Wonderful Things to Do Alone in Austin (2023)

There are dozens of amazing things to do alone in Austin. “The Live Music Capital of the World” is a laid back, artsy city with fantastic live music, vintage shops, and a general atmosphere of weirdness. Solo travelers can have the best time in Austin due to its variety of outdoor activities, museums, and historic sites, as well as solo-friendly restaurants and live music venues.

In addition, there are a range of easy daytrips for you to make, including exploring the Texas hill country and San Antonio at your own pace. Throughout the year, it’s easy for solo travelers to find interesting things to do alone in Austin.

Outdoor Things to Do in Austin

Lady Bird Lake

In the heart of the city, Lady Bird Lake is a section of Texas’ Colorado River that flows through Downtown Austin and offers stunning views of the city’s eclectic skyline.

Hike and Bike Trail

The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail runs along the banks of the river in a 10-mile loop. It’s a scenic location that is lovely for walking, biking, and watching groups of turtles bask on logs. The trail is a popular spot, where you will see running groups, families, and locals walking their dogs. You’ll find stations through the area where you can rent a bicycle.

Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

One of the most exciting things to do alone in Austin is to kayak, canoe, or standup paddle board on Lady Bird Lake. The river is enjoyable for people of all abilities thanks to its gentle current, and there are lots of friendly people around for conversation. In addition, there are some areas where you can get out of your kayak and stand on the limestone rocks.

Several companies rent equipment by the hour at reasonable prices. We recommend the Rowing Dock or Zilker Park Boat Rentals.

Urban Bat Colony at the Congress Bridge

Release the Bats!

Viewing the bats is one of the most unique things to do alone in Austin. The Congress Avenue Bridge that spans Lady Bird Lake is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Inadvertently, the bridge design met the exact specifications required for bat habitats. As a result, between the months of March and November, you can stand on the bridge at dusk to watch the 1.5 million (!!!) Mexican free-tailed bats emerge for their evening meal. It’s an amazing sight, and wonderful opportunity for a solo traveler to chat with locals and other visitors.

Taking a River Cruise is a Great Thing to Do Alone in Austin

Another great way to view the bats is by joining a river cruise that floats under the bridge for a close-up view of the bat party. (Tip: Bring an umbrella or wear a hat to avoid falling guano!)

Zilker Park

Zilker Park is a 350-acre metropolitan park at the center of Austin’s outdoor and recreation activities. It’s a picturesque location for a picnic or to relax with a book and people watch. Hanging out at Zilker is one of the most enjoyable things to do alone in Austin, and you’ll notice lots of locals doing the same thing.

At various times throughout the year, Zilker Park is home to some of Austin’s best events and music festivals, including Austin City Limits in the fall and Blues on the Green in the summer.

While at the park, visit the Zilker Botanical Garden to enjoy a walk alongside native plants and flowers.

Barton Springs Pool

Zilker Park is also home to one of the most beautiful natural springs in the United States: Barton Springs Pool. This three-acre pool is fed from underground springs and maintains an average temperature of 68 degrees.

Make sure you head to the shallows, where you can slowly ease into the water. Or, if you’re more adventurous, hop in the deep end or use the diving board.

Swimming at Barton Pool is One of the Best Things to Do Alone in Austin

The pool is surrounded by a grove of 200-year-old live oak trees that provide idyllic shaded areas where you can lay on the grass after your swim. The entire area is protected due to the presence of the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.

No food is allowed in the park in order to prevent attracting fire ants, which harm the salamanders. The benefit for us? No fire ants! This is one of the few spots in Austin where you can confidently lay on the grass without fear of dreaded fire ant bites.

People Watching

The pool is also the kind of place that offers wonderful opportunities for people watching. It is a typical hangout for local Austinites, including people who go there alone for some downtime. (Expect to see people doing yoga by themselves). Barton Pool is beautiful and solo-friendly, making it one of our best recommendations for things to do alone in Austin.

Traveling Alone in Austin? Get Some Margaritas and Queso!

You can easily combine your time at Barton Pool with lunch and a margarita (and queso!) at one of the restaurants along Barton Springs Road. Some of the best places to eat in this area are Chuy’s Tex-Mex, The Picnic (which hosts a bunch of local food trucks), and Juliet Italian Kitchen.

