Article: 25 Rainy Day Dates in Austin Under $50: Zoo
25 Rainy Day Dates in Austin Under $50
By: Teresa McGlothlin
Image: Wiki Commons by Kevin Payravi
About This Article
There's nothing that compares to Austin's natural beauty, but rain can ruin even the best laid outdoor plans. When Mother Nature has something less hospitable in mind, there's still a lot for you and your date to do! From cake decorating to flying through the air at an indoor trapeze park, Austin offers a staggering array of unique activities. And they won't max out your credit card trying to impress your date!
Curling up with Netflix is a lovely way to spend a dreary day together, but these inexpensive hot spots will make you reach for the umbrellas. Do you feel like a little magic show? Want to hold hands while freefalling in one of the world's largest indoor skydiving arenas? For under $50, Austin can provide you with a date that you'll both remember for years to come.
Museums, arcades and breweries are just the tip of the iceberg in Austin. There are endless things to do! Check out the 25 hottest spots to take a date when it's raining, and you'll get bonus points with your bae. Plus, you'll save a few dollars for the next time it's sunny, and you can take your date to the nearest taco truck.
Urban Air Trampoline Park
Whether you're both big kids or little ones are tagging along on your date, the Urban Air Trampoline Park is the perfect place to spend a date. You can stick to the basic trampolines, or you can challenge each other to ropes, beams, rock walls and warrior courses. It has been voted one of the best trampoline parks in the country. You're sure to have a good time!
The Zach Theatre
It might be gloomy outside, but you don't have to let it rain on your dating parade! Why not impress your date by taking them to the Zach Theatre? Since 1932, the historic theater — the oldest in Texas and the 10th oldest in the United States — has been putting on live shows. During intermission, you can share an umbrella while you're taking in the sights around Town Lake.
Central Public Library
If you're looking for a laid-back, quiet date, don't mark Central Public Library off your list. Constructed only a few years ago, the library is home to a lot more than books. Nestled amongst six acres of lush greenery, it boasts a rooftop garden, a cafe and art exhibitions guaranteed to spark conversation. Your date will be impressed with your cultured way to spend a rainy day!
Infinite Monkey Theorem
Are you looking for a chill and fun way to hide from the rain? Look no further than the urban winery at Infinite Monkey Theorem! You can choose to relax in the winery's upbeat bar, or you can take a group tour. If you really want to make things unique, you can schedule a private tour and get an intimate look at the homebrewing process. You'll have such a great date, you'll want to take a keepsake bottle or two home with you.
Baked by Amy's
You don't have to let a little rain ruin your date! Baked by Amy's offers a cake decorating class that will bring out your sweet side. You've probably already been to Amy's Ice Cream, but taking your date to play with cake batter and icing could earn major bonus points. You don't need any experience. Just sign up ahead of time, and prepare to giggle at one another's rose-making attempts. You'll leave with huge smiles on your faces.
Austin Roller Rink
If your Sunday or Wednesday night date is looking rainy, the Austin Roller Rink has you covered. It's open all week, but these two nights are reserved for adults. Taking a date to the roller rink can do a lot more than make the two of you laugh. You'll need to trust each other to survive the night without falling! It was recently voted SXSW's best venue, so you won't have to worry about feeling out of place. This roller rink knows that adults like to have fun, too!
Ramen Tatsu-ya
It might be cold and rainy outside, but you can keep things warm by heading for gourmet ramen at Ramen Tatsu-ya. Founded by a couple of Austin DJs, Ramen Tatsu-ya brings authentic Japanese comfort food into a vibrant and fun environment. Both you and your date will be able to customize your order, but you will have to follow a few rules. No sharing is allowed, so you'll have to allow one another to sample your creations.
Austin Art Garage
Rainy days might be gray, but your date doesn't have to be! Take in some of Austin's finest talent by heading to the Austin Art Garage. You can spend hours looking over the work of the area's local artists. If you plan carefully, you could meet them or take a class in every medium, from painting to pottery. Your date will be impressed with the vibrant cultural experience you've planned out.
iFly Austin
Is your date a little bit of a daredevil? The weather might be uncooperative for outdoor adventure, but that doesn't have to stop you. You and your date will have a blast at iFly Austin. You can enroll in flight school, or you can take a one-time-only private lesson. They're open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. You'll have time left over to explore another one of Austin's indoor date activities when you're done.
Cap City Comedy Club
Everyone knows that dating and having a sense of humor go hand-in-hand! Cheer up any rainy evening by taking your date to Austin's Cap City Comedy Club or Esther's Follies. Local and touring performers will have the both of you laughing until you cry. You can also sample some of Austin's finest local foods by ordering at the club or stepping next door to any of the area's acclaimed restaurants.
Sky Candy
The rain has a way of ruining plans, but it doesn't have to ruin your fun! Grab your date and head to Austin's Sky Candy for an indoor acrobatic lesson that will have you both smiling. You can fly through the air, holding hands during aerial yoga and trapeze lessons. Or you can stay a little closer to the ground and show off your sensual sides with pole dancing. Either way, you'll want to go back again!
