austin tx trip guide

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Austin Travel Guide

Last Updated: October 5, 2023

In this city, you’ll find line dancing next to an organic food market next to a classic Texan steak house. The beer and food truck scene here is amazing (some of the best BBQ and tacos in the country are here) and you can’t kick a stone without coming across some incredible music.

Plus, there is easy access to a ton of outdoor activities so you can work off all that food and beer.

No one ever leaves Austin disappointed. Whether you’re a foodie or a music fan or a nature lover, Austin has something to keep you entertained.

This travel guide to Austin can help you plan an affordable trip to one of the hottest spots in the United States.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Austin

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Austin

1. Check out the music

Austin is famous for its music scene and there are tons of opportunities to listen to world-class independent music here. Pretty much every bar in the city showcases music and most of the shows are free. The two big music festivals in the city are Austin City Limits (October) and SXSW (March). Both events bring in over 400,000 people so make sure to book your accommodation early if you plan on attending. Beyond the festivals, 6th Street is home to a ton of venues and Stubb’s is one of the most popular venues in town so try to see a show there if you can!

2. Jump into Barton Springs

Barton Springs Pool is the city’s best spots. Located in Zilker Park (see below), it provides respite from the blazing summertime heat. Fed by a natural cold-water spring, the city-run Barton Springs Pool features manicured lawns that are great for lounging on and relaxing with your friends. The wide pool gives you plenty of room to float around and cool off, as the temperature can hit 100 degrees in the summer. It’s only $9 USD to swim here (residents pay $5 USD) and it’s just a 5-minute ride from downtown. If you want to go kayaking, guided two-hours tours from the Austin Rowing Club cost $45 USD.

3. Tour the State Capitol

The Texas Capitol building is the home to Texas’ state government. Completed in 1888, it’s on the US National Register of Historic Places, is a National Historic Landmark, and is also a Texas Historic Landmark. The capitol offers free 30-minute tours from Monday to Friday. You get a chance to walk the historic halls of the biggest state capitol building in the country (it’s over a dozen feet taller than the capitol in DC) while admiring its ornate architecture, right down to the brass door hinges and elegant chandeliers. You can also pick up a brochure and do a self-guided tour as well.

4. Take a craft beer tour

Austin is home to a growing number of craft beer breweries, most of which offer tours of their facilities (with samples, of course!). Companies like Twisted Texas Tour organize tours of multiple breweries via their Brew Bus. Tours last a few hours and cost $99 USD per person. For a unique twist, check out Bike and Brew ATX . Their bike tour visits 3 breweries and includes 3 flights of beer for $75 USD.

5. Eat some BBQ

Other things to see and do in austin, 1. visit the museum of the weird.

This museum is a typical penny arcade featuring weird oddities like a two-headed chicken, a “fish man,” a mummy, and even a sideshow. It’s one of those “step right up and see some weird shit” kind of places. It’s small and takes only 20 minutes to wander through, but it’s weird, Austin-like, and sort of fun. Admission is $12 USD.

2. Take a walking tour

The best way to orient yourself on arrival is with a walking tour. You learn some history and see the main sights, all while connecting with an expert local guide who can answer your questions. I always start my visits to a new city with a free walking tour. Tipster Tours runs regular free tours in Austin. For paid tours, go with Walking Tours of Austin . If you want something spooky, you can also take a ghost tour . Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!

3. Watch the bats

From mid-March until November, the Congress Avenue Bridge downtown is home to 1.5 million bats. Visit the waterfront at dusk to watch these creepy critters head out for their nightly foraging. Just don’t take the boat tours because the bats fly over the river and there’s a lot of poop that comes down as they fly off. Get there early to secure a good spot as a lot of people show up and the bridge gets crowded!

4. Hang out in Zilker Park

Zilker Park is in the heart of South Austin. The park offers many different types of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, jogging, picnicking, and more. Barton Springs (see above) is here as well. Don’t forget to visit the statue park, filled with over 200 of the famous sculptor Charles Umlauf’s sculptures and artworks. They’re moved around every season so visitors can regularly experience the art in a new way. Kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards (SUP) can be rented for 21 USD per hour from Zilker Boats. Bike yours around the park are also available.

5. See the Cathedral of Junk

The Cathedral of Junk is exactly that: a massive collection of repurposed junk. Started in 1988 by Vince Hannemann, the Cathedral of Junk is an ever-evolving passion project involving over 60 tons of junk. Old bikes, appliances, hubcaps, TVs — you name it. They’re all cobbled together to form a massive “cathedral” that spans Vince’s entire backyard. Admission is free though a $5 USD donation is encouraged. It’s not open every day so call ahead.

6. Hang out on Lady Bird Lake

This lake is actually a reservoir on the Colorado River. Located in downtown Austin, it’s a great place for rowing or kayaking as no motorboats are allowed on the water. There are trails around the lake for hiking and cycling, too. If a relaxing place to escape the city and popular with locals. Kayak rentals cost around $15 USD per hour (or $35 USD per day) while SUP rentals are $25 USD per hour (or $55 USD per day) from Rowing Dock . There’s also a 10-mile (16 kilometer) hiking and biking trail around the lake if you want to stretch your legs. It has regular entry and exit points so you don’t have to do the whole 10 miles. There are also fountains and bathrooms along the trail in case you need a break. It’s an easy, fun trail.

7. Swim in Deep Eddy

This man-made pool is fed from a nearby well with non-chlorinated water. It’s the oldest swimming pool in Texas (it was originally built in 1915) and is open all year round (its hours of operation are shortened during the winter, though). In the summer, they show family movies here, projected onto an inflatable screen. Admission is free.

8. Tour the LBJ Presidential Library

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum does an excellent job of highlighting LBJ’s life and contributions as the 36th US president. Johnson was president from 1963-69, taking over after Kennedy was assassinated (he was sworn in on Air Force One just two hours after the assassination). There are a lot of interactive exhibits here, as well as an animatronic LBJ, a replica Oval Office from his presidency, and over 45 million pages of documents. As a history buff, I really enjoyed it! Admission is $13 USD and half-price on Tuesdays.

9. Try an escape room

Austin is home to a few great escape rooms, which are a fun way to spend an afternoon if it gets too hot out. The Escape Game Austin is one of the top-rated companies in the country and offers some really neat challenges (including an amazing prison break room). If you’ve never tried an escape room, this is the place! Admission is $36 USD per person.

10. Go two-stepping

Two-stepping (often called ‘the Texas two-step’) is a country/western dance that can be found all over the city. The White Horse is the most famous spot for it, though The Broken Spoke and the Little Longhorn Saloon are also popular venues to try it out as well. Check their websites for an up-to-date event schedule to find out when they are hosting two-stepping.

11. Experience First Thursday

The South Congress Hotel hosts a huge event on the first Thursday of every month. There is live music and an all-night happy hour. Local vendors also set up nearby selling art, clothing, and other items and many nearby bars and stores also run discounts too. Don’t miss this if you’re in town — it’s one of my favorite monthly events!

12. Get weird on Rainey Street

This nightlife area is filled with old houses that have been recently converted into bars. Originally the “hipster” part of the city, it’s now mainstream and teems with people on the weekend. Personally, I avoid coming here on weekends: it’s too crowded and there are too many bachelor/ette parties. I find the scene a little too wild for me — though you may not!

13. Grab a cocktail

While beer and cheap drinks reign supreme in Austin, there is a huge cocktail scene in the city. If you’re looking for the perfect cocktail, try Firehouse Lounge, Floppy Disk Repair Co, Midnight Cowboy, Garage, or Whisler’s.

14. Take a food tour

If you’re a foodie like me, a food tour is the best way to get a delicious overview of everything Austin has to offer. Austin Eats Food Tours has couple tasty options, including a food truck tour and a happy hour tour. Prices start at $99 USD and most tours last 3 hours.

15. Explore the Bullock Texas State History Museum

Opened in 2001, this museum focuses on telling the story of Texas. Named after former Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, it covers everything from its earliest inhabitants to the present day, including topics like ranching, Civil Rights, oil, space exploration (there’s a NASA center in Houston), Native American history, and more. Its biggest attraction is the preserved hull of the French La Belle shipwreck from 1686, which sunk in the gulf as it attempted to start a new French colony. Admission is $13 USD.

16. Walk the Greenbelt

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a 7-mile (11-kilometer) stretch of hiking and biking paths. Beginning at Zilker Park, the Greenbelt also offers places to swim, rock climb, and lounge the day away. It’s one of the things to do in Austin and, when the weather is nice, you’ll find it teeming with locals. Definitely don’t miss it! Just make sure to bring water (there are no water fountains here) and to take your trash out when you leave (there are no restrooms or garbage receptacles either).

17. Visit the Blanton Museum of Art

Located at the University of Texas at Austin campus, this is one of the largest university art museums in the country. There are over 21,000 works here, including modern and contemporary works, ancient pottery, works from Latin America, and paintings by famous masters like Reubens and Parmigianino. It’s basically the only art museum in the city too (though there’s tons of galleries on the easy side). They also host a rotating list of exhibitions so be sure to check the website to see what’s on. Admission is $15 USD.