Barton Creek Greenbelt

The Greenbelt, running from Zilker to south Austin, contains a large network of scenic trails and river access for swimming. The trailhead is located near the Barton Pool and multiple other access points are available throughout the Greenbelt.

Take a Solo Hike

The Twin Falls entrance is a popular hike through the forest to the scenic Sculpture Falls, where you can take a swim to cool off. You’ll see lots of other people on the trail, making it one of the safe outdoor things to do alone in Austin.

Rock Climbing

For a more adventurous day, Rock About runs excellent beginner rock climbing classes in the Greenbelt. Joining a rock climbing class is one of the fun things to do alone in Austin. You’ll get to try something new and meet new people.

McKinney Falls State Park

Located on Onion Creek in southeast Austin, McKinney Falls State Park is a stunning place to hike in the hill country woods and go for a swim. Follow the trail to see an early Texas homestead and ancient rock shelter. This is a popular local spot and safe for solo hiking.

On your way out, stop by the observation deck at the visitor center for a beautiful view of the waterfalls. Check out the exhibits on Texas’ bats (we’re obsessed with bats here because they eat all the bugs).

Shopping Neighborhoods

South Congress Avenue

South Congress Avenue is a vibrant neighborhood located a mile south of the downtown area. This neighborhood makes it easy for you to find things to do alone in Austin. It’s always bustling with friendly people and there’s a lot to see and do. You can spend a few hours visiting local boutiques, vintage stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and food trucks.

More Delicious Food!

Get some pancakes at Magnolia Café or Tex Mex with a side of live music at Guero’s. Vespaio has mouthwatering Italian food (the tagliatelle con funghi is out of this world). Meanwhile, June’s is a posh European-style café where you can linger over a cocktail and tasty salad.

Cocktails, Coffee or Cupcakes?

Hotel San Jose offers an inviting garden patio, where guests can enjoy a glass of wine or prosecco. When you need a caffeine fix, Joe’s Coffee Shop does it best. While you’re there, you can check out Austin’s famous “I Love You So Much” mural. For dessert, head to Amy’s Ice cream or Hey Cupcake! in their vintage airstream trailer.

Quirky Shops

In between eating and drinking, browse the numerous shops. Monkey See, Monkey Do is a kitch gift shop. Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds is a colorful costume shop that is basically a work of art. Parts & Labor is the perfect spot for gifts and art prints made by local artists. Allen’s Boots is the place to buy your genuine cowboy boots, while Kendra Scott is a great place to buy jewelry to look like a local.

Solo-friendly Live Music Venue

Austin is famous for its diverse music scene. To catch a live show by a local musician, go to the “grandaddy of live music venues”: the Continental Club. This historic landmark puts on multiple shows every day with all types of music genres. It’s very solo-friendly with places to sit and drink service, and an easy place for conversation in between songs.

Second Street District

This downtown neighborhood provides an ideal mix of local boutiques and eateries. It’s a beautiful area where you can stroll and shop.

Downtown, Austin, Texas

Local Boutiques

This neighborhood has some of the best shops in Austin. Pick up some jewelry from Eliza Page, grab a Texas-inspired sundress at Francesca’s or Hemline, and get your souvenirs from Austin Rocks and Toy Joy.

Mouthwatering Mexican Cuisine

When you get hungry, visit La Condesa, an award-winning modern Mexican restaurant serving local ingredients in a trendy setting. La Condesa also offers an extensive selection of blue agave tequila, mezcal, and various expertly crafted cocktails. This restaurant is a superb option for when you’re alone in Austin because of the excellent service and ability to sit at the bar if you’d like to talk to others.

Monuments and Museums

Texas State Capitol Building

The Texas State Capitol and grounds are located on a hill overlooking downtown Austin. The capitol is on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Join a Tour of the Capitol

Free guided tours are offered daily. These tours provide unique insights into the architecture, history, and information about how the Texas Legislature functions. You’ll tour the rotunda beneath the Capitol dome to view the portraits lining its walls. Notice the terrazzo mosaic on the marble floor depicting the seals of the various nations that have governed Texas. You’ll also visit the House and Senate galleries to view the chamber floors.

Explore Capitol Grounds

After the tour, stop at the Capitol gift shop to pick up some quality souvenirs. Then stroll through the Capitol grounds, which are scattered with monuments, statues, and beautiful live oaks. The grounds are a nice place to relax and have a picnic at lunchtime.

