Your Guide To Memorial Day 2021 In Austin Metro

AUSTIN, TX — Every Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who have died in United States military service since the Civil War.

For many Austinites, we celebrate the brave men and women by spending the weekend outdoors with family and friends, cooking Texas barbecue or taking a cross-state road trip.

However you choose to spend the national holiday, there's plenty of things to do to celebrate Memorial Day 2021 in the Austin Metro.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

See what's open/closed on Memorial Day 2021:

Stores, Restaurants Open On Memorial Day 2021 In Austin Metro

H-E-B, Walmart: Memorial Day 2021 Grocery Store Hours In Austin

Cedar Park Will Close Offices, Library On Memorial Day

But first, here's the weather.

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio reports drier weather Thursday but some rain and thunderstorm chances late Friday into Saturday for areas east of the I-10 and I-37 corridor. Low rain chances are expected Sunday and Monday for the Austin Metro.

Here's the full forecast: Rain Or Shine? Here’s The Memorial Day Forecast For Austin

Things To Do on Memorial Day 2021 in Austin Area

Head outdoors

The best part about living in Austin is the great views of Central Texas. Celebrate Memorial Day weekend by heading to the great outdoors and enjoy popular hiking spots in the region.

We recommend checking out Barton Creek Greenbelt, which has trails for days, along with areas you can stop to have a picnic, go for a swim or enjoy the serene sounds of waterfalls.

Get some Austin Barbecue

No Memorial Day celebration is complete without celebrating with some Texas barbecue, especially in Austin.

Check out local favorites like Black's Barbecue on Guadalupe Street, Stiles Switch BBQ on N Lamar Boulevard, or the ever popular Franklin's Barbecue on E 11th Street.

Head out of town

Who says you have to stay in Austin this weekend to enjoy Memorial Day weekend. Head to Houston or Corpus Christi to get some sun on its Gulf Coast beaches, go camping at some of Texas' popular camp sites or even head to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels or Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Seaworld in San Antonio.

Traveling This Memorial Day? Check Gas Prices In Texas

Bored on road trips? Here's Your Memorial Day 2021 Road Trip Playlist When Leaving Austin

Hitting the roads? Remember to "Click It or Ticket" for Memorial Day Weekend. Texas DPS is ramping up on giving tickets to drivers and passengers who aren't wearing their seatbelts this week.

Other local agencies ramping up enforcement:

Cedar Park PD Enforces 'Click It Or Ticket' Ahead Of Memorial Day

WilCo Sheriff's Office Will Patrol For DWI's Memorial Day Weekend

Austin PD Will Enforce DWI Laws Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend

Head to the Highland Lakes

If you're planning to kick off the summer by taking a dip, we recommend heading to Lake Travis this Memorial Day weekend. Austin's biggest lake offer plenty to do such as picnicking, grilling, swimming, hiking and boating.

But before you head out, here's how to stay safe in The Highland Lakes:

• Before you visit the lakes, be familiar with the Texas Water Safety Act and LCRA Land and Water Use Regulations. The water safety act includes statewide rules regarding boater education, life jackets and boat operation. The LCRA regulations include limits on boat speed and noise levels on the Highland Lakes.
• Be aware of changing conditions. The Highland Lakes are not constant-level lakes. Lake elevations can change quickly and create potentially hazardous boating conditions.
• Swim in designated areas. LCRA Land and Water Use Regulations prohibit swimming within 50 feet of any public boat ramp on the Highland Lakes. The Highland Lakes are not constant-level lakes, and lake elevations can change quickly. Swimmers should be aware the lake bottom can be uneven and can include debris or rocks.
• Never swim alone.
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Swimming in a river, lake or pond always carries a risk of exposure. Unlike swimming pools, natural water bodies are not chlorinated or disinfected. People who enter the water do so at their own risk.

Heading to Lake Austin? Don't bring a motorized boat. Here's why: Memorial Day 2021: APD Will Enforce Watercraft Ban On Lake Austin

Here are more tips on Lake, Boating Safety Tips For Memorial Day Weekend In Austin

Lakes not your thing? It's okay. Here's a list on Pools Open, Closed For Memorial Day Swimming In Austin Metro.

WATER SAFETY FACTS: Memorial Day 2021: Texas Drowning Rates, Water Safety Tips

Memorial Day 2021 Services in the Austin Metro:

Several organizations in the Austin Metro will host events to honor the memory of veterans who lost their lives in service of the United States. Here's a list of events.

Memorial Day Salute at Veterans Park Memorial in Round Rock

The Round Rock Veterans Committee will present the annual Memorial Day Salute event at 10 a.m. Monday. The event will take place at the Veterans Park Memorial located at 600 Pecan Avenue.

Memorial Day Service at the Round Rock Veterans Monument

The Round Rock Veterans Monument Committee will host a Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Monday at the Round Rock Veterans Monument at Veterans Park, 600 Pecan Avenue.

The Round Rock Veterans Monument was built by the City of Round as a place of honor and remembrances for all that are serving or have served to protect and defend our American heritage.

For more information, visit the city of Round Rock website.

Memorial Day and Tolling the Boats Ceremony at American Legion Post in Round Rock

The American Legion George Johns Post 447 will host a Memorial Day and Tolling the Boats Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at 1000 N Georgetown St. in Round Rock.

The special ceremony will honor U.S. veterans who died and those who died in the line of duty while while serving in the Armed Forces. The ceremony will feature a few veterans playing Taps on bagpipes and a color guard will be provided by the Young Marines of Central Texas. All are encouraged to attend the Memorial Day event.

Memorial Day Ceremony at Cook-Walden Funeral Homes and Cemetery in Pflugerville

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8787 will celebrate its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at Cook-Walden Funeral Homes in Pflugerville.
The celebration will recognize all of the brave men and women who died in the line of duty and served in the U.S. Military on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Car Parade in Georgetown

A Memorial Day Car Parade will kickoff at 10 a.m. Monday at 2501 Williams Drive in Georgetown and will make a stop at all Wesleyan Campuses, drive past Shell gas station and will visit the Delany at Georgetown Village retirement home.