18. Explore the Drive Thru Zoos of Texas

If you’re heading out of the city (and/or exploring the state at large), consider visiting some of the drive thru zoos in Texas . There are a couple near Austin, including Blue Hills Ranch and The Exotic Resort Zoo, where you can see camels, zebras, lemurs, giraffes and hundreds more animals! Each zoo is different, but you can generally drive around in your own vehicle or join a tour. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a super fun excursion outside the city! Most even have their own cabins so you can stay overnight too.

  For more information on other cities in the United States, check out these guides:

• Boston Travel Guide
• Chicago Travel Guide
• Hawaii Travel Guide
• Las Vegas Travel Guide
• Los Angeles Travel Guide
• Miami Travel Guide
• New York City Travel Guide
• Philadelphia Travel Guide
• San Francisco Travel Guide
• Seattle Travel Guide
• Washington D.C. Travel Guide

Austin Travel Costs

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels near downtown start around $90-100 USD. Expect basic amenities like TV, AC, and a coffee/tea maker. For a three-star hotel, prices start around $200 USD per night ($230 USD if you want a hotel with free breakfast).

There are lots of Airbnb options in Austin. Private rooms around $110 USD while entire homes/apartments cost average well over $250 USD if you don’t book early. Most Airbnb houses are meant for large groups while

Food – Austin is home to an incredible food scene. BBQ joints, food trucks, Mexican restaurants, sushi, great Chinese food, Italian, delicious steakhouses — you can find everything you want in this city! You can eat well – and affordably – here.

You can get breakfast tacos for $3-5 USD, pizza slices are around $4-5 USD, and bowls of pho for about $10 USD. Most food trucks and lunch spots are around $10-15 USD for a meal.

You can eat a mid-range restaurant for $15-20 USD per main course, including seafood, sandwiches, and vegetarian dishes. Dinner for two with drinks usually averages around $65 USD.

Prices just go straight up from there, with prix-fixe menus at high-end restaurants costing upwards of $100 USD! But you can find main courses at many high-end restaurants for about $40-50 USD each, including steaks and pasta dishes.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around $9 USD for a combo meal.

Beer is $6-7 USD while a latte/cappuccino is around $5 USD. Cocktails cost around $10 USD depending on how nice the places are. There are plenty of happy hours around town too.

If you plan on cooking your own meals, expect to spend $45-65 USD per week on basic staples like rice, pasta, veggies, and some meat.

Backpacking Austin Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Austin, expect to spend $65 USD per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, public transportation, cooking all your meals, limiting your drinking, and doing some cheap activities like visiting Barton Springs, seeing the bats, and going two-stepping.

A mid-range budget of $170 USD covers staying in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eating out for all of your meals at cheap food trucks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, enjoying a couple drinks, and doing some paid activities like museum visits or renting a kayak.

On a “luxury” budget of $330 USD or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals anywhere you want, drink as much as you’d like, rent a car to get around, and do more paid activities, including museum visits and craft beer tours. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Austin Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Austin is one of the more affordable US cities, but if you don’t watch your budget, things can quickly add up — especially if you’re a foodie or drink a lot. But there are still plenty of ways to save here, thanks to lots of drink specials and outdoor activities! Here is how to save money in Austin when you visit:

• Cook your own meals – While Austin offers a lot of great eats, eating out for every meal is expensive. If you have access to a kitchen, be sure to cook some of your own meals. Buying groceries is much cheaper than going out for every meal.
• Take the bus to the airport – While a taxi/Uber may be faster, taking public transportation to the airport is a fraction of the price. If you’re on a budget and have the time, take the bus. A single-fare only costs $1.25 USD.
• Drink on 6th street – If you’re going out for drinks, stick to 6th street. It offers the cheapest drinks in town, with a ton of happy hours and drink speicals. A few great places to drink like Maggie Mae’s, The Blind Pig, and Shakespeare’s. This area is packed with lots of young people and can get crazy on the weekends but, if you want cheap drinks, this is the place.
• Take a free tour of the Capitol building – This is a really neat building to explore, and the tours are quite informative. If you’re a history buff or want to learn more about Texas, don’t miss this!
• Take a free walking tour – The best way to orient yourself to the city is with a walking tour. You learn some history, find out where the major sites are, and connect with a local expert who can answer all your questions. Just make sure to tip your guide!
• Couchsurf – Couchsurfing is pretty popular here. If you don’t mind sleeping on a couch or floor, this is a great way to save some money and meet locals. Just be sure to send your requests early in the summer.
• Save money on rideshares – Uber and Lyft are way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi. The shared/pool option (where you share a ride with other people) offers the best savings.
• Do lots of outdoor activities – There are tons of free outdoor activities in Austin that can easily fill up your weekend here. Enjoy the parks and trails and you’ll be able to have a great visit without spending a cent.
• Look for the happy hours – The Ultimate Happy Hours website lists all the happy hour drink and food specials around Austin. It’s updated with new info frequently!
• Do the free Barton Springs – The city run part of Barton Springs may be nice but it’s also $9 USD. If you use the area outside the official “Barton Springs,” you can enjoy the same water for free. (Plus bring your own drinks!) You’ll see lots of people on the stretch of the creek from the spring’s source to Lady Bird Lake.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – Austin gets hot (especially in the summer). Avoid wasting money on single-use plastic and bring a reusable bottle. You’ll save money and the environment! LifeStraw is my go-to brand as it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Austin

Most hostels in Austin closed after the COVID-19 pandemic so there are not a lot of budget-friendly options left in the city. Here is my suggested place to stay:

• Firehouse Hostel
• East Austin Hotel
• Hotel Indigo
• Extended Stay America
• Red Roof Inn

How to Get Around Austin

There is a MetroRail train service as well but it’s designed to bring daily commuters from the outskirts of Austin into the city center and not really practical. A single ride is $3.50 USD, and a day pass is $7 USD.

Scooter – Austin has several scooter options for short-distance travel around the city. Lime and Bird are all available here with prices starting $1 USD to unlock and then around $0.48 cents per minute.

Taxis – Taxis are expensive and you’re much better off getting an Uber or Lyft. The base charge is $2.50 USD, and then it’s $2 USD for each mile after that.

Ridesharing Uber and Lyft are available in Austin. Since the taxis are pretty gross and have poor service, I would recommend using Uber and Lyft to get around, especially if you don’t have a car.

Bike rental – The city offers bike-sharing, known as Austin BCycle. Bike stations are scattered all over the city. It costs $1 USD to unlock them and then $0.23 USD per minute after that. You can also get a day pass for $12.99 USD, which covers unlimited 60-minute trips (you have to pay $4 USD per each 30-minute interval after that or dock the bike at the station to restart the trip time). You can download the app and pay for everything from there.

When to Go to Austin

Austin is a great place to visit year-round. Weather-wise, September-November and March-May have the nicest temperatures, with daily highs averaging 70-80°F (21-27°C).

The summers can be unbearably hot in Austin, with temperatures soaring to the high 90s°F (high 30s°C) each day. A lot of times the temperature is above 100°F (37°C) and it’s like being in an oven. Most people leave Austin during this time since it’s so hot. If you do come, expect anything outdoors and near water to be packed with people as they try to cool off. This past summer was one of our hottest on record.

Winter (December-February) is an excellent time to visit as temperatures are mild and dry. Accommodation is a little bit cheaper during the winter as well. Over the last few years, Austin has started to get winter weather, with snow and below freezing temperatures. If you’re coming in winter, you may need to pack winter clothes.

When major festivals like SXSW (March), F1 (October), or Austin City Limits (October) are in town, the city gets jammed packed and prices skyrocket. Book well in advance for these festivals and prepare for inflated prices on accommodation, food, and drinks.

How to Stay Safe in Austin

Austin is a pretty safe city. Violent attacks are rare and tend to be confined to certain areas (usually where drug and gang violence are a problem). Avoid the areas around Rundberg Lane in North Austin, especially if you’re alone after dark. Dirty 6th has a lot of fights and issues on the weekends so, if you are partying there, be cautious.

Petty crime is the only real danger here (especially around touristy spots), and even that is pretty rare. Watch out around 6th street late at night. That’s where most of the problems occur (as that’s where much of the drinking occurs). Only bring the money you need with you when you go to the bar and always keep an eye on your drink.

When out and about, stay hydrated and cool whenever possible. Be sure to pack sunscreen and a hat to avoid getting heatstroke, especially if you come here in the summer.

Don’t leave your valuables in your car at night as there has been a rise in break-ins lately.

Overall, the standard city safety cautions apply.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, get out of there. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Austin Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Austin Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on United States travel and continue planning your trip:

How to Experience Milwaukee Like a Local

The 7 Best Hotels in New York City

The 7 Best Hotels in Miami

Where to Stay in Miami: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

How to Spend 24 Hours in Raleigh, North Carolina

The 6 Best Hotels in Austin

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

The Ultimate 3 Day Weekend in Austin Itinerary

Known for tacos, barbecue, live music, and a love of the outdoors, spending a long weekend in Austin, Texas is an absolute delight. 

