17 Indoor Activities in Austin for When It’s Raining || 2023

While seeing a rainy day in Austin isn’t all that common, we sure don’t like to let it get in the way of our plans when it does! We’re sharing our favorite things to do in Austin when it’s raining so you can still have fun with things to do indoors in Austin!

However, with the cold and rain creeping into Austin weather alerts more and more, we want to make sure you still have things to do. Here are our 17 Best Ways to Spend a Rainy Day in Austin indoors!

SEE ALSO: A WEEKEND IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

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The Thinkery Science Museum

Pretend you’re a kid again while you explore The Thinkery, the local Science Museum. This interactive science museum is a blast for adults just as much as it is for kids, and keeps you dry!

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Go Climbing at Austin Bouldering Project in South or East Austin

If you don’t want the rainy day weather to kill your workout vibe, head over to the Austin Bouldering Project! Get that rock climbing experience without the ropes in this giant jungle gym. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things to do in Austin when it’s raining or just on a sunny day too!

It’s about $20 for a day pass of climbing, and it’s a great way to keep busy and stay active when Austin has a rainy day!

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Spend an Afternoon at an Austin Coffee Shop

Check out our favorite coffee shops in Austin for the perfect place to sit and work for the afternoon. I am the least productive person at home when it’s raining outside, so I always escape to a coffee shop on those rainy days in Austin!

My personal favorites on a rainy day are Wright Brothers Brew & Brew as well as Merit Coffee for those rainy days in Austin when you want a cozy interior the most!

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Catch a Movie at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater

Catch a movie at this original Austin gem to stay out of the cold. The Alamo Drafthouse is classic ATX and gives a full movie-watching experience. Austin has plenty of Alamo Drafthouse locations and they’re staples! They also often do experiences where you can interact with the film and those are an absolute blast!

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Visit the Blanton Museum of Art

Y’all, I am not an art museum person. I’m just not. But even I can appreciate how incredible the Blanton is. Worth checking out if you’re facing a rainy day in Austin. Frankly, it’s just gorgeous. If you want some more artsy things to do in Austin when it’s raining, this is perfect!

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Have a VR Experience at VR Sandbox

This is one I have not done myself yet, but my friends have been before and RAVED about it! A fun VR activity for work, with friends, or with family. You can pick your experience and what you’re doing, and send yourself into a virtual world to do just that. If you want something unique, this is probably one of the coolest on the list!

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Hang Out at Punchbowl Social

Eat, drink, and be merry, they said! They’ve got it all – eats, drinks, karaoke, bowling, arcade games, and so much more. An afternoon well spent, and it’s all indoors. This is especially perfect if you’re looking for something fun to do with a group of people!

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Go Bowling at The Goodnight

Noticing a trend on this list? I love going back to old school activities like bowling and arcade games on rainy days, and The Goodnight hits all the right notes! Hit the bowling alley with some friends at one of the biggest and best bowling alleys in Austin.

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Explore the Bob Bullock Museum of Texas State History

History buffs, this one is for you! Or just for anyone looking to learn more about Texas state history and get cultured on a rainy day. The Bob Bullock museum is interactive as well, for those of us (me) who usually aren’t all for history museum will enjoy a trip here!

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Take It Old School with an Arcade Day

Two Austin staples for rainy days are arcades! You can visit the classic Austin arcade, Pinballz, located right off 6th street or opt for a more southern spot at the new Bishop Cidercade off Riverside! Either way, you can pay $10 for all you can play games and devour plenty of food and drinks at both locations. A perfect fun date idea too when it’s rainy in Austin!

SEE MORE // 15 FIRST DATE IDEAS IN AUSTIN FOR SOMETHING NEW

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Grab Beers At Your Local Brewery

Austin is home to some of the best breweries in Texas, and many have indoor locations to enjoy that beer without losing the ability to feel your toes. Beer jacket? Yes, please.

Some of my favorites with indoor taprooms are Central Machine Works on the East Side, Easy Tiger off South Lamar, Easy Tiger off Linc, Hold Out Brewing in Clarksville, Lazarus Brewing in East Austin, and Hopsquad in North Austin!

Check out my 12 Favorite Local Austin Breweries here too for more inspiration and favorites!

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Catch a Comedy Show at Esther’s Follies

From stand-up to political satire, Esther’s Follies will have your abs sore by the end of the night without a doubt. If you like laughing (obvi who does not), you’ll like Esther’s Follies. This is one of my favorite things to do with Austin visitors coming in from out of town because it’s just so fun!

Additionally, if you want a less cliche comedy show and something for everyone, you can check out the Sunset Room in Austin which has local and visiting comics doing shows every weekend!

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Complete an Escape Room in Austin

While you do have to book these in advance usually, I can promise they’re a blast! Spend the afternoon with your friends trying to solve a real life puzzle. This is one of my sisters favorites since she’s a big puzzle gal and isn’t up for being around large crowds all the time!

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Explore the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin

Soak up some history and Presidential knowledge with an afternoon at the LBJ Presidential Library. Bet you that you’ll come out having learned something new, and having stayed dry! This is one of those Austin staples that even if you’ve lived here forever, most of the time you just never went and did this because you figured you could do it whenever!

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Sing Along with Some Karaoke at Pete’s or Ego’s

An absolute blast of a night with friends? Karaoke! And tons of Austin locations are staples for great karaoke nights. Sharing some of my favorites below, all great for very different reasons too!

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar // Perfect if you’re having friends in from out of town and you want to hit up multiple spots that night! This is a great way to kick off the night and pre-game before hitting the other bars off the 6th!

Ego’s Lounge South Austin // A little more of a low-key divey bar spot, and more for the locals than the visitors! Ego’s is an icon where people go ALL OUT and you’re guaranteed to have a blast. Just know to go early to get a time slot and a table!

Hi Tunes // Oh a throwback for me because this is where I would go back in college! You can rent out rooms for 8-10 people and just sing like a crazy person in front of your friends if you don’t want to go in front of strangers!

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Catch a Performance at the Long Center

From ballets to plays to live shows, the Long Center is a great way to spend a night indoors! Typically, tickets should be purchased in advance, but I have had luck snagging them at the box office the day of!

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Catch a Live Show at Stubb’s BBQ

Cold beer and live music, aka Austin at its finest. Catch a live show in the live museum capitol of the world right at Stubbs BBQ. From big names to local gems, they’ve got it all! It’s one of the few venues that is located indoors too, so even the bad weather won’t make a huge impact.

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Play a Round at Top Golf at the Domain

While maybe not the best option if it’s a torrential downpour or freezing cold, Top Golf is still a great semi-indoor option on a drizzling day in Austin! Also perfect for people like me who have no idea how to golf!

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Hope you enjoy these 17 Rainy Day in Austin Activities! Stay dry today, y’all!

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