Bullock Texas State History Museum

This comprehensive museum, located near the Capitol, has exhibits covering over 15,000 years of Texas’ history. The museum features information about the earliest inhabitants of Texas through to modern day. The temporary exhibitions are wide ranging from contemporary art to displays on sharks and dinosaurs.

IMAX Theater

The museum also has an excellent IMAX theater, where you can see films about wild places in Texas and elsewhere. Films have included the Big Bend and west Texas, Artic National Wildlife Refuge and Serengeti National Park.

LBJ Presidential Library

The University of Texas campus is home to this superb presidential library. Exhibitions include President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, First Lady Johnson’s humanitarian work, as well as replicas of the Oval Office and First Lady’s office.

BBQ for One Please!

After a few hours at the library, stop by Black’s BBQ for brisket. Black’s is one of the best BBQ places in Austin and shouldn’t be missed.

Lady Bird’s Wildflowers

Once satiated, continue the Johnson theme of the day by exploring the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin. The wildflower center has 284-acres of wildlands and gardens that showcase the various native plants found across Texas’ ecoregions.

Texas Military Forces Museum

The military museum on Camp Mabry includes exhibits on Texas’ militia, volunteer forces, army, national guard, and state guard. The museum is one the great free things to do alone in Austin. The exhibits display military uniforms, weapons, personal items, and photographs. History buffs will enjoy films and displays covering Texas’ military efforts from the Texas Revolution through current times.

Armor Row and Artillery Park

Some of the highlights of the museum are the Armor Row and Artillery Park These outdoor exhibits have outstanding collections of tanks, artillery, helicopters, and jet fighters on display.

Harry Ransom Center

The many collections at the Harry Ransom Center on the University of Texas campus highlight the creative process of writers and artists. The museum covers literature, photography, film, painting, and the performing arts. Visiting the center is another one of the best free things to do alone in Austin.

Permanent Collection

View the 500-year-old Gutenberg Bible as well as the Niépce Heliograph. The Gutenberg Bible is the earliest mass-printed book in Europe. The copy on display in Austin is one of only five copies available in the United States. The Niépce Heliograph is the earliest photograph produced using the camera obscura. In addition, the center has an extensive collection of original handwritten material from literary and artistic icons.

Temporary Exhibits

The center runs diverse temporary exhibits ranging from self-portraits of Frida Kahlo to first edition book collections by Jane Austin to stories about contemporary films and artists.

Art Museums

Blanton Museum of Art

The Blanton Museum on the University of Texas campus holds a permanent collection of over 21,000 pieces, including modern and contemporary works of American and Latin American art. The museum puts on a wide variety of curated temporary exhibits, from medieval treasures to cutting edge contemporary collections.

Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin”

The centerpiece of the Blanton Museum is the “Austin” building by renowned American artist Ellsworth Kelly. This is the only building designed by the artists and is considered to be his most important work.

Join a Tour

The museum offers informative public tours that provide a deeper understanding of the collection and temporary exhibits. Joining an art tour is one of the top things to do alone in Austin. It provides you with more context and interesting stories and the artwork and artists.

The Contemporary

Austin’s contemporary art museum has two locations: the Jones Center on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin and Laguna Gloria on the shores of Lake Austin.

Laguna Gloria

The Laguna Gloria includes the 14-acre Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. This outdoor exhibit displays diverse works from local and international artists, including Tom Friedman’s “Looking Up” sculpture. You can easily spend an hour or two strolling the grounds, including taking a short trail to the banks of the lake.

Jones Center

The Jones Center is an 8,000-square-foot space designed by architect Paul Lewis. It showcases an outdoor installation by artist Jim Hodges called “With Liberty and Justice for All (A Work in Progress)”. The building is filled with fascinating contemporary art exhibits from talented artists.

In addition, the stylish rooftop deck offers exhibition-related film series and performances. You can also visit the rooftop to enjoy magnificent views of downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake.

Historic Driskill Hotel

After the museums, you can grab a drink at the historic Driskill Hotel. Visiting the Driskill is one of the best things to do alone in Austin. It’s stylish and low key, and you’ll notice many other tourists and locals who are there alone.

Mexic-Arte Museum

This museum displays a beautiful collection of Mexican and Latin American art. Educational information is also delivered through innovative exhibitions and programs. The permanent collection consists of over 5,000 contemporary works of art, including paintings, drawings, photographs, and decorative arts.

