When you plan a getaway in Austin, Texas, you can look forward to experiencing Lake Travis, Lady Bird Lake, The University of Texas at Austin, and music venues galore. If you like blues, jazz, rock, or country tunes, this city known as “the Live Music Capital of the World” offers plenty of ways to soothe your musical soul. Satisfy your taste buds with Texas-style barbecue and delightful Tex-Mex dishes. In the fall, college football fans travel from across the country to watch the world-famous Texas Longhorns defeat their opponents. The Texas Roller Derby provides live thrills on wheels all year long. Whether you thrive in hot weather, cold weather, or somewhere in between, the capital city of the Lone Star State features attractions year-round. Book a stay at one of many incredible vacation rentals in Austin today. To choose the best time to visit and what to pack for your Austin trip, use this guide that details the top things to do during each season.
Visiting Austin in the Summer
Summer heats up in Austin, along with plenty of activities outdoors. Average temperature highs in June through August range between 92 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows are between 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. What to pack? Lots of summertime clothes in breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen for comfort in the heat and humidity. Toss in a light jacket or a relaxed top with long sleeves for air-conditioned attractions including Thinkery, one of Austin’s interactive children’s museums, Tex-Mex restaurants including Polvos and Cisco’s, and a breezy evening lakeside stroll along Lake Travis. June averages close to 4.5 inches of rain, but July averages about 1.9 inches and August, about 2.3 inches. All through summer, families take their blankets to Zilker Park, Austin’s largest park, for the free outdoor concert series Blues on the Green. Mugginess peaks in early July, but it doesn’t interfere with the city’s biggest Fourth of July party, the annual Austin Symphony H-E-B July 4th concert and fireworks extravaganza over Lady Bird Lake.
Visiting Austin in the Fall
Fall in Austin features Texas Longhorns football at the University of Texas at Austin. The weather is great for tailgate parties, and a sweater, woven poncho, or light jacket at a late-season evening game keeps you comfortable. Expect high temperatures in September averaging 91 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. By November, average highs are 71 degrees Fahrenheit and lows average 51 degrees F. Pack rain gear for an average monthly precipitation of about 3 inches in September and November, and 4 inches in October. Autumn outdoor fun includes a trip to Barton Hill Farms with lots of lawn games and awesome food. Kids love exploring the enormous corn maze, and everyone enjoys the live music. October features events including the famous Austin City Limits music fest and the Austin Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo, offering visits with the animals at night and a family-friendly haunted train ride. For big race car thrills, don’t miss the Formula 1 USGP. Throughout the fall, UT-Austin’s astronomy department offers public Star Parties on the Robert Lee Moore Hall rooftop, and free stargazing through the Painter Hall Telescope. November is warm enough to take a day trip to Dinosaur Park in nearby Bastrop County, and walk around life-size replicas of dinosaurs in an outdoor setting.
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Visiting Austin in the Winter
Austin winters are cold, but far from frigid, with the coldest days typically in early January. Average temperature highs in December through February range between 63 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows average between 45 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Put on a lightweight winter jacket or coat, take a hat and gloves, and venture out of your Austin vacation rental to explore the city. Expect between 2 and 2.4 inches of rain monthly; snow is rare. To keep things hot, head to the Palmer Event Center for banked track Roller Derby competition, with teams such as the All-Scar Army, Texas United, and Rhinestone Cowgirls. Kids 12 and under get in free to watch this roller skating free-for-all. If the family wants to be cool and ice skate, eat s’mores, and see beautiful light displays, take them to the Omni Barton Creek Resort, which features a festive ice skating rink created especially for the holiday season. Another December holiday tradition, The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, has endured for more than 40 years. Spend days eating, shopping, and relaxing at this art, market, food, and music festival where three or more live bands perform daily.
Visiting Austin in the Spring
Flowers and Austin temperatures spring up in the spring. Average temperature highs in March through May are between 72 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Average March lows are 51 degrees Fahrenheit, and May lows average 67 degrees F. Austin averages 2.7 inches of rain in March, 2 inches in April, and 4.3 inches in May. Pack light spring and summer clothes, and in May, buy an umbrella when you arrive. It’s a perfect time of year to get out of your Austin vacation rental early and sample Texas smoked meats at places such as Franklin Barbecue for brisket and pulled pork, and Micklethwait Craft Meats for housemade sausages and a Frito pie. After you eat, take the kids to Zilker Park for canoeing or riding water bikes on Lady Bird Lake, and a ride on the Zilker Zephyr, the park’s miniature train. To see spring flowers in bloom, stroll through the scenery of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
When Is The Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit Austin, Texas is in the fall. Temperatures cool down from their summertime high 90s, and UT’s football season generates city-wide excitement. Unique outdoor activities and music festivals give the whole family enjoyable events. Year round attractions including ice skating at Chaparral Ice and watching Roller Derby fun at Palmer Event Center provide lively indoor entertainment, while countless restaurants, eateries, and food trucks, such as Hey Cupcake! and Rosarito, stop hunger pangs. Austin’s vibrant fall mood lasts all year, so whichever season you choose, you win.
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