How to Cool Off in Austin on a Hot Summer Day

Summer in the Lone Star State is not for the weak - hearted — you may bet that the Dominicus will be shining , the temperatures will be high , and the struggle will be existent . However , for those knotty enough , summertime in Austin is also chock full of some of the good activities the metropolis has to offer . If nothing else , it feel like a getting even to the tried - and - true things that make Austin great to begin with — catch some killer live music , relaxing in the thick of natural wonders , and , of course , drink margarita . Should you have the accolade of swinging through township this summer , moil into our list of hired hand - pick activities to get the most out of the season — just check that your SPF goes as hard as you do .

Take a dive into a natural spring

If you ’re looking to spend time outdoors during the Texas summer , a good linguistic rule of thumb is to never be too far from a trunk of piss . luckily , Austin and its surrounding country have a superfluity of innate pools to cool off in . No matter how hot it gets , the outflow - fed water ofBarton Springs Poolalways sit around at a refreshing , invigorating 68 degrees . Another stock metropolis swim repair is Austin ’s oldest pool , Deep Eddy , which often host summertime moving-picture show nighttime where you may enjoy a film while enjoy the water . For the days when you need to get out of the city , guide to Spicewood’sKrause Springs , where you could savor in the grot that sits beneath their natural waterfall like a real life mermaid . The adventurous can get in a frisson , along with a dip , atJacob ’s Well Natural Areain Wimberley . While there , you’re able to plunge into the preserve ’s famous cave , whose deceptive surface hides a depth of 30 feet . For those who prefer to not get their foot wet , you could bring a picnic and sit by the splendid wonder that is Hill Country’sHamilton Pool Preserve — while swim is not presently allowed there , the sight of the area ’s 50 human foot falls makes the trip more than worthwhile .

Beat the heat on the Red River circuit

The normal solution to heat is to crop up into an air - condition prevention , but Austin does n’t do " normal . " There ’s a reason Austin is known as the“Live Music Capital of the World ® ” — and nowhere is that more evident than the business district stretch ofRed River Street . On any give Nox , you’re able to take the air its three - block wheel spoke and find euphony pouring from the doors of every place on the street — it would almost feel like sensory overload , if it were n’t for the fact that the musician who toy this strip of bars and nightclubs are consistently talented . There ’s the divey vibes ofSwan Dive , where you may discover the good of the local scene , and the darkly get down club , Elysium , which is the go - to descry to get alternate tune of every genre . The latest and greatest touring number are often find either rocking the outdoor stage at urban center favourite , Mohawk , or bring the legendaryStubb ’s , where you may chow down on some of their famous barbeque and break a few moth-eaten beers while see a set . Going toCheer Up Charliesis akin to a technicolor dream — from the neon twinkle , to the giant pink chute hanging above their outside dance floor , to their on - tap hard kombuchas and kale lime margaritas , everything there seems to set the ultimate tone for their themed DJ nights , not to advert the always make out - on extract of amazing bands on stage . Last but not least , there is the dancing base mecca that isBarbarella . Be sure to wear comfortable shoes when hit up one of Barb ’s renowned terrace party — such as the hebdomadal goody , Tuezgayz , one of the best events in the city on any give weekday .

Take a shaded hike to Sculpture Falls

The best weekend hang in the urban center sit at the closing of a shady hike alongthe Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail . Every aspect of Austin converges alongside the flowing Ethel Waters of Sculpture Falls — from picnicking families , to koozie - carry college students , to gaggle of pups adorably running through the brush . There is also the dewy-eyed joy of exploring the Greenbelt in general , one of the city ’s best natural feature , be twelve miles of track that beleaguer Barton Creek . The boulders that live the area make it a outstanding destination for rock candy climbers , and the twists and turns of various trails make a challenging , yet rewarding , biking experience . However , strenuosity is not a essential to enjoying the Greenbelt — as evidenced by the turgid number of Austinites taking mid - day siestas in the hammocks alight between the area ’s tree .

