Looking for day trips from Austin to get out of the city and explore Texas? Want something within driving distance? Check out these 11 cities that make great day trips from Austin! Whether you want something by the lake, a good shopping trip, a fun outdoor adventure, or something quiet and cozy these are the places you should check out.
I’ve lived up in Austin for over 5 years now, and I have definitely had my fair share of Austin Day Trips! I wanted to share some of my favorites; the ones I always recommend to friends to check out ASAP. These are the gems I love!
SEE MORE: 12 Austin Watering Holes & Pools to Keep Cool
Source: atlasobscura.com
Swim at Hamilton Pool Watering Hole
Driving Distance
1 Hour South
Things To Do
One of the most beautiful swimming holes in Austin, and a local favorite! About 30 minutes away, this beautiful oasis is perfect for a photograph and for keeping cool. Beware, you do have to make reservations for your spot in advance. Additionally, the pool will close at random times due to different bacterias in the water so always make sure they are open before you go!
Information
Open daily from 9am – 6pm with no entry past 5:30pm. Cash only, $15 per car. Food and drink are allowed, no glass. Get more information about Hamilton Pool.
Take a Dip Into McKinney Falls State Park
Driving Distance
Only half an hour West of Austin!
Things To Do
One of my favorite swimming hole spots in Texas! Make a day trip of it to the North or South Falls, or snag a campsite for an evening. Perfect way to cool off when the summer heat is bringing you down! I honestly recommend the lower falls over the upper falls because more space AND rocks you can jump off of.
SEE MORE \\ 18 ROAD TRIP PODCASTS YOU’LL LOVE LISTENING TO
Enjoy a Hiking Day at Colorado Bend State Park
Driving Distance
About 2 hours West of Austin
Things To Do
Tons of great hikes and watering holes here! You can enjoy the beautiful Gorman Falls hike to the above waterfalls was a favorite. It’s about 1.5 miles and the last 0.25 is a pretty steep trip down, so not great for anyone unsteady on their feet or little kids. We also enjoyed a dip in Spicewood Springs watering hole, which was delightful! That was a super flat easy walk over.
Shop & Eat at Magnolia in Waco
Driving Distance
About 1.5 Hours North of Austin
Things To Do
Believe it or not, there is more to do in Dallas outside of Magnolia Market! However, not going to lie that’s it’s one of my personal favorite places. You have to try their cupcakes at the Magnolia Bakery! Otherwise, check out some of these great furniture spots in Waco. You can also walk around the beautiful Baylor Campus (Hook ‘Em though) or check out these water slides during the summer!
READ MORE ON A GIRL FROM TX
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Spend the Afternoon Floating the River
Driving Distance
1 Hour South
Things To Do An absolute summer must in Texas? Floating the river! Grab your cooler, your friends, and a ton of beer before you hop on the river for a four-hour ride. No better way to beat the heat! The best tubing rivers in Texas are the San Marcos and Comal Rivers. Lately, the Comal has been very strict about drinks on the river so I highly recommend the San Marcos over the Comal.
Check out my ultimate guide to floating the river in Texas!
Have a Water Park Day at Schlitterbahn
Driving Distance
1 Hour South of Austin
This is my favorite water park in Texas and I went here all the time as a kid. Three separate parks joined by one GIANT lazy river, there is everything you could ever need in a waterpark here!!! Honestly, cannot recommend a day at this gem enough.
Information
Open every day June-August and then weekends only in September. Cost is not cheap at about $50, but you will get your money’s worth. Learn more about Schlitterbahn here.
Becker Vineyards Flower Fields 
Pedernales Cellars
Winery Hop Through Fredericksburg or Dripping Springs
Driving Distance
1.5 Hours West of Austin
Things To Do
Spend the day with your favorites drinking delicious wine at some of the most beautiful wineries! Often compared to Napa, Fredericksburg is full of beautiful restaurants & wine & a quaint downtown that will remind you of how most people THINK Texas looks!
Make a weekend of it with our Weekend in Fredericksburg Guide with all our major Winery recommendations!
Enchanted Rock (Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife)
Go For a Hike Up Enchanted Rock
Driving Distance
1 – 2 Hours
Things To Do
Yes, it is a giant rock. However, it’s a very fun giant rock. You can either make a day trip out of Austin and hike the rock, or go all our and camp out there for the night too! Either way, you’ll feel accomplished when you reach the top and it’ll be a fun day trip from Austin!
THESE ARE MY ABSOLUTE BIGGEST CAMPING PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:
No fluff, these are the products I would say are the biggest must-haves if you’re planning a camping trip! Everything else you can do without, but these will be your biggest helps. Also, everything is the most affordable price with the best quality I can find!
Source: Larry D. Moore
Go Jumping Off Jacobs Well
Driving Distance
1 Hour South of Austin
Things To Do
Another one of the most beautiful watering holes in the Austin area. While not nearly as large as Hamilton Pool, the smaller gem is known for being beautiful and a perfect jumping-in spot for locals. Same as Hamilton, Jacob’s Well does require reservations in advance!
Information
Open from 10am-8pm daily. Cost is $9 for adults, $5 for Hays County residents, children, and veterans. Food and drinks are allowed, but no glass. More info about Jacobs Well.
Take a Quick Trip to San Antonio, Texas
Driving Distance
1.5 Hours South of Austin
Things To Do
There is SO much to do in San Antonio! Enjoy a beautiful walk along the Riverwalk, which has some stunning restaurants. Also get some history with a tour of the Alamo, which is my dads absolute favorite. End it off with a fun shopping trip at La Cantera which is a LOT like the Domain! It’s just a fun easy way to get out of Austin and into a new city!
Thanks for checking out our Day Trips from Austin post with all my favorite Day Trips from Austin! Hope you got to add some to your list to check out soon enough, Austin is full of great spots!
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Comments (11)
Chelsy
January 23, 2019 at 6:14 pm
All of these look amazing! Especially the breathtaking oasis…I wish I could dive through my phone into this post. 🙂
Carly Nicole
January 24, 2019 at 8:53 am
I so want to go to Austin! It looks so fun! And that it would be beautiful in Summer.
Rachel R Ritlop
January 24, 2019 at 9:00 am
omg these all look so fun! I’m constantly surprised by how many water things there are to do in TX! I always thought it was all desert except the little coastal areas! I only say little because of how big the state is haha
Deborah
January 24, 2019 at 9:40 am
There always seems to be cool things to do in Texas! I really should visit someday.
Betsy
January 24, 2019 at 2:57 pm
We did a multi city Texas trip last spring. Didn’t get as much time in Austin as I wanted. Visited San Antonio a few years ago really enjoyed it
Alix Maza
January 25, 2019 at 10:52 am
I’m totally sharing this with my friends in Austin!
Erin Sanchez
January 25, 2019 at 5:14 pm
Wow, so many things to do near Austin! And they all look beautiful <3
Nika
January 26, 2019 at 11:41 am
I need to visit Austin, have heard nothing but great things about it. The McKinney Falls looks beautiful
Azanique S Rawl
January 27, 2019 at 10:13 am
I would love to visit Waco! I’ve never been to Texas.
-xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com
Makaela
January 28, 2019 at 11:14 pm
These all look like so much fun! I’ve been thinking about moving to Texas and I’m happy to see there’s so much to do there
-xo, Makaela @ Uniquely Mickie
Go Wander Wild
December 21, 2021 at 10:40 pm
This Austin guide is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!