Finding the perfect vacation rental can be easy, but you may find yourself wondering what to do when you get there. You may have a rental in a significant part of Austin, but you don’t, of course, want to sit there the whole trip. Thankfully, there are many different experiences you can have while visiting Austin, Texas.
Some of the experiences you find while visiting Austin, Texas, are touring the wonderful city or dining at a popular restaurant. If you would like to take a bike or kayak tour, those are also options. There are many different options to choose from when planning your trip to Austin.
In this article, you will learn about the top ten experiences to make the most out of your trip. Read on to find the places you should visit. You will also learn what to bring with you on the trip to be prepared thoroughly.
What Kind Of Experiences Does Austin, Texas Offer?
There are literally hundreds of different experiences around Austin. While some experiences are quite easy to find by just walking around, some other great spots are not. It does not matter what your taste in stores, food, or activities; you can find something for everyone, even children, in Austin, Texas.
Also try checking out Cheap Hotels in Downtown Austin to choose better deal for you!
The Top 10 Airbnb Experiences In Austin, Texas
Now let’s look at the top ten experiences that you can enjoy while visiting Austin, Texas. It’s a good idea to look into it before you arrive, so you don’t waste time searching for things to do. You should also book experiences ahead of time to make sure you have a spot available for your whole family vacation in Texas.
1. Glow Paddle the Springs after Sunset
If you would love to experience the night scene on the water, this experience is for you. You will climb on a giant paddleboard that can hold five people; you may be on a board with someone you don’t know, but that’s part of the fun. This experience also has a daytime version. This is a dry experience as you will never be in the water.
In this $10 per person tour, you will ride along with the spring for the river. The paddleboards are equipped with different color lights that light up the clear water below you. The lights can attract fish and turtles to swim under your board. You will also get a dry box for your items, and the host will take plenty of pictures for you.
2. Boozy Lazy Sunkissed Tube Ride
Do you like the simple things in life, and would you enjoy floating down the San Marcos River while sipping a beer/hard seltzer? This experience is the perfect adult relaxing day for visitors. You will meet at a certain destination and be driven to the river.
You will then start tubing for the roughly three-hour, $65 a person tour downstream. The host provides beer, water, and hard seltzers. You can also bring your favorite refreshments if you would like. The host does mention you will get wet, and you should know how to swim.
If it makes you more comfortable, wear a life jacket. After all, a mixture of sun and booze can intensify the way alcohol hits you. The host will also have sunscreen and small coolers to attach to your tube.
3. Outdoor Yoga & Mimosas
If the water isn’t for you and you enjoy relaxing differently, this Yoga & Mimosas experience is for you. You will enjoy an hour-long yoga class that is for the most experienced or beginners. You will be in a private backyard under a large oak tree during yoga. For $35, you get a nice relaxing day on your trip.
After enjoying the relaxing yoga, you will get two mimosas while hanging out with the others involved in the experience. There will be music and typically great company while you sip on your mimosas. There are no children allowed under the age of 12; that way, it’s more relaxing for others.
4. Speakeasy Cocktail Tour
For those that would like to taste some fancy cocktails, this is the stop for you. For around $40 a person, you will get to taste highly curated cocktails from some of the most exclusive lounges in Austin, Texas. There are private memberships to get into these lounges, hidden addresses, and even secret codes used. With this host, they can only have eight people at a time.
There will be no crowded bars or trying to get the bartender’s attention at less than the average bar with average drinks. All of these stops will be within walking distance, and if they are not, you will have a vehicle provided to take you to the next location. This experience is so exciting that even locals partake.
5. Downtown Sunset Kayak with 1.5 Million Bats
This is not the experience for everyone. If bats are your cup of tea, this is for you. In this $48 a person tour, you will have a kayak, paddle, and adult-sized life jacket. This experience is said to be four trips in one.
- Most importantly, see 1.5 million bats
- See the sunset while being on the water
- They have a nice paddle back at night
- You will need to paddle the whole length of downtown Austin during the day
If you are lucky, you can have a full moon shining over the water. The host is very well known in the hosting world for giving great experiences. He also has great stories to tell. At the end of the trip, if you didn’t take any, the host will give you high-quality pictures of the trip.
6. Experience Life on Lake Travis
A long enjoyable day on the lake can be a perfect day. For $50 a person, you will get to spend hours on Lake Travis, one of Texas’s cleanest and biggest lakes. There is a schedule for the trip that is as follows:
- You will start at the host’s private marina that is about 28 minutes from downtown Austin.
- They provide life jackets, a giant lily pad floating mat and an electric air pump for any of the floats you bring.
- The boat will make its way to Devil Cove, taking a long way that will take around 20 to 30 minutes.
- When you reach Devils Cove, the anchor will be set. You will be able to jump in and swim around for around an hour to an hour and a half.