I absolutely adore this city and have spent time both living in and repeatedly visiting Austin over the course of the last 20+ years. 

Our 3 day Austin itinerary will help you discover several sides of the capital of Texas, all with just a few days in Austin–taco trucks, honky-tonks, funky boutiques, natural swimming holes, and bats all included.

Here’s how to make the most of a long weekend getaway in Austin!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

The Perfect Itinerary for 3 Days in Austin, TX

Day 1: tacos, the capitol, south congress + bats, start with breakfast tacos..

No trip to Austin could reasonably start with anything but breakfast tacos!

Choosing the best ones in the city is nearly impossible, but we recommend heading to Veracruz All Natural (order the migas).

Juan in a Million and Tacodeli (the Congress Ave location–I’m partial to the Otto and the Jamon el Sauvecito) are also excellent backups. 

If you’re looking for vegan options, you’ll find plenty of vegan breakfast spots in Austin , too.

Wherever you go, plan on ordering 2-3 standard-size tacos to make a solid breakfast out of them (this does not apply to the Juan in a Million Don Juan taco!).

Tour the Texas State Capitol.

Since you’re in the capital of Texas, head to the capitol building!

You can tour the grounds, the visitor’s center, and depending on the time of year, even the legislative chambers.

If you’re curious about more history of the Texas government, the beautiful governor’s mansion is also across the street and open for tours.

… or take a walking tour of Austin. 

Not interested in touring a government building on vacation? Don’t worry, there’s something for everyone.

This small-group walking tour is a fantastic and well-reviewed introduction to the city and comes with not only great stories and advice on finding Austin’s hidden gems but plenty of restaurant tips to help you make the most of eating your way through the city.

Alternatively, if you’re itching to hunt down Austin’s popular murals, this street art tour is a great way to kick off your explorations.

Book your Austin walking tour or street art tour today!

Check out one of Austin’s museums.

Austin is packed with interesting museums, from the regal to the quirky.

You won’t have time to see them all on your visit–and spending too much time inside during your weekend in Austin would be a shame–but we’ve carved out time in this Austin itinerary for a couple of them.

This morning, consider visiting one of these:

Mexic-Arte Museum

This beautiful fine arts museum focuses on Mexican and Latino art.

Blanton Museum of Art

Located on UT’s campus, the Blanton Museum of Art is Austin’s largest art museum, and one of the largest university-based art museums in the country!

Bullock Texas History Museum

The Bullock Texas State History Museum, which is the premier Texas history museum, is located close to the capitol building. Be sure to snap a photo with the star out front before heading inside!

Grab a bite to eat on South Congress.

Ah, South Congress. The closest thing that Austin has to a main drag, this beloved boulevard is lined with funky shops, excellent restaurants (some of which–like the South Congress Cafe and Jo’s Coffee–are Austin institutions), and of course, plenty of street art.

A few options for a great meal include the aforementioned South Congress Cafe, Perla’s for (somewhat pricey) seafood, Home Slice for pizza, June’s for classic American options, or Guero’s Taco Bar.

A bit further away but just off of South Congress, you’ll find Leroy & Lewis for absolutely delicious barbecue served out of a food truck.

Afterward, head to Amy’s to snack on some truly impressive ice cream!

Stroll down South Congress.

As a general rule, the further north, the more chain shops you’ll see. Austin is growing at a rapid pace, and national brands like Reformation and Madewell can now be found in the northern section of South Congress.

Keep walking south, and you’ll find the icons of South Congress: Allen’s Boots, Parts & Labour (one of my favorite shops on South Congress and an excellent place to pick up a Texas souvenir ), Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds, Tesoro’s, South Congress Books, Big Top Candy Shop, and more are waiting to be perused.

Uncommon Objects, a beloved Austin store selling everything from classic antiques to the most absurd oddities imaginable, was located on South Congress until 2017. It has now moved a couple of miles away, to Fortview Road, and is absolutely worth going out of the way for if you want an example of Austin’s prized weirdness.

Slide over to 1st Street to snap a photo. 

Located just a short walk off of South Congress, the famous Greetings From Austin mural is a fun photo spot to drop by when visiting Austin for the weekend.

Meet the largest urban bat colony in the world.

Some of the most famous residents of Austin have wings! From March to October each year, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats live underneath South Congress Bridge.

If your timing is right, watching the bats emerge to hunt at dusk is absolutely one of the best things to do during a weekend in Austin!

There are several ways to watch the bats, including simply standing on South Congress Bridge, but the view is best from the water: we recommend this kayaking tour of Lady Bird Lake, which will ensure you have the perfect view.

Alternatively, this bike tour is a great option as well.

Fair warning, though: like all wildlife encounters, the bat viewing in Austin isn’t a guarantee. Sometimes, the bats fly out all at once, and the resulting dramatic swarm is what visitors hope to see. 

However, sometimes they emerge in smaller groups, which are still exciting to witness, but not nearly as dramatic (or photogenic). Be prepared for variety!

Book your kayaking tour or bike tour to see Austin’s bat colony today!

Day 2: Zilker Park, Museums + Outdoor Austin

Kick off your morning on the water..

It wouldn’t be a trip to Austin without some time spent on the water!

This morning, head to Austin’s beloved, spring-fed Barton Springs Pool for a taste of an Austin classic.

Didn’t have a chance to kayak last night, or just feel like going again? 

Alternatively, spend the morning renting a SUP, kayak, or canoe on Lady Bird Lake to soak up gorgeous skyline views while participating in one of Austin’s favorite pastimes.

Dive into TexMex.

For lunch, fill up on some of Austin’s best TexMex: Matt’s El Rancho, Enchiladas Y Mas, La Casita, and Tamale House East are all excellent options.

Feel like something a bit different?

Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ is a bit of a drive, but it’s absolutely delicious and a unique combination of two of Austin’s most beloved cuisines.

Go for a short hike.

The capital of Texas is well-known for its love of the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that there is some stunning urban hiking in Austin !

Without going far from downtown, you can enjoy the Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail, which has magnificent views of downtown and goes directly over Lady Bird Lake in certain places, or enjoy a stroll to Lou Neff Point in Zilker Park.

For something that feels a bit more like you’re lost in nature, you can hike to Campbell’s Hole, a popular swimming hole on the Barton Creek Greenbelt that shows off the beauty of Austin.

If you start at Barton Springs Pool at Zilker, it’s only about a 20-minute walk to Campbell’s Hole–but since the main trail of the greenbelt stretches 7 miles, you can keep going further if you wish.

Visit another Austin museum.

Depending on what time you finish hiking, you may have time to squeeze in another museum visit before night falls!

You can check out one of the museums you didn’t get a chance to see yesterday, but here are a few more you might want to consider adding to your Austin weekend itinerary.

LBJ Presidential Library

Lyndon Baines Johnson was the first of three US presidents from Texas, and the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum holds an enormous archive of historical records from Johnson’s time in office.

Exhibits include a replica Oval Office from the 60s, a detailed exhibit on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and an exhibit exploring the tragic circumstances of Johnson taking office after President Kennedy was assassinated, among many more.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden

A less traditional museum (but one that is conveniently located right next door to Zilker Park), the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum is a beautiful and peaceful sculpture garden that celebrates the work of Charles Umlauf.

George Washington Carver Museum

Housed in a former library building, the George Washington Carver Museum is dedicated to celebrating and exploring the contributions of Black Americans, both in Texas and beyond.

The museum also operates as a genealogy center for Black families.

Watch the sunset over ATX.

This isn’t an absolute must on this Austin itinerary, especially since you’ve been enjoying the outdoors most of the day, but if you have a car, consider heading over to Mount Bonnell or to the 360 Bridge viewpoint to catch the sunset.

Both are incredibly popular views of Austin that are easy to access. While you could categorize them as extremely short “hikes”, both are located only a couple of minutes worth of climbing away from where you’ll leave your car.

Enjoy Austin’s famous nightlife.

Austin works hard to live up to its reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World–and whether you’re looking for a dive bar or a laid-back wine bar, the city has something to offer.

For a thorough overview of Austin’s nightlife, this pub crawl is a great place to start.

Not only will you not have to worry about handling any logistics as you explore the city, but you’ll be led by someone who knows Austin like the back of their hand!

Want to strike out on your own? Dirty Sixth (aka East Sixth Street) is where you’ll find the wild-and-touristy party vibes (the Austin equivalent of Bourbon Street, basically). 

Rainey Street caters to a slightly older, more laid-back clientele, and Guadalupe Street focuses on UT students.

For famous, longstanding honky-tonks, consider The Broken Spoke or White Horse, where you can try out your Texas Two-Step.

Day 3: Barbecue, Waterfalls + the Hill Country

I’m going to make what may be a controversial suggestion for your final day in Austin: leave the city.

