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More Things to do in Austin, including Tours, Layover, and Overnight Ideas


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Things To Do in Austin & Austin Bergstrom Airport Layover Ideas


Austin things to do

Things to do in Austin if you have a Austin Bergstrom Airport Layover or Extended Austin Bergstrom Airport Stopover


If you have an extended layover at the Austin Bergstrom Airport or staying in town, why not consider getting out with some fun activities? We list a few here and there are many more on Austin.LayoverIdeas.com.


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Take in some music


AUS Airport is a great place to pass time on a layover. Past security, for the exclusive benefit of passengers, Austin Bergstrom Airport has 5 live music stages with more than 20 performances scheduled every week. If you find tourself here between a week 11:00-17:30, Monday-Friday, there is probably a concert going on.


Venues:


  • Earl Campbell's Sports Bar, Gate 13, 15:30 to 17:30, Monday - Friday 
  • Waterloo Records / Austin City Limits, Gate 13, 13:00 to 15:00, Friday 
  • The Saxon Pub and Grub, Gate 5, 15:00 - 17:00, Monday - Friday 
  • Annie's Cafe & Bar, Gate 18, 13:00 to 15:00, Monday - Friday 
  • Ruta Maya, Gate 18, 11:00 to 13:00, Thursday and Friday

 

The schedule is subject to change, so check for updates: Live Music Schedule

Go for a Bike Ride


While the westside of Austin is hilly, streets mildly slope towards the river in the centre of town. you will find bike lanes on some major streets. Biking is possible year-round, and best October to April (during May to September, the higher temperatures mean greater humidity, which some may find uncomfortable). 


Options for getting a bike to ride:


  • If you are travelling with a bike, you are all set!
  • If you see one of the yellow bikes from the Yellow Bike Project, feel free to ride it to your destination and leave it for the next person (bikes are not locked, and you ride at your own risk)
  • Rent a bike from a local bike shop
  • Rent an electric bike (great for those hills!) - reserve an electric bike
  • Take an electric bike tour - some options below

Visit Lady Bird Lake


Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) is a reservoir on the Colorado River in downtown Austin, and it is used for both flood control and recreation. The lake's shoreline is home to the Auditorium Shores park and the Austin Hike and Bike Trail. You can rent a canoe or kayak, or explore the area on foot or by bicycle.

Get Your Fill at the Whole Foods Flagship Store


Austin is home of the original Whole Foods grocery store, and the world headquarters. The Whole Foods flagship store is located downtown (W. 6th St. and Lamar), and is a destination in and of itself. The "mothership" (as locals call it) boasts six mini-restaurants. Headquarters are upstairs.

Stroll the Capitol


The Texas State Capitol is beautiful, wrapped in Texas pink granite. Texans take pride in the fact that their State Capitol building is a full 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. The Texas State Capitol is welcoming, and open to the public 7 days a week. It's interesting to stroll the halls, peek into the legislature chambers, and look at the paintings and sculptures. Best of all, it's free!

Ride the Train


The Austin Steam Train Association, runs tours aboard the Hill Country Flyer steam train in and around Texas Hill Country. The train makes a short 1/2 hour jaunt, as well as a 50 kilometre (30 miles) circuit. But, alas, it's not a steam train at the moment... it is been out of commission, undergoing refurbishment. The train currently uses a borrowed diesel engine. Weekends, March through December.

See the Austin Bats!


Austin Bats. Yes, that's right, bats. Austin's Congress Avenue bridge is home to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, the largest urban bat colony in the world. The bats are active at dusk, between March and November. The best place to see the bats is near the Austin American Statesman's parking lot. You can also take a boat tour, or a Segway tour, to see them from underneath the bridge.

As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to the Austin Bergstrom Airport in time for your connection and enjoy your layover city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.



 More Austin Bergstrom Airport Transfer & Airport Connection Options



Last Updated: 4 Jan 2024