Things to Do in Austin During the Summer
June 28, 2026
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Summertime is a fun time in Austin. While it may be hotter during the summer months, Austinites don’t let that slow us down. We just find more ways to stay cool.
If you’re looking for things to do in Austin in summer, the options are endless. Enjoy an Eastside staycation, a frozen drink on a patio, a refreshing dip in a pool, or an indoor activity to beat the heat.
Here are our picks for the best things to do during an Austin summer!
In this post:
Take a Dip in the Nearest Watering Hole
Ask any Austinite what their favorite summer activity is, and anything water-related is guaranteed to top the list.
Pools
Arguably one of the best pools in Austin, Barton Springs Pool promises a much-needed reprieve from the Texas heat. The natural spring-fed pool results in year-round temperatures averaging between 68–70 degrees, which means cooling off will only take mere seconds, even on the hottest days. Best of all, this iconic Austin pool is only three short miles away from the Heywood Hotel and is open daily except for Thursdays, with no reservations required.
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Free Barton Springs Passes: Now through September 15, 2026, the Heywood Hotel is excited to offer free passes to Barton Springs Pool or your choice of more than 30 Austin pools. Book here to get your Free Summer Swim Pass → |
Lakes and Rivers
If you’re looking for places to visit near Austin in summer, consider visiting nearby destinations like San Marcos or Spicewood. Around 35 miles south of Austin, the San Marcos River offers the chance to hop in a tube and relax as you float along the spring-fed river and take in the surrounding greenery. Nearby Krause Springs in Spicewood is just 30 miles northwest of Austin and is a destination for all things outdoors, including swimming, hiking, and camping.
Read more about the best places to swim in Austin!
Water Activities
We are fortunate to have Lady Bird Lake smack dab in the middle of town. Grab a kayak, stand up paddleboard or canoe from Expedition School. This outdoor adventure and education organization operates a boathouse in East Austin, on the North Shore of Lady Bird Lake. Expedition School offers rentals as well as lessons and classes. If you’ve always wanted to learn to paddle, now is your chance!
If you’d rather take in the scenery by boat, here are a few more water activities worth checking out:
No matter where you choose to take a dip, the Heywood Hotel has got you covered. Book a stay at the Heywood, and we’ll provide beach towels, soft-sided coolers, sunscreen, and can help procure anything else you might need for your outdoor adventures.
Enjoy Drinks on the Patio
Taking in the sun on a nearby patio is another ideal way to enjoy an Austin summer evening. Luckily, there is no shortage of local patios to visit for a celebratory drink. Here are just a handful of our favorite patios to recommend:
Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s is East Austin’s take on a Palm Springs patio bar, complete with a wading pool! Perfect for an afternoon spritz, classic daiquiri, or frosé in the fresh air. This popular summertime bar is just a five-minute drive from the Heywood Hotel.
Chalmers
Chalmers is a sports bar meets Texas icehouse. There’s a big covered front patio with plenty of misters to keep you cool on a warm day and a spacious backyard patio with even more seating.
Sawyer & Co.
Sawyer & Co. is a modern diner that serves Southern-inspired dishes. It also has a great drink menu which you can enjoy from its retro-style patio. Their summer drink menu includes plenty of frozen cocktails to keep you cool, including a frozen espresso martini, mango daiquiri, and their Prickleberry Mezcalita, a frozen mezcal and prickly pear mix.
Launderette
Another nearby patio option is Launderette. This James Beard-nominated restaurant is located less than a mile away from the Heywood Hotel and is the perfect spot to dine and drink al fresco. Be sure to cap off your meal with a delicious summertime treat from Executive Pastry Chef Laura Sawicki.
Cosmic Saltillo
Cosmic Saltillo is another nearby favorite. A sister spot to the original location in South Austin, Cosmic is an all-day spot for coffee, drinks, and tacos in a thoughtfully converted railroad yard.
Licha’s Cantina
Licha’s Cantina is a little further down the road on East Sixth Street in a quaint converted house. The naturally shaded patio area creates the ideal setting for sipping on margaritas on a toasty summer evening. Try a Mezcal Martini or Mexico 76 to liven up the patio party!
Guests of the Heywood can also enjoy a patio just steps away from their room. Our hotel’s courtyard patio is a quiet oasis in the heart of East Austin. We even provide free beers from Zilker Brewing Company!
Stay at the MICHELIN-rated Heywood Hotel This SummerSeven rooms, a courtyard patio, free Zilker Brewing beers, and a concierge team that actually lives here. We’re three miles from Barton Springs and walking distance to most of what’s on this list. |
Check Out the Local Barbecue Scene
A trip to Austin wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a plate of Texas barbecue. East Austin boasts some of the city’s best barbecue joints, including Franklin Barbecue, la Barbecue, and Micklethwait Craft Meats.
la Barbecue
Michelin-rated la Barbecue serves up some of the city’s best brisket, along with many other meats and an extensive list of sandwiches. Their brick-and-mortar restaurant on East Cesar Chavez St. is just a few blocks from the Heywood Hotel and benefits from brisket that’s just as tender but with a far shorter wait.
Want to skip the line? Book SAVOR AUSTIN: A Guide-Worthy Getaway. Our package offers a VIP stay at the MICHELIN-rated Heywood Hotel plus curated extras at 20 MICHELIN-recognized restaurants including skip-the-line access at la Barbecue.
KG BBQ
KG BBQ is a Michelin-recognized Texas-meets-Egypt barbecue truck, recently recognized by Texas Monthly as one of the top barbecue joints of 2025. We love the inventive barbecue dishes like the pomegranate glazed pork ribs and brisket shawarma pita.
