Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All United States Texas Austin

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Austin

41 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Austin, Texas

Updated May 1, 2023

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Lists
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Austin

Museum of the Weird, May 2018

Austin, Texas

Museum of the Weird

Continuing the tradition of the dime museum in style.
Cathedral of Junk

Austin, Texas

Cathedral of Junk

This unique structure in suburban Austin is made up entirely of other people's castaways, and constantly changing.
Uncommon Objects sign

Austin, Texas

Uncommon Objects

One part antique store, one part curiosities hodge-podge.
Crowds gather to watch the bats fly out as the sun sets.

Austin, Texas

Congress Bridge Bats

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.
A view of the 'Skin and Bones' collection. (Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata)

Austin, Texas

Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata

DIY collection of eclectic holdings.
Peacock at Mayfield

Austin, Texas

Mayfield Park

Free public park and gardens filled with peacocks and peahens.

Austin, Texas

Toy Joy

A store full of vintage and indie toys designed to bring out the kid in even the crustiest of adults.
Sustainable, sun-powered art.

Austin, Texas

Mueller SunFlowers

A grove of colossal man-made flowers built to collect the sun's rays.
See All 41 Things To Do in Austin
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

8 Out-There Art Destinations in Texas

A surplus of space always means a surplus of creative possibility. Texas, with its never-ending skies, wide deserts, and even bigger imaginations, takes this idea to thrilling conclusions. If you’re interested in planning an art-focused road trip, you won’t find a better destination than Texas, where one day you’ll be browsing an obsessive collection of outsider art, and the next day you’ll be walking through a hidden alley covered in umbrellas or beneath a neon skyscape. Here are eight of the most exciting art destinations in the state to inspire your mind and thrill your eyes.

View Itinerary

Explore Austin, Texas

Art 6
Collections 4
Parks 4
Music 4
Animals 4
Museums And Collections 4
Outsider Art 4
Water 4

Austin Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Avatar image for ATX Mike
    ATX Mike
    4
  2. I
    ianwoodshaw
    4
  3. Avatar image for Annetta Black
    Annetta Black
    2
  4. Avatar image for naturedude
    naturedude
    2
  5. Avatar image for I has a bucket
    I has a bucket
    2
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Austin.

Places Edited

  1. Avatar image for knoxium
    knoxium
    19
  2. Avatar image for notoriousFIG
    notoriousFIG
    8
  3. Avatar image for naturedude
    naturedude
    6
  4. Avatar image for Rachel
    Rachel
    6
  5. Avatar image for I has a bucket
    I has a bucket
    6
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Avatar image for knoxium
    knoxium
    38
  2. Avatar image for Aty Trocious
    Aty Trocious
    32
  3. Avatar image for Adventure Monkey
    Adventure Monkey
    28
  4. J
    jillianjjjiggspiggs
    27
  5. L
    lilybelle
    26

Recent Austin Activity

  • Avatar image for knoxium

    knoxium

    has been to Switched On

  • R

    rexmyersii

    wants to go to The Texas State Cemetery

  • R

    rexmyersii

    has been to Austin Moonlight Towers

  • R

    rexmyersii

    has been to Curia Arcanum

  • R

    rexmyersii

    has been to Sparky Park

Stories About Austin

Chef Damian Brockway and his wife, Kornpawee Brockway.

Podcast: Distant Relatives

Tried and true barbecue favorites meet unexpected spices and flavor profiles.
Sponsored by Travel Texas

Video: The Joys of Bat-Watching

Every evening, locals and visitors congregate at Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge to watch a show made up of 1.5 million performers. Specifically: bats.
Sponsored by Visit Austin

The Famous Fight Over the Turn-of-the-Century Trend of Spirit Photography

In one corner: Harry Houdini. And in the other: Arthur Conan Doyle.
by April White
October 29, 2021

Podcast: Big Bertha Drum

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
August 31, 2021
SpaceX's Falcon 9 leaps into the stars.

Austin Just Sent Its Favorite Queso Recipe to the Moon

One small step for cheese, one giant leap for cheese.
by Reina Gattuso
February 26, 2019
HOPE Outdoor Gallery in 2014. The gallery will be demolished next spring, and another will open 10 miles away.

An Ever-Shifting Austin Art Space Makes Its Biggest Move Yet

HOPE Outdoor Gallery is a local landmark. Will its spirit follow it to its new location?
by Cara Giaimo
July 24, 2018

Lists Featuring Austin

Cushing Brain Collection
Brain of Helen Hamilton Gardener

The World's Most Fascinating Displays of Preserved Brains

The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

8

Including Cushing Brain Collection, Mammalian Brain Collection, and Brain Museum

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Puzzles
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Trips Blog
  • Art & Culture Trips
  • Food Trips
  • Hidden City Trips
  • History Trips
  • Wildlife & Nature Trips
  • FAQ
  • Experiences
  • Online Courses
  • Online Experience FAQ
  • Online Course FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2023 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.