Locals love Austin for its endless options of things to do on any given day, but it can also be easy to rack up a big bill in Bat City.
Sometimes, you need to go back to the basics, and thankfully, Austin is oozing with free activities. Here are 25+ local ventures that won’t cost you a dime.
Outdoors
- Go to the park. Austin has 512 parks, which make up 11% of the city’s land. Whether you want to swim, fish, picnic, or hike, you don’t need to spend any green at the emerald jewels in Austin’s crown.
- Hit the pool. Nearly every day is a pool day in ATX — swim for free at one of the city’s many oases.
- Take a hike. Lace up your hiking shoes and hit the trail — there are plenty of stellar views, waterscapes, and native flowers to see.
- Walk or bike around Lady Bird Lake. Take in skyline views, spot local wildlife, and get your steps in on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
- See the bats. Can you really consider yourself an Austinite if you haven’t? Pick a hot, dry evening around sunset for the best show.
- Spot local landmarks. Play tourist in your own city and visit iconic landmarks like the Willie Nelson Statue, Texas State Capitol, Pennybacker Bridge, and more.
- Window shop. Sure, this one’s only free if you flex your willpower, but a day in the 2nd Street District or on South Congress Avenue is never wasted.
Active
- Get sporty. Try something new or show off your athleticism at the city’s free courts.
- Join a run club. From viral run clubs to walking clubs geared towards women, these groups help you spark friendships while spiking your step count.
- Shred a skate park. Grab your wheels of choice and test your skills on a concrete playground.
Work on your pickleball game at Pan American Neighborhood Park.
Photo by @samuelajones
- Play pickleball. Challenge your friends to a game at one of Austin’s parks department’s 20 free pickleball courts.
- Find a workout class. Many local fitness instructors host free or donation-based exercises — this page is a great place to start — but we also share classes on our events calendar.
Arts
- Visit a museum. Several ATX museums are admission-free or have weekly free days.
- See a musical or play. With 80+ theatre companies in the community, it isn’t difficult to find a free show.
- Hunt for murals. Austin’s art scene is vibrant, and thanks to the many masterpieces on the streets, you can experience it at no cost.
- Peruse an art gallery. Get some artistic inspiration at one of these 12 local galleries.
Music
- Catch a free show. Austin wouldn’t be Austin without musicians around every corner, just follow the music into a brewery, bar, or coffee shop with regular free performances.
- Discover a new musician. Weekly open mic nights aren’t hard to come by — try Buzz Mill on Tuesdays and Industry on Sundays.
- Win tickets to a concert. Try your luck by entering lotteries to “Austin City Limits” tapings and Moody Amphitheater concerts.
- Go to a festival. Some of Austin’s best fests, like Free Week and Pecan Street Festival, don’t require tickets. Make plans to attend one.
Community
Austin’s Central Library houses more than half a million books on six floors.
Photo via @lonestarlauren
- Visit a library. Explore an Austin Public Library branch, and while you’re at it, read up on little-known perks for library cardholders.
- Attend a community event. Check out our events calendar — it’s jam-packed with no-charge happenings.
- Volunteer. Lend your time to a worthy cause by volunteering at one of these 40 nonprofit organizations in ATX.
- Find a Free Little Library or Free Little Art Gallery. Take a book and leave a book at ~50 mapped locations, or grow and share your art collection, in the Capital City.
- Read ATXtoday. Our free, daily newsletter keeps you informed about all things Austin. If you haven’t subscribed, what are you waiting for?
