Austin is one of my family's favorite Texas stops for virtual reality, and every spot on this page is a place the Howse crew has walked into, played through, and reviewed ourselves. These four venues run the gamut, from a full free-roam VR arena with motion treadmills to bowling-and-arcade halls where VR is one attraction among many. I'll help you sort out which fits your day and your budget.
I’m the voice behind this blog, just an average enthusiast eager to explore virtual reality experiences around Austin with my family. We’ve transformed our adventures into an engaging project, where we critique and rate the coolest VR spots we can discover. So, if you’re looking for immersive virtual reality fun in Austin, you’ve found the perfect spot!
Note, if you’re looking for other cities, click here!
Our table isn’t just a list; it’s our personal journey through the virtual landscapes, complete with names, locations, themes, and honest user ratings from yours truly and the fam. We detail everything from age suitability and costs to the pros and cons we’ve encountered, all to help you pick the perfect VR adventure!
Virtual Reality Near Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VR experience in Austin?
For real, next-generation VR, Dave & Buster's Austin and its OmniVR Arena is my top pick, and I scored it a perfect 10 in our household. It uses omni-directional treadmills so you actually run in place inside the game, playing team shooters like Outpost Siege and mission adventures like Neptune Salvage Ops. If you want a wilder amusement-park take, Austin's Park has a VB Virtual Reality rollercoaster that genuinely felt like getting whipped upside down on a real coaster.
Where can I do free-roam VR in Austin?
Dave & Buster's Austin is the place for free-roam. Their OmniVR Arena is a huge room fitted with omni-directional treadmills and VR backpacks, so you shuffle, crouch, and lean to move naturally through the game instead of standing on a fixed pad. It's the most immersive VR setup we found in the city by a mile. High 5 Austin and Main Event Austin both have VR sections too, but those are more stationary station-style games.
How much does VR cost in Austin?
It varies a lot by venue. At Dave & Buster's, VR games are charged separately at $15 per session, per person, on top of your Power Card, and our whole family night ran close to $250 with food. Main Event Austin charges about $6 for five minutes at its VR stations, which I found overpriced for what you get, and regular arcade games there run 50 cents to $1 per play. At Austin's Park, the standard entry and wristband fee is over $40 per person, which covers unlimited rides including their VR coaster.
Which Austin venue is best for kids and birthday parties?
For younger kids and big group energy, Austin's Park is hard to beat with its 23 acres of go-karts on three age-based tracks, laser tag, bowling, bumper cars, and rock climbing, all under one roof. High 5 Austin on Anderson Lane is a great pick for a slightly more laid-back party, with 28 bowling lanes, a big arcade, axe throwing, karaoke rooms, and a solid food menu. Just know Austin's Park pricing adds up fast and there's no re-entry, so plan to stay put once you're in.
Is Main Event in Austin worth it for VR?
Honestly, VR is the weakest part of Main Event Austin for me. As a VR nerd, I found the roughly eight VR stations glitchy on movement tracking and not much better than an Oculus Quest 2 at home, and at about $6 for five minutes it felt pricey. That said, the rest of the venue is a genuinely fun family day: 50-plus bowling lanes, a three-story rock climbing wall, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and laser tag. Go for the whole package off Highway 183, not for the VR alone.