The hot, sunny days are drawing to a close, making way for a cool and fresh autumn, the perfect recipe for an exciting road trip to Austin, the Capitol of Texas. But wait.. “What's in Austin?” you might be asking. In 3 words, ALL THE THINGS. From performing arts to museums and more, it's easy to keep yourself and your family occupied in this beautiful city that prides itself at being kinda quirky and "weird".
With its rolling hills, funky vibe, warm hospitality, and family-friendly amenities, there's plenty to do indoors and outdoors to make Austin a perfect escape from The Woodlands. The best part? It's only a 2.5-hour drive, so you can make this a day trip (I’ve done it before!) if you don't want to splurge on a hotel room.
Here are some Editor's picks for visiting Austin this season: Photo credits: Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau
VISIT ANYTIME
Texas State Capitol - 1100 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX
Have a free tour of an architectural marvel - the beautiful and stately Texas State Capitol, widely recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished state capitols. Guided tours and self-guided tours of the Capitol and Grounds are offered daily. The Capitol is open year-round, with closures on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
EVERY WEEKEND
Local Farmers Markets - Various locations
Like The Woodlands, Austin features irresistible outdoor markets - more than 40 - in and around town every week. You'll hit the jackpot with seasonally-harvested produce, artisan goods, free range eggs, homemade baked goods, and abundant food trucks. We recommend THIS WEBSITE to find all the events. Pack cooler bags / ice packs if you plan to return home with perishables.
VISIT ANYTIME
Wonderspaces - 1205 Sheldon CV, Suite 2-A, Austin, TX
We haven't officially vetted this place yet, but according to their website, Wonderpsaces features extraordinary works of immersive, interactive, and conversation-provoking art from around the world. Younger kids might find this exhibit boring after a short while, but perhaps your teens will enjoy it. Check them out online and see if it's a good fit for your fam.
VISIT ANYTIME
Zilker Park - 2100 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX
Spend the day at Zilker Park, Austin's oldest and largest metropolitan park. Pack a picnic, ride a miniature train, play on the playground, walk through the botanical gardens, take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, and more.
AS SCHEDULED
Select UT Game Days This Fall
It's University of Texas football season, so let's get ready for some football! If you're a UT fan, a trip to Austin can put you in the middle of the cheering action as the Longhorns take on their adversaries. Home games take at D.K.R. Texas Memorial Stadium on select Saturdays from August to November. Click here to see the schedule.
September 7, 2024
Community Day at the Long Center - 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX
Community Day a smallish community block party with free admission that takes place at the Long center, but worth the visit if you're in town on September 7. Look forward to live performances, KIDosky crafts & games, music, food trucks, and more, plus a special return of Long Center favorite BubblePalooza, presented by H-E-B, taking over the H-E-B Terrace! Here's the link to RSVP.
September 7, 2024
Bat Fest - 100 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX
Do you know about the famous bats of Congress Avenue Bridge? On September 7, the world's largest urban bat colony (1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats which take up seasonal residence beneath the Ann Richard's Congress Street Bridge) will take to the skies for their nightly flight, in the midst of the annual Bat Fest. Bring the family for live music, food, children's activities, a costume contest, and more.
September 14-15, 2024
Pecan Street Festival – Downtown Austin
In Austin, local artists abound! Visit one of the largest, and longest-running, arts/crafts and music festivals in the nation! The Pecan Street Festival takes place September 14-15, 2024 and features an impressive line-up of live music, dozens of food vendors, a petting zoo, and kids activities & rides. The juried festival attracts hundreds of local and national artisans offering original handcrafted creations in a variety of mediums, from metal, wood, fiber, clay, leather, glass and stone to repurposed materials of all kinds.
Photo credit: Will Taylor, LostinAustin.org
September 19 - October 31, 2024
Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms – Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin, TX
Walk through a half-mile path where you’ll enjoy activations around different themes, all built from over 7,500 hand-carved pumpkins, and different light formations! The family-friendly event includes a few spooky elements such as fog machines, giant pumpkin spiders, and skeletons, but you won’t find any jump scares or gore. There’s also a village with food, drinks and entertainment like fire dancers.
September 22, 2024
Austin Museum Day – Various locations including Thinkery and Blanton Museum of Art
Visit Austin museums for free! On Saturday, September 22, you can enjoy dozens of Austin Area Museums for free in a celebration of art, culture, history, music, nature, science, and play! Thinkery (pictured below, photo credit: Thinkery), an amazing children's museum in Austin, is on the participant list, so if you're traveling with little ones, be sure to stop in!
Note - Austin museums are very much worth visiting on days when admission is NOT free, so if you can't make it on Sept 22, no sweat!
Another museum we recommend is Blanton Museum of Art. It's a picturesque art museum, and once a month (every second weekend) they host Blanton All Day, a full day featuring storytime, art talks, music, food, and more! You can pack a picnic or purchase food and drinks for sale at the venu.
Images courtesy of Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau and Blanton Museum of Art
Upcoming fall dates for Blanton All Day: September 15, October 12, November 10, December 14. Here's a YouTube video:
September 29, 20924
Disney Jr Live on Tour – Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Mickey is getting ready for the biggest playdate ever at the Clubhouse with all his favorite pals including Minnie and Goofy, the Puppy Dog Pals, Ginny and Bitsy from SuperKitties and Ariel from Disney Jr.’s Ariel, but mysterious weather keeps interrupting the fun. Can Team Spidey from Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends find out who is behind this and help save the playdate? NOTE: Disney Jr Live on Tour also takes place a bit closer to home in Sugar Land, TX on October 4.
September 29, 2024
123 ANDRÉS at The State Theater, 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX
Andrés and Christina are the Grammy-winning music duo 123 Andrés, and their songs and concerts get the whole family singing and learning in Spanish and English.
BEYOND SEPTEMBER 2024
Planning to visit Austin later this fall? There's plenty to do, but here are a few WoodlandsMommy.com Editor's Picks for your visit with little ones:
October 4-6
Austin City Limits Music Festival - 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Music aficianodos, this one's for you, ACL happens twice a year, and we recommend going as often as you can to get an earful of Austin musicians and a mouthful of good eats! Children ages 8 and under can attend the festival for free when accompanied by a paid ticketed adult.* The limit is two children per ticketed adult. 
October 8-13, 2024
MJ The Musical - Broadway show at Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin
Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to you as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-winning musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. This is a fun, eye-opening show that features many of Jackson's hits! Recommended for ages 8 and up. If you didn't see this outstanding musical at the Hobby Center Houston last year, here's another chance!
October 18-20, 2024
Formula 1 US Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin
Be there when it’s lights out in Austin, and witness history unfold at the 40th Formula 1 race in the Lone Star State. Experience an F1 Sprint as well as unforgettable performances on the Germania Insurance Super Stage by Grammy-Award winners Eminem and Sting. Children 3 and under receive complimentary Grounds Passes for general admission access.
November 17, 2024
Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny, The Paramount Theatre - 713 Congress Avenue, Austin
Two beloved picture books from Margaret Wise Brown are brought to life by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia (The Rainbow Fish in 2023), and their enchanting puppetry. 
