Fall is an extraordinary time of year. A crisp breeze blows swiftly through the trees, sending colorful leaves of red and orange dancing across the ground. It’s a time to shrug on woolly jumpers and snuggly scarves to appreciate the turning wheel of the year with a mug of something warm in hand. From brisk woodland walks to cozy indoor activities, fall is the season to gather loved ones and make wonderful memories you’ll carry with you all year.
After a long and hot summer under a baking sun, the Texan canvas is repainted with emerald green and golden orange hues under a clear blue sky. It’s no different in the state’s capital city, where you can enjoy an array of Austin fall activities.
If you’re hoping to make this year a fall to remember, here are some of the best fall things to do in Austin.
Drive-in movie theater
Grab a couple of blankets and a flask filled with your favorite seasonal drink to watch a big-screen classic at Blue Starlite drive-in theater. Open every day of the week, this is one of the coziest fall things to do in Austin with someone special.
Pull your car up in front of the screen to get a perfect view. There are nine screens with different showings, including the Forest Screen, where you can come on foot and take a seat under a canopy of leaves. Whichever screen or showing you choose, snuggle up while snacking on popcorn or go all out and order one of the juicy burgers to be brought straight to your vehicle.
Camping in the wilderness
Is there a better fall activity in Austin than camping under the stars? McKinney Falls State Park is a majestic space of flowing creeks, rushing waterfalls, twisting trails, and enchanting woods.
The park spans more than 640 acres, and there are 80 campsites to choose from. Pitch up your tent and slip on your fleece jumper to settle in for the night. The park is 13-miles from the city's bright lights, so you’ll get a spectacular view of the night sky. Spark up your campfire, toast marshmallows on sticks, and be dazzled by the sweeping blanket of glittering stars overhead. You’ll be soothed by the distant sound of babbling brooks and may even glimpse some of the local stag tiptoeing along the treeline of the forest.
Fresh apple cider
With fall comes the harvest, and a sweet bounty of freshly-plucked apples can be enjoyed in the most delicious of ways – cider.
Austin Eastciders specializes in this fruity beverage, with the owner learning everything he knows from his hometown of Bristol, England’s cider capital. Pick a perfectly crisp fall day and take a seat at one of the outdoor picnic tables. The menu boasts a variety of traditional and unique flavors you can savor as you listen to live music, making it one of the best of Austin’s fall activities.
Hiking Austin’s trails
Austin is one of those wonderful places known as much for its vast stretches of natural spaces as its vibrant city streets. If you’re looking for things to do in Austin in the fall, then start bright and early to hike the River Place Nature Trail.
Along the five-mile hike, you’ll trot through a thicket of trees and past a majestic waterfall. The trail largely follows the river, which is brimming with fish and attracts local wildlife. Visit in fall and you’ll be overcome with the jewel-toned colors of trees and the carpet of leaves underfoot.
Day of the Dead exhibition
The annual Day of the Dead exhibition is one of the best things to do in Austin in the fall. Running all the way September to late November every year, the exhibit pays homage to the ancient Mexican holiday, when past loved ones are remembered and celebrated and welcomed as they return to the land of the living.
The exhibit showcases a different aspect and tradition of the festival every year but often displays customary community altars and unique pieces of art depicting the celebrations. While here, you’ll learn more about Mexican culture and heritage and admire the works of Mexican and Latin American artists.
Texas Hill Country wine trail
The wine trail is one of the most lovely fall things to do in Austin, as it gives you a fantastic tour around the wider Austin area while being treated to the delectable local wine produce.
Discover Texas Wine Tours have been in the business for years, so they are experts in the local wineries and vineyards. They’ll take you to several venues throughout the day, where you’ll be able to taste an array of wines chosen specially for your unique taste preferences. Depending on the package you choose, you can tour the area either on a coach or in a Mercedes Benz Limousine Sprinter for a more luxurious experience.
Cigars in the lounge
When the fall sunshine begins to set and casts pink and orange hues across Texas, your Austin fall activities can stretch to something a little more distinguished and sophisticated.
You’ll find the Casa de Montecristo Austin cigar lounge along the Capital of Texas Highway by Austin Country Club. Once inside, you can relax in a plush, leather armchair and ask the specialists for their suggestions of signature wraps. Premium cigars are chosen from humidified cedar lockers and are neatly cut for an optimum smoking experience. Fall is football season, and the lounge will undoubtedly have a game playing on one of their HD TVs. A unique fall activity in Austin, lose yourself in a cloud of sweet-smelling smoke as you chat with friends and ponder on the season.
