May is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy Austin. Warm temperatures and sunny skies create a beautiful backdrop for the city's fun outdoor activities and eclectic attractions--from hiking trails and natural swimming holes to outdoor bars and restaurants, Austin has earned its rep as Texas' coolest city. And don't forget, Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World for a reason: everywhere, from large concert venues to neighborhood bars, always have some great tunes (and beers) on tap. The opportunities are endless in Austin.
Hundreds of concert-goers flock to Zilker Park from May through August to partake in one of Austin’s most beloved traditions: Blues on the Green. It’s a free concert series that pops up during the summer months. Food and drinks are available, or you can always pack your own. Bring a blanket or two and find a nice spot for the night. Like most things in Austin, this is a dog-friendly event. Bring Fido along too.
Take a dip in one of Austin’s iconic pools
2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
With a size of three acres, Barton Springs Pool isn’t your ordinary swimming pool. It’s a freshwater pool fed from a source spring at the bottom. Get there early; it gets busy during the day. If you’re feeling adventurous, head on over at night and swim in cold, dark waters whose true depths cannot be seen by the naked eye after sunset. The pool is free from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night.
Photo courtesy: austintexas.gov
Dripping Springs
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
If you’re looking for a real natural wonder, take a drive about 45 minutes west of Austin, and you’ll find yourself in Dripping Springs, TX, which is home to the beautiful Hamilton Pool Preserve. The pool is a result of a once-underground river that had collapsed, leaving a dome-like shape on the back half of the pool. Bring your swimming clothes and dive into the icy waters below a 50-foot waterfall. Reservations are needed thanks to the pool's undeniable popularity.
Get dirty on famous 6th St. and the Red River Cultural District
6th Street and Red River District
No trip to Austin is complete without a trip to the infamous 6th Street. With two blocks of bars, restaurants, shops, and a weekend party closed to traffic, 6th Street is the place to go for a raunchy night out. Situated in the heart of downtown Austin, it’s conveniently located to the Texas State Capitol building, delicious cuisine, and Lady Bird Lake.
A few blocks away, right past the Austin Convention Center, is the Red River District, another entertainment neighborhood worth exploring. The district boasts some of the city's best live musical performances.