Things to Do in Austin When it Rains

Texas State Capital Austin is the live music capital of the world. Boasting over 250 live music venues, all jam-packed with events year-long, this town is in a musical atmosphere every day. In addition, it is home to unique parks, lakes, raceways, and museums that attract tourists worldwide.

Nothing will stop you from exploring this Texan town, including rain. You won’t have to be cooped up in your hotel room and waste your day away. There are several things to do in Austin when it rains, ranging from museum visits to indoor tours. Check out these handpicked activities for passing time while waiting for sunny weather.

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Step Back in Time at Bullock Texas State History Museum

• Address: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
• Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram, Official X

Telling the story of Texas’ arts, culture, and history, the gigantic building of Bullock Texas State History Museum symbolizes Austin. It will be an excellent gateway to the museum when there is a heavy downpour outside. Imagine being surrounded by thousand-year collections; it will feel like entering a different era.

This museum has special exhibitions throughout the year, so you might see new artifacts every time you visit. If you feel bored, head to the IMAX Theater, which is also in the building. Catch your favorite movies or shows and spend 2-3 hours watching them.

Finally, don’t forget to click pictures in front of the 10-meter tall giant bronze star. It is a famous photo spot in the museum.

Learn a Thing or Two at the Mexic-Arte Museum

• Address: 419 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
• Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10 AM – 6 PM; Friday-Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM; Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Make your Austin trip educational with a visit to the Mexic-Arte Museum. Learn about Mexican, Latin American, and Latino arts and culture from the museum’s helpful guides. Moreover, catch the latest exhibition show by checking its calendar. You will get more than what you bargained for here.

Mexic-Arte Museum has been in business since 1984. It receives over 75,000 visitors from around the globe each year. The museum has many historical pieces, permanent collections, and contemporary works. The library houses many rare books that are not found anywhere else.

Likewise, the museum’s upcoming exhibition, Creating Eucuentros: Changarrito 2012-2024 exhibition, will be held on April 12 at 6 PM. Hurry up and add visiting this place to your travel plan.

Admire the Murals of HOPE Outdoor Gallery

• Address: 1100 Baylor St, Austin, Texas, 7870
• New Address: Across From The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram

Who would have thought an abandoned condominium would be turned into an outdoor gallery with colorful graffiti? Hope Campaign launched the HOPE Outdoor Gallery in March 2010 at the failed condo development area, The Foundation.

Contemporary artist Shepard Fairey painted the first mural on the gallery’s bare wall. Soon, thousands of painters added their works, turning the gallery into the largest outdoor graffiti wall in Texas. It was also a hub for hosting concerts and live music events.

Unfortunately, the gallery was closed on January 2, 2019. The building is now being developed across from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Still, visitors can see murals of artists in the old location.

SeaToBelieve at Austin Aquarium

• Address: 13530 N. Highway 183 #101, Austin, TX 78750
• Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10 AM – 7 PM; Friday-Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook

Housing thousands of marine animals, including various fish species and amphibians, Austin Aquarium is the one place you don’t want to miss out on. It has been a family entertainment center in the region since 2014. Kids especially love this place as there are many kid-friendly activities here.

Children can feed the fish and pet baby animals and birds. Austin Aquarium has recently added adorable ring-tailed lemurs. Next, they can interact with and take snaps with the mermaids. This establishment also offers princess makeovers for little girls, providing princess dresses and makeup.

Visitors can buy snacks and drinks in this aquarium. Whether you crave hot dogs, chicken nuggets, or pizzas, this place has them all.

Enjoy 3D Virtual Tours at the Austin Convention Center

• Address: 500 E. Cesar Chavez St. Austin, TX 78701
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM
• Social Media: Official Site

Located at the heart of Austin, this state-of-the-art convention center has been an ultimate tourist destination since the 1990s. It’s a gigantic building with fifty-four meeting rooms, two ballrooms, and 247,052 exhibit space. Hundreds of conferences and festivals are organized here annually.

Stop by the gift shop or retail kiosk to buy souvenirs to take home. Feeling hungry? Head to Atrium Cafe for a quick coffee fix and something to munch on. They have diverse food options. Moreover, if you are at the building for business purposes, you can use the complimentary computers at the business center.

Austin Convention Center is conveniently located near hotels and significant Austin attractions. When the rain stops, you can continue your outdoor adventures.

Snap Pictures in Front of Texas Governor’s Mansion

• Address: 1010 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701
• Opening Hours: 2 PM – 4 PM
• Entry Fee: Free Entry

Austin’s historic landmark, Texas Governor’s Mansion, has been home to Texas governors and their families since the 1850s. While the public could only admire this gorgeous building from the outside previously, it is now open for free guided tours. However, you must make your reservation at least a week before.

Visitors get 30 minutes to tour the mansion, which has twenty-five rooms and seven bathrooms. They can only tour the formal rooms and see antique furniture and decor. Moreover, the building is surrounded by lush gardens, where you can take pictures for keepsakes.

Visit the Historic Texas Capitol

• Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, Texas 78701
• Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 7 AM – 8 PM; Saturday-Sunday: 9 AM – 8 PM
• Entry Fee: Free Entry

You will have plenty of time left after your trip to The Governor’s Mansion. You can continue visiting Austin’s historic landmark, the Texas Capitol. They also offer free tours that last for thirty minutes. You can enjoy a self-guided tour by taking a pamphlet from the Capitol Visitors Center or Capitol Information and Guide Service room.

