It's really comin' down out there!
Whether it's raining cats and dogs, raining men, or just...ya know...raining, enjoying all the outdoor activities Austin has to offer simply isn't an option. Fortunately, due to modern marvels like electricity and air conditioning and, um, roofs, there are plenty of awesome indoor options that guarantee a good time as well. We dare Mother Nature to try and rain on this parade... Here are some Ways to Enjoy Austin When it's Raining.
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SIP TEAS
photo credit: Cris R.
1023 Springdale Rd #7A
Located inside Springdale General, Austin's Zhi Tea only sells organic teas. Importing a world of flavors, scents, and colors to gently brew as the chill of a rainstorm wafts over the city. You can find their selections all over town and in local coffee shops, but why not spend a rainy day expanding your tea palate inside a cozy tea room? Offering tea flights, you can make a whole day out of caffeinating your body and soothe your soul with their vast selection. You can find more of our favorite spots to sip on tea around Austin here.
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GET LOST IN THE AISLES
We may not have historic Chinatowns or a Little Italy, but we do have huge international markets that offer the adventure of exploring a new culture's cuisine, without needing an umbrella or having to navigate narrow sidewalks to avoid accumulating puddles.
photo via yelp
11301 Lakeline Blvd.
If you think you can simply walk in and walk out of
H Mart in under ten minutes, you are sorely mistaken. With a huge selection of Korean goods on one side, a full food hall, a freaking hair salon, a patisserie, and a freaking music stage
on the other, you should block off a few hours to fully experience the only "Mart" you'll look forward to spending a day inside.
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SLURP SOMETHIN'
1618 E Riverside Dr
There's nothing quite like a steamy bowl of soup (or even better, soup dumplings) to warm your soul on a rainy day. Whether you're in the mood for wonton soup or some award-winning pho, 1618 has got all of your rainy-day cravings covered. If you're feeling cooped up inside you can dine in, or bring the comfort of your favorite soup to your doorstep and savor every slurp in the coziness of your own home, all while snuggled up in sweats.
*Explore our other favorite soups to slurp up here.
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CHECK OUT THE LOCAL ART SCENE
photo via facebook
2200 S Lamar J
The Austin Art Garage is a great place to visit if you want to browse cool art from local artists! Austin is brimming with artistic talent, and the Austin Art Garage puts their talents on display in their online store and in their gallery located on South Lamar.
*For more off-the-radar art, click here.
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GET A GRIP AND CLIMB
979 Springdale Rd
4477 S Lamar Blvd
Austin Bouldering Project offers yoga, a free weight gym, and classes for anyone looking to start out their climbing journey. So what's the difference from other climbing gyms? Their walls! Each course is textured to keep your feet from slipping. While some prefer a wall without it, if you want that extra touch of confidence in your footing, it makes a difference.
*Crux Climbing Gym is another climbing gym option in the Austin area as well!
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SOLVE A PANIC ROOM
Photo via Project Panic
4403 Guadalupe St
Brought to life by the same wizards over at Austin Panic Room, this new spot offers fresh challenges and cool themes such as the abandoned subway station room aptly named: End of the Line. Friendship dynamics will truly be put to the test as y'all attempt to make your escape!
*You can find more Escape Rooms Around Austin here.
TAKE IN SOME HISTORY
photo credit:Blanton Art Museum Instagram
200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
One of Austin’s best-known museums, the Blanton is home to over 18,000 individual pieces of art ranging from ancient Greek artwork to contemporary American and Latin American art. Additionally, admission is free every Tuesday with the hours of 10 AM - 5 PM.
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photo credit: Mexic-Arte museum Instagram
419 Congress Avenue
Another Austin gem, the Mexic-Arte Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating both traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. From exhibitions about Nacimientos, the traditional Mexican nativity scenes to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the Mexic-Arte Museum is definitely worth a visit if you’re downtown. Visits and tours are free on Sundays.
* Do a lot more exploring with our full list of free museums in Austin.
DIG THROUGH SOME VINYL
Photo via Yelp
600 N Lamar Blvd
You can't be a record collector in Austin and not have gone to Waterloo Records. Over the years, the venue has had venerated bands like Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, The Stooges, and many more perform in its hallowed walls. They also have a killer selection of DVD's, CD's, Cassettes, and vinyl.
*Explore even more record stores in Austin.
GRAB A BOOK
photo via Austin Central Library Yelp
710 W. César Chávez St.
Come for the soothing atmospheric sounds of the rain from inside the towering atrium with a staggering wall of glass overlooking the skyscrapers above Shoal Creek. Bonus, the rooftop garden is a perfect vantage point for rainy-day photographers who don't mind getting a little wet for a good shot.
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BookPeople603 N Lamar Blvd
Bookpeople is more than a bookstore, it is an epicenter for the literary minds of Austin from students to community bookworms to renowned authors from here and afar. Besides being the go-to for great books, the store encourages community reading and building through their stellar lineup of storytimes, book clubs, and author visits.
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Various Locations
If you're feeling a little more thrifty with your literary ventures, we recommend you go check out Half Price Books. There's a couple of them around and they've probably got what you're looking for.
* For a list of bookstores in Austin, click here.
SIP A CUP OF COFFEE
Pershing East Coffee + Staples
2501 E 5th St.
Even if you can't nab a coveted spot in their all too cozy reading nook, the rest of the coffee shop offers plenty of space to bask in the pitter-patter of rain on their roof. Find your way to the bar, order one of their specialty coffees like a bourbon latte, and let yourself soak up the all-too-cool vibes found inside.
*Check out even more awesome coffee spots in Austin.
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CHANNEL YOUR INNER CHILD
Various Locations
With several locations north, central, and south of town, Pinballz offers a classic arcade experience with over 60 video arcade games and the largest selection of solid-state Pinball Machines to play in the country. Space Invaders, Street Fighter, Mario Kart, they've got it all.
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16231 N IH 35, Pflugerville, TX
While mini-golf and go-karting might be out on a rainy day, this metropolis of fun can still keep you occupied for hours with laser tag, arcade games, bowling, and some dang tasty food from Austin's Bar & Grill.
*For even more ways to be a kid, click here.
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Know more things to do while you wait for the rain to go away?
