20 Things To Do In Austin At Night

The capital of the Lone Star State of Texas, Austin, is famed for its nightlife, music, food and “weird” culture. Austin is the fourth-most-populous city in Texas, the 11th most populous city in the United States, and one of the USA’s fastest-growing cities.

In recent years, online work becoming the norm resulting in a massive influx of Texans and Americans from other states flocking to Austin. The insane boom in the population is not surprising as the city is full of fun experiences and a cool nightlife scene. You’ll most definitely enjoy these fun things to do in Austin at night.

Austin At Night

20 Things To Do In Austin At Night

1- Cruise Lake Travis At Sunset

One of the most peaceful experiences is watching the sunset over the tranquil waters of Lake Travis.

Soak up the stunning red, gold, and pink hues reflected on the lake’s surface while listening to the captain’s commentary about local sites and the fascinating history.

If you head off on the cruise before hitting Sixth Street later in the evening, take advantage of the Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) policy and pop a bottle of champagne or crack open a cold one.

The Lake Travis Sunset Cruise is at the Hurst Harbor Marina at 16405 Clara Van St, Austin, Texas 78734. 

2- Scare Yourself Silly On A Ghost Walking Tour

Whether you’re interested in the spooky supernatural or creepy true crime, there’s an Austin night tour for everyone’s tastes.

Learn about the story of the Midnight Assassin, one of America’s very first serial killers that made his debut on the streets of Austin in 1885, or visit the famous Driskill Hotel and see if you can spot one of its resident spirits yourself.

Options include a ghost tour by Segway and a creepy murder walk and a haunted Austin walking tour.

The Austin Ghost Walking Tour is at the Kreisle Building, 412 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701.

3- Visit The Museum of the Weird

Austin is famously known for its catchphrase “Keep Austin Weird” and the city has a creative, unusual and fantastic atmosphere.

So, it’s not surprising the city hosts its own Museum of the Weird.

The museum continues the traditions of dime museums such as those created by the infamous P.T. Barnum in displaying intriguing oddities and exhibits.

Here, you can see the world-famous creature in ice, Fiji mermaids, shrunken heads and so much more.

If you’re lucky, you might find something surprising at the end of the tour.

The Museum of the Weird is at 412 E 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.

4- Watch A Movie At The Blue Starlite Drive-In

The Blue Starlite Drive-In Movie Theater is one of a few of its kind; a “micro” theatre with a special, intimate feeling.

Only 15 to 40 cars a night are allowed entry, so make sure you buy tickets online and get there with plenty of time to spare if you want to be one of the lucky few.

The Blue Starlite also shows films related to the season, and if you happen to be in town around Halloween, you’ll find an array of spooky flicks to scare you out of your wits.

The Blue Starlite Drive-In Movie Theater is at 2015 E M. Franklin Ave, Austin, Texas 78723.

5- Party On Sixth Street

Sixth Street has a range of bars and clubs that offer festivity and fun at night in Austin.

This historic entertainment area was once a commercial district that transformed into a hub for music and bars in the 1970s.

Whether you pick a favourite or work your way along the street bar hopping, Sixth Street has options and atmospheres to suit most tastes.

East Sixth Street (nicknamed “Dirty Sixth” by locals) hosts various events yearly, from film festivals to bike rallies and the Pecan Street Festivals.

Sixth Street is at 6th Street, Austin, Texas, 78703.

6- Watch Esther’s Follies Show

Esther’s Follies has been running for 40 years and has earned the nickname “Austin’s answer to Saturday Night Life”.

The show includes comedy, political satire, musical performances and magic.

Esther’s Follies is on the lively Sixth Street, so stop in for the show between drinks.

Esther’s Follies is at 525 E 6th Street, Austin, Texas, 78701.

7- Soak In Barton Springs Pool

The Barton Springs Pool spans an incredible three acres and is fed by underground springs that keep the water at a comfortable 68 to 70F year-round.

The pool is also surrounded by grassy banks that provide the perfect spot for lounging, socialising and watching the stars (or sunset).

Barton Springs Pool is at 2201 William Barton Drive, Austin, Texas, 78746.

8- Cheer On The Cowboys And Cowgirls At A Rodeo

Can you really say that you’ve been to Texas (and specifically Austin), if you’ve never taken the time to visit a rodeo?

Marvel at the spectacle of the insanely fast barrel racers and feel the suspense as the brave bull riders try to beat the clock.

If you happen to be in town in March, make sure you don’t miss the annual Fair and Rodeo, where 9,000 exhibitors show their livestock and horses.

The Rodeo Austin is at 9100 Decker Lane Road, Austin, Texas 78724.

9- Go Bat Watching At Congress Avenue Bridge

From late March until early Fall, Mexican Free-Tailed bats make up North America’s largest urban bat population as they wing their home underneath Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge.

The best time to watch the bats begin their nightly flight is around sunset, but the spectacle can happen anywhere from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm and can last up to 45 minutes.

This sight is a must-see in Austin at night as words cannot describe this unique experience.

The Congress Avenue Bridge is at 100 S Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78704. You may like to try a bat tour by Segway.

10- Go On A Guided Sunset Kayaking Tour

A unique way to catch the bat migration out of the Congress Avenue Bridge is by kayak.