Austin is located on the far eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, a magical place packed with wineries, adorable small towns , beautiful rivers, magnificent hiking, and idyllic barbecue joints that look like a slice of quintessential Texas… because they are.

Austin is positively amazing, but this morning, jump in the car and head out.

We have a full guide to day trips from Austin here , but for a first-time visitor to the area on a tight schedule, here are our top picks.

Swim in Krause Springs (which has a much longer swimming season than some of Austin’s popular swimming holes) and follow it up with barbecue at Opie’s. You could also potentially tour the magical Westcave Preserve.

Read our guide to Spicewood !

Dripping Springs + Driftwood

Head to the rightfully famous Hamilton Pool, and follow it up with a trip to The Salt Lick in Driftwood.

Read our guide to Driftwood !

The furthest of these suggestions, Wimberley will take about 45 minutes to reach–but you’ll be rewarded with an artistic downtown, a chance to swim in the Blue Hole or Jacob’s Well , and excellent views of the Hill Country at Mount Baldy.

Read our guide to Wimberley !

It’s worth noting that with the exception of Krause Springs, the other popular swimming spots outlined here–Hamilton Pool, the Blue Hole, and Jacob’s Well–all require advance reservations to swim in (and in the case of Hamilton Pool, even to visit). 

Though you can’t swim there, you’ll also need an advance reservation to visit Westcave.

In other words, be sure to plan ahead!

All of these towns are positively packed with wineries as well, so consider heading out for a flight and beautiful vineyard views after your barbecue lunch !

Don’t have a car? You can still visit the Hill Country via a tour! This popular tour will take you to two wineries and the famous Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood.

Head back to Austin to enjoy one last evening in the city.

For your last night in the city, consider taking a ghost tour !

Part history, part legend, part walking tour, and all entertainment, ghost tours are a fun way to get to know the spookiest places in Austin –and it’ll give you an excuse to visit the positively magnificent Driskill Hotel, which is both incredibly beautiful and quite possibly haunted.

For something a bit lighter on legends and heavier on horror, this popular murder tour that focuses on a 19th century Austin serial killer is also an interesting option.

Book your Austin ghost tour today!

If you have a single ounce of energy left, you’ll still have time for a last round of drinks after you finish your tour!

… Or if you’re me, let’s be real: one more round of tacos.

One of my favorite Austin taco joints, Las Trancas, serves until 12:00 AM, and if you’re even later than that, Tyson’s Tacos and Kerbey Lane Cafe (order the queso) are both open 24 hours.

Where to Stay for Your Weekend in Austin

When choosing a hotel for your weekend trip to Austin, a good rule of thumb is to know that while, by the nature of the city, you won’t be within walking distance to everywhere, it’s best to be within walking distance of somewhere.

If this is your first weekend in Austin, we recommend staying on or near the South Congress area, or downtown close to 6th Street/the capitol building.

That way, you’ll be within walking distance of some of the most popular sightseeing spots and easily be able to reach others.

From boutique properties to luxurious hotels with rooftop pools, there is an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to narrowing down where to stay in Austin, but you can’t go wrong with these popular choices!

Firehouse Hostel — Housed in the oldest firehouse in Austin, the well-reviewed Firehouse Hostel is located right across the street from the Driskill Hotel, a quick walk from the capitol building, and right around the corner from Sixth Street.

For the price, you absolutely cannot beat this location in Austin! Both dorm-style accommodation and private rooms are available.

Check rates & book your stay at Firehouse Hostel!

Austin Motel — The iconic Austin Motel is located “so close, yet so far out” in the heart of South Congress Avenue.

Known for its vintage decor and absolutely perfect location (you’ll be within walking distance of most of the places on this Austin itinerary when staying here), the Austin Motel also features excellent reviews, an on-site pool, and on-site parking.

Check rates & book your stay at the Austin Motel!

The Driskill — This iconic Austin hotel dates to 1886 and is an unmissable landmark in the city. Staying at The Driskill, you’ll never forget that you’re in a luxury hotel… in Texas.

From the dark, cozy bar populated with cushy leather furniture to the Texas-shaped waffles served with breakfast, The Driskill constantly works to impress a sense of place on its patrons.

Located just off of 6th Street and within walking distance of many of Austin’s best sightseeing spots, visitors looking for an unforgettable, luxurious Austin weekend getaway should check into The Driskill (and if you don’t get spooked easily, don’t forget to ask about the ghosts!).

Check rates & book your stay at The Driskill!

More Than 3 Days in Austin?

A weekend is far from long enough to hike every trail, visit every museum, and sample every taco truck in Austin, and if you have longer than 3 days in the city, you won’t be sorry!

With more time in Austin, consider touring Austin City Limits Live, exploring the historic Tejano Walking Trail, visiting the peacocks at Mayfield Park, browsing the iconic Waterloo Records, and experiencing a barbecue right of passage by waiting in the Franklin Barbecue line.

Plus, of course, with the number of options outlined in this Austin 3 day itinerary, you can always find plenty to do by going back and enjoying the spots you missed on the first pass!

Getting Around During an Austin Weekend Getaway

While a decent chunk of this Austin weekend itinerary is walkable and with a well-chosen place to stay you can technically make do by cobbling together a combination of Ubers, bus rides, and tours to get around during your 3 days in Austin, we recommend renting a car if at all possible, and at an absolute minimum, for the last day of your trip.

Austin is a driving city, and as a result, parking is fairly plentiful (unless you’re visiting during a crowded event like SXSW, an Austin F1 race , or Austin City Limits, in which case, avoid a car every day that you can) and easy to use–you can even download an app to pay for city-owned parking throughout the city.

Driving also opens up a world of possibilities, from more restaurants to choose from to getting to easily access the city beyond its center, which truly enhances a long weekend in Austin.

If you can’t or aren’t comfortable driving, though, it is possible to have a wonderful weekend getaway in Austin without a car.

If you do choose to rent a car, we recommend searching for one through Discover Cars , which will sift through dozens of companies to find the best combination of low prices and reasonable rental terms for your trip.

Shop rental cars for your weekend in Austin today!

When to Visit Austin, Texas

The absolute best times to visit Austin, in my biased opinion, are from late March through mid-April (when the Texas wildflowers will be blooming all over the Hill Country), and in October and November, when the average daily high temperature finally dips below 90° (it’s 82° in October).

While Austin can certainly be characterized as a year-round destination, I would really only recommend planning a summer trip if you’re planning on spending most of your time in the water and the rest of your time sweating. 

July and August, in particular, are absolutely brutal, and it’s entirely possible to visit then and not experience a single day with a high under 100°.

Austin does get a few cold snaps and rainy weeks over the winter, especially in January and February, so planning a winter trip is a bit of a dice roll–but since you may also be greeted with sunny skies and 65° days, planning a long weekend in Austin over winter can also work out beautifully.

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Neighborhoods to Know

Public Transportation

48 Hours in Austin: Itinerary

Day Trips From Austin

Tours to Take in Austin

Top Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Things to Do Outside

Hiking Near Austin

Top Museums

Theater Guide

Annual Events

The Best Food to Try in Austin

The Best Bars in Austin

The Best Breweries in Austin

Your Trip to Austin: The Complete Guide

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Live music is often the main attraction for many visitors to Austin, but there is so much more. There are more than 20,000 acres of parkland in Austin   , and natural treasures like Barton Springs and Lady Bird Lake are in the heart of the city. The city’s lesser-known art and theater scenes offer inspiring experiences at reasonable prices. And food? Whether you’re looking for breakfast tacos or farm-to-table fare, you won’t leave this town hungry.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit : Spring and fall offer the most reasonable temperatures, with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s (Fahrenheit). If you love to see roadsides covered in wildflowers, visit in April or May. Be aware that torrential rain and flash flooding often occur in late May and early June. July and August are brutally hot, with temperatures often reaching 100 degrees. Winter is Austin’s most unpredictable season, with daytime temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 70s. Winter weather can seem almost spring-like between cold fronts. Freezing temperatures usually occur only about five nights a year.

Language : English. Due to the large Latino population   and the proximity to Mexico, many people speak at least rudimentary Spanish.

Currency : U.S. dollar

Getting Around : Mass transit in Austin consists only of buses and a single light-rail line . If you don’t have a car of your own, you can use Uber, Lyft, Ride Austin (ride-hailing service run by a local nonprofit) or Yellow Taxi. Within downtown, pedicabs can take you short distances in exchange for tips. The latest addition is electric scooters from companies like Bird and Lime.

Travel Tip: If you’ll be in town during one of Austin’s major annual events such as the South by Southwest Music Festival or Austin City Limits Music Festival, try to find a place to stay that’s as close as possible to your primary destination. The ride-hailing services and the bus system often cannot handle the huge crowds, leading to long wait times. You’ll have a much better overall experience if you stay within biking or scootering distance of the festival.

Things to Do

No visit to Austin would be complete without visiting 6th Street, checking out the bats, chowing down on Mexican food or barbecue, and visiting the Texas State Capitol. If the weather’s nice, you should also go swimming in Barton Springs and take a stroll around Lady Bird Lake.

