Things To Do IN Austin Near Campus

As the state’s capital, the eclectic and bustling city of Austin offers students a wide range of things to do both on and off-campus. From rushing a sorority or fraternity to choir or rugby, there are hundreds of on-campus clubs for students to join. Take part in cheering on the Texas Longhorns, one of the nation’s powerhouse college football teams and part of the SEC! Grab your orange and white gear, get your friends together, and tailgate before the game! Attend one of the various events held by the University, like the Blockbuster Film Series, where you can see free films in the Texas Union every Friday, or catch concerts and plays at The Performing Arts Center.

Austin is a lively city with a huge live-music scene, and throughout the year the city hosts many events and concerts, like SXSW. Austin is warm year-round, so take advantage of the great weather and do something outside! There are many lakes and parks in and surrounding the city where students can go kayaking, like Lady Bird Lake. Grab a bite to eat at Salty Sow or take a brewery tour at Austin Beerworks or St. Elmo Brewing Company. Spend a weekend at one of the various museums and galleries, like the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Blanton Museum of Art. Head to Guadalupe Street (located on the western edge of UTA), also known as The Drag, for shopping and food by day and a place to go out at night.

Highlights include:

Cheering on the Longhorns
Check out the local music scene
Going for a walk in Emma Long Park
Visit Lady Bird Lake or Barton Springs Pool
Take a Brewery tour (If you're over 21)

Dining

To take a break and unwind from classes, students at the University of Texas-Austin like to meet up for food and drinks. With so many restaurants and bars in Austin, it’s hard to decide what places you and your friends are going to want to hit up. Luckily for you, we found a lineup of restaurants to refuel and bars to kick off the weekend that students like to go, so be sure to check ‘em out!

Best Restaurants:

Omalie
24 Diner
Texas Chili Parlor
Burrito Factory
Salty Sow

Outdoors and Recreation at UT Austin

The University of Texas-Austin offers tons of recreational opportunities for students. The Recreation Sports Center on campus includes a full gym, basketball courts, rock climbing wall, aquatics center, tennis courts, and much more. If you’re looking to learn a new sport or stay active, try joining one of the many intramural sports, such as Ultimate Frisbee, flag football, water volleyball or dodgeball, just to name a few. UT Austin students can also partake in Adventure Trips and join fellow students on trips like canoeing the San Marcos River, yoga and paddleboarding at Lady Bird Lake, or backpacking at Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountain.

UTA students can also head to Zilker Park in the middle of downtown Austin, where they can catch the city views but escape the city scene. Zilker Park has walking trails, botanical gardens, and plenty of green space to throw a football or layout with a good book. Lady Bird Lake is a popular lake where students can canoe, swim, or stand-up paddleboard and catch breathtaking city views.

Whether you decide to go to attend a SEC Longhorn football game with friends, partake in the many activities down by the lake, or just go out for a bit to eat or drink, Austin has plenty to offer to prospective students!