Take a guided sunset kayak tour under the Congress Avenue Bridge and then across Lady Bird Lake to truly experience all of Austin’s magnificent natural beauty.

The Guided Sunset Kayaking Tour is at 74 Trinity Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Find out more here.

11- Play Peter Pan Mini-Golf

The T-Rex of Peter Pan Mini-Golf has become a landmark of the city and an essential component of what makes Austin “weird”.

The two 18-hole mini golf courses have been owned and operated by the same Dismukes family since they opened in 1948.

The course adds to its fun vibe with a BYOB policy so you can relax, drink a beer, take a photograph with a dinosaur and enjoy a game of mini golf.

For less than $10 for 18 holes, the Peter Pan Mini-Golf is a fun and affordable experience for the whole family.

Peter Pan Mini-Golf is at 1207 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704.

12- See A Show At Paramount Theater

The Paramount Theater opened over 100 years ago in 1915 and has hosted the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Miles Davis and the great Harry Houdini.

The original fire curtain was rediscovered in 1974 and still hangs in the theatre today and is likely the oldest remaining original fire curtain in use in the United States.

During the 1970s, the Paramount Theater welcomed iconic performers such as Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Lily Tomlin.

Today, you can see comedy shows, films and live musical performances on this historical stage.

The Paramount Theater is at 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701.

13- Have Fun On A Craft Beer Crawl

Austin is known for its craft breweries in the beer world, such as Austin Beerworks, Hold Out Brewing, Live Oak Brewing Co. and Zilker Brewing Co.

One of the fun activities in Austin at night is visiting different breweries and tasting various locally crafted beers.

However, the crown jewel in Austin’s craft beer crown has to be the Jester King Brewery, which is a 30-minute drive from Austin in Dripping Springs and is still very much considered part of the Austin group of breweries.

The brewery finds its home on a sprawling ranch where four different bars offer the best fine-crafted beers around, and the view is almost as incredible as the pizza.

Austin Beerworks is at 3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758. Jester King Brewery is at 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736. You might also like to join a haunted pub crawl.

14- Dance The Texan Two-Step At The Broken Spoke

The Broken Spoke dance hall is perfect for enjoying live music and dusting off your dancing shoes.

Give the Texan two-step a try or sit back and enjoy the show; you are guaranteed a fantastic time either way.

You can even attend dance lessons Wednesday through Saturday nights to learn the moves before hitting the dance floor.

The dance hall also offers a menu of tasty dishes, including the best chicken fried steak in the city.

So, book an evening out to enjoy dinner and a show.

The Broken Spoke is at 3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704.

15- Listen To Music At The Continental Club

The Continental Club is undeniably one of the best spots in Austin for live music and has been since 1955.

As the city is known for being a hub of incredible music and talent, that is absolutely no small feat.

The Continental Club boasts awards from Playboy, the Rolling Stones, the Austin Music Industry Awards, and the Ameripolitan Music Awards, among others.

The club hosts live music performers every night of the week, with multiple shows daily.

The Continental Club is at 1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704.

16- Admire The Austin Trail of Lights

The Austin Trail of Lights is a seasonal Christmas extravaganza in Zilker Park, featuring over 2 million lights, 90-lit holiday trees and over 70 other holiday displays and tunnels.

This magical display will run from 8 December to 23 December this year, with tickets currently on sale now.

Nothing compares to the stunning beauty of these lights that spread Christmas cheer and joy throughout the city.

The Austin Trail of Lights is at 2207 Lou Neff Road, Austin, Texas, 78746.

17- Hang Out At Pinballz Arcade

The Pinballz arcade opened in 2010 and includes a massive collection of pinball machines and other classic arcade games.

The original location has a BYOB policy that allows you to bring and drink your own alcoholic beverages on the premises whilst enjoying the nostalgia of the antique pinball machines.

The arcade also hosts events such as Street Fighter Tournaments, Pinballz T-Shirt contests, and Murder Mystery parties! You can also find Skee-Ball and modern arcade games alongside the plentiful variety of pinball machines.

Pinballz Arcade is at 8940 Research Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78758.

18- Try Painting With A Twist

In line with the creative spirit of Austin, spend an artistic evening taking a painting class with a twist within the city’s heart.

During this class, you will be able to meet and socialise with locals and visiting travellers, sip wine, listen to music and leave with the best souvenir imaginable: a beautiful painting of your creation.

What better way to experience such an artistically centred city than to create your own art?

Painting With A Twist is at 8820 Burnet Road, Ste 507, Austin, Texas 78757.

19- Walk The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk

The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk stretches over a mile alongside the water of the eponymous lake.

The Boardwalk provides a peaceful and tranquil place to walk (or run) alongside the lake, watch street performers or birdwatch, and watch for swans.

The Boardwalk is also the perfect place to enjoy the sunset as here you can relax and watch as the lake transforms into a spectrum of reds and golds like a massive mirror for the sky above.

The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk is at 1820 S Lakeshore Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78741.

20- Watch A Movie at the Deep Eddy Pool

The Deep Eddy Pool is the oldest swimming pool in Texas and is popular among the locals.

During the summer months, the pool runs Splash Party Movie Nights, where you can watch movies on the massive inflatable screen while swimming and keeping cool in the pool.

The Deep Eddy Pool is at 401 Deep Eddy Avenue, Austin, TX, 78703.