• For a quick intro to Austin’s music scene, pop into the Continental Club, the Saxon Pub or one of the other top music venues .
• Even if you’re not a fan of flying mammals, you’ll want to check out Austin’s bat bridge to see what all the fuss is about.
• To cool off in any season, take the plunge at Barton Springs Pool .

Explore more attractions with our articles on the best things to do with kids , things to do in downtown and free activities .

Where to Eat and Drink

Mexican food and barbecue make up the broad lower level of Austin’s food pyramid. You can find nearly infinite variations of both, including interior Mexican cuisine, cheesy Tex-Mex, hipster-approved brisket and roadside BBQ for the masses. A growing population of young vegetarians and vegans has led to a boom in restaurants focusing on meat-free dishes .

As for fine dining, several Austin restaurants are named as James Beard semifinalists every year, but only a few have won one of the prestigious awards. In true Austin style, Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue was the first pitmaster to earn a James Beard Award , receiving the coveted Best Chef in the Southwest award   .

Barley Swine was named the best restaurant in Austin for 2018 by Conde Nast Traveler. The restaurant is known for making masterful dishes with ingredients produced almost exclusively by local ranchers and farmers. The food truck phenomenon has injected a whole new level of creativity into the Austin food scene. Many young chefs open food trucks and experiment with various styles for a few years before opening brick-and-mortar restaurants.

If we’re being honest, Austin may love bars and drinking just a wee bit too much. There are at least four entertainment districts that are primarily populated by bars and nightclubs: 6th Street, 4th Street/Warehouse District, Rainey Street and Rock Rose at the Domain. And yet another is currently being built in south Austin at The Yard/St. Elmo Market. While there’s no shortage of bars focusing on the hard-drinking crowd, many also employ knowledgeable mixologists who can whip up an Old Fashioned, a Moscow Mule or creative concoctions of their own.

Explore our articles on date-night restaurants , best restaurants in east Austin and the best bars in Austin .

Where to Stay

To pick the best hotel or Airbnb for you, consider where you’ll be spending most of your time and what types of activities you prefer. If you love shopping for antiques and vintage clothing, consider staying at one of the boutique hotels on and around South Congress Avenue. South Congress is also a popular place to spot celebrities during SXSW.

If you want to party all night, just about any downtown hotel will be walking distance from 6th Street and Rainey Street. In fact, with the opening of the luxurious Hotel Van Zandt , you can book a room overlooking Rainey Street. North Austin business travelers may want to stay at the Domain, which offers a wealth of eating, drinking and shopping options. If you want to imagine life as an Austinite, an Airbnb in east Austin will offer a glimpse of neighborhoods that are a mix of old and new. Fitness buffs may want to stay near Lady Bird Lake and its 10-mile hike and bike trail along the water. The hills of west Austin are home to luxury hotels such as the Lake Austin Spa Resort . If you’re attending a conference at the University of Texas, look for a room or garage apartment to rent in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood just north of the campus.

Getting There

The only major airport in town is the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) . The mid-sized airport is about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Austin. The only Greyhound bus station in the area is in north Austin, about 20 minutes north of downtown. Drivers within Texas often arrive via I-35 from Dallas or via Highway 71 from Houston. If you plan to thoroughly explore Austin, your best bet is to rent a car. While there are several ride-hailing services, mass transit is minimal.

Culture and Customs

Depending on one’s political leanings, Austin may be known as the “liberal oasis of Texas” or “the people’s republic of Austin.” Austinites tend to be more liberal than other Texans, but the distinction may be lost on people from other states or countries. Those from more formal cultures may sometimes be surprised by just how laid-back some Austinites can be. For example, it’s not unusual to see someone wearing shorts and a T-shirt at an upscale restaurant.

Generally speaking, Austin is a very safe town, and the downtown area is relatively small and pedestrian-friendly. If you plan to visit 6th Street , however, consider heading home by around 1 a.m. After the bars close at 2 a.m., fights occasionally break out as people leave the bars and walk back to their cars or wait for rides. Your best bet is to clear out of the area before the drunken hordes emerge from the bars.

People from outside Texas may also be concerned about “gun culture” in Texas. While many Texans do love their guns, most use them for deer hunting, and only about three percent of the population has a license to carry a gun in public  . Most gun owners keep their weapons concealed, so you probably won’t ever see them unless you happen to be at the Texas State Capitol during a gun-rights protest.

Newcomers may be confused by the way Texans pronounce many of the street names, particular those of Spanish origin. Essentially, they’ll take the Spanish word and pronounce it as if it were an English word. So if you speak a little Spanish and try to pronounce the following street names the correct way, your driver won’t know what you’re talking about: San Jacinto, Rio Grande, Brazos, Guadalupe.

In addition, many street names around town are in the process of being changed because they were originally named after historical figures from the Civil War. For example, Robert E. Lee Road was recently named Azie Morton Road after the nation’s first African-American treasurer. She was also well-known locally for insisting on swimming in Barton Springs at a time when the pool was still officially segregated. Street names in Austin also have a bad habit of changing their names even as you're driving on them. Ranch Road 2222 abruptly becomes Koenig Lane in west Austin. The part of Highway 71 that runs through Austin is also known as Ben White Boulevard, but only for a small stretch of the highway. Mopac, which is one of only two major north-south freeways in Austin, is also known as Loop 1. But here's the thing: it's not a loop. It's a straight shot from south to north Austin.

Money Saving Tips

• Events and venues on or around the University of Texas campus often have student-friendly prices, including free museums.
• In addition to low-priced drinks and snacks, many happy hours around Austin offer free music.
• The Texas State Capitol, scenic Mount Bonnell and the Austin Nature & Science Center are all kid-friendly and free. 

City of Austin. "Park Directory."

United States Census Bureau. "Quick Facts: Austin, Texas."

James Beard Foundation. "James Beard Award Winner: Legendary Barbecue." April 5, 2019

NY Times. " Licensed to Carry: Handguns in Texas. " May 11, 2016.

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Things To Do in Austin, Texas \\ A Weekend Guide to Austin

Here is your ultimate Austin Weekend Guide with our favorite things to do in Austin for out-of-town friends – mix and match what sounds good to you and comment below if you want to add something to our list! We always love new suggestions for our Austin travel guide!

SEE MORE // THE ULTIMATE AUSTIN SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Getting Around & What To Know About Austin

Getting from the Airport to Your Stay:

While there is a shuttle bus that exists for $1.25 from the airport into Austin, I will warn you it’s an HOUR TRIP at minimum. It’s a pain in the butt, and that’s coming from an Austinite. I almost ALWAYS recommend taking an Uber or a Lyft instead!

Should I Rent a Car or Uber?

You can totally get away with either option. I will warn you that while if you’re staying Central you’re fine without a car, places like Mount Bonnell or Lake Travis are going to be a lot cheaper if you have a car rented instead!

Should We Get a Hotel Room or Rent an AirBnb?

Don’t you love my “it depends” answers! If you plan on going out and enjoying local restaurants / don’t want to rent a car then opt for a hotel downtown. They have the added perk of those rooftop pools. Also, most have an airport shuttle to save you some extra cash there too! But if you are looking for a more low-key chill stay or have a larger group, an Airbnb is likely the way to go. You can find some GORGEOUS AirBnb options up in the Hill Country or near the wineries if you’re looking for that route!

Where to Stay in Austin

If you want a Winery Weekend…Hill Country If you’re looking for a winery type weekend, look for places to stay in Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs, or Driftwood! I’ve got whole posts on things to do in Fredericksburg and Dripping Springs / Driftwood to help you out, and some of my favorite hotels at both!

If You Want to be On the Lake…Lake Austin Weekends with lake days should be spent FAR WEST from Tarrytown. If you’re near Downtown then you actually won’t be able to enjoy the lake on a boat due to regulations. I would say the coolest houses are between Highway 360 and Lake Travis / on Lake Travis!

If You Want to be in the Action… I would stay in the following areas mapped below! Focus on Downtown, East Side of Austin (below Manor), South Lamar, South Congress, or Tarrytown for the most convenient destinations! My one tip is that I DO NOT recommend staying at the Domain. You might think it’s so cool and has everything, but you’re SO FAR from the actual action of Austin. You’ll end up dropping way too much money on Ubers getting around, and you’re going to regret your decision.

Things To Do in Austin, Texas

Walk Or Bike Ladybird Lake Trail Prime spot for gorgeous views, sunsets, bat watching, and nice walks. Ladybird Lake Trail has one of the best views of Downtown, and you can park yourself by Congress Bridge to watch the bats fly out (Late Summer – Early Fall). We recommend parking by Auditorium Shores as it’s the easiest access point with the best views. Mount Bonnell & 360 Bridge You really can’t go wrong with either view. Contrary to popular belief, Texas does have hills and they can be spotted in Austin! Take a small trek up the hill for some stunning greenery shots of Austin. Picture-perfect moments and sunset spots!

