Vacationing somewhere new can be a joyful time where you unwind from the stress of life and enjoy yourself. However, visiting a new city during their peak travel time can be a stressful experience if you were not prepared for more traffic and people around you. If you prefer to visit Austin during the quiet seasons of the year you will want to start with the winter season. The temperatures drop to a comfortable level and snow can be occasional. However, Austin does not see the torrential snow fall of the Midwest and features many exciting events. Take a look at how vacationing in the quieter seasons of the year will look like here in Austin:
Spend Time at an Outdoor Brewery
Austin is a city filled with many local watering holes that are here to provide you with delicious drinks. The city is especially known for its increasing brewery scene that simply improves year to year. The winter season sees less traffic here in the city and provides you with comfortable weather so you can be outside. Some local breweries have huge outdoor spaces making the winter season an ideal time to stop by. Jester King Brewery is located on the edge of the city limits and has been a staple in the community for years. Jester King specializes in sour and wild ales that all use local grains and well water for their production. What makes Jester King so tantalizing when you visit is the huge 165-acre ranch that it sits on. You will find multiple bars to order from including their tap selection along with a specialty bottle selection that they can open in house for you. Jester King also serves up delicious food making it a perfect spot to take the whole family for lunch or dinner. Don’t miss out on the perfect opportunity to finally check out Jester King Brewery!
Get Some Comfort Food
One of the best reasons to visit in the winter besides it not being busy is getting the chance to try out restaurants without waiting in big lines. You can find some of the best comfort food here in Austin and it always tastes even better in the winter. Stop by Ramen Tastu Ya for some of the best ramen noodles in the city. Pick your broth and toppings for an unbelievable experience. The Soup Peddler offers homemade soup that is also healthy so a win win combination. You obviously cannot visit Austin without stopping by one of the BBQ joints here in the city. Perhaps the most popular and best tasting BBQ joint here in town is Franklin Barbecue. Stop by during the winter where you can find shorter lines in their retro style restaurant. Of course Franklin Barbecue is the kind of place that is always busy with how popular it is but you will have the best experience in the winter!
Explore the Local Hiking Trails
With temps hovering in the 60s during the winter you will find Austin to be even more accessible than ever. Summers in Austin can get hot and humid so new travelers to the area may not want to spend as much time outdoors. The winter is perfect to explore the many hiking trails by simply wearing a light jacket. Austin is home to the Barton Creek Greenbelt that features 13 miles of hiking trails many of which are top rated hiking areas. Barton Creek will take you by Twin Falls where steep cliffs can be navigated with some climbing for those who are adventurous. Or enjoy the casual bike ride along Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail that is 10 miles long and takes you around Lady Bird Lake. Or stop by the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve that is a 227 acre preserve hidden within the city limits. You will be able to enjoy hiking through forested trails; hiking is on a reservation basis over weekends and holidays so make sure you plan ahead. Explore these outdoor areas with cool weather and no crowds during the quieter seasons of the year!
Enjoy Local Events
The slower event still has plenty of fun to host local events throughout the season. If you enjoy running you will want to sign up for this year’s Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K. Each race will take you past Austin landmarks such as Lady Bird Lake and UT Tower. Run past the finish line where a party complete with a beer garden and live band will be waiting for you. The Red River Cultural District’s Free Week is also held in January that gets you into local venues to see hundreds of live bands perform on stage!
More Fun When It’s Quiet
Skip the lines and crowds and visit Austin during our quieter seasons. You will find our Austin vacation rentals to be more available than ever.
