LGBTQ+ IN AUSTIN, TEXAS:
So much to see, so much to do. To help you narrow down where to start, we compiled this bucket list full of the essential queer Austin activities. Bookmark this page and use it as your guide for how to have the best queer time in Austin!
Catch Some Queer Music: When in the Live Music Capital of the World, you absolutely must see live music. You can find jazz, punk, rock, and country acts throughout the week on the East Side, the Red River Cultural District, Rainey Street, South Congress, and dozens of venues around town. But our secret to finding the best, inclusive shows? Catching one of these Queer Musicians, of course. (And frequenting Cheer Up Charlies.) For a thorough list of all concerts happening today, we've got you covered here.
Find Your Spot: All the best queer venues around town have recurring shows, from comedy to drag to dance parties. Check out our list of Recurring LGBTQ+ Events.
See a Drag Show: When in Austin, drag is a must. There's something every day of the week - see our roundup here and read up on some of the city's best Drag Queens.
Bust a Gut at Queer Comedy: Austin has no shortage of badass queer comedians with recurring and one-off shows around town. Peruse our favorites here and give them a follow to see where to catch them.
Go Out on 4th Street: No queer night in Austin is complete without hitting up one of the bars on the infamous 4th Street. Rain on 4th, Oilcan Harry's, and Highland Lounge are good places to start.
Dance, Y'all: Outside of 4th Street, there are still tons of other places to boogie down at around town, from queer-owned Barbarella to all the country dancin' venues.
Whether you're first moving to Austin or just looking for a refresher on this city's diverse culture, we've got your required reading for all things LGBTQ+ in Austin.
LGBTQ+ Resources: All the organizations and programs you need to know, from those helping queer teens to those putting on the city's Pride parade.
Austin's Queer History: Austin hasn't always been the LGBTQ+ mecca it claims to be now - read up on how we got here.
Austin Pride Month: Ever wondered why our Pride parade is in August instead of June? Here's why.
4th Street: Almost as famous as 6th Street, our queer district is something to behold. Do your homework on how it came to be.
Eat Queer-Owned: Put your money where your mouth is (...literally) and become a daily patron at Austin's best LGBTQ+ owned restaurants like Sundaze, Jacoby's, or Arlo Grey. Then, caffeinate at Patika.
Grab Food on Four Wheels: There’s nothing more fun than doing a tour de food truck in Austin. Find plenty of palate-pleasing options with our list of the Best Food Trucks - or check two boxes in one go at one of the Best Food Trucks at Bars.
Try All of The Tacos: It's a way of life in Austin. Tasty tacos are available at roughly a million establishments around town. Whether you need breakfast, dinner, or a late-night snack, there's a taco for that. To get started, check out these Tex-Mex spots.
Take a Brewery Tour: When it comes to craft beer, we’ve got you covered. Take a tour of local breweries like Jester King, Austin Beerworks, Blue Owl or one of the many Austin Breweries.
Aspiring sommelier? Want to talk tannins? Maybe just like wine? Perfect. When it comes to vino, we’ve got you covered: Check out our list of the best wineries & distilleries!
Eat a Lot of Barbecue: You can make the pilgrimage to The Salt Lick, stand in a long, brisket-scented line at Franklin BBQ, lesbian-owned la Barbecue, or just go for it and try all of our favorite BBQ spots in Austin.
Don't Skip Dessert: Austin has a couple handfuls of queer-owned dessert shops, and our sweet teeth are very thankful. Whether it's ice cream from Lick or cookies from Wunderkeks, you can't go wrong.
Watching bats fly overhead, cherishing weird activities, and wearing costumes just for fun is part of the daily routine down here in Austin. Take a break from the norm and enjoy the weirdest things you can do in Austin.
A Museum Dedicated to Weird: If you possess any interest in the strange, peculiar, or supernatural, the Museum of the Weird is a spot you need to visit when you're in Austin. For a small fee, they have an impressive array of curiosities, including what may or may not be the body of a Yeti. Austin's own Museum of the Weird is exactly that.
Tour Some Junk: The Cathedral of Junk is exactly what it sounds like- a cathedral made of junk. That doesn't make it any less impressive, though. Scraps of all conceivable origin have been painstakingly assembled into what is probably the most astounding collection of bric-a-brac ever. Find out more about the Junk King right here.
See Eccentric Performances: You know you're a true weirdo when they make a documentary about how weird you are. "Crazy" Carl Hickerson has been a fixture outside of Esther's Follies for a while now. Like our old friend Leslie, Crazy Carl is just one of those figures in Austin who has been doing his unconventional thing for what seems like forever. His eccentricities (chiefly flaunting his man boobs) and friendly demeanor are what make him a city treasure.
BYOB Mini-Golf: Peter Pan Mini-Golf is the only place in town we're aware of that has a giant T-Rex statue, which is notable in and of itself. Beyond that, the course has a ton of weird, old sculptures with creepy faces to keep you company as you play your round of miniature golf. It's also BYOB, so you can weirdly stumble around the course. Read more here.
See The Bats: While this may not be Gotham City, we come close in one regard. Visit the Congress Avenue bridge around dusk to see the world's largest bat colony take flight. (It's less creepy than it sounds.)
Head to Lady Bird Lake: Conveniently located in the center of the city, Lady Bird Lake is a great place to jog, bike or aggressively power walk on the scenic trail along the water or rent a paddleboard, kayak or canoe.
Take a Dip in Barton Springs: Within Zilker Park's 358 acres lies one of the crown jewels of Austin - Barton Springs. The pool is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming.
Hit The Greenbelt: With its diverse terrain, the Greenbelt is a popular location for adventure-loving locals. You can do some rock climbing, hiking, biking and more. If you're looking for even more places to go hiking in Austin, click here.
Catch The Best Sunset: The most beautiful sunset in Austin? Try the one you’ll see from the top of Mount Bonnell, or kicked back on the lakeside patio at The Oasis.
Go Swimming: Is the weather in Austin too hot for you? Stop by one of these Local Swimming Holes to splash around and cool down.
Queer-Owned Businesses: The best places to shop around the city, in our opinion, are owned by our LGBTQ+ neighbors! Check out our big list of Queer-Owned Businesses for some inspiration and read up on a few of our queer shopping faves here.
Shop Vintage: If you want to keep your wardrobe weird, there are plenty of vintage stores that have got you covered...literally. Be sure to check out North Loop.
Enjoy Some Art: From amazing street art and murals to classy museums and galleries, there’s plenty of art to enjoy (and unique souvenirs to buy) around town. Start at these Museums in Austin.
Record Stores: Be sure to visit one of the many record stores in Austin and grab some new or used vinyl. Try Antone’s Record Shop, End of an Ear, Waterloo Records or any of these Record Stores in Austin to find what you’re looking for.
South Congress: There’s no better way to spend a day (or night) than on the bustling street known as SoCo. There are dozens of shops, restaurant options, live music venues, and a great karaoke joint called Ego’s. See our Neighborhood Guide for detailed info.