Franklin Barbecue
The nationally-known Franklin Barbecue tops many visitors’ lists, so plan ahead and get there early. The line forms before doors open at 11am, and they sell out daily. It’s worth the wait.
Micklethwait Craft Meats
Micklethwait Craft Meats is located in a renovated church about three miles from the Heywood and is known for brisket, beef ribs, and homemade sausages, with usually less of a line than you’ll find at its more famous neighbors.
Catch a Free Outdoor Concert
Austin is the live music capital of the world, and summer is when the free concert season hits full stride. There are several long-running series that run from late spring through August, and they’re some of the best things to do in Austin on a summer evening. For the full rundown, check out our guide to free concerts in Austin. Here are our summer favorites:
Blues on the Green
Blues on the Green is one of Austin’s longest-running free concert series, now in its 35th year. Presented by Waterloo Media and sponsored by H-E-B, the annual outdoor concerts take place at Zilker Park and are family and dog-friendly. Pack a cooler, bring a lawn chair, and settle in for a summer evening in one of Austin’s most iconic spots. A handful of shows take place between June and August each year.
The Drop-In
The Drop-In, a Levitt VIBE Austin Music Series, powered by KUTX 98.9, is a free outdoor concert series on the lawn of the Long Center. Shows run every Thursday from late May through mid-August (with one week off around the Fourth of July), with doors at 7:00 p.m. and shows at 8:00 p.m. The lineup is all local Austin artists, and RSVPs are free. A great option if you want to catch live music without spending a dime.
Hot Summer Nights
Hot Summer Nights is a three-day free music festival in the Red River Cultural District, typically taking place in mid-July. Now in its ninth year, the festival features more than 130 local acts spread across 15 downtown venues, including Mohawk, Stubb’s Liberty Lunch, Flamingo Cantina, Chess Club, and the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. This is the summer version of Free Week, and it’s one of our favorite ways to venue-hop through the Red River District on a warm July night.
Music Under the Star at the Bullock Museum
Music Under the Star is a free outdoor concert series hosted by the Bullock Texas State History Museum, located a couple of miles from the Heywood Hotel. Shows take place on the Capitol Mall Amphitheater in front of the museum every Friday in June, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The lineup features Texas artists across a range of genres. Bring the whole family, camp chairs, and blankets.
See a Classic Film at the Paramount
A beloved Austin summer tradition, the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series is now in its 52nd year. The series runs from Memorial Day weekend through the end of August and features more than 100 films, from well-preserved 35mm prints to IMAX presentations.
This summer carries an extra layer of Austin history: the Paramount Theatre closes in mid-June for its first major renovation in over 50 years. The series continues without interruption at the State Theatre next door and at the Bullock Museum’s IMAX screen, which is the largest screen in Texas at 62 feet high and 84 feet wide. Even if you’ve been to the Paramount a hundred times, this summer is a good reason to go one more time before the renovation begins.
Tickets start at $15 for regular admission. A 10-film pass is available for $90. The full schedule lives at austintheatre.org.
Beat the Heat With Indoor Activities
One of the best things to do in Austin when it’s hot? Stay indoors. While Austin is a city known for its outdoor offerings, the Heywood Hotel concierge team has great ideas for indoor Austin activities that are just as memorable.
Visit a Museum
Take a trip to a local museum, like the Blanton Museum of Art. Located on the University of Texas campus and newly remodeled, the museum is home to temporary exhibitions and permanent installations, such as Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin.” Visit on Tuesdays when admission to the museum is always free, thanks to the Moody Family Free Day Endowment.
More of our recommended museums and art galleries include:
Go to an Indoor Brewery
Another way to escape the heat is by visiting one of several breweries in East Austin. Our nearby favorites include Blue Owl Brewing, Zilker Brewing Company, and Lazarus Brewing, to name a few.
Other great options with cool indoor space include Hi Sign Brewing or St. Elmo Brewing, which now has locations in East Austin, South Austin, and Northeast Austin. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a beer in a cool, air-conditioned taproom.
More Fun Indoor Activities in Austin
After visiting an indoor brewery or museum, consider taking part in one of these indoor activities in Austin:
- Take a Latin dance lesson at Esquina Tango
- Go two-stepping at The White Horse
- Get crafty at Upstairs Circus
- Go bowling at Pins Mechanical
- Play arcade games at Cidercade
- Test your puzzle skills at The Escape Game
Heywood guests can look forward to retreating back to the hotel after a hot, summer day. Our stylish space has all of the comfort, and, more importantly, the AC anyone could need during a trip to Austin.
Indulge in a Cold Sweet Treat
Something about the heat calls for a scoop of ice cream or another icy treat.
One of our favorite spots to grab a cold, sweet treat is Gati. Tucked away in our Holly Street neighborhood, Gati serves vegan and gluten-free coconut milk-based ice cream, coffee, and gluten-free baked treats. Try adventurous flavors like beet chocolate cake and black sticky horchata.
A little further away in East Austin is Zed’s, which offers New Zealand-style real fruit ice cream. The original Harvey Street location has since been joined by a second spot on the west side, so there are now two places in town to get your fix.
Stay at the Heywood Hotel This Summer
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We’re a seven-room boutique hotel at 1609 E. Cesar Chavez in East Austin, a MICHELIN Key recipient two years running. We’re three miles from Barton Springs, walking distance to la Barbecue and Kitty Cohen’s, and a quick rideshare from every venue on this list. We offer free parking, free bikes, complimentary Zilker Brewing beers, and a concierge team that can help you make the most of any Austin summer day. Book direct and choose the Free Summer Swim Pass at checkout for complimentary admission to Barton Springs Pool or any of Austin’s 30+ public pools through September 15, 2026. |