- Afterward, you will head back, which takes about 25 minutes to reach the dock.
Along the trip, you will see large cliffs and many landmarks. You get to enjoy a boat ride without needing to rent a boat, no need to worry about how to drive, or any of that stress. They will have water, ice, and soda for free. You can bring alcoholic drinks as long as they are not glass or hard liquor.
7. Austin's Bike Gang Tour
If you would like to stay on land while enjoying a bike ride, this experience is for you. For under $100 a person you will visit many landmarks and some that are famous such as:
- One of the last active moon towers
- State Capital grounds and learns about the founding of Texas
- Treaty Oak home to some war and peace parties with Native American tribes
- The University of Texas Campus and see the towers that were made famous by Charles Whitman
There will be water bottles available if requested. This host will also provide a custom-fit bike and helmet. It is a simple way to learn the history of Texas while seeing the sites. The trip takes roughly two hours.
8. SoCo Shops & Murals Segway Tour
Segway’s are a fun way to explore any city. Before this $68 a person tour starts, the host will give you a Segway lesson for about 20 minutes (if needed) to make sure you are comfortable handling a Segway.
The tour starts by going through the Zilker Park area, where you will learn about the culture of Austin. You will pass by the downtown corridor to see the skyline making your way down south congress. This lets you have a chance to check out the local boutiques.
Along the ride, you will see some of Austin’s famous murals. The host will stop at those so you can take pictures. The maximum weight for riders is 260lbs, and you need to stand for the three-hour tour. There is no drinking of alcoholic beverages permitted before or during the tour.
9. Austin Live Music Crawl
Suppose you need an on-land experience but don’t feel like biking or riding a Segway jump in the pedicab and enjoy this tour. There are many significant name musicians that you will learn about how they got their start. You will get to visit the famous:
- Home of the blues
- Stubs
- Site of the Armadillo
- And many more places.
Each pedicab can fit three adults. Younger children can easily fit on a parent’s lap. It’s the perfect experience where you don’t need to put in much effort, and anyone can do it. For $55 a person, you will get a relaxing tour around Austin’s live music world.
10. Strings in the Woods Austin Texas
This experience is anything but simple. You won’t just be sitting in the woods listening to a guy play the guitar. It is so much more. You will be taken through nature and experience music immersion. You will walk along the trailhead near the greenbelt or, perhaps, a different nature spot. Acoustic music, fresh air, and a walk are very relaxing and fun.
Along the way, you will learn history and facts about the area. You will also have breaks to stop and listen to local musicians play. At the end of the $24 a person tour, there will be a concert lasting around 30 minutes or more. These typically take place below a cliff, in a large field, or a natural amphitheater.
What Should I Bring If Visiting Austin?
When coming to Austin and wanting to tackle different experiences, some essential things to bring along with some “wants” you may not think about when packing. Here is a list of some essential things you should bring to Austin:
- A dry pack for water experiences (not all experiences will have a dry pack for you)
- A reusable water bottle to take along
- Cash for little shops you may stop at
- Comfortable clothes, you should check the weather before leaving for Texas.
- Comfortable shoes – Now are not the time to wear a brand new pair of shoes that could create blisters.
- Selfie stick
- Small backpack, fanny pack, or over the shoulder bag to have a few snacks in it for longer tours
- Small snacks
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof phone or phone case
Here are some things that are not as important but can make for a better or more exciting trip:
- Aloe vera/ Burn cream
- Extra medicines
- Go Pro
- Lifejacket that fits you well
- Poncho
- Water shoes
While bring all of these things to Austin is great, you can find a lot of these things on a list of fun things to bring while camping!
How Long Do I Need To Stay To See A Lot Of Austin?
You can take a week to see most of Austin. At the same time, you could stay for weeks and still experience new things, but that is not easy to do for many people. A week is easier to take, and you will get to see plenty of the sites around Austin. To make the most out of your time in Austin, you could do multiple experiences each day if you time it right.
From cozy apartments in downtown Austin to charming houses in the eclectic neighborhoods, renting an Airbnb for a day offers a comfortable and authentic way to make the most of your time in this lively Texan city.
When you are done with you trip to Austin, why not try to visit the redwoods in California?
Visiting Austin
It is easy to see there are many different experiences to have in Austin, Texas. The city is full of history and beautiful sites to see. Whether you want to site see by water, bike or Segway, there are options for everyone’s abilities. Every day you could try a new experience and still have more options for your next trip.
Looking for the best deals on flights to Austin? Explore our comprehensive guide on cheap flights to Austin, where we share insider tips and strategies to help you save money on airfare and make the most of your visit.
(While we did outline some of the best Airbnb experiences in Austin, it is never a bad idea to learn how to choose a good Airbnb!)