Watch the Congress Bridge Bats Austin is famous for the bats that fly out from under Congress Bridge! This only happens up until the end of September, so if you’re there while it’s cold this probably won’t work out. But if you go right along the Ladybird Lake Boardwalk where it hits 35 you’ll have the BEST viewing point. Avoid waiting atop the bridge, because they’re way harder to spot from there! Walk South Congress St . Spend the afternoon exploring South Congress! Make sure you stop by South Congress Hotel or Perla for drinks outside. Foodie favorites are Home Slice Pizza , South Congress Cafe , Hopdoddy Burger Bar , and Hey Cupcake . Also home to the famous “I Love You So Much” mural ! Tour the Texas State Capitol   Texas is home to the largest state capitol building in the USA (shocker) and it sure is a beauty! Spend an hour or two walking around this gorgeous building and the beautiful lawn just outside. Photo opp!

Visit A Local Austin Brewery I love hanging out at the many local craft breweries Austin has lying around! All are unique in their own way and perfect for a nice afternoon outdoors. Check out this list of my 12 favorite local Austin craft breweries ! Some Quick Favorites: Central Machine Works (Pictured) Hold Out Brewing in Clarksville Pinthouse Brewing in South Austin The ABGB in South Austin Easy Tiger (Multiple Locations)

Sunday Funday The best thing to do on a Sunday in Austin is Sunday Funday on Rainey St! Start off with brunch at Bangers (make sure you arrive by 10am) and enjoy some delicous German goods and a Manmosa. Then, hop around the different bars Rainey St has to offer! My favorite are Bungalow & Parlor Room ! Visit Bob Bullock Museum History buffs – this one is for you! This is the perfect thing to do when it is cold and rainy in Austin (rare but it happens) and here are a few more things to do in Austin if the weather is down! 

Grab a Beer at the Oasis on the Lake It’s a drive, so not super doable if you don’t have a car handy, but if you can make it there I would ABSOLUTELY recommend. Not for the food, in fact the food is crap, but for the view. Skip the restaurant and go to the Oasis Brewery instead, and grab a beer on the SECOND floor (you’ll never find seating the third) to watch the sunset over the lake!

Walk Around Downtown Austin Start at the State Capitol and check that out while you’re there, then wander down Congress Street! You’ll enjoy tons of cool Downtown Austin spots, before you take a right onto 2nd street. Walk all the way there (and if you wanna stop by a cute little restaurant you absolutely should) and straight toward the Central Austin Public Library because…. Visit the Austin Public Library Rooftop The Central Austin Public Library in itself is a gorgeous piece of architecture that I would absolutely recommend everyone visit, but the rooftop is really the main reason to go. Atop the library on the sixth floor is a rooftop that overlooks Downtown Austin and the lake! It’s gorgeous, and its the perfect place to just chill and hang for a minute.

Take a Sunset Riverboat Tour

This is going to sound SO TOURISTY! But this is such a fun thing to do in Austin. Right at the corner of Congress and Riverside are two boat tour companies you can take for sunset cruises around the lake. They’re BYOB so you can grab some beers and wines and listen to cute little stories about Austin buildings and end watching the bats fly out during sunset in Austin!

Walk Around the Many Austin Museums So many great museums to check out in Austin! Whether you need something for kids ( The Thinkery ), consider yourself a history buff ( Bob Bullock or LBJ Presidential Library ), or are an art lover ( Blanton Museum ) there is definitely something for you here.

Things To Do in Austin in Summer

Greenbelt – Twin Falls or Sculpture Falls The best place on a sunny day with some friends! Grab some beers, catch some sun, and you can jump off the rocks if you are feeling bold! Park at the “Gaines Creek and Twin Falls Access Point” and follow the trail on your right all the way to the Falls. It’s about a half mile walk through the trail, and you’ll know when you’re there!   Barton Springs Pool If it’s a hot day, go keep cool at Barton Spring Pool! Half public pool, half river, 100% will keep you cool on a hot day. Beware: you cannot bring alcohol here and they do check.

Paddleboard or Kayak Lake Austin It’s on every Austinite bucket list and it must be done if the weather is right! You can rent Kayaks or Paddleboard from SUPATX rentals (our personal favorites).

Hamilton Pool If you have a car and are up for the drive, head on over to Hamilton Pool just on the outside of Austin! However, tickets MUST be booked an advance. View tickets here. Attend a Texas Football Tailgate If you happen to be there from the months of September to November, then you should hit up a Texas football tailgate! You can basically wander through campus and down south to the capitol and you will find about a million along your way. Plenty have free drinks, so just pick one and enjoy the Texas crowds!

SEE MORE : THE ULTIMATE AUSTIN SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Where To Eat Brunch in Austin

SEE MORE \\ THE 16 BEST BRUNCHES IN AUSTIN AND WHY THEY’RE THE BEST

Bangers Famous for their delicious German sausage brunch & Sunday manmosas! Make sure you go at 10am when it opens to avoid a very very long wait.   Launderette A cutie little launch spot if you want something on a take-photos side.

June’s All Day Another insta-cute gem with amazing food options, plus lunch options

Hillside Pharmacy If you’re looking for healthy,  vegetarian, or vegan options then Hillside should be your go-to! Walton’s Fancy A cute little bistro that usually has a manageable line! The kind of spot you’d take your mom. Brunch Bird The best vegan brunch you can find in Austin! Located at the Buzzmill, a local staple.

Cafe No Se Perfect spot for Brunch if you plan on exploring South Congress afterwards! Also, instagram heaven! Bird Bird Biscuit If you want something fast and easy rather than a sit down spot, their biscuits are the BEST in town! Taco Deli Known for having the best breakfast tacos in town!

Where To Get the Best BBQ in Austin

Franklin BBQ Arguably one of the best BBQ joints in the world. Even Obama had to spot by! BBQ lovers start lining up around 7am for their world famous brisket. Come prepared with some lawn chairs (they have some, but best be safe) and some beers and wait it out. Another Austinite bucket-list item, but be prepared that you’ll be here from 7am-1pm or so.   Terry Black BBQ Another great BBQ spot in Austin, but there is occasionally a wait! If you know you want to CHOW DOWN then this is the place to be. I also think their sides are amazing if you happen to be traveling with someone that is a vegetarian… Salt Lick BBQ While it is about a 30 min drive outside of the city, it is my personal favorite. The environment is truly southern and the BBQ really lives up to expectations. If you go during a peak eating time there WILL be a wait, but its BYOB so bring some beers and enjoy the live music they have while you sit and wait! L a BBQ I absolutely LOVE La Barbeque! And they just opened up their new location and own building in East Austin. Their brisket is AMAZING and their mac and cheese is literally my favorite in Austin. Its got a small line, but it moves pretty quick!

Where to Eat Tex Mex in Austin

Matt’s El Rancho One of the oldest restaurants in Austin, and it has lasted this long because it is one of the most iconic tex mex restaurants in Austin! This gem is down South and perfect for a larger party . Beware, it get’s busy fast and the mexican martini is a MUST. La Condesa If you want the kind of tex mex place you can take your parents to, then this is your best bet! Love the options and the ambiance at La Condesa in Downtown Austin Curras Grill This place is the most unassuming place for margarita, but their avocado margarita is an Austin STAPLE and it lives up to the hype. It’s honestly more like an avocado smoothie than anything! It’s delicious and worth the cost, and plus their food is delicious and affordable to pair with it. Torchys Tacos Of course, Torchys Tacos is an Austin icon and their downtown location in Austin could not be left off this list! Obviously, their queso is one of the best in Austin and their tacos are pretty high up there too. Easy on the go option! Licha’s Cantina This is one of my go-to dinner recommendations for people visiting from outside Austin! It’s some of the best Mexican food in the city and has a killer happy hour to back it up. Plus, the space itself is adorable and just an Austin vibe. Fresa’s South First Fresa’s is Denvers favorite restaurant in Austin for a reason! The food is absolutely delicious, and someone in your party has to order the chicken because it is truly a feast. Personally, i’m a big fan of their tacos and margaritas so that’s my go-to order. But either way, Fresa’s has something for everyone. PLUS their gorgeous outdoor lit patio makes for a beautiful setting!

More Austin Foodie Favorites Locals Love

EASY & AFFORDABLE

Better Half Burgers Always a sucker for Better Half because not only do they have delicious beer and cocktails, but they have AMAZING burgers that I dream about for days. Patrizis Food Truck One of the BEST food trucks in the entire city and very beloved. It’s a local Austin staple, and if you want italian food THIS is the spot. Buzzmill Riverside It’s basically classic Austin! Buzzmill is a staple easy spot on Riverside to grab yourself some vegan food and a beer and hang with the locals.

SOMEWHERE TO SIT DOWN & ENJOY

Loro Eats Love this Tex-Asian (collab by Franklins & Uchi) with amazing bites and killer cocktails (the frozen gin and tonic is worth it). Their outdoor patio with lights is perfect too!

Il Brutto One of the perfectly located spots in town being right on the East side with a gorgeous patio and delicious food and a killer happy hour! Bouldin Creek Cafe A local vegetarian / vegan spot that’s just easy to eat at with absolutely delicious brunch and cafe style food!

