What to Do in Austin When It's Raining

Rainy days are pretty rare in Austin, Texas. The city averages more than 300 sunny days a year.

But if you happen to visit on any of those other 65 days and need some indoor activities, you’re in luck. There are plenty of things to do in Austin on a rainy day.

Here are a few of them.

Spa Day

There are several luxurious spas where you can renew and refresh while it rains outside. The LakeHouse Spa at Lake Austin Spa Resort has 25,000 square feet to relax in and more than 100 services on the treatment menu.

Try a swim in the junior olympic length lap pool in the Pool Barn, an enclosed swimming space with calming music and a tin roof where you can hear the sounds of the rain while floating in the water. Or check out Travaasa Austin, a resort hideaway that provides massages, facials, nail care and body treatments.

You can also visit Milk + Honey Spa in downtown, with specially designed services that use all natural and organic ingredients.

Movie Marathons

How about dinner and a movie at the same place? Try Alamo Drafthouse for new releases and a full menu of food and drinks. The theater also has special events, including quote-alongs, classic screenings, or a Master Pancake comedy show to mix up your movie experience.

You can also check out Violet Crown Cinema, which screens independent, documentary and international films.

Indoor Workouts

You don’t have to let the rain dampen your activity level. Check out the 50,000-square-foot Austin Bouldering Project, which claims to be the world’s largest bouldering gym. On top of climbing classes, it has a yoga studio, a gym and a lounge. Or you can visit City Surf to try the new wave of exercise: indoor yoga, pilates and strength training classes on top of surfboards.

Austin is also famous for its yoga scene, so take advantage by visiting one of the city’s many studios. Black Swan Yoga is a donation-based studio that bases its classes around a high-energy flow and a music-fueled atmosphere. Or visit Treehouse Yoga with a green, natural setting and centering classes.

Museums

Austin has several museums that are worth exploring on a rainy day. The Blanton Museum of Art on the University of Texas campus holds almost 18,000 pieces, including Italian Renaissance and Modern American collections. If you have kids, try Thinkery, the city’s children’s museum. Its two floors and 40,000 square feet focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math. The Mexic-Arte Museum showcases traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.

Coffee and Tea

Take cold weather as an excuse to explore the city’s coffee and tea shops. Try Caffe Medici or Once Over Coffee Bar, both of which specialize in latte art.

Or if you are more of a tea person, try a tea service at The Steeping Room, where you can order the Zen Tea Service, which includes items such as edamame, matcha dusted brownie, and a pot of premium tea. Or go for traditional English high tea at The Four Seasons.