Rides at the Lone Star Ranch offers horseback riding for families and couples of all skill levels. Their family horses range from ponies for children to steeds for experienced riders. They also offer skeet (trap) shooting, ATV guided tours, fishing excursions, and hunting expeditions. Maverick Horseback Riding has trail rides of varying levels of complexity at several locations around Austin. Plus, funds from their trail rides and lessons go toward their goal of tutoring children on waterway conservation!
6. Explore a State Park
Texas is home to 80 state parks! Explore any one of the parks near Austin and go hiking, swimming, fishing (with a license), or even camping. The closest (and one of our favorites) is McKinney Falls. With its bald cypress trees, striking wildflowers, and two creeks, this park is full of rugged Hill Country beauty. It’s open from 8am to 10pm.
7. Take a Day Trip to A Quaint Town
Gruene is a Historic District located within the city of New Braunfels and only an hour from Austin. Rustic and full of history, Gruene makes for a great day trip with the kids or for a romantic destination date with your spouse. It boasts the oldest dance hall in all of Texas, plenty of cute shops, and even a winery. Don’t forget to search for treasures in the 6,500 square feet of antiques and collectibles at the Gruene Antique Company.
8. Go for a Bike Ride
A beautiful way to enjoy the fall colors, biking around Austin is both great exercise and great fun. The Ann and Roy Butler Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake is a classic and accessible for beginners. Plan to go around sunset for the best views. You can also see the routes most popular with cyclists on Strava. If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one from Barton Springs Bike Rental, or take a City Bike!.
9. Go Ziplining
Speaking of fall colors, there’s perhaps no better way to experience orange and yellow autumn leaves than by ziplining through treetops. The Austin area has options for adventurers, including Lake Travis Zipline Tours and Zip Lost Pines which are both currently open and taking precautions for Covid-19.
10. Play Top Golf
Located at 2700 Esperanza Crossing, Top Golf Austin has reopened for fun. It’s a great compromise between being outdoors and enjoying restaurant-prepared food and drinks. Top Golf is open seven days a week and playing is half off on Tuesdays.
Be Productive While You’re Out Having Fun
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