SOMEWHERE YOU WON’T FORGET

Fonda San Miguel This latin spot is not only absolutely gorgeous inside, but totally delicious! This is one of the fun special dinner spots I always love to take people from out of town! Aba Austin The outdoor patio itself is a stunner and jaw-dropping, but then the food and drinks are truly a level above (although…pricy). Olamaie Southern Southern comfort food to the extreme. You want the best southern biscuits of your live at a nice sit down dinner? Then this is the spot.

Where to Grab a Drink in Austin

P6 Rooftop Bar for a Rooftop Cocktail At the top of the Line Hotel is a gorgeous Austin rooftop bar that will blow your mind. It’s one of the best places to catch the sunset (apart from Oasis which is quite far). Just beware, it definitely is not a cheap spot! The Oasis for a Lake View DO NOT GO TO THE RESTAURANT. Go to the brewery. The food is literally better at the brewery and you get the exact same (if not better) view for absolutely no wait! Plus the beer is solid! Central Machine Works for a delicious Beer Garden A local favorite and definitely one of my favorite spots on the list! We basically spend an INSANE amount of time here enjoying the sunshine in Austin and it’s my go-to spot when we have friends from out of town. Good beer, also serves cocktails, also has food, gorgeous outdoor patio, and usually featuring live music! Mean Eyed Cat for a Classic Texas Dive This is basically just a chill bar over in Clarksville (West Austin) with solid beers and a patio and some Texas flare. It’s a great spot if you’re in Austin for work and working centrally and want something less frilly for drinks! Taquero Mucho for Somewhere Cute Probably the most instagrammed restaurant in Austin? I would opt for the Downtown Austin location, but their place is VERYYYY cute and also the drinks are cute and come in little pouches. It’s overall the must-go for any bachelorette party in Austin !

SEE MORE : THE ULTIMATE AUSTIN BEST HAPPY HOURS GUIDE

Austin Nightlight & Bars to Visit

If you’re over the age of 21, then you can’t miss out on Austin nightlife. Sixth street could rival Bourbon St, Rainey turned houses into bars, and West turned Capri Suns in alcoholic drinks. It’s a win no matter which you’re feeling.    RAINEY STREET If you want a night out (especially if you’re here on a girls/guys trip but aren’t up for pounding shots with 18 year olds, then this is the place to be! My favorites have to be Lucille’s (to hear yourself think) and Icenhauers (for a killer cocktail)! EAST SIDE This is more of the up-and-coming spot, so you’re going to get way more of a local Austin crowd here. Also if you want to go all out, then probably just do Rainey instead since East Side is more chill. Some favorites here are Kitty Cohen’s for a delicious cocktail, Whistler’ s for a good night, Lazarus Brewing for a refreshing beer, and Domo Alley Gato for a twist! DIRTY SIXTH The name should tell you everything you need to know. If you are under the age of 23, this is a solid place to be! If you are over the age of 23, my guess is 20 minutes into Dirty Sixth you will wonder why everyone looks so young. Make sure you start at Chupacabra and order a fishbowl marg, and beware that it’s the size of your head. Afterwards you can check out some of our favorites: Maggie Mae’s , Cheers , Barbarella (THE BEST), or Recess. Your last bar should be Buckshot where you top the night off with a Colt .45 shot on the rooftop, and make sure to grab some pizza from Ropollos before you Uber back! WEST SIXTH West Sixth is much like Dirty, but with an average age above 23! Our favorites are Kung Fu Saloon for the games, Greenlight Social for the Capri Suns, Concrete Cowboy for the dancing, and RIO because it’s simply a classic!

Thanks for checking out our Things To Do in Austin Guide! Hope you have an amazing trip, and definitely check out some of our other blog posts about Austin for more great recommendations.

15 Best Coffee Shops in Austin to Get Work Done Where To Eat Healthy in Austin 12 Day Trips from Austin to Get Out of the City Complete List of Austin Rooftop Restaurants & Bars

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Comments (17).

October 30, 2017 at 1:58 pm

Love all the recommendations!! I still have yet to try Irene’s, but it looks soooo cute!

This post is great, I’ll definitely use it as a point of reference when I have visitors for the weekends 😀

September 26, 2018 at 10:08 am

I love this. Austin has been on my list of places to visit for awhile now.

September 26, 2018 at 1:57 pm

okay i’m ready to go now, the food there looks amazing! i live in a small midwestern town with virtually chain restaurants and not much to do. lol

September 26, 2018 at 10:57 pm

Ahhh such good recommendations! My friend did a vlog of her trip to Austin and ever since I watched it I’ve been dying to go!! Bookmarking this for sure. -Emily https://norepeatsorhesitations.com/2018/09/26/ohii-beauty-review/

Rachel R Ritlop

September 27, 2018 at 6:59 am

ahh i’ve always wanted to go to austin!! The food and culture looks so awesome!

September 27, 2018 at 8:54 am

These are all such great recommendations! If I’m ever in Austin, I’ll be sure to check out one of those BBQ places!

Nicole Booz

September 27, 2018 at 12:22 pm

I spent one day in Austin last year but would love to go back and do more of these things!! There’s so much going on.

Tara Fuller

September 27, 2018 at 2:48 pm

there really is something in austin for everyone – love that city so much!

September 27, 2018 at 4:28 pm

Austin is soooo much fun! Barton Springs has to be my favorite.

Tiffany Khyla

September 28, 2018 at 9:10 am

I love Austin so much! It’s definitely one of my favorite cities in Texas. I haven’t done so many of the things you’ve mentioned here though. It sounds like it’s time for another visit 🙂

Bella B (xoxoBella)

September 30, 2018 at 4:52 pm

Austin looks amazing!! I would love to visit one day soon!

Jiawun | Beauty Nerd By Night

October 3, 2018 at 10:49 am

Austin looks gorgeous! I’m especially excited for the 360 Bridge and of course, the museum! I LOVE museums! The food also looks so yummy. Gorgeous, gorgeous photos!

October 3, 2018 at 9:17 pm

I’ve never been to Austin but I am definitely adding all of this to my itinerary! Everything looks so fun! xoxo, Paige http://www.midwesterncharmblog.com

November 13, 2018 at 1:24 am

Michelle, I just subscribe to your blog post! I live here in Austin, TX and one thing I would love to add your post is our beautiful lake Austin. For any one wanting to experience the beautiful sigh seeing and check out a few of the restaurants and water front homes on the lake please check out: https://wakeriderz.com a boat rental company on Lake Austin. Come experience the Lake Austin party cove! Thanks Michelle!

May 21, 2020 at 2:59 pm

Great coverage of Austin and thank you for mentioning the East side as well. There’s also the Mueller neighborhood which used to be the location of the old airport. We still have the flight tower and now a wonderful, hip and modern neighborhood in Central Austin.

May 2, 2022 at 4:12 am

Great call not staying in The Domain. Any savings on the hotel room go straight to uber.

June 21, 2022 at 5:19 am

I really love this city, Austin is amazing and so modern.

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The Ultimate Guide to San Francisco

Where to find the best brunches in austin || 16 best austin brunch spots.

The capital of Texas isn’t much like the rest of the state at all. It’s a vibrant city that lacks almost any hint of the conservative South. It is an ecofriendly city where cowboys are hard to come by but cowboy boots are still the norm. The legendary music scene combined with a young, healthy, and hip culture makes Austin a hot destination for travelers of nearly every taste. Raising comparisons to Silicon Valley, Austin’s dynamic entrepreneurial and tech scene has been a huge part of the city’s growth for the past two decades. SXSW (South by Southwest) and ACL (Austin City Limits), among others, have made the town a festival hot spot, and now the big-little city is a foodie’s paradise as well, with TexMex and barbeque inflected with every type of ethnic flair. If that weren’t enough, it’s almost always sunny here!

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When’s the best time to go to Austin?

Early spring is one of the best times to visit Austin. Hotel prices are more reasonable, since the SXSW out-of-towners have mostly left, and the bars and restaurants aren’t nearly as crowded. And it’s not blazing hot yet—a plus. Reasonably priced hotels for impromptu trips to Austin are darn near impossible to get in February (Austin Marathon), March (the SXSW film, music, and tech fest ), throughout the UT football season, and during the Austin City Limits Music Festival (October), so plan far in advance (at least six months) for visits in these periods. It’s also a good idea to make reservations for rental cars and popular restaurants as soon as you know you’re coming to town. The weather between June and August is undeniably hot, which can make for a pretty limp vacation, unless you just sit in Barton Springs all day.

How to get around Austin

Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is six miles southeast of the city center and is served by most major carriers. You have a selection of buses (including the MetroAirport, $1.25 to downtown), taxis, car shares, hotel shuttles, and car rentals to get you into town and back. Taxi fare to downtown Austin is approximately $30. If arriving by train, you’ll alight at the Austin Amtrak station just west of downtown, which is served by the Texas Eagle Line. Austin sits on one major freeway (I-35) and several regional highways, and its outskirts are reached by several tollways.

