Story by Ashten Luna
Illustration by Crystal Garcia

Before April showers actually bring May flowers, they end up canceling your Zilker Park plans. Here’s a list of five ways to make the most of this city when the predictably unpredictable Austin rain forces you inside.

1. Visit a Museum

Get in touch with your artistic side. Austin has plenty of interesting museums to get lost in on a rainy day. Try the Blanton Museum of Art or the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which are both within walking distance from campus. Or check out other museums around town like the South Austin Popular Culture Center, which has all the vintage posters and live music ephemera your heart desires.

2. Check Out a Comedy Club

Spend an evening at Esther’s Follies on Sixth Street for political satire fun, magic and music. If an Esther’s Follies show featuring a dancing Obama isn’t your thing, try The Comedy Gym on Research Boulevard for some side-splitting stand-up.

3. Watch a Movie

Austin has an abundance of theaters like the Alamo Drafthouse and Violet Crown, where you can see the latest blockbuster or independent film while enjoying a meal.  If you would rather enjoy a flick in your own home, Austin has local video stores like I Luv Video on Guadalupe Street and Vulcan Video. There’s something nostalgic and satisfying about perusing the stacks of a rental store. Ask film-buff employees for recommendations about cult classics or underrated gems.

4. Reconnect with your Inner Child

Relive the simple joy of arcades, bowling alleys and other kid-friendly fun. Austin’s Park is an indoor family entertainment center with plenty of activities like laser tag, a rock climbing wall and an all-you-can eat pizza buffet. Or check out Dart Bowl on Grover Avenue. With a funky purple interior, a video game arcade and 32 bowling lanes, you can’t go wrong. For an adults-only affair, visit The Goodnight for bowling, billiards, table tennis and shuffleboard. 

5. Head Downtown for Drinks and Eats

Rainy weather and a cup of joe or hot chocolate go hand-in-hand. Halcyon on West Fourth Street offers hip coffee cocktails, hot chocolate, tea and other warm beverages. Take some friends downtown to share an order of their famous s’mores on their comfy couches.