Waterloo Records
No matter how different your musical tastes may be, Waterloo Records will have something for you both. An establishment in the musical world, Waterloo offers a wide variety of music from which to choose. From vinyl to cassette to download codes, Waterloo has it all. If your date is up for it, make sure to check out the musical line-up. Waterloo Records hosts shows a few times a month, and they are acts that you won't want to miss!
Texas Capital
Spending a date talking about politics does not sound like a great idea. Visiting the Texas Capitol complex is a great way to spend time together, though! Situated on 22 acres in the middle of Austin, the iconic complex houses more than just the legislature. Free tours are available every 30 minutes, and there are a number of award-winning restaurants from which to choose. You'll spend hours taking in the historical and art-based exhibitions!
Cafe Monet
After you've picked out the perfect bottle of wine at Infinite Monkey Theorem, use the rest of your rainy day date to brighten up the world. Head to Cafe Monet, and paint your own masterpieces! Cafe Monet's relaxed, BYOB atmosphere can bring out anyone's creative side. Plus, you'll leave with unique reminders of the day you spent together dodging the rain.
Barre Code
Your date might find it a little strange to see you outside of Barre Code doing a few pirouettes. But spending a rainy day date on the barre together could take your relationship to new heights, though. Drop-ins are encouraged to come to the studio for ballet lessons or a great new workout routine. You'll always remember the day you spent finding out which one of you is on point!
NXNW
After you spend the evening having fun at NXNW, you will forget that the rain left you scrambling for plans. Voted one of Austin's favorite music venues, there's always something going on at NXNW. You can opt for a brewery tour or a show, and you can treat your date to upscale food. There's no need to spend time roughing the weather when you can be inside having such a great time.
SPIN
Does your date have a competitive side? Take advantage of the weather and indulge it by playing ping pong at SPIN! For only $8 an hour, you can rent a table and play to your heart's content. When you're tired from pretending to lose, you can order some of SPIN's award-winning food. It's the kind of date you want to repeat again and again.
The Driskill
If the rain has put you in the mood for an intimate and low-key date, head down to The Driskell on Brazos Street. It's dripping with Texas grandeur and elegance, and you can order a gourmet meal, take in some live music or sit at the antique bar for a conversation. The Driskell opens early and closes late. It's perfect for couples looking for a private and high-class escape from the rain.
Punch Bowl Social
Don't go singing in the rain! Sing your hearts out at Punch Bowl Social, instead. While you're there, you can rent a private room so the two of you can dedicate the sappiest of songs to one another without the peering eyes of an audience. You'll never have to put down the mic because servers will deliver your food and drinks to your door. Once you spend an afternoon or evening there, you will want to make it a regular thing!
Toy Joy
Since 1987, Toy Joy has been keeping Austin's inner child alive. When you make it your rainy day destination, you'll have more fun than you've ever had on a date. Toy Joy keeps all those nostalgic favorites in stock, but there are enough new toys and gadgets to keep any couple busy for days. Toys are not just for kids, and you will see a lighter side of each other while you're there.
Alamo Drafthouse
Nothing says romance like curling up to your date and watching a good film! At Austin's Alamo Drafthouse, you can do just that plus have dinner delivered to your table. The drafthouse shows new mainstream films, but it also hosts alternative nights. You won't have to worry about people answering their phones during your intimate date, either. Stewards at the Alamo are happy to kick anyone out who might be disrupting other filmgoers.
Topgolf
Dodge the raindrops by finding out if your date is on par at Top Golf. Top Golf offers both indoor and outdoor golfing choices, and it's the perfect way to shake off the rainy date blues. After you've finished all 18 holes, head up to the rooftop terrace or to the lounge. Topgolf caters to adult clientele, but it won't blow your budget. Unless, of course, the two of you spend too much time and money in the virtual games arcade.
Magic's Theater and Museum
Infuse a little magic into your date by heading over the Magic's Theater and Museum. For only $10 per ticket, you can take in a show like no other. You'll be mystified by an illusionist and taken on a journey of the mind. Before you leave, spend some time in the museum learning about the history of the art form. Make sure to check the weather a day ahead of time. Reservations are recommended.
Pinballz Arcade
When the two of you enter Pinballz, you'll forget that you're grownups! From bumper cars to Fortnite, Pinballz has something for everyone. See if you can beat your date out of an escape room. Play laser tag or drive go-carts. Admission is free, and the food is delicious. Don't be surprised when your date wants to go back again. You'll have so much fun, you'll want to go back, too.
Thinkery
Austin's Thinkery is not just for kids. Interactive exhibits and science-based learning stations will engage your mind, and you'll have fun. If your date happens to be on a Wednesday night, you're in luck. Admission is donation-based that night, and you'll have more money to spend when you stop by one of the nearby restaurants or breweries.
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