The museum is located in the historic section of Congress Avenue, and you could easily combine a visit with lunch in one of the neighboring restaurants.

Keep an eye out along Congress for the “Cow Parade,” an outdoor public art exhibit in downtown.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum

The work of Austin’s Charles Umlauf is exhibited throughout lawns and gardens at museum. The skillful landscape design complements the sculptures to deliver a peaceful, inspiring experience.

The museum itself was once the home of Charles Umlauf and includes interesting details about his life and creative process.

Things to Do Alone in Austin at Night

1. See a Broadway show at the Bass Concert Hall
2. Catch an Austin City Limits show at the Moody Theater
3. Watch a movie with food and cocktail service at the Violet Crown Theater
4. Get two-step lessons at the Broken Spoke and hang out in the honky-tonk for the night
5. Chill out while listening to live jazz music at the Elephant Room
6. Attend Ester’s Follies, Austin’s classic comedy show
7. See a play or musical with local performers at the Zach Theater

Tours and Activities

• Enjoy a wine tour in the Texas hill country
• Take a self-guided tour of Austin’s murals
• Attend an inspirational gospel brunch at Stubbs BBQ
• Join a class at Black Swan Yoga
• Or try goat yoga class with adorable baby goats (aka kids)
• See a movie with a beer at the Alamo Drafthouse

Daytrips for the Solo Traveler

Hamilton Pool

The Hamilton Pool Preserve is located about 30 miles west of downtown Austin. Hamilton Pool is the star of Austin’s watering holes, featuring limestone outcroppings, clear blue water, and a sparkling 50-foot waterfall. The pool is perfect for a refreshing swim, while the preserve offers great opportunities for bird viewing, hiking, and connecting with nature.

Advanced reservations for parking are required to visit the pool. You can make the reservation online. In addition, bring cash to pay the additional per-person entrance fee when you arrive. The park is cash-only.

More Tacos Please

There are no food options on site, so you will need to bring your own lunch. This gives you a great opportunity to get tacos on your way! We recommend Veracruz All Natural or Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ.

San Marcos

San Marcos is a small college town located 30 miles south of Austin. The old town square is picturesque and filled with restaurants and coffee shops. But the main reason to visit San Marcos is to the enjoy recreation on the river.

Go Tubing

Going Paddling or tubing on the San Marcos River is a must-do if you’re in town during the warmer months (May-October). You’ll rent the equipment and hop in the water to spend a few hours floating on the lazy river. This is a fun solo activity because you can either chat with all the other floaters or enjoy the alone time.

Visit Spring Lake

Another option is to visit Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Spring Lake is one of the longest continuously inhabited regions of North America. Artifacts have been discovered here from every human era over the past 12,000 years!

Glass-bottom Boat Tour

The Texas State University Meadows Center runs amazing glass-bottom boat tours. The tours go out every hour and are run by knowledgeable university students. The guides steer the historic wooden boats and describe interesting facts about the spring system.

The pristine water is crystal clear, which allows you to see all the way to the bottom. You’ll see where the underground springs flow into the lake, and all of the abundant wildlife in the area. The spring is home to several endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander, which can be viewed up-close in Discovery Hall near the entrance of the tour.

San Antonio

San Antonio is 80 miles south of Austin and is a great place for solo travelers, as there are lots of fun things to do. Visit the San Antonio Mission park, which is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Texas. You can even rent a bike to ride along the Mission Walk between each of the churches.

After the missions, stop for lunch and shopping at the historic Pearl Brewery, where many of San Antonio’s best restaurants are found. Try Mon Chou Chou for French cuisine or Best Quality Daughter for Chinese. Finally, stroll the famous River Walk that is filled with local shops and restaurants. With more time, visit the San Antonio botanical garden, Japanese gardens, zoo, or the McNay Art Museum.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, located 80 miles west of Austin, is a tourist hotspot boasting wineries, German architecture and restaurants, and many quaint shops. Walk along Main Street to browse antiques, clothing, and gift shops.

If you are visiting in the spring, visit the largest wildflower farm in the United States, Wildseed Farms, to see the bluebonnets, sunflowers, and red poppies. You’ll also find great museums in Fredericksburg, including the National Museum of the Pacific War and the Pioneer Museum. Explore LBJ’s “Texas Whitehouse” in neighboring Johnson City. Finally, visit Enchanted Rock State Park to hike the largest pink granite mountain in the United States.

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