Generally, seeing Austin by foot is very difficult. However, if you’re content to see only downtown Austin (Sixth Street, the Second Street District, the Capitol) and you’re in good shape, it’s possible to explore these downtown areas on foot. There are many attractions within a one- to two-mile walk from most downtown hotels. Just be prepared for potentially oppressive heat during the summer months.

Driving is not too difficult if you’re used to living in a large city. The car-share program Car2go provides a fleet of free-floating, low-emission, self-service smart cars distributed all over the city.

Biking is a great way to get around year-round and the weather is usually agreeable from mid-October to mid-April. In addition to the non-profit Austin B-Cycle bikeshare program, there are multiple bike rental outfits in town.

The public bus network, Capital Metro, has inexpensive neighborhood, express, and downtown routes. Visitors can also get around on the Capital MetroRail commuter train, which operates on weekdays between Downtown and Northwest Austin. The Capital Metro website has a trip planner that can find public transport options between two points in Austin.

After a bit of legislative drama, Uber and Lyft both currently operate in Austin. During the lull in service, a nonprofit local rideshare called Ride Austin emerged and is still popular with locals, though nearly unknown by most visitors. Taxis can’t be hailed on the street. Find a cab stand, ask the front desk at your hotel to get you one, or call one of the companies ahead of time.

Food and drink to try in Austin

While Austin has many high-end destination restaurants, you can also find high-quality, unique, and inexpensive restaurants where the locals eat, drink, and socialize every day. You’ll have no shortage of options, from Texas barbeque to Tex-Mex to local brewpubs and cafés. In the past decade, an influx of Asian restaurants has introduced new flavors to Texan palates and unassuming neighborhood joints have begun getting national press for their innovations, often riffs on traditional regional dishes. The city has always been at the forefront of the food truck trend and don’t be surprised if some of the best meals you’ll eat here are served out of a truck window.

Culture in Austin

Austin is the capital of Texas, and the Texas State Capitol is a must-see. A great source of pride for both the city and the state, the beautiful State Capitol building, wrapped in Texas pink granite, is free to visitors.

There are, of course, the well-known events such as Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, the Texas Book Festival, the Austin Film Festival, and the Austin Food and Wine Festival, but lesser-known gatherings are also catching on and well worth the trip. The Zilker Park Kite Festival, for example, is the oldest continuous kite festival in the United States. Hundreds of kites will dance in the sky the first Sunday in March.

Local travel tips for Austin

- Bring your pup: The city council recently passed an ordinance permitting restaurants to allow dogs on their outdoor patios. You’ll find 12 leash-free areas set aside in city parks, with Mutt Mitt boxes so owners can clean up after their pets.

- And here’s a secret about the famous Austin bats: While it’s way cool to watch them leave at dusk, it’s even more cool to watch them come back in the morning. Arrive about 30 minutes before sunrise. As it gradually gets lighter, you’ll start to see thousands of them diving down under the bridge .

Local Resources

Austin Chronicle Tribeza Austin Monthly KUT

Guide Editor

Vania Lanas is a writer, traveler, 300 RYT Yoga instructor, runner, and master cook. She left her successful career in advertising to follow her heart and be a Yoga teacher, an all-out nutrition and anatomy nerd, and a travel writer. Rey Madolora is a fine art photographer who lives in Austin when not traveling the world. He primarily shoots 35mm photographs during his global adventures, but real-time updates, travel guides, and point-and-shoot photos can be found on his travel travel blog Why You Go There? He is a serial entrepreneur, avid mountain biker and cyclist, yogi, musician, and foodie.

Austin   Travel Guide

Courtesy of RoschetzkyIstockPhoto | Getty Images

Why Go To Austin

Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin boasts more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the nation. It has witnessed the early careers of several famous musicians, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Janis Joplin and The Chicks. Despite significant growth in recent years, Austin maintains a  quirky, laid-back atmosphere  that you won't find in other Texan cities. Outsiders tend to see the city as a home base for wacky characters, but Austinites revel in their eccentricity and proudly flaunt the city's motto, "Keep Austin Weird."

Aside from its buzzing live music and nightlife scenes, the main reason to visit is to enjoy the outdoors. With an average of about 300 sunny days per year and large swaths of green space like Zilker Metropolitan Park  many experts consider Austin one of the  Best Places to Live in America . It's probably because there's something here for everybody: Whether you're a history buff ( LBJ's library  is here as well as the Lone Star State-sized  Texas State History Museum ) an art lover ( Blanton Museum of Art ), a sports fan (University of Texas at Austin football) or a budding musician ( Sixth Street ). After your visit, you might be asking: Why don't I live here?

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• # 8 in Best Places to Visit in Texas
• # 8 in Best Party Cities in the U.S.
• # 10 in Best Food Cities in the U.S.

See All 5 Rankings

Best of Austin

Best hotels in austin.

• # 1 in Austin Proper Hotel & Residences
• # 2 in Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
• # 3 in Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Best Things to Do in Austin

• # 1 in Zilker Metropolitan Park
• # 2 in Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake
• # 3 in Texas Capitol

Popular Tours

Austin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

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from $ 99.00

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Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour

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from $ 36.81

Austin Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best times to visit Austin are September to November or March to May, when 70s and 80s are the anticipated daytime temperatures. As temperatures climb into the mid- to high 90s with high humidity, the Texan summer (June through August) is barely tolerable for unaccustomed visitors. Winter (December to February) is relatively mild and dry, with temperatures that hover in the low to mid-60s. Festivals are an integral part of Austin's culture. If your travel plans are flexible, then plan on attending a festival that interests you – just be prepared for inflated lodging rates.

Weather in Austin

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Yes, you're in Texas You should be aware that it is perfectly legal to carry a concealed weapon (as long as you have the proper permit to go with it).

Yes, you're in the "Live Music Capital of the World" The sweet notes of undiscovered musicians pour out onto Sixth Street from almost every bar every evening. Plus, many of the  top guided tours make stops at some of the city's best local music venues. Don't miss out on a critical part of Austin's culture.

Yes, you're in a college town Home to the University of Texas at Austin, the city's pride is its beloved Longhorns. If you can find tickets, go to a sporting event and feel the fervor of the Texas fans.

How to Save Money in Austin

Dine on food truck fare Austin is a food truck mecca believed to be home to more than 1,200 mobile food vendors. Skip the pricey sit-down meals in favor of the city's inexpensive food truck fare. 

Avoid festivals and game days  Look out for major citywide events, such as Texas Longhorns home football games and the South by Southwest festival – these can cause hotel room rates to skyrocket.

Reduce your carbon footprint  Walk, bike or use public transit to move about Austin and gain a deeper appreciation of this city's beautiful neighborhoods.

What to Eat

A city formerly overrun with barbecue joints and chophouses, Austin has since welcomed a more diverse dining scene featuring more upscale restaurants as well as a wide array of international cuisine. However, the traditional barbecue joints continue to thrive alongside sushi bars and European bistros. Many say you'll find the best smoked meats in the city at  Lamberts , but head to  Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew if you want your barbecue served with a side of craft beer. Unsurprisingly, Tex-Mex is also popular thanks to Austin's proximity to Mexico, which has ushered in the infiltration of south-of-the-border specialties, such as tacos (a city-wide favorite available any time of day), burritos and fajitas. Local establishments recommended by both locals and visitors include Veracruz All Natural , Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop and La Condesa .

For a tasty meal on a budget, head straight for one of the city's food trucks. It's estimated that there are more than 1,000 mobile food vendors roaming Austin's streets, so you'll likely have no trouble finding a truck that tantalizes your taste buds. Several websites, including FoodTrailersAustin.com , offer a directory of each trailer's location and cuisine. Pinpointing the best food trucks would be an exhaustive task, but according to visitors and residents, Luke's Inside Out , Churro Co. , Thai Kun and Patrizi's are among the top mobile vendors in the city. Tagging along on one of the city's best food tours is another great way to discover the city's top food trucks.

Along with its impressive food truck scene, Austin's craft beer landscape is equally lauded. Several tour companies, including Austin Brewery Tours and Bike and Brew ATX , offer tours of the city's best breweries, but you can also branch out on your own to popular spots like Austin Beerworks , Jester King Brewery and St. Elmo Brewing Company . And if you're into wine, you're in luck. Austin's proximity to Fredericksburg (which sits about 90 miles west) makes exploring Texas Hill Country wineries easy. Spend a day in Fredericksburg and sign up for a wine tour to make the most of your time.

Compared to other U.S. cities of its size, Austin is relatively safe for visitors, but it's still necessary to exercise precautions. Make sure to keep your car doors locked and your valuables in a secure location and avoid dimly lit streets after sundown.

Those who are not used to Texas' climate should be mindful of heat stroke. Common symptoms include dizziness, headache and exhaustion. To prevent illness, wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Visitors to Austin should be aware that they will be sharing the city with some intimidating creepy-crawlies, including scorpions and snakes. The types of scorpions that are sometimes spