The Lively Texas Capital: 11 Best Things To Do In Austin When It Rains

The Lively Texas Capital: 11 Best Things To Do In Austin When It Rains
Rofiq
Rofiq 
Updated
| 5 min read

Canoeing, standing-up paddle boarding, and kayaking at Lady Bird Lake are the most pleasing outdoor activities when stopping in Austin. Nevertheless, everything gets dreary on a gloomy, rainy day, and you might feel that your day of traveling is wasted. Turn to your backup plan of fun things to do in Austin instead of flipping on the TV and plunging into your comfy bed for the day. Austin is not all about taking a walk in a park or running under the hot sun. Beyond that, you can have other exhilarating experiences in the capital of Texas. What activities can you do during rainy day in Austin? Just check them out here!

1. Visit Blanton Museum of Art

Blanton Museum Art (12)
Source: Photo by user Zereshk used under CC BY 3.0

Museum hopping is an ideal way to spend time during a rainy day. Make your day worthwhile in the Blanton Museum of Art. This lovely must-see spot displays more than 17,000 collections of art works, thus is highly recommended for all art lovers. You can take pleasure in the regal art pieces from Renaissance paintings, as well as Latin art and urban prints created by artists from all over the world. Adults are charged 9 USD for admission, except on Thursday, and kids are free to enter. To reach the museum, which is open every day except on Monday, you can grab public bus no. 1, 5, and 7 from the Museum Station stop using the Metro Rapid 801 route.

Blanton Museum of Art

Address: 200 E Martin Luther King Blvd | Austin, TX 7870

Opening Hours: 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Saturday), 1 pm to 5 pm (Sunday)

Contact: +1 512-471-7324

Website: Blanton Museum of Art

2. Try indoor skydiving at iFly

iFly
Source: Photo by user Austin Kirk used under CC BY 2.0

Take a little adventure by skydiving inside a vertical tunnel! iFly is the answer for those who miss out on extreme sports and other adrenaline-based activities when it rains. iFly applies a sophisticated technology with wind tunnels where you can feel a sensation of flying and free fall. You don’t need to be worried if you have never tried skydiving as you will be guided by a friendly and knowledgeable instructor. Prior to booking, you need to pick the right package (either solo or group) for you.

iFly

Address: 13265 North US 183, Suite Austin,Texas

Price: from 69.95 USD to 599.95 USD

Opening Hours: 9 am to 10 pm (Monday to Friday), 8 am to 11 pm (Saturday), 9 am to 10 pm (Sunday)

Contact: +1 (512) 774-4359

Website: iFly

3. Watch movies at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

At the Alamo @drafthouse to see The Fifth Element
Source: Photo by user Mike Prosser used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Watching the latest movie as well as enjoying dinner in a theater is a great way to spend time while waiting till the rain stops. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, founded in 1997, offers new Hollywood and 2D movies. While watching a movie, you can have a meal (omnivore pizza is the best) served directly to your seat and gulp the finest craft beer provided on tap. Besides, you can purchase some merchandise like shirts and hats for your friends and family.

Alamo Drafthouse Austin (Village Shopping Center)

Address: Village Shopping Center, 2700 W Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78757, USA

Price: from 11.90 USD

Contact: +1 512-861-7030

Website: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

4. Watch a comedy performance at Esther’s Follies

Kurt Braunohler Kristen Schaal (4463668767)
Source: Photo by user Miss Wright used under CC BY 2.0

6th Street is not only popular for live music, but also for comedy shows. It’s time for you to giggle and chortle at the must-see Esther’s Follies. The show is a mixture of singing, dancing, juggling, magic, and skits wrapped into an epic comedy. You can enjoy a live show on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening. Admission costs range from 25 USD to 35 USD. Ensure that you book your ticket in advance due its limited seating.

Esther's Follies

Address: 525 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Opening Hours: 8 pm (every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)

Contact: +1 512-320-0553

Website: Esther’s Follies

5. Bowl at Dart Bowl

DART BOWL, DART BOWL CAFE
Source: Photo by user Matthew Rutledge used under CC BY 2.0

There are many pleasurable ways to enjoy Austin during a rainy day such as go bowling at Dart Bowl. The alley, which has 32 lanes, is really good for family travelers to share a laugh and excitement. The best part of Dart Bowl is its café serving a wide variety of good food, especially its homemade enchiladas. It’s open daily from 9 am to midnight. The rates for bowling are reasonable, from 3.50 USD to 4.10 USD per game and 21 USD to 28 USD per hour.

