Your Austin CME conference.

Austin after your study day

Study days finish at 2:00 PM Austin time. Good afternoon choices are a loop of Lady Bird Lake on the Butler Trail, a stroll along South Congress Avenue, or a swim at Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Metropolitan Park. In summer, leave room for the heat, since the local tourism board calls Austin’s summers a little toasty.

Travel, lodging and attraction entry are arranged separately by you. The city is the setting for your own plans, and nothing here is scheduled around your study day.

Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail

The City of Austin describes the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail as a 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake. It passes skyscrapers, neighborhoods, ballfields and cultural attractions, and it includes a 7,250-foot boardwalk. The city also calls it an alternative transportation route in central Austin. Check current trail conditions before you plan a full loop.

You do not have to walk all of it. Pick a stretch near where you are staying and turn around when you like. The boardwalk section is open daily with a curfew overnight, which matters if you head out late in the evening.

The bats of the Congress Avenue Bridge

Austin’s tourism site says the bats appear in late March and continue through early fall, and they usually leave when temperatures drop around September or October. They emerge around sunset, and the exit can last up to 45 minutes. Since that falls at the end of the day, treat it as an evening plan after your study day.

Viewing spots include the grassy hill at the Statesman Bat Observation Center next to the bridge, the Butler Trail east of the bridge, and the water by kayak, paddleboard or boat tour. Face east, since that is the direction the bats fly, and arrive early to find parking and a good spot.

Barton Springs and Hill Country water

Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre pool in Zilker Metropolitan Park, fed by underground springs with an average temperature of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The city closes it for cleaning on Thursdays during the day, so check the pool’s page before you go. Visit Austin says no reservation is needed there, and advises arriving early on weekends.

Farther out, Hamilton Pool Preserve is about 40 minutes west, according to Visit Austin, and requires reservations from May through September, and swimming depends on recent rainfall and water quality. Blue Hole Regional Park near Wimberley requires reservations for swimming. McKinney Falls State Park, about 13 miles from the state capitol, has nearly nine miles of trails and two falls on Onion Creek; the state says the park often reaches capacity and recommends reservations, and that the creek can flood after rain.

South Congress and downtown

South Congress Avenue is a walkable district known for offbeat boutiques, street murals, casual eateries and live music. Its stores range from jewelry and home goods to western wear and handmade leather goods, according to Visit Austin.

Downtown has several districts. Sixth Street is known for nightlife and historic charm, the Warehouse District for bars and dining, and Rainey Street for old bungalows converted into bars with patios and live music. The Texas State Capitol is taller than the U.S. Capitol and is surrounded by 22 acres of grounds. Choose one district for the evening rather than moving between several.

The Warehouse District is also home to the Contemporary Austin – Jones Center, which hosts rotating art exhibits, so check its current schedule and compare its hours with your 2:00 PM finish. Rainey Street is a historic district on the edge of downtown, near Lady Bird Lake.

On the south side, Visit Austin describes Southwest Austin as the gateway to the Texas Hill Country, with outdoor trails, wildflower sites and weekly farmers markets. The South IH 35 area is described as convenient for the highway, the airport and the Hill Country. If you plan a Hill Country outing, look at the map first to see how far your address sits from it.

When to visit Austin

The tourism board describes temperate winters and summers that are a little toasty, with nearly 300 sunny days each year. Normal highs run from 62 Fahrenheit in January to about 98 in August, the hottest. April averages a normal high near 80, May near 87, October near 82 and November near 72.

Early spring is described as the time to see Hill Country wildflowers, and spring is called sunny and mild. In summer, locals cool off at spring-fed swimming holes. Natural creek swimming, including at Barton Creek Greenbelt, depends on water levels, so check conditions first.

Getting to Austin and your study setting

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the arrival point shown in this guide. The airport’s visitor page places it about 7.5 miles from downtown Austin, roughly 15 minutes away according to that page, and Capital Metro buses connect it to downtown. Choose your accommodation and ground transport with both your study setting and your plans outside study hours in mind.

The map shows straight-line distances from Shift’s designated center. These are orientation distances, not driving distances or travel-time estimates. Check your exact address against the conference’s check-in area before booking.