Spirit-free drinks doesn’t mean you can’t have a free-spirited, good time in Bat City.
We may be midway through January but it ’s never too recent to put thing correct . Perhaps you went too hard over the holidays , knock back liquor in the name of Santa ? Well , now the decorations are down , it ’s meter for a reset . Or possibly the whole of 2023 was a turn of a blur , and you hope the upcoming year pans out differently , withwellness , acculturation , andshoppingin your crystal ball ? Technically , the ( Lunar ) New Year begins February 10 , so there ’s still a good chance to remove a home streamlet in 2024 . Whatever your reason , go dry is full of benefits . You ’ll be healthier , bask caliber experiences with loved one , and save money . So much so that perhaps the terminal of the twelvemonth might even see dream of a European pickup or a condo closer to the lead realize . require to pass over the slate unobjectionable and keep things that fashion ? Then peruse our guide to the best sober activities in Austin .
Wellness Things to Do in Austin
Exercise
Drinking with your protagonist will make you sluggish and bloated , while exercise with them will entrust you energized and intone . And who does n’t want that ? From link up workout course of instruction atBarry’son 2nd , Barre 3 in Seaholm , or Swift Fit Event’sfree yoga at Fareground , to start out out in nature with a running on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and float in Barton Springs ( again , look on your cold tolerance)—you’ll finger fantastic , altogether justify the post - event meal , and have adopted a cheaper , better - for - you - all habit . Sobriety never appear well . Neither did your abs .
Spas
Sobriety and wellness go manus - in - hand , so instead of cast hundreds of buck at bars and club , why not splash the John Cash on some soothing treatment instead?Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa , Miraval Austin , andLake Austin Spa Resortall extend day passing , are lay among the gorgeous rolling pitcher’s mound nation or lakeshore , and are secure to keep you on the gullible succus . or else , bring the spa to you : Lushon West Sixth has all the ingredients for a pamper political party ( they even cater to bachelorette parties if you do n’t desire to fuddle along the eternal rest of Sixth ) , include tub bombs , hand-crafted soaps , and face masks so tasty you ’ll want to eat them .
Great Outdoors
Give the lachrymation hole back its original meaning and take to the lake . Austin is consecrate with multiple choices and copious amount of stir fun to be had . There ’s Lake Travis , which you may rally the state’slongest and fastest zipline over ; Lake Travis trickles to Lake Austin , well enjoyed on a take boat , like Viator’s12 - someone foot pedal boat sail , which gives you a physical exercise ( hey , aphrodisiac legs ) ; and business district ’s Ladybird Lake ( technically a river ) where you may search bycanoe or paddleboard . make a elevator car ? Hit Austin’sbest swimming holes(if you could handle the cold ) , and because you ’ll all take tour motor , no detouring to the brewery , okay ?
Non-Alcoholic Food and Drink Things to Do in Austin
Sans Bar
You do n’t have to get buzzed just because everyone else is . Thankfully atSans Barthere ’s no temptation — it ’s Austin ’s only full non - alcoholic ginmill . Here you ’ll rule a immense selection of zero - cogent evidence cocktails plus non - alcohol-dependent beer and spirits . Sans is undefended every Friday , but if your mocktail dark fall on one of the other six Night of the week , take a smell at ourmocktail guidefor substitute alternative .
Tea
How do Brits care to uphold equanimity after minute of scuttlebutt with the gals ? They do it over tea ( you cognize , the drink made of water and leaves ) , not cocktails in dive bars — well , at least on Bridgerton they do . In Austin , you too can get all the modish from your gaggle of pal without a drop of vodka passing your lips . Austin English Tea Companyis where to live your best Lady Whistledown life in a vintage British - style tea house , andBrentwood Social Housealso offers a relaxed three - tiered experience for hours of catch - up . Do n’t leave Austin’sbest coffee shopsalso brew a mighty afternoon tea for driblet - in experiences .
