Things to do in Austin

United States·275 bookable experiences

Austin is an outdoors city with a music habit, so the useful question is rarely what to do but when. The tours worth booking are the ones that buy you access or skip a line — a room with the good act on tonight, a boat on Lady Bird Lake, a barbecue crawl that visits three pits in the time one queue would take.

Hostbnb earns a commission when you book through the links on this page. It never changes what you pay, and we only list what Viator can actually sell you today — prices and availability come straight from their catalogue.

Most booked in Austin

Ordered the way Viator ranks them, which reflects what travellers actually book.

Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Lake Austin Sunset Boat Cruise – 1 - Hour Scenic Tour BYOB

4.8 (469)1h

The Best Sunset Cruise on Lake Austin! This 1-hour BYOB boat tour offers stunning sunset views while cruising past Mount Bonnell, Pennybacker Bridge, and Austin’s most exclusive waterfront homes. Unmatched Sunset Views…

from $39 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Guided Sunset Bat Kayak Tour in Austin

4.7 (253)2h

Join our guides for the ultimate bat watching experience! Our Sunset Bat Tour offers stunning views of the Downtown Austin Skyline, fun facts about the local bat colony, and the chance to see the 1.5 million Mexican…

from $55 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

1 hr Lake Austin Boat Cruise. BYOB (Shared - Single Tickets)

4.8 (202)1h

(PICKUP and DROPOFF location: 5019 N. Capital of Texas Highway.) Set out on a one-of-a-kind journey across the pristine waters of Lake Austin where natural beauty meets luxury living. Glide through the heart of the…

from $39 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Austin Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket

4.2 (31)1h

A ticket to Museum of Illusions Austin is more than admission — it’s a pass into a world where reality twists and imagination takes over. Every ticket includes full access to 50+ interactive illusion rooms, endless…

from $37.95 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation

Austin Food Tour with Authentic Flavors, Tacos & 5 Food Tastings

4.8 (1,073)3h

Join us on our Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin and let our expert guides and your taste buds take you on a culinary adventure through the bustling streets in the heart of the live music capital of the world.…

from $86.49 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Downtown Austin Sunset Kayak Tour with 1.5 Million Bats

4.9 (249)2h 30m

Welcome to Austin's #1 Booked Experience. This 2.5 hour kayaking trip through downtown is magical. We start by paddling the length of the Austin skyline during the golden hour, then stop to watch the sunset. We then get…

from $59 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Kayak Rentals on Lady Bird Lake

4.7 (18)2h

Located right in downtown Austin, we offer the most scenic views of Lady Bird Lake. This paddle on your own adventure allows you to see Austin from a whole new perspective from your single kayak. On your journey you…

from $40 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Best of Austin Small-Group Driving Tour with Local Guide

4.9 (2,394)2h

Austin’s favorite “bucket list tour” offers an excellent city overview in just 2 hours. Visit major landmarks, lesser-known gems that only a local would know about, real neighborhoods, and even a sweet treat! Your…

from $53.04 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Lake Austin Boat Cruise 1.5 Hour Scenic Tour BYOB Per Person

4.7 (97)1h 30m

The Best Cruise on Lake Austin! This 1.5 -hour BYOB boat tour offers stunning views while cruising past Mount Bonnell, Pennybacker Bridge, and Austin’s most exclusive waterfront homes. Unmatched Views & Live Music –…

from $49 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Clear Kayak Sunset Glow Tour

4.9 (283)1h 15m

Experience the enchantment of illuminated night paddling in the pristine, crystal-clear waters of San Marcos, Texas. Glide alongside the endangered Texas Wild Rice, and watch in awe as beavers, fish, deer, bats, and a…

from $70 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation

Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour

4.7 (1,146)1h 23m

Learn all about Austin and its rich history while enjoying an awesome view of the city from the top of a double-decker bus. You get the best views of Austin from our unobstructed upper deck, making this the best tour…

from $36.81 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

1 Hour Private Electric Duffy Cruise on Lake Austin

5.0 (35)1h

Experience Lake Austin in chic comfort aboard the only air-conditioned boat on the lake. Our elegant Duffy features floor-to-ceiling window panes for panoramic views of the stunning waterfront homes, whether you’re…

from $200 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Lake Austin Private Party Boat 2-Hour Swim, BYOB, Lily Pad

4.9 (123)2h

Cruise Lake Austin on a private pontoon party boat reserved exclusively for your group, with time to swim, float, relax, and enjoy your favorite drinks on the water. Perfect for birthdays, bachelorette and bachelor…

from $485 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle

4.9 (1,010)4h 30m

Searching for an affordable and fun way to get out to the famous Salt Lick BBQ and two (2) beautiful Texas Hill Country wineries? Look no further! This Hill Country BBQ and Wine Shuttle is great for solo travelers,…

from $74.69 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Public Pedal Pub Tour in Austin

4.7 (35)2h

*Please arrive 30 minutes early for check-in* We are a great BYOB tour for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate events, weddings, reunions and date nights. Pedal-powered by you and your friends! Each bike…

from $39 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

1 Hour Paddle Board Rental on Lake Austin Per Person

5.0 (6)1h

Enjoy the best Paddle boarding that Austin has to offer. Stop by the must experience Mozarts Coffee and Roasters before/after embarking on an Paddle Board rental. We have an Artificial Turf Beach where you load into and…

from $20 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line

5.0 (30)3h

Six barbecue stops in East Austin — including a MICHELIN One Star joint and two Bib Gourmand smokehouses — with skip-the-line access at every one and an air-conditioned ride between them. No walking in Texas heat, no…

from $175 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

2 hr Sunset Boat Cruise on Lake Austin. BYOB (Single Tickets)

4.7 (85)2h

Join us for a scenic sunset evening on the water! the perfect blend of relaxation, stunning views, and a touch of adventure. Cruise along the lake as the sun dips behind the rolling Texas Hill Country, painting the sky…

from $86 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Lake Austin Sunset Boat Ride

4.6 (22)1h

Experience the best of Lake Austin on this BYOB Sunset Cruise. Relax as your captain navigates past Mount Bonnell, Austin Country Club, and the iconic 360 Bridge, with music, cold drinks, and unbeatable views. Perfect…

from $35 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Half-Day Hill Country Wine Shuttle From Austin

4.9 (353)4h 30m

Love wine but don’t want to pay high prices for a private wine tour? This is the one for you! Our Austin/Hill Country Wine Shuttle takes you on a journey to see the beautiful variety Austin has to offer, both…

from $74.69 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour

4.3 (247)2h

Ghosts, Gunslingers, and Good Times: An Austin Pub Crawl Through History (21+) Uncover the weird and wicked history of Austin's Old West on our haunted pub crawl. This 21+ adventure takes you on a fascinating journey…

from $34.99 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Haunted Austin Walking History Tour

4.7 (963)1h 30m

Descend into the cover of darkness in the iconic city of Austin, TX with a nationally acclaimed storyteller. Your expert guide will keep your small group scared and entertained during this 90-minute walking tour with…

from $30 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation

Austin Good Vibes E-Bike Tours

5.0 (455)2h

Our tours have 100% 5 star reviews on Tripadvisor, Google and Airbnb. Whether for a regular group, custom private tour or corporate team building, Good Vibes Tours always delivers an unforgettable experience. Welcome to…

from $78 / personView details
Book on Viator
Free cancellation

Enjoy a Guided Walking Food Tour in the Heart of Austin

5.0 (34)2h 30m

Your tour will be led by a foodie. These tours have been validated and enjoyed by your guide and your guide wants to share what is delicious about Austin. Bring an appetite and your walking shoes. This will be a fun…

from $98 / personView details

Questions travellers ask

How do I avoid the barbecue queue in Austin?
Go on a weekday, arrive well before opening, or book a guided crawl — the tours below hold the place in line and visit two or three pits in an afternoon, which is faster than queueing once.
Is a live music tour worth it in Austin?
It is if you want a specific genre or the smaller rooms east and south of downtown. Walking Sixth Street is free and gets you whatever happens to be playing; a guide gets you the act worth hearing.
When can I see the bats at Congress Avenue Bridge?
Roughly spring through fall, around sunset. Several kayak and boat trips are timed to put you underneath the bridge as they emerge, which is the better view.

Planning the rest of the trip?

An Austin travel guide: the swimming holes, the barbecue, the live music and the bat bridge — what the city is famous for and how to see it in a weekend.

The Austin area guide, for travellers

Hosting in Austin?

How to start and run an Airbnb in Austin: which licence type your address qualifies for, what registration and taxes involve, seasonal demand, and the City offices to call.

The Austin city guide, for hosts

Prices and availability last checked 2026-09-13. Both are confirmed on Viator before you pay.