11 Ways to Keep Your Sanity When SXSW Invades Austin

Surviving SXSW in Texas

SXSW, the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals, is currently taking place in Austin from March 7th to 15th, 2025. It’s halfway over, but if you’re still feeling stressed by all the noise and visitors, this is is the list for you.

Here are some of the best things to do in Austin for some peace and quiet, SXSW or not.

Find Zen at Zilker Botanical Garden

Just behind a natural hill that blocks city noise, you’ll find 26 acres of garden magic. The Japanese Garden is a highlight, where 12 kinds of bamboo create quiet spaces around ponds filled with 35 colorful koi fish.

For the most peaceful experience, visit the Rose Garden on weekdays, you’ll only see about 15-20 other visitors. The garden is open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM during the winter months and from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM in the summer.

Discover Peace at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden

Just over a mile from downtown’s chaos, this four-acre haven holds 58 beautiful sculptures among old Texas plants.

A natural creek in the lower garden creates a peaceful background sound that makes the city disappear. They’ve set up six benches facing east, perfect for watching the sunrise.

Love yoga? Join the morning classes or try outdoor sessions in parks like Zilker or the Lady Bird Lake area.

Paddle to Serenity on Lady Bird Lake

While crowds pack the Congress Bridge, the eastern part of the lake stays wonderfully empty save for Great Blue herons.

The Texas Rowing Center is your best bet to retreat from the festival noise. Head out early between 7 and 9 AM when the morning fog creates a magical scene.

Keep your eyes open between markers 12 and 15, where you might spot great turtles, and on rare occasions, even a family of playful river otters.

Embrace Tranquility at the Wildflower Center

Drive just 13 miles from downtown to find 284 acres of Texas beauty, with over 900 native plants and nearly 4 miles of quiet trails.

March is special here, you’ll catch the first bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush blooming in 16 different gardens. Climb the 50-foot tower around the evening time before 5 PM when most visitors have left.

Seven peaceful fountains throughout the garden create gentle background sounds that help drown the festival buzz.

Retreat to Mayfield Park’s Hidden Corners

Don’t let the 23 acres fool you, this historic garden has peacocks floating about. Full of quiet spots bordered by stone walls, you’ll find peace in the northeastern corner.

It’s where a 100-year-old magnolia tree stands guard over the most peaceful part of the garden. Early mornings or weekdays tend to be quieter times to visit Mayfield Park, as it is less crowded, and the peacocks may be resting or roaming the park.

Find Solitude at Shield Ranch

Just 18 miles west of the festival chaos, sits Shield Ranch, a 6,400-acre family ranch located on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country. Once here, take a peaceful 2.5-mile morning walk through a grove of really old oak trees.

Early birds can join meditation sessions at a natural rock amphitheater by Bear Creek. If you love photography, sign up for one of their small workshops. Some only take 8 people at a time to explore 11 miles of pristine Hill Country trails.

Explore the Peace of McKinney Falls

This 641-acre park sits just 13 miles southeast of downtown Austin but feels like another world. Visit after the festival ends, the park’s wildflowers, such as Texas Bluebonnets, are also in bloom during this period.

Many of McKinney Falls’ scenic spots, particularly near the Lower Falls and Onion Creek, are naturally quiet and calming, making them ideal for meditation. Stop by the newly updated visitor center to get maps showing 12 special quiet zones throughout the park.

Discover Downtown Oasis at the Central Library

The library’s rooftop garden is a surprise oasis with 15 cozy reading spots and great city views. Three fountains create just enough background noise to block out the street sounds far below.

Step inside to find peaceful reading rooms with huge 14-foot windows that keep the temperature just right at 72 degrees. In March, watch for monarch butterflies and hummingbirds visiting the garden’s 47 types of native plants.

Experience Sanctuary at the Shambhala Meditation Center

Find peace just 4 miles from the festival at this welcoming meditation center. They offer six 45-minute meditation sessions daily during SXSW, plus you can relax in their garden near the pond.

Participate in community events like Shambhala Day, which celebrates the new year in the Shambhala tradition. New to meditation? They’ll spend 15 minutes helping you get started and even provide a cushion to use.

Retreat to Commons Ford Ranch

This 215-acre hideaway along the Colorado River is as quiet as a library. Spring brings more than 70 types of wildflowers to the restored prairie, painting it with bluebonnets, winecups, and Indian paintbrush.

The park is open daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, making it accessible for early morning or late evening visits.

Bird watchers will love it here. You might see up to 85 different species, including colorful painted buntings and graceful scissor-tailed flycatchers.