Restaurants
Wondering how much of your restaurant bill is unremarkably made up of spirits ? Now that you ’re refrain all will be let on , and if you ’re a typical Texan it ’s potential to be a rather big chunk . revelry in the new damage of dining out , and sampleAustin ’s greats , or theme your nights to Greece ( Yamas Greek Kitchen + Bar ) , China / Singapore ( Zoe Tong Modern Austin Chinese ) , and Mexico ( Nômadé ) with a Nox in the city ’s hot new openings . They should tide you over till you have enough simoleons for plane tickets .
Arts and Culture Things to Do in Austin
Live Performances
The best thing about a musical or play is that nobody can hit the bar like they can at a concert . The Bass Concert Hallis your germ for the finest traveling show , with an upcoming roll that include Harry Potter and Wicked . Meanwhile , theZACH Theaterbrings together local talent on shows such as the original interlingual rendition of The Little Mermaid and The Prom , andFever ’s Candlelight Concertsare always beautifully produced , include a tribute to Adele in February . Tip : kick about the line for the cake during intervals and offer your ship’s company some candy instead . Crisis averted .
Museums
Fun with friends need n’t be a nocturnal affair . Why not hit the museum during the day ? You ’ll charm up and fire up on coffee in the museum cafes instead of drowning your sorrows . begin at the Texas Capitol , then work out your means through theLBJ Presidential Library , The Bullock Texas State History Museum , and theHarry Ransom Center , all within walking aloofness of each other by UT . If you ’re business district , make theMexic - Arte Museum , The Jones Center , and theMuseum of the Weirdyour civilization slip tierce , or why not drive further out to the Sculpture Park atLaguna Gloria — recall , you do n’t have to worry about inebriated driving .
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Austin
Adopt a Pet
While many two - legged pals will blackjack you into “ just one drink , ” you lie with that wo n’t be the case in the fellowship of furry friends who put up just as much ( if not more ) good time . drop January volunteer atAustin Pets Alive ! , dog - sitting for your supporter , or at an ethical Texan Ranch . We loveBlue Hills , a sanctuary for creature rescued principally from the hunting trade ( like one - horned cervid and orphaned giraffe ) . You ’ll have merriment and help keep them dependable .
Inner Child Healing
Remember when you were a tween and playfulness was routinely enjoyed with a mailboat of salty chips , some OJ , and the Spice Girls ? Get happy like it ’s 1997.Peter Pan ’s Mini Golfhas been a family tradition since 1948 but you do n’t need to have kids in the political party to join in ( we did n’t ! ) , and neither do you at theMuseum of Ice Cream , where you may pretend it ’s all about the deoxyephedrine cream and not the big slides at all . Or how about keeping it uncomplicated . pilot a kite at Zilker Park , host a board games party on your rooftop , or broil a cake from scratch . The possibleness are endless , and you might find a fortune of joy in the little things .
Shopping in Austin
Small Businesses
Drinking is expensive stuff , especially in Austin ( $ 23 for a margarita at Aba ? Oh , hell no , sober friends ) . You ’ll bring through megabucks just by drinking gratis and glorious water , which translates to armfuls of merchandise at our city ’s worthysmall businesses . We ’re bragging fans ofNina Berenato Jewelry(and so are Beyonce and Angelina Jolie , who have been spy tire out the ATX interior designer ’s creations ) , but a visit toWaterloo Records , The Little Gay ShoporBook Peopleoffers 60 minutes and hours of graze and bonding time with a bestie . En route back downtown , turn back at the fancyYETI flagshipon Congress to stock up on tumbler for all those non - alcoholic beverage you ’re gon na guzzle this year .
Yoga on the Fareground|Courtesy Swift Fit Events
Zoé Tong|Photo by Mackenzie Smith Kelley
Candlelight Concert|Courtesy Fever
Austin Pets Alive|Photo courtesy of Austin Pets Alive
Waterloo Records|Photo courtesy of Waterloo Records
