30 Wildly Fun Indoor Things to Do in Austin (That Aren’t Just for Rainy Days)

Austin has a reputation for live music, food trucks, and endless sunshine. Still, when the heat hits triple digits or one of those 79 rare rainy days yearly, it’s time to head inside.

During my van life years, Austin was one of those cities I planned to pass through and ended up staying for months. It’s where I checked off axe throwing and curling for the first time, the latter of which I didn’t expect to find in a southern city.

I spent hours marveling at the immersive art installations and playing laser tag in retro arcades, among other weird stuff. Bring a date, bring your best friend, camera, and stamina—these 17 wildly fun indoor things to do in Austin aren’t just backup plans for rainy days. The city’s indoor scene is just as lively, weird, and worth exploring as its outdoor one.

Awesome Museums & Art Activities for Adults

1. Get Immersed at Wonderspaces 

If you love an immersive modern art experience, you will love Wonderspaces Austin. This 28,000-square-foot interactive art museum features roughly a dozen rotating exhibitions that mix Technology and Art. 

Snap picturesque Instagram shots in their room of lights, explore inventive worlds with virtual reality, watch short films and even contribute to interactive exhibits. This is the perfect place as a date night activity for anyone looking to impress. 

Tickets may also sell out for the time slot you want, so I recommend visiting their website to reserve a time. Because they occasionally have rotating exhibits, I’ve gone back twice, and can’t wait to see their other locations. 

2. Explore the Strange at Museum of the Weird 

Austin has a catchphrase: “Keep Austin Wierd.” Right smack-dab in the middle of 6th Street, nicknamed Dirty 6, is a wacky roadside attraction called the Museum of the Weird, helping Austin live up to its slogan. 

Like Ripley’s Believe It or Not, the Museum of the Weird showcases human anomalies and historical oddities.

3. Museum of Ice Cream Austin (Closing July 2025)

Because what’s better than a museum AND ice cream? New York’s popular pop-up shop has now made its way to Austin. The Museum of Ice Cream explores the history and science behind this delicious treat. You’ll even get to see how ice cream is made!

Take selfies as you walk through 12 immersive installations, jump around a sprinkle pool and ride a life-size animal cookie carousel. All the while, eat unlimited amounts of ice cream.

4. Get Weird With Strangers at the Eureka Room

“Participate” with strangers in the mysteriously unique and fun Austin immersive space, the Eureka Room. This will be an experience unlike any other you’ll have – and it’s definitely weird, but in a good way.

The Eureka Room isn’t all that high-tech like Wonderspaces; the opportunity to interact with others draws people into this 100-square-foot room. Without giving too much away, the Eureka Room is perfect for people who enjoy screaming, pointing, high-fiving, and being okay with being confused.

To attend an event at The Eureka Room, you’ll need a group of at least four people, though the more, the merrier, up to 8 people.

5. Get Messed With at Museum of Illusions

One minute you’re standing right-side-up, the next you’re upside-down in a vortex tunnel or shrinking next to your friend in a tilted room. The Museum of Illusions is part funhouse, part mind-bender, and great for those days when you want something to do that isn’t another food/drink thing.

6. Experience the Future at a VR Lounge

Have you ever wanted to battle zombies, climb Everest, or defuse a bomb with your friends without leaving your room? VR lounges like Sandbox VR or Zero Latency let you strap on a headset and get completely transported.

Most games are multiplayer and totally immersive, and the tech is wild. There will only be more and more of these guys, and I’m here for it.

Indoor Classes to Try in Austin for Adults

7. Try Your Aim at Country Archery

Why not shoot your shot to see if you might secretly be Katniss Everdeen at an archery range? Try an indoor archery range in North Austin called Country Archery. Country Archer’s bread and butter is their pro archery store, but they also have an 8 lane indoor archery area.

Usually, you can just show up without a reservation and be admitted. But since this is a blog post about rainy days, they may be swamped when it rains. Call ahead to see if there is availability. 

You will be charged for the lane and separately for renting their equipment for one hour. If you have no experience, staff will give you a short rundown on the rules and the basics of shooting, but do not expect to make too many bullseyes your first time. 

8. Slide the Ice at Curl Austin

If you don’t know what curling is, imagine a giant version of shuffleboard on ice. You lunge and throw a “rock” while your teammates literally sweep the ice with a broom to control the speed of your throw. 

It was a pretty random activity, but Curl Austin was on Groupon. After a two-hour intro lesson, I would say, “Olympics, here we come”…not. 

2025 Update: Curl Austin is closed, but the Lone Star Curling still has public classes here.

9. Train Like a Ninja at Austin Ninjas

Not for the faint of heart or those with soft baby skin, ninja warriors actually train at Austin Ninjas. I have seen videos, and everything looks hard. 

Austin Ninjas has everything from classes to camps to open gym time for you to try out everything they have on the obstacle course in a safe environment. 

10. Fly High at Circus School (Sky Candy)

Have you ever gawked at Cirque du Solei or at a fancy nightclub and been taken by the beauty of those trapeze or aerial silk artists? Sky Candy is a circus training center in the city of Austin. They can teach you everything from bungee, burlesque, lyra, pole, rope, silks, sling, straps, trapeze, and more. I don’t know about you, but I want to learn ’em all. 

11. Climb Indoors at Austin Bouldering Project

If you’re looking for an indoor activity in Austin, warm up your arm muscles as you give rock climbing a shot. The city has several indoor rock climbing gyms; one of the most popular is Austin Bouldering Project.

The Austin Bouldering Project offers yoga and fitness classes in addition to its state-of-the-art fitness center and world-class climbing walls.

Indoor Entertainment in Austin for Adults

12. Throw Axes at Class Axe

Ax-throwing is another Grouponable activity that should be on your bucket list, period. After a brief introduction and coming up with a “cleaver” ax pun name for yourself, you are ready to try some trick shots…that can be honestly terrifying. 

The staff will introduce some games you can play to raise the stakes a bit. There are a few ax-throwing places around Austin, but we went to and highly recommend Class Axe Austin. 

13. Outsmart the Clock in an Escape Room

Once you’re done with ax-throwing, why don’t you continue the fun with an escape room? If you go to Class Axe, which is housed in the same building as Great Room Escape, you don’t even need to get drizzled on to get to your car. 

But there are so many escape rooms now with so many themes, and they are always a thrill. The Escape Game Austin is a great option in downtown Austin.

14. Smash Stuff in a Rage Room

Just like the sky is letting off steam, why not unleash your inner beast in a rage room at The Breaking Point Austin (Another Groupon find). This is one of the few socially acceptable places to throw, hit, and smash things in the name of fun. Breaking Point Austin facilitates paint splattering and escape rooms too! 

15. Play All Day at Pinballz Arcade

Pinballz Arcade is the ultimate entertainment center that features many pinball machines and every arcade machine you know and don’t know. The fun doesn’t stop there; different Pinballz locations have varying attractions, including bumper cars, dart frenzy, go-karting, laser maze, laser tag, ax-throwing, escape rooms VR, an adventure theatre, and a bowling alley. You could literally spend all day in here. 

Tip: Pinballz Lake Creek has the most activities. 

16. Sip and Game at Cidercade 

For a more social bar experience in downtown Austin, Cidercade is a much lower-key arcade and way cheaper. Bring the whole family during the day, but come 8 p.m., adults (21+) are allowed only. 

For a small entrance fee, you can play endless arcade games while enjoying local Bishop Cidercade craft beers and hard cider. Their arcade game assortment is not as varied as Pinballz Arcade’s, but Cidercade focuses more on the social atmosphere. 

17. Run Wild in Blazer Tag

Heart-pounding and adrenaline-rushing, as an adult, I forgot how much fun laser tag is. If the urge arises to bring your action video games to life, laser tag at Blazer Tag Adventure Center. They advertise themselves as Texas’s largest laser tag arena, featuring three stories of ramps, bridges, and towers. 

Public laser tag games are available as free for all or team-based if you have a large group. Blazer Tag has other indoor amusements like arcade games, mini-bowling, food, and drinks.

18. Skydive Indoors at iFly Austin

If you haven’t worked up the courage to skydive out of a plane yet, you can do a test run at iFly Austin, an indoor skydiving venue in North Austin. You won’t be hurtling towards Earth via gravity but rather suspended mid-air by high-powered wind tunnels. 

19. Hit the Track at K1 Speed

Need a hit of adrenaline that doesn’t depend on the weather? K1 Speed lets you zip around a professionally designed indoor kart track in electric go-karts that go faster than you’d expect.

You’ll get a heads-up display of your lap time, a helmet that makes you feel like a low-stakes NASCAR rookie, and a full-on Mario Kart flashback. Races are short but competitive, and yes, you will absolutely start taking it too seriously by lap three.

20. Jump Off Some Steam at Altitude Trampoline Park

Sometimes, all you need is to bounce. You might think this is just for kids, but I’ve gone zero times as a child, and maybe 5 times as an adult. I promise it’s fun.

Altitude isn’t just trampolines, they’ve also got a foam pit, climbing walls, and dodgeball courts so you can settle old scores mid-air. Warning: 10 minutes in, your legs will feel like jelly and you may or may not sprain an ankle thinking you can do a back flip.

21. Knock Some Pins Down at Punch Bowl Social

Punch Bowl Social takes bowling and layers in cocktails, arcade games, karaoke, and a realistically it’s just bar food menu. The space is huge, usually packed with groups, and ideal for those “we want to go out but not just sit at a bar” nights.

22. Swing Big at Top Golf

Topgolf is fully covered, climate-controlled, and designed for people who don’t care about their swing technique. Order snacks and drinks from your bay, take turns trying to hit microchipped balls at giant light-up targets, and pretend you’re being strategic while actually just seeing how far you can send it. I’m horrible at real golf, so I really just do this instead.

23. Play Like an Adult at Pins Mechanical (Coming 2025)

Duckpin bowling. Giant beer pong. Retro arcade games. Pins Mechanical is an all-in-one playground for adults with enough space for a party and enough games to make you stay longer than planned. It’s not open yet, but when it arrives in 2025, expect it to become a staple hangout.

Indoor Texas Activities in Austin for Adults

24. Eat BBQ Like a Texan

Texas BBQ is a must-do on a trip to Texas, no matter the city. Tip: get the beef brisket and save the space on the sides. 

There are a few famous BBQ spots in the Austin area: Franklin’s, Terry’s, and Terry Blacks. Actually, the Black family has a remarkable history where all the family’s sons started their own BBQ house, with Terry’s being the original. 

BBQ spots are usually cafeteria-style, where you select your sides and meats by weight and pick an open table. Make sure to go at an odd hour or bring a lawn chair and an umbrella because the famous BBQ places can have super long lines. 

🍖 Eating is always a fun, go on a guided urban gastronomy experience taste testing through Downtown Austin with Secret Food Tours

25. Two-Step at The Broken Spoke

The Broken Spoke’s slogan, “The last of the True Texas Dancehalls and damn sure proud of it!” hangs on the exterior of their classic wood-built housing. Swinging the doors open to the place, a pool table spotlights among the rows of booths. From a tourist’s eyes, I totally saw its saloon days. It really is a hoot of a Texas experience, if that’s what you’re seeking.

Wednesday through Saturday, 8-9 pm, learn the Texas Two-Step, Western Swing, and (only one) line dancing opportunity by signing up for The Broken Spoke’s very own dance class. Although I’m not sure I would recommend the class itself, for a pretty strange reason. Feel free to ask me why.

Tip: Surprisingly dressy. You might get kicked out if you’re not wearing a “proper” shirt aka no tank tops, guys specifically. 

26. Walk the Halls of Power at the Texas State Capitol

Yes, it’s indoors. Yes, it’s free. And yes, it has AC. The Texas State Capitol is one of the state’s prettiest and most extra buildings, and you can actually walk around inside on a self-guided tour.

There are marble staircases, portraits of politicians past, and a beautiful domed ceilings representing Texas pride.

27. Sip Something Local at Austin Beerworks

Beer and air conditioning, two great things that taste great together. Austin Beerworks is a laid-back indoor taproom known for bright cans and brews that somehow still taste good even when it’s 105° outside.

The space is dog-friendly, industrial-cool, and blessedly shaded. Bonus: there’s usually a food truck parked outside to keep your hops from going straight to your head.

Miscellaneous Activities for Adults

28. Hunt for Oddities at Uncommon Objects 

Exactly as it sounds, Uncommon Objects is a massive storefront that sells uncommon objects. They have everything from creepy wooden masks to tea sets to things that make you wonder just why, e.g., random black-and-white photos of people from the early 1900s. Why anyone would buy or sell that is beyond me. 

29. Browse Cute Knickknacks at the Asian Plaza (Kinokuniya & Daiso)

This might be a weird place to put on this list, but we spent an hour at Kinokuniya Austin and Daiso looking at cute Asian knickknacks and buying things I didn’t think I needed. Afterward, indulge on some boba, Korean BBQ, or Sushi, yes please. 

30. Hang Out with Cats at Purrfecto Cat Lounge

This is exactly what it sounds like. You sip coffee or tea while cats nap, zoom, and ignore you completely in a cozy, air-conditioned lounge. Book by the hour to get your fix of feline chaos. Great if you need a break from humans or just want to see how many cats you can pet without getting allergies.

Cat Xu

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Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

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