Spring in Austin, Texas: Ideas for 2024

Spring in Austin, Texas, is just about perfect. The weather is great and there is so much to see and do. This year, we’ve enjoyed warm, spring-like temperatures since late January. Our sunglasses are on and our sweaters are being packed away! 

Spring is the perfect time of year to discover Austin and Central Texas or fall in love with it all over again.

We are thrilled to share with you some of our favorite ideas for how to celebrate spring in Austin, Texas, in 2024!

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See Wildflowers Around Austin 

We’ve had lovely mild temperatures through the late winter with a good amount of rain. That means the conditions are perfect for Texas bluebonnets, and we expect to have an excellent display in 2024. You’ll typically see bluebonnets pop up along Austin’s highways and throughout the Texas Hill Country starting in late February and lasting until early May.

One of the best ways to see and learn about our Texas wildflowers is with a visit to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Located just 10 miles from downtown Austin and the Heywood Hotel, our State botanical garden and arboretum of Texas is open to the public year-round. The center features 900+ species of native Texas plants in natural settings and carries out its mission of inspiring the conservation of native plants through a range of educational programs and events. The Wildflower Center is currently open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

If you have a little more time, take a day trip to the Texas Hill Country. Ample wildflowers can be viewed as you head west along Highways 71 or 290. The 30-minute drive to Driftwood and Salt Lick Barbecue presents several nice opportunities to see bluebonnets and other wildflowers. Or venture further to Johnson City or Fredericksburg.

An hour northwest of Austin is the town of Burnet, known as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas.” The 41st annual Bluebonnet Festival takes place this April 12 – 14, 2023, with live music, a carnival and arts and crafts.

For more road trip ideas, check out the Heywood’s list of Four Short Day Trips from Austin.

 

Visit the Peacocks at Mayfield Park & Nature Reserve 

Located on a bluff overlooking Lake Austin, Mayfield Park is a hidden gem right in the center of Austin.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the original cottage was built in the 1870s. The 21-acre grounds include gardens, walking trails and a nature preserve.

The estate was gifted to the City of Austin by Mary Mayfield Gutsch in 1971. Today, the park is best known for a wandering pride of peacocks and peaceful water lily ponds. It’s a great way to spend a beautiful spring day in Austin! 

 

Attend SXSW 2024

Annually, the South by Southwest conference and festival takes over our entire city, transforming practically every nook and cranny into a venue for music, movies, ideas, day parties and sometimes mayhem.

SXSW (March 8-16) will feature keynotes, music festival showcases, conference sessions and film festival screenings from established performers and emerging acts from all over the world. 

The lineup is as diverse as ever. If you are a movie buff, make sure to connect with the film portion of the festival which includes exclusive premieres, screenings, and Q&As.

The Heywood Hotel is perfectly located for SXSW. We are walkable to the Austin Convention Center, and most SXSW venues and day parties, including those in downtown, East Austin and the Rainey Street District. Check availability and book your stay online.

 

Favorite Crawfish Boils in Austin, Texas

The spring season is crawfish season in Austin. Peak season runs from March through April, offering plenty of opportunities to curb your crustacean-ary cravings. Whether you call them crawfish, crawdads or mudbugs, if you are looking for a taste of Louisiana in Central Texas, we have got you covered!

Shoal Creek Saloon, just west of downtown on North Lamar, boils every day from 11:00am to 10:00pm, offering crawfish platters in addition to their normal Louisiana-inspired menu. This legendary eatery is Austin’s home for New Orleans Saints fans, but it’s a friendly and welcoming environment for everyone. The expansive back patio can’t be beat. Pair your crawfish boil with a pint of Abita and “laissez le bon temps rouler!”

Black-owned and Eastside strong, Big Easy – The Original New Orleans Po-Boy and Gumbo Shop on E. 12th Street is serving up crawfish by the pound for a great price! Add on some Snow Crab and a frozen Hurricane to kick it up a notch.

Looking for a Viet-Cajun alternative for your crawfish boil needs? The popular fusion style from Houston is available in Austin too. Pick up a crawfish meal deal for two at Kasian Boil on Burnet Road, and take our advice — it’s critical that you add some crab fries to your order! 

 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Austin in 2023

Irish eyes will be smiling on Austin this year as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Don your green and enjoy a pint at one of these local watering holes.

