Things to Do Near Moody Center, Austin

Austin’s Moody Center has quickly become one of the premier music venues in Texas since its opening. If you’re traveling for music events to this cultural hotspot in 2025, you’ll want to explore the surrounding area. This vibrant neighborhood offers plenty of attractions, dining options, and activities to make your live music getaway complete.

The Moody Center Experience

The Moody Center sits on the University of Texas campus and hosts world class concerts and events throughout the year. The facility features exceptional acoustics and visibility from every seat. In 2025, the venue’s lineup includes an impressive range of artists across all genres.

Before or after your show, the surrounding area offers numerous options to enhance your visit. Austin isn’t called the “Music City” of Texas without reason where the entire area pulses with creative energy.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Austin’s beautiful weather makes outdoor exploration a must on any live music getaway travel itinerary. Near Moody Center, you’ll find:

Waller Creek is undergoing a major transformation in 2025. The Waterloo Greenway project continues to develop this connected urban park system, perfect for a pre show stroll.

Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake sits just a mile south of Moody Center. This 10 mile loop offers stunning views of Austin’s skyline and access to paddle boarding or kayaking. It’s a perfect activity for the day after a high energy concert.

The University of Texas campus features beautiful grounds and landmarks. The UT Tower provides excellent photo opportunities, while the Turtle Pond offers a peaceful spot to relax.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

Austin’s cultural scene extends beyond music venues. When traveling for music events, take time to explore these nearby attractions that showcase the city’s rich heritage and creative spirit.

Blanton Museum of Art

Located on the UT campus, this museum houses one of the largest university art collections in the country. The Blanton’s permanent collection includes nearly 19,000 works, with particular strength in European paintings, prints and drawings, and modern and contemporary American and Latin American art. Don’t miss “Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin,” a 2,715s square feet stone building with colored glass windows that create stunning light patterns throughout the day. In 2025, the Blanton is featuring special exhibits on emerging Texas musicians who blur the line between visual art and musical performance.

Official website : https://blantonmuseum.org/

Harry Ransom Center

Just a short walk from Moody Center, this world renowned research library and museum features rotating exhibitions of literary and cultural materials. The center houses the first photograph ever taken, a Gutenberg Bible, and extensive archives from notable writers and musicians. Music enthusiasts will appreciate their collection of original handwritten song lyrics and musical compositions. For 2025, they’ve announced a major exhibition exploring the intersection of literature and music in Texas culture, featuring artifacts from Austin’s music scene from the 1960s to today.

Official website : https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/

LBJ Presidential Library

Learn about President Lyndon Johnson’s legacy in this impressive museum on the east side of the UT campus. The library houses 45 million pages of historical documents, 650,000 photos, and 5,000 hours of recordings from LBJ’s political career. Music fans will appreciate the exhibits about 1960s culture and the Johnson administration’s support for public broadcasting and the arts. The library frequently hosts evening events with live music in its Great Hall, making it a perfect addition to your live music getaway.

Official website : https://www.lbjlibrary.org/

Texas Memorial Museum

Satisfy your curiosity about natural history at this science center that showcases dinosaur displays, Texas wildlife, and geological wonders. The museum’s highlight is the 30 feet Mosasaur skeleton discovered by UT students. In 2025, they’re debuting a new interactive exhibit on the science of sound, perfect for deepening your appreciation of music while traveling for music events.

The Contemporary Austin Jones Center

This leading contemporary art museum features rotating exhibitions across two locations. The downtown Jones Center hosts innovative installations, while the Laguna Gloria location offers sculpture gardens on beautiful Lake Austin grounds. The Contemporary frequently collaborates with musicians for special performances that complement their visual exhibits. Their 2025 program includes several sound based installations from internationally acclaimed artists that respond to Austin’s identity as a music city.

Mexic Arte Museum

Located downtown, this cultural institution showcases Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. The museum frequently explores the connections between visual arts and musical traditions through their exhibits. In 2025, they’re presenting a special collection examining the influence of Mexican musical styles on Texas border culture and Austin’s evolving sound.

The Bullock Texas State History Museum

Three floors of interactive exhibits tell the story of Texas, including its rich musical heritage from conjunto to western swing to psychedelic rock. The museum’s IMAX theater and Texas Spirit Theater offer immersive film experiences. Music travelers will enjoy their special 2025 exhibit on Texas music festivals through the decades, featuring memorabilia from early Austin City Limits festivals.

For 2025, many of these institutions have announced special exhibits timed to coincide with major music festivals and events at Moody Center. Several museums offer extended hours on concert nights when you show your ticket stub, and some have created curated audio tours that connect their collections to Austin’s musical heritage. The Austin Museum Partnership also offers a combined ticket option that provides discounted admission to multiple venues, perfect for filling the days between shows on your live music getaway.

Shopping Near Moody Center

Take home souvenirs from your live music getaway with these shopping options:

The Drag (Guadalupe Street) runs alongside the western edge of the UT campus. This street features unique shops, boutiques, and Austin centric stores perfect for finding local goods.

2ND Street District, though a bit further south, is worth the short ride, share trip for upscale shopping and local designers. In 2025, several new Austin based retailers are opening locations here.

University Co-op is your destination for official University of Texas merchandise and a great place to pick up Austinmthemed souvenirs.

Nightlife Beyond the Concert

The show might end, but your night doesn’t have to. Austin’s reputation as a music city extends to its vibrant nightlife scene:

Rainey Street Historic District features houses converted into bars and lounges, many with live music stages. This area has a more relaxed vibe than the famous Sixth Street.

East Sixth Street has evolved beyond the party reputation of “Dirty Sixth” and now features craft cocktail bars, breweries, and venues with local musicians nearly every night.

West Campus bars cater to the university crowd but offer affordable drinks and fun atmospheres for all ages (21+).

For 2025, several new rooftop bars are opening near the UT campus area, providing skyline views to complement your musical experiences.

Day Trips from Austin

If you’re extending your live music getaway with extra days in the area:

Hill Country wineries and breweries make for a perfect day trip. Many offer live music on weekends, continuing your musical journey outside the city.

San Marcos River provides tubing and swimming opportunities just 30 minutes south of Austin.

Hamilton Pool Preserve requires reservations but rewards visitors with a stunning natural swimming hole under a limestone overhang.

Lockhart, the BBQ capital of Texas, lies just 35 minutes southeast and offers legendary smoked meat establishments.

Seasonal Considerations for Your 2025 Visit

Austin’s climate affects your travel planning:

Spring (March-May) brings perfect temperatures and wildflower blooms, but also hosts SXSW and other major events that crowd accommodations.

Summer (June-August) temperatures often exceed 100°F, making outdoor activities challenging without proper planning.

Fall (September-November) offers ideal weather and major music festivals like ACL.

Winter (December-February) is mild but can have occasional cold snaps. Indoor music venues like Moody Center become especially appealing.

Local Tips for Music Fans

Make the most of your Austin music experience:

• Bring a refillable water bottle to shows because Austin’s heat requires constant hydration
• Check venue policies before attending. Moody Center has specific rules about bags and cameras
• Follow local music publications like Austin Chronicle for last minute show announcements
• Look for “Austin City Limits” tapings during your visit. Free tickets are sometimes available
• Consider purchasing a portable phone charger. Documenting your music journey can drain batteries quickly

Austin’s live music scene extends far beyond the major venues. Even on your Moody Center visit, leave room in your schedule for spontaneous discoveries of street performers and pop up shows.

Your 2025 visit to Moody Center puts you in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic music cities. Whether you’re coming for a single show or planning an extended live music getaway, the area surrounding this premier venue offers endless opportunities to enhance your musical journey.