United States, North America

Austin in March

The best weather of early spring meets SXSW and spring break. Wonderful city energy, peak hotel prices, and downtown gridlock mid month. The last week, after the festival, is a sweet spot.

TradeoffsWarm and breezy, highs near 73F (23C), first bluebonnets late month

Austin Texas skyline, United States — AustinPhoto: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

March is a month of real tradeoffs in Austin. The best weather of early spring meets SXSW and spring break. Wonderful city energy, peak hotel prices, and downtown gridlock mid month. The last week, after the festival, is a sweet spot.

Weather: Warm and breezy, highs near 73F (23C), first bluebonnets late month
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What March is like in Austin

March brings warm, breezy days, with highs near 73F (23C) and the first bluebonnets late in the month. It is also Austin's most expensive and crowded stretch. SXSW takes over downtown for about a week in mid March, usually during Texas spring break, and Rodeo Austin often runs at the same time. Hotel rates can triple and downtown traffic grinds to a halt.

This month suits festival-goers and anyone who wants the city at full energy. It is a poor pick for budget travelers and families who want calm. If you are not coming for SXSW, aim for the last week of March after the festival, or come in April.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Austin this month.

SXSW

The film, music, and tech festival fills downtown with hundreds of showcases. Book months ahead, since rates spike across the whole city.

Rodeo Austin

Pro rodeo, livestock shows, and concerts at the Travis County Expo Center make a fun family break from the festival scene.

The first bluebonnets

Late in the month, the state flower starts to show along Hill Country roads. A wet winter means a bigger bloom.

What to pack for March

Light layers for warm days and cool nights
A light jacket for breezy evenings
Comfortable shoes for walking between venues
Sunscreen and sunglasses

Our timing tip

Check the SXSW dates before you book, and if you are not going, plan for the last week of the month when prices drop and bluebonnets start.

Book Austin for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Austin
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Austin
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Austin for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

SXSW

March, usually overlapping Texas spring break

Film, music, and tech conference plus hundreds of showcases downtown. Hotels book out months ahead and rates spike across the whole city.

Rodeo Austin

March, often running alongside SXSW

Pro rodeo, livestock shows, and concerts at the Travis County Expo Center. A good family counterweight to SXSW.

Bluebonnet season

Late March to mid April, varies with winter rain

The state flower lines Hill Country highways. A wet fall and winter means a big year; a dry one means sparse fields.

Things to do in Austin

Full guide

Barton Springs Pool

Go at opening on a weekday for the quiet swim. Check the city schedule for weekly cleaning closures and reduced winter hours before you drive over.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Congress Avenue Bridge bat flight

Roughly March through October, the Mexican free-tailed bats pour out at dusk. Watch from the bridge, the lawn by the Statesman site, or a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Late summer brings the biggest flights.

Tickets and tours →

Texas State Capitol

Taller than the US Capitol and free to tour, with guided tours daily. The grounds are a shaded escape downtown and a good first stop with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The best one-stop primer on Texas, a block from the Capitol. A reliable air-conditioned half day in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Peak bloom runs March through May. The spring plant sale and the bluebonnet fields make April the showpiece month.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard, walk the 10-mile Butler Trail loop, and picnic on the Great Lawn. Before 9am in summer is the only sane window.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the SXSW, ACL, F1, and UT football calendars before you book anything. A random weekend in October can cost double the weekend before it.
Stay midweek. Austin fills with weekend visitors and bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday through Saturday; Sunday through Wednesday hotel rates drop hard.
Barbecue lines: arrive before the pit opens on a weekday, or order ahead where it is offered. Many famous spots sell out of brisket by early afternoon.
For bluebonnets, go on a weekday morning and drive past the famous roadside spots; fields a few miles farther out are just as good and nearly empty.

Know before you go

ACL Fest closes a large part of Zilker Park for weeks around the festival for setup and recovery, and Barton Springs parking and access are affected. Check city notices if a swim is on your October list.
Barton Springs Pool closes for regular cleaning and occasional flood debris; a big rain upstream can shut it for days. Always check the pool page the morning you go.
Hamilton Pool and many Hill Country swimming spots close swimming after heavy rain or for bacteria counts, sometimes for long stretches. Reservations do not guarantee a swim.
Central Texas sits in Flash Flood Alley. Spring and fall storms can flood low-water crossings in minutes. Never drive into water over a road; turn around.

Austin in March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Austin?

What is the weather like in Austin in March?

Warm and breezy, highs near 73F (23C), first bluebonnets late month.

Is Austin crowded in March?

March is peak crowd season in Austin; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Austin in March?

SXSW (march, usually overlapping texas spring break); Rodeo Austin (march, often running alongside sxsw); Bluebonnet season (late march to mid april, varies with winter rain).