Kelly’s Irish Pub is as authentic as you’ll find outside of the Emerald Isle. Located on West Oltorf St., just three miles south of the Heywood Hotel, Kelly’s features traditional Irish pub grub, like shepherd’s pie, lamb stew and bangers and mash. The staff, most of whom are true-born Irishmen and Irishwomen, will be quick to tell you that the perfect Guinness pour takes 119.5 seconds. Every day is a celebration of Irish customs and hospitality at Kelly’s Irish Pub, but expect the craic to be kicked up a notch on St. Patrick’s Day.

Scholz Garten is not only the oldest bar in Austin, it also the oldest still-operating business in the entire state of Texas! This venerable institution celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in style each year with such festivities as stein holding competitions, “Luck of the Irish” coin tosses and local live music. Check their website for this year’s activities, then make a plan to grab a wiener schnitzel with your pint of Guinness at Texas’ most famous outdoor Biergarten. Sláinte und prost!

B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub, located a few miles north of the Heywood Hotel claims to serve more perfect pints of Guinness than anywhere in Texas. This year’s St. Paddy’s Day festivities are expected to include live music starting at 11:00am on their spacious patio. Enjoy traditional dishes like corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew. It’s sure to be a great craic!

Let’s Fly a Kite!

Austin’s famous Zilker Park is a great place to fly a kite any day of the week. With 351 acres, there’s plenty of room to spread out and let your kite truly soar!

For a full display of amazing aerodynamics, visit Zilker Park on April 7, 2024, for the annual ABC Kite Festival held in partnership with Austin Parks Foundation.

The country’s longest-running festival of its kind is suited for both the casual observer and the avid kite enthusiast, and free to attend. The colorful flying marvels are really a sight to behold and the spring weather in Austin couldn’t be nicer. Parking passes are available on the event website, but reserve well ahead of time, as nearby parking will be limited. Alternately, you can take a free shuttle from Toney Burger Center which offers free parking. In the event of rain, the event will be pushed back a week.

 

Run Off Your Quarantine 15

The Statesman Capitol 10K, the largest 10K in Texas, is celebrating its 46th year. The iconic race attracts thousands of participants and spectators alike. The Capitol 10K is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of community, fitness and the spirit of Austin. Runners of all levels, from seasoned athletes to first-time participants, take to the streets to challenge themselves and experience the thrill of crossing the finish line in the heart of downtown on April 7, 2024.

 

Catch NASCAR at COTA

If your idea of a race comes with more horsepower, you are in luck. In Spring 2024, NASCAR races at Austin’s fabulous Circuit of the Americas, March 22-24.

Our 3.41-mile long track is sure to see lots of excitement over this jam-packed weekend featuring the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series plus the IMSA-sanctioned Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Series.

Each driver will face the 20-turn, counterclockwise circuit purpose built for Formula 1 racing. Turn one features a staggering 133-foot hill, sure to get both drivers’ and race fans’ adrenaline pumping! Check the website for more information and tickets.

For lodging, there’s no better place to stay than the Heywood Hotel in East Austin. Conveniently located 7 miles from Circuit of the Americas, and surrounded by the city’s top eateries, the Heywood Hotel is a convenient home base during race weekend. Free parking is included with every reservation. Check availability and book your stay online, or email us for more information.

 

Pack a Spring Picnic

The Contemporary at Laguna Gloria has a free admission day on Thursday, and what a great reason to check out Spread & Co’s newest location on the property. Order in advance and choose from cheese and charcuterie boards, sandwiches and salads, and other shareable options. 

And perfect for any destination is a ready-to-go picnic box from Antonelli’s. Choose your favorite cheeses, meats, dried fruits, nuts, crackers, and add a bottle of bubbly. The fine folks at Antonelli’s will package it up in a chilled cooler tote. Pick up your selection from their adorable location in Hyde Park, or make a date to do a cheese tasting at their new South Lamar tasting room, opening this spring! And as far as a picnic location goes, might we suggest the picturesque Mount Bonnell or perhaps the Heywood Hotel patio?

 

 

Featured image of Texas bluebonnets by Delaney Van

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Ready to enjoy the beautiful spring weather in Austin, Texas? Book your stay at the Heywood Hotel. Our concierge team will help design the perfect springtime getaway!