Dart Bowl

Address: 5700 Grover Ave. Austin, TX 78756

Opening Hours: everyday at 9 am

Contact: +1 (512) 452-2518

Website: Dart Bowl

6. Put your teamwork to the test at The Escape Game (from 32.99 USD)

The Heist
Source: The Escape Game

This is one family-friendly indoor activity we won’t get bored of because you will be continuously working your brains in an immersive set at The Escape Game. You and your team will come together to find clues and overcome challenges to complete a mission within 60 minutes. You won’t be able to escape unless you work together, gather all of your wits, communicate clearly, and go on an adventure as one. You can find this top-ranked escape room in the US, according to TripAdvisor’s national rankings, along Red River Street, a 2-minute walk from Downtown Station.

This paragraph is sponsored by The Escape Game.

The Escape Game Austin

Address: 405 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, United States

Website: The Escape Game Austin

Opening hours: 8am - 11.45pm (daily)

Price: from 32.99 USD

Visited this place?

7. Sip a cup of coffee at Caffé Medici

Coffee at Caffé Medici
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jeremy Keith used under CC BY 2.0

Enjoying a latte or cappuccino at the classy Caffé Medici on Congress Ave. is undoubtedly recommended. The coffee shop provides the best coffee created from its own roasted beans, lovely ambience, and spacious environment. Coffee lovers should make a stop at this warm place. You will see its skillful baristas do their magic while working from your cozy wooden bench. Hot chocolate and tea are also served here. In addition, beer on tap makes all visitors feel fully satisfied.

Caffé Medici

Address: 200 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Opening Hours: 6 am to 7 pm (Monday to Friday), 7 am to 7 pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Contact: +1 512-827-2770

Website: Caffé Medici

8. Enjoy delectable tacos at Papalote Taco House

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Texas is home to the finest Mexican food in the States. When you vacation in Austin, never miss your moment to enjoy Tex-Mex delicacies. One restaurant to try super delicious, authentic tacos is Papalote Taco House situated in South Lamar. The menu is based on home cooked food directly brought from southern Mexico. You should try a range of tacos such as classic with shredded pork, chipotle-stewed beef, and mushrooms. You can have tacos from breakfast time to dinner as it is open from 7 am to 10 pm.

Papalote Taco House

Address: 2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Price: from 7.99 USD

Opening Hours: 7 am to 10 pm every day

Contact: +1 512-804-2474

Website: Papalote Taco House

9. Enjoy the best beer at Hops and Grain brewery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


There is nothing more delightful than enjoying a good beer. Drop yourself off at the town’s best brewery, Hops and Grain. It’s considered the best since Hops and Grain always keeps innovating by creating new beer. The menu highlights are the refreshing pale dog ale and the malty, slightly sweet Alt-eration. The superb quality that this company has is its eco-friendly approach when producing its beer. It’s open from 10 am to 10 pm.

Hops and Grain brewery

Address: 507 Calles St #101, Austin, TX 78702, USA

Price: from 3 USD

Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Contact: +1 512-914-2467

Website: Hops and Grain brewery

10. Hang out at Black Star Co-op

A Tasty Pint at Black Star Co-op
Source: Photo by user Todd Dwyer used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Other appealing spot to enjoy a glass of craft beer when it’s rainy is Black Star Co-op on 7020 Easy Wind Dr. This brewery is one of Austin’s favorite spots and has been awarded a Great American Beer Festival winner. Beside its number 1 beer, Black Star Co-op serves a small menu with items such as salty french fries, goat sausage, fried chicken, and more.

Black Star Co-op

Address: 7020 Easy Wind Dr, Austin, TX 78752, USA

Opening Hours: 4 pm to 11 pm (Monday), 11 am to 11 pm (Tuesday to Thursday), 11 am to 12 am (Friday and Saturday), 11 am to 11 pm (Sunday)

Contact: +1 512-452-2337

Website: Black Star Co-op

11. Go bouldering at Austin Bouldering Project

Posted by Austin Bouldering Project on Thursday, 2 February 2017

Rock climbing as well as bouldering at Austin Bouldering Project is another good alternative for those who are not in the mood to stay home out or go shopping at mall. Although it just opened two years ago, the 50,000 square foot (4,645 square m) facility provides massive space for a bouldering gym with its 23,000 square feet (2,136 square m) of climbing surfaces. Moreover, this spot is open every day and is not only for bouldering activity but also for yoga and fitness classes.

Austin Bouldering Project

Address: 979 Springdale Rd #150, Austin, TX 78702, USA

Opening Hours: 6 am to 11 pm

Contact: +1 512-645-4633

Website: Austin Bouldering Project

Austin has tons of things to do on a rainy day

Your day will never be dull in Austin, even during stormy weather and cloudy days. Austin offers amazing attractions ranging from art museums, theater, to dining out, indoor space for skydiving and bouldering, live comedy shows, breweries to enjoy the best craft beer, and much more. In addition to those attractions, Austin is a beautiful jewel in Texas, magnetizing more and more people to come.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Rofiq, hailing from East Java, Indonesia, is a passionate explorer who thrives on discovering new places, encountering diverse people, and immersing himself in various languages and cultures. His...Read more

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