Deven Wilson

Austin hosts a festival, an art show, a live performance, or a farmers market on any given weekend, so expect a jam-packed calendar no matter the time of year. For a town that always has something going on, it can be difficult to decide what to do and when. To help nail down your plan post-workweek, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Austin this weekend. Besides the usual mix of museums and restaurant openings—plus all of the seasonal activities there are to look forward to this time of year—you’ll find fun, one-off events to get you out and exploring. Ready for the best weekend in Austin? Here’s what needs to be on your radar. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Austin 

Modern-day Austin has grown up well past its slacker background part in Dazed and Confused and now continues to mature into a more significant starring role on the world stage, and a major part of that growth is happening in the food scene. Gone are the days of being an under-the-radar creative safe haven. Now, the whole world flocks to Austin to prove their ideas can win over locals and tourists alike. From breakout culinary stars continuing to sweep awards to forward-thinking concepts pushing the boundaries of what experiential dining can be, these are some of the many spots around town that elevate the city to be a world-class destination worth checking out. If you thought Austin barbecue was inventive and the city's brunch scene unique, wait until you see what's in store at the best restaurants in Austin below.  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. 

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

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

As close as you’ll get to seeing the moon up close without stepping into a rocket, this detailed scale model with hyper-realistic imaging from NASA will orbit around the Domain Northside shopping district. With a rock orchestra performance, the moon comes alive on the lawn for the weekend. 

We’ve got food, we've got wine, and we’re far from the summer heat. In order to prepare for the glutenous holidays coming up, why not spend a couple of days sampling some of the best of our culinary scene? Between bites, sample locally made spirits before or after catching live barbecuing at the fire pit.

Drive past Austin’s city limits and cross over into a slice of Germany deep in the heart of Texas. With two weekends' worth of brats, beers, and bands, New Braunfels becomes Bavaria for those with international taste, but a local budget. 

Every first Sunday of the month, slip into a sinful showcase of drag artistry with a corrupt cornucopia of performers at Oilcan Harry’s. Expect the unexpected and to look up the closest confessional the following Sunday for those who still indulge their guilty conscience. 

An intimate moment with you and a handful of fellow music lovers, SoFar Sounds is back with another secret show somewhere in East Austin. Find the excitement of not knowing who is playing or where when you book your ticket to a showcase that bucks concert-going expectations. The gig will take place on East Caesar Chavez, the exact address of which will be released 36 hours before.

Formerly the Austin Psych Fest, Levitation keeps psych rock alive in the musical capital city with four whole days and nights of performances. Check out artists from across the psych, dream pop, punk, indie, metal, darkwave and electronic worlds for a long weekend of killer sets.

A concert where you’re encouraged to belt out to the tunes, Disney concerts and AMP invite fans of the colorful animated feature to show up and sing out at the Encanto Sing-Along Concert. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as the characters they love and to be sure to sing their hearts out.

For its 15th year, this art exhibit, a reminder that soldiers have souls, encompasses a collection of pieces made by various military members. Over 32 artists will showcase their work for civilians to enjoy, capturing their distinct views on life. 

A reason to celebrate the days getting shorter and nights growing longer, the illumination based art installations along Waller Creek at the Creek Show bring out the spectacular beauty of one of downtown’s waterways. For this 10-year anniversary show, all-star artists come back to the creek to celebrate a decade of light shows. 

She’s defrosted, and she is ready to welcome the holiday season yet again as the modern-day queen of Christmas music comes to town. With a setlist of her holiday classics along with her chart toppers, what better way to get the season started than with an evening with Mariah?

One of the largest festivals with the quietest crowds, Downtown sees a sea of tents filled with authors, book signings, cooking demos, and a cacophony of bookworms. Sessions with Matthew McConaughey and Malcom Gladwell will headline this page-turning festival as well.

The best-selling author, comedian, and activist is coming to the Moody Theater to deliver a captivating comedy set. As a phone-free experience, guests will check their phones and smart watches for an analog laugh along without any digital distractions.

The opinionated French tire company came to Texas and crowned several Austin restaurants with stars and accolades for their latest guide covering the state. They awarded Austin the most stars in the Lone Star State, along with several Bib Gourmands, recommendations and two of their new rank, green star. The food scene had been buzzing since it was revealed that their inspectors were leaving no plate units, and now that the list is out, there are plenty of opinions on who still deserves to be recognized by Michelin. With a guide coming next year, there’s a chance these perceived “snubs” could come back and claim their place in the coveted guide that has long been considered the world's tastemaker.  While we do our research, we are not wizards and can’t promise they’d ever make it on the guide. But we think these places deserve recognition, and people should hit the road to try them out for themselves.  Canje Countering the classic cuisines of Tex-Mex and barbecue and one of the most beloved recent additions to the Austin food scene, Canje delivers a modern taste of the Caribbean in a former post office. Since its debut,  Canje has cemented itself in the pantheon of must-do’s. For what you pay, you get a comprehensive taste of the islands, considering you can sample Oxtail Beef Patties, Haitian Griot, and Jerk Chicken without having to leave Texas. Canje should easily conjure up a Bib Gourmand award, at the very least, in upcoming guides for Texas.  Fonda San Miguel An institut