The three-story building has 400 beautifully decorated rooms with elegant and ornate details, including brass door hinges. Public galleries are situated on the third floor, where you can admire paintings and sculptures. However, some rooms, such as the House Speaker’s Apartment and the Secretary of State’s Office, are not open to the public.

If you thought the Texas State Capitol’s interior was marvelous, wait until you see its breathtaking exterior. The building has 22 acres of grounds with lawns, trees, and 22 monuments. You can have picnics and snap photos with your family on the Capitol Grounds.

Soak in the Rain at Congress Avenue Bridge

A little rain never hurts anyone. The best time to visit the Congress Avenue Bridge is usually between March and April when the hot season is the best. At that time, you can see bat pups learning to fly. However, this bridge is equally beautiful in the rainy season, too.

Imagine soaking in light rain while visiting this bridge with your significant other. It will be a romantic getaway where you can film your rain scene. The bridge won’t be very crowded during the rainy weather, so enjoy a peaceful time with your partner.

Embark on a Spooky Ghost Tour at 6th Street

Austin’s infamous 6th Street is lively not just in summer but also offers many experiences on rainy days. This large entertainment district has four hubs: Red River District, West 6th Street, East 6th Street, and Old 6th Street. Each area offers a unique experience to visitors.

While you can’t enjoy live music events on rainy days, you can explore the indoor music scene in the Red River District. Looking for nightlife? Head to pubs and bars on Old 6th Street. They have the best upscale restaurants offering the finest dining services.

West 6th Street and East 6th Street offer hipster settings with dive bars, art galleries, outdoor patio ice houses, and shopping centers. Wandering down the old neighborhoods offers a laid-back environment.

Also, warm up your body with spooky ghost tours around 6th Street on cold, rainy days. Scavenger hunts and murder mystery adventures are the norm among the people here. Overall, 6th Street is the best destination at any time of the year.

Seek Shelter from Rain at Texas State Cemetery

• Address: 909 Navasota Street, Austin, Texas 78702
• Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
• Social Media: Official Website

If you are stuck outside while it’s raining, you might as well visit the Texas State Cemetery. Its green surroundings look picturesque after a good wash from the rainwater. This place is only a few blocks away from the Texas Capitol and is easily accessible.

This cemetery has been a final resting place for individuals who significantly contributed to Texas. Many governors, judges, senators, legislators, authors, first ladies, rangers, and legendary Texans have been buried here. Monuments are also erected for the Texas Armed Forces.

This state cemetery offers solo and group tours. However, they may be canceled in the event of a funeral. Visitors are forbidden from rubbing or vandalizing headstones and monuments, and they can not take their pets to the cemetery grounds.

Wait for the Rain to Stop at Driskill Hotel

• Address: 604 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701
• Bookings Available: Booking.com, Agoda
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook

You don’t have to be cooped up inside when it rains in Austin. But staying indoors isn’t so bad in a luxurious hotel like the Driskill. The Romanesque-styled establishment is the only hotel on 6th Street. It’s close to major city attractions, including the Texas Capitol, shopping centers, and the Austin Convention Center.

The Driskill offers 189 spacious guestrooms. Like its exterior, the hotel’s suites are tastefully decorated in classic style with a modern touch. Their most booked rooms are the Cattle Baron Suite, the Lyndon B. Johnson Suite, and the Brazos and Governor’s Suite. This establishment is also pet-friendly.

This hotel has an on-site coffee house, bar, and restaurant, offering the finest dining service to its guests. The 1886 Cafe & Bakery is open for breakfast and lunch and serves traditional Texas comfort food. On the other hand, The Driskill Grill offers diverse dishes and is open for dinner hours.

Finally, The Driskill Bar is available after dinner hours. Guests can enjoy their drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. You can order beverages, from beers and wines to cocktails and mocktails.

Shop and Dine at the 2nd Street District

Make the most of your trip by exploring the dining and shopping hubs on 2nd Street. This district houses many boutiques, trendy shops, and award-winning restaurants. Once you arrive, you won’t even realize how fast time flies.

2nd Street is the ultimate shopping destination, with many locally owned shops. You will find everything from women’s clothing, accessories, beauty products, and men’s clothing to groceries and fruits. Shop till you drop at Shop Luxe, League of Rebels, Austin Rocks, Eliza Page, Urban Outfitters, United Apparel Liquidators, etc.

Also, don’t forget to explore these award-winning eateries:

• La Condensa: 400A West 2nd Street; Monday-Thursday: 5 PM – 10 PM; Friday: 5 PM – 11 PM
• Taverna: 258 W. 2nd Street, Austin; 11 AM – 11 PM
• 3 Forks: 111 Lavaca Street; Sunday: 5 PM – 9 PM; Monday-Thursday: 5 PM – 10 PM; Friday-Saturday: 5 PM – 11 PM
• Lamberts: 401 W. 2nd Street; Sunday-Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM; Friday-Saturday: 11 AM – 10:30 PM
• Sweetgreen: 200 West 2nd Street; 10:30 AM – 9 PM
• Yummi Joy: 403 West 2nd Street; 10 AM – 9 PM

As you can see, Austin has many things to do when it rains. As you continue to explore these options, you might find more activities. But, in a nutshell, you won’t be left with nothing to do, and bad weather won’t put a damper on your travel plans.

After the skies clear and the sun comes back up, explore outdoor activities like tubing and kayaking in Barton Springs. Or you can go on bike tours around Lady Bird Lake. There are also wine tastings and brewery tours in the Texas Hill Country.