Exploring Austin

Austin may be known for barbeque and live music, but have you checked out these other exciting places to visit and have the opportunity to see a special exhibition at the Mexic-Arte Museum, check out the Museum of Weird, attend the Texas Book Festival, or even have a bike brew tour!

Mexic-Arte Museum

In celebration of the 40th year of the Mexic-Arte Museum being open, they are proud to have the event 40 Years of Dia de los Muertos on display from September 2023 to January 2024. This event showcases pieces collected from the beginning of the museum’s opening until the present and even features an installation by Connie Arismendi, “Soy el Poema de la Tierra / I am the Poem of Earth.”

The rest of the museum is no less stunning, and be sure to enjoy each and every artifact in the museum!

Photo Credit: mexic-artemuseum.org

Museum of Weird

The Museum of Weird pays homage to the old dime museums of the past, with odd figurines and wax figures looming in rooms. It is also home to such curiosities as Fiji mermaids and even the Minnesota Iceman; it also boasts some paranormal objects. Overall, if you want to explore what makes Austin weird, the Museum of Weird is one of the best places to go.

It is open seven days a week (except for some holidays) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the last tickets sold at 6:30 p.m.

Texas Book Festival

For those more interested in calmer vacation ideas, the Texas Book Festival is a hidden gem! It is free and open to all, with more than 300 authors appearing this year. There are also three ticketed sessions for Michael Cunningham, Roxane Gay, and Stacey Abrams, where you are able to chat with the authors and receive a signed copy of one of their books.

There is even a Lit Crawl for those who love to sit and curl up with a glass of wine as they read! This Lit Crawl takes place this November 11 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. across East Austin.

Bike and Brew

And speaking of wine, Bike and Brew ATX offers a fun way to tour the city. Not only does it focus on the various distilleries, breweries, and wineries throughout Austin, but the tour also shows off some of Austin’s major attractions!

Bike and Brew ATX provides the bikes and treats everything as an adventure, so rain or shine the bikes will go! Be sure to purchase your ticket in advance so it can be smooth cycling.

Throughout the Year

Bats at Congress Bridge

Depending on the time of year you visit Austin, check out the Congress Bridge Bat Colony! They usually nest under the bridge from around early March to late October, leading to a fantastic night view of the estimated 1.3 million bats emerging at sunset. There are even cruises you can take!

Zilker Park

And no matter what time you visit Austin, stroll through Zilker Park and be amazed at how much can fit in one park. There are plenty of hiking trails, of course, but Barton Springs, Austin Nature and Science Center, and the Zilker Botanical Garden all feature in Zilker Park!

Whether you are more of a book-and-wine person or a student looking for adventure, Austin will surely surprise and amaze you throughout the year and at each stage of your life. What exciting things will you discover and explore?