Sip on an icy drink

look at how the summertime temperatures can often strike " sweltering , " it ’s important to last out hydrated — which is the stark excuse to indulge in some wintry libations . There is perhaps no drink more refreshing than the classic cocktail basis , the margarita — and , consider the wide of the mark varieties of this special boozing , which are useable almost everywhere in the city , it might as well be considered the official beverage of Austin . In fact , at city institutionMatt ’s El Rancho , the margarita options take up a whole Sir Frederick Handley Page of the menu by themselves — whether you rate the standard version , the burnt orange margarita , or the one lace with a swirl of sangaree , all match utterly with their renowned Tex - Mex ravisher . On those sweltering sidereal day where the temperature goes above 100 arcdegree , head to the legal profession at East Austin’sKinda Tropical , where their delicious frozen mango margarita will cool you down enough to enjoy the sun on their expansive out-of-door terrace . However , with all apologies to our tequila - laced compadre , there ’s another drink on the scene that , in late years , has take the summer by tempest — we ’re talking about the omnipresent frigid treat that take wine to the next tier : frosé . And no one does the drink better than theHotel San Jose , situate on bustling South Congress Avenue . Sipping on one of the stinker - tinted frosés in their flora - filled courtyard waiting area is the perfect respite after a day of cruising around one of the city ’s busiest street .

Picnic and jam out at a city tradition

Austin ’s park are some of the urban center ’s great treasures , not to observe a slap-up place to child’s play during the gay hours . One of the better example of the authentic Austin spirit isBlues on the Green , a free summer concert series inZilker Parkwhich has been bringing the tune for more than 30 years . This year , the concert will come about in two rounds of serial Tuesdays and Midweek : June 14 & 15 , and July 19 & 20 . The line ups are hand - picked byAustin City Limits Radioand feature some stellar local bands , plus they tend to start after in the evening , so you ’ll lack the worst of the heat . As if you need another reasonableness to eff Blues on the Green , the whole thing benefitstheAustin Parks Foundation , a nonprofit organization which works to keep the light-green spaces in the urban center accessible and gratifying for genesis to come . In other language , slice up some watermelons , jam a ice chest with plenty of ice , and gather your crowd for a memorable night that celebrate all that is swell about Austin . Be sure to get there too soon though , as the popularity of the event intend it does get packed — on the plus side , however , you ’ll have the chance to make new friends by sharing a beer with your mantle neighbors .

Paddle the day away on a local lake

If you ’re not into drive there ’s still a method of transportation around the city that ’s as release as ever — explore Austin by urine is the idealistic path to take in the beauty of both the lifelike and the urban elements of Texas ’ capital letter . There ’s no doubt thatLady Bird Lake , a reservoir of the Colorado River that hugs the bridge of the metropolis , polish vivid as one of the area ’s greatest gems . You ca n’t drop a rock along the lake ’s sharpness without hitting a place where you may easily lease a kayak , canoe , or paddle board — which allows you to get up airless and personal with both the lake itself , plus take in the skyline from a new view . you’re able to also point a few miles north-west from Downtown to the less crowd together bank ofLake Austin , where the cool breeze rising off the water have it an ideal place to discover some weekend tranquillity . Those who own their own preferred course of water supply transportation can retrieve a more off - the - gridiron experience atWalter Long Lake , an East Austin source that ’s also a democratic spot for fishing .

Catch a breeze at the new Moodys

Nightfall provides a hiatus from the temperatures , so you’re able to afford to hem in yourself with people at a unrecorded show . This twelvemonth , the Austin music scene bless us with two new venues with similar names : the outdoorMoody Amphitheater , located in the gorgeous verdure of Waterloo Park , andthe Moody Center , the state - of - the - fine art arena on the University of Texas Campus . The lights of the metropolis apparent horizon , and the starry area of the nighttime sky , are the staring support to the creative person playing the amphitheatre this summer — a list which includesindie darlings , soulful singers , and even theclassic rock legends . Hard - kernel fans can bound for sitting tag which are near to the stage , or you may add a blanket and capture a breeze on the lawn with a general admission ticket . If you ’re in the mood for spectacle , the recently opened Moody Center is where the big names come to play — we ’re lecture a killer whale pipeline - up of headliners includingEDM legendsand one of thegreatest rappers of all prison term .