Free Things to Do in Austin
Austin's best experiences are mostly free: bats, springs, trails, and live music. This is the list to hand to a visitor with an empty wallet and a free afternoon.
Watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at dusk, March through October, from the bridge or the Statesman lawn.
The 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake with the boardwalk view of the skyline.
Free guided tours of the pink-granite capitol, taller than the U.S. Capitol.
UT's art museum, with Ellsworth Kelly's 'Austin' chapel, is free on Thursdays.
Free summer concert series at Zilker Park from KGSR / Austin City Limits Radio.
Free before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. in season; bring a headlamp for the moonlight swim.
The graffiti park moved to Carson Creek Ranch; the free mural crawl is now on East Sixth and Cesar Chavez.
Continental Club Gallery, Saxon Pub happy hour, and the Little Longhorn Saloon's Chicken S*** Bingo on Sundays.
Occasional free-admission days and a spring bluebonnet peak.
What's good in Austin this week, every Thursday.
Verified happy hours, new openings, and 5 of the best things to do this weekend. One email a week.