With its flourishing economy, a vibrant local culture, a great music scene, outdoor adventures galore and a foodie’s paradise, there’s no place quite like Austin, Texas. If you’ve always wanted to visit, then Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to experience all that the city has to offer. There are plenty of activities and entertainment happening and the people are warm and welcoming.
To make it easier to plan your trip, we’ve put together some of our favorite things to do in Austin!
Music and Entertainment
Austin is known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’, so you can be sure there are going to be some excellent concerts and musical performances happening during Labor Day weekend. Catch the soulful tunes of Texan native Josh Weathers or check out the indie-rock band Flamingos in the Tree. The popular Mexican norteño band, Grupo Duelo is also set to perform during the weekend.
Aug 31, 2024: Josh Weathers, Crow & Gazelle- ACL Live at 3TEN
Sep 1, 2024: FLAMINGOS IN THE TREE with INOHA and Flight By Nothing- ACL Live at 3TEN
Sep 1, 2024: Regiomax Presenta Grupo Duelo Evitame La Pena Tour 2024- Live at the Moody Theater
And if you decide to extend your weekend, and who could blame you if you did, then you could watch the iconic Twenty One Pilots at the Moody Center on September 3.
We suggest checking the Austin City Limits website for any changes and updates to the concerts.
To hear some local bands and explore the nightlife that Austin is known for, make your way to 6th Street or the Red River District. These lively neighborhoods are where you can catch musical performances that span genres and venues, discover new bars, go dancing and more. Before you end the night, grab a bite from the eateries in the area that serve everything from pizza and ramen to Texas BBQ.
Outdoor Adventures
Zilker Metropolitan Park extends over 350 acres and is located at the juncture of Barton Creek and the Colorado River. At Austin’s oldest park you can find a host of things to do on Labor Day weekend. Go kayaking on Lady Bird Lake or enjoy the serene, themed gardens at Zilker Botanical Garden.
If you are looking to connect with nature, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails around Austin that are worth exploring. Head to Barton Creek Greenbelt to take in the natural beauty, rugged terrain and limestone cliffs. Another popular spot is Emma Long Metropolitan Park, located in northwest Austin. You can go boating and swimming here and there are even camping and picnic spots.
Speaking of swimming, if you want to cool off you could visit Deep Eddy Pool or Barton Springs Municipal Pool for a refreshing dip.
Family Fun
Austin is very family friendly. The Austin Zoo focuses on conservation and education and houses nearly 300 animals including lions, bears and zebras. Get up close with porcupines, reptiles and more during private animal encounters.
The city is also home to the Thinkery, a children’s museum. Filled with interactive exhibits, STEM-focused experiments and innovating displays, it is definitely cool fun on a hot afternoon. Another popular museum is the Bullock Texas State History Museum. You can learn all about the ‘Lone Star State’, while exploring three floors of galleries that delve into the history, culture and industry of Texas. The museum also hosts special programs, has an IMAX theater, cafe and shop.
If you have young children, head to Pikopye’s Town, an imaginative indoor play town. Little kids will love the child-size town that has a hair salon, restaurant and car workshop among other things.
There are plenty of parks and playgrounds in the city where the whole family can unwind. One of our favorites is the Alliance Children’s Garden, near downtown, with its climbing wall, swings, turf-covered mounds and sand pit. There’s also Roy G. Guerrero playground and park where you can enjoy a picnic and relax while the children play in the enclosed play area.
Culinary paradise
While in Austin, you definitely need to dig into some delicious barbecue and Tex-Mex food. But that’s not all. The city boasts a diverse culinary scene and a variety of dining options from food trucks to top-notch restaurants.
Neighborhoods like South Congress and the Domain are a foodie’s dream. You could start your morning with a cup of coffee and a breakfast taco here. For lunch choose from handmade burgers, Cuban food or even Mediterranean dishes. In the evening, check out the bars and pubs where you can sip on a margarita while listening to foot tapping music.
If you want a more formal dining experience, opt for a sushi meal at Uchi or head to a favorite such as Odd Duck where you can sample innovative dishes featuring local ingredients.
Do not miss visiting a kolache shop. While this traditional Czech pastry is usually sweet and filled with fruit, you can also find savory versions that contain meat or sausage. This is a quintessential Austin snack and you can’t leave the city without trying a few.
Off the Beaten Path
There’s plenty of the weird and wonderful in Austin. Check out the Cathedral of Junk, which is a gigantic sculpture that is decorated with everything from toys and tires to building materials, car parts and more. Located in the backyard where the artist and curator lives, the sculpture is constantly evolving.
The Museum of the Weird has delightfully bizarre exhibits and displays. With its wide variety of weird memorabilia and oddities such as the wax figures, this museum is far from boring.
Another one-of-a-kind Austin experience is visiting the bats that live under the Congress Avenue Bridge. At around sunset, watch as thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats pour out from beneath the bridge.
If you’re on the lookout for unique activities that are less on the weird side, then consider riding the adorable mini train at Zilker Metropolitan Park. You could also watch a movie at the iconic Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which serves food and drinks directly to your seat for a unique viewing experience.
Labor Day Weekend will also see ‘The Lone Star Le Mans’ back in town. The six-hour-long endurance race will take place around Austin’s multipurpose Formula 1 racetrack on September 1 and promises a thrilling experience.
Don’t Miss
- Catching a concert in Austin, the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’
- Spending a couple of hours at Zilker Metropolitan Park with its beautiful grounds, picnic spots and more
- Visiting a kolache shop to try the traditional Czech pastry
It is easy to fall in love with Austin considering everything it has to offer. If you would like to know more about life in this city, check out our ‘Guide to Moving and Living in Austin’.