50 Things to Do in Austin This Summer

July 17, 2025 | by Heywood Hotel
Austin Events, Heywood Picks

Welcome to our special edition Austin 2025 Guide to Summer.

Our crafty team has rounded up 50 ways to celebrate summer in Austin. Whether you’re chasing the sun or keeping cool indoors, we’ve got you covered.

From Eastside staycations and frozen patio drinks to poolside lounging and indoor escapes from the heat — there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the season.

Here are our favorite ways to spend summer in Austin!

P.S. Planning a staycation or summer getaway to Austin? Don’t miss our exclusive Summer Fun Package.

Make a Splash

Barton Springs Pool Best Things to Do in Austin This Summer

Barton Springs Pool: Arguably one of the best pools in the world, Barton Springs promises a much-needed reprieve from the Texas heat. The natural spring-fed pool has year-round temperatures between 68-70 degrees which means cooling off will take mere seconds! Enjoy free passes to Barton Springs when you book your stay at the Heywood Hotel this summer.
Lady Bird Lake: We are lucky to have a lake just blocks from the Heywood Grab a kayak, stand-up paddle board, or canoe to enjoy scenic views from the water.
Krause Springs: Want to make a whole day out of it? Krause Springs in Spicewood is just 30 miles northwest of Austin and is a gorgeous destination for swimming and hiking.

Enjoy a Cold Drink

Frozen cocktails at Sawyer and Co. in Austin

Sawyer & Co.: The modern diner serves Southern-inspired dishes and has a great drink menu you can enjoy from its retro-style patio. Their frozen cocktails (pictured) are sure to keep you cool. Choose from a frozen espresso martini, mango daiquiri, or their Prickleberry Mezcalita, a frozen mezcal and prickly pear mix.
Kitty Cohen’s: 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.
Chalmers: 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. And it’s just down the street from the Heywood!

Feast on Central Texas BBQ

KG BBQ: This Michelin-recognized Texas-meets-Egypt barbecue truck (pictured) was recently named one of the best Texas barbecue joints of 2025 by Texas Monthly magazine. We love their inventive barbecue dishes like pomegranate-glazed pork ribs and brisket shawarma pita.
la Barbecue: Michelin-starred la Barbecue serves up some of the city’s best brisket, along with many other meats and an extensive list of sandwiches. Their restaurant is just a few blocks from the Heywood Hotel. You can skip the line when you book the SAVOR AUSTIN package with us!
Micklethwait Craft Meats: Their new brick-and-mortar restaurant is located in a renovated church about three miles away from the Heywood and is known for brisket, beef ribs and homemade sausages, with usually less of a line.

Dine & Shop in Support of Hill Country Flood Relief

In the wake of the July 4 flood, the Austin community has stepped up to support affected Hill Country towns. Businesses big and small have hosted donation drives, pledged a portion of sales, and donated their time.

Alamo Drafthouse donated $50,000. P. Terry’s raised over $150,000 by giving 100% of profits across 36 locations. Guy + Larry Restaurants — including Salty Sow, Roaring Fork, and Red Ash — contributed an entire day’s sales, totaling more than $200,000. And H-E-B pledged an incredible $5 million.

Want to help? Below are more local businesses offering ways to give back this month:

Franklin Barbecue – 10% of pre-order and restaurant sales July 11–July 20
Curra’s – 10% of profits this month
Radio Coffee – All three locations are matching in-store donations up to $10,000
Bufalina – $1 per glass of wine sold during happy hour throughout July
Torchy’s Tacos – $1 per taco-of-the-month sold, up to $100,000
Whataburger – 100% of sales from Whataburger Commemorative Cups across 17 states
Kendra Scott – 100% of proceeds from sale of the Everlyne bracelet
James Avery – 100% of proceeds from sale of the Deep in the Heart of Texas charm

Catch Some Live Music

The Drop In summer concert series in Austin, Texas

The Drop-In (free), Thursdays through August 14: The Long Center hosts free music on the lawn on Thursday evenings all summer long.
Hot Summer Nights (free), July 24–26: Red River District’s free summer music festival featuring 100+ bands.
The Fray, July 26 at ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Wiz Khalifa, July 29 at Germania Insurance Amphitheater
“Weird Al” Yankovic, July 31 at Bass Concert Hall
Blues on the Green (free), August 5–6: The annual free concert at Zilker Park is back and features Bob Schneider, Chaparelle, and more.
Regina Spektor, August 5 at ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Adrian Quesada, August 6 at Antone’s
Teddy Swims, August 6 at Moody Amphitheater
Ghost, August 14 at The Moody Center
The Offspring, August 24 at Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Shakey Graves, August 30 at Radio East
Kali Uchis, August 31 at The Moody Center

Hill Country Flood Benefit Concerts:

Something In the Water Presents: David Ramirez and Greyhounds, July 25th at 7A Ranch in Wimberley

George Strait & Vaqueros Del Mar Present: Strait to the Heart, July 27 in Boerne, with William Beckmann, Ray Benson, Wade Bowen and more

REK & Friends: Applause for the Cause, Organized by Robert Earl Keen with Tyler Childers, Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram and others, August 28 at the Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels

Attend an Event

Paramount Theatre Summer Film Series – ongoing through Labor Day: Beloved annual tradition with classic films shown daily in the historic theater, sometimes presented by the filmmakers.
Zilker Summer Musical (free) – July 11–August 16: Zilker Theatre Productions Presents: “Bring It On: The Musical,” nightly Thursday through Sunday at the Zilker Hillside Theatre.
Major League Soccer (MLS) All Star Game – July 23: North America’s biggest soccer event arrives in Austin as MLS All-Stars take on LIGA MX’s best at Q2 Stadium.
aGLIFF/Prism Film Festival – August 20-24: The All Genders, Lifestyles and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF) showcases the best in recent LGBTQIA+ international, national, and regional films.
PBR Team Series – Gambler Days – August 22–24: Head to Moody Center for an action-packed professional bull riding competition.
Austin Pride Parade & Festival – August 23: Austin’s annual Pride celebration takes place in our neighborhood at Festival Gardens.
The Front Festival – August 28–31: Annual community festival, featuring independent music, film and art, with a focus on putting Texas women and LGBTQIA+ artists at the front.