GOT AUSTIN: Summer Happenings | Gottesman Residential
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GOT AUSTIN: Summer Happenings

It’s summertime in Austin, so only thinking about swimming holes and air conditioning hopping is totally normal, right? From festivals to indoor activities to fun for the kiddos, we’ve got your list to experience all that’s happening in Austin this summer.

Mark Your Calendars

Here are a few of our favorite events happening in Austin this summer.

Queso tasting

Quesoff  |  July 27

A celebration of all things melted cheese with vendors going head to head in four categories – meaty, spicy, veggie, and wild card.

Band performing at Sound & Cinema

Sound & Cinema  |  July 31 + August 14

Experience free live and local music combined with classic movies and cult films – all with a beautiful downtown view in the background.

Crowds at ACL

Blues On The Green  |  August 7

Grab your blanket and head to Zilker Park for a family and pet friendly night of homegrown music in a relaxed atmosphere.

People floating on the water watching Jaws

Jaws On The Water  |  Through August 17

A one-of-a-kind experience, watch cinema’s greatest great white with your feet dangling dangerously and deliciously in the water. Every Saturday.

The Little Mermaid sign

The Little Mermaid  |  Through August 17

This free splashy musical adventure is sure to have audiences singing along with their favorite Disney songs! Every Thursday-Sunday.

Bats flying out from under an Austin bridge

Bat Fest  |  August 24

A festival featuring live music, arts and crafts vendors, delicious food and drinks, and 1.5 million bats emerging from under the bridge at dusk.

Blues on the Green

Concerts in The Park  |  Through August 25

Each Sunday a different ensemble of the Austin Symphony will be featured at Hartman Park, performing music from jazz, light classical to pop selections.

A woman sampling hot sauce

Hot Sauce Festival  |  August 25

In addition to the hot sauce competition, this truly Austin food event features tastings from local restaurants, sauces for sale, cookbooks, and of course live music!

Snapshot from Gone With the Wind

Summer Classics  |  Through August 31

Escape the heat and enjoy the well-preserved films and dazzling digital restorations at the Paramount – from romance and comedy, to thrillers, and more.

Make A Splash

Take a dip in one of Austin’s best swimming holes.

Barton Springs greenbelt

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Contains 12.68 miles of gorgeous trails, with the main trail spanning about 7 miles. This particular greenbelt is considered one of the top hiking trails in Texas.

Barton Springs pool

Barton Springs Pool

Socialize, swim, relax, and cool off from the hot Texas sun at Barton Springs Pool where the water stays a cool 68 degrees all year long.

Deep Eddy pool

Deep Eddy Pool

The state’s oldest swimming pool, Deep Eddy, offers lap swimming, wading pool and pool-side movies in the summer.

Green preserve

Hamilton Pool Preserve 

Take a day trip to cool off under the waterfall at Hamilton Pool. Don’t forget to make a reservation.

Natural swimming area in Austin

Krause Springs 

Spend a day or weekend camping and swimming in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Kids playing at a public water park

Pease Park Splash Pad

Not a swimming hole but still offers endless water fun, especially for little kiddos, with a splash pad, playground, and picnic area.

Indoor Fun

Need a break from the heat? Here are a few fun ways to enjoy Austin indoors.

Rock climbing gym

Austin Bouldering Project

Take rock climbing but lose the ropes and harnesses, and you have bouldering. The world’s largest bouldering gym is located in Austin at the Austin Bouldering Project with this 50,000 square foot facility.

The High Ball at Alamo Drafthouse

The Highball

Whether it’s their world-famous themed karaoke rooms, dance parties, or their interactive events – there’s always something awesome going on at The Highball.

Indoor karting

K1 Speed – Indoor Kart Racing

Indoor racing center featuring electric go-karting for all ages and skill levels.

Arcade

Pinballz Arcade 

A family-friendly arcade experience with an assortment of classic and new arcade gameplay. Don’t forget it’s also BYOB!

People doing circus activities

Sky Candy

East Austin’s premier circus and aerial arts training school! Build strength and flexibility while trying out trapeze or learning aerial silks.

Violet Crown sign

Violet Crown Cinema

Locally owned cinema showing indie, documentary and foreign films, with reserved seating, themed coaktails, and a cafe.

Outdoor Fun

Take advantage of Austin’s average 228 sunny days a year and enjoy the great outdoors.

Someone at Austin Flyboard

Austin Flyboard

Fly over Lake Travis like Iron Man with this aquatic extreme sport! Just bring along your sense of adventure and you’ll be hovering in the air and challenging gravity in no time.

LBJ Wildflower Center

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

It doesn’t get much better than having a picnic surrounded by wildflowers. Eat lunch and learn more about the conservation of native plants at this internationally recognized botanic garden.

Zip lining in Austin

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Enjoy the amazing lake views and this outdoor adventure that is fun for people of all ages. They offer five ziplines, the last three being the longest and fastest ziplines in Texas.

People getting ready to go paddle boarding

SUP ATX – Paddleboarding

Rent or have a SUP party on Lady Bird Lake with the largest paddleboard company in the world. No reservations necessary, just show up!

Fun outdoor pool

Volente Beach Resort + Waterpark

Boasting over 4 acres of Lake Travis waterfront, this boutique waterpark offers four slide attractions, a private beach, two pools, indoor and outdoor dining, bungalows for overnight stays plus so much more.

Top Golf

Topgolf

Wheather it’s with the whole family or just a night out with friends, Topgolf is a sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range and swanky lounge with drinks and games.

Kidville

Even the youngest among us can enjoy Austin. Here are some great activities geared towards kids.

Austin Nature Center sign

Austin Nature and Science Center

Austin’s 80-acre nature center features free hands-on educational exhibits including replicas of fossils, dinosaur tracks, and awesome wildlife.

Animals at the Austin Zoo

Austin Zoo

The Austin Zoo is a non-profit rescue zoo where families can visit and learn about their rescued animals. Be sure to buy a bag of food to feed the goats!

Peter Pan mini golf

Peter Pan Mini-Golf

Operating since 1946, this cash-only family attraction feature a variety of characters, obstacles, and surprises on two 18-hole courses.

Roller rink

Playland Skate Center

Roller skating rink offering the finest in skating entertainment with an impressive light show, fog machine and state of the art sound system playing a wide variety of music.

Kidville

Thinkery: Austin Children’s Museum

An evolution of the Austin Children’s Museum, Thinkery is Austin’s home for “why” and “how.” It’s a place where science and families play side by side.

Zilker Zephyr train station

Zilker Zephyr

After playing on the playground, hop on Zilker Park’s miniature train, which provides a 20-25 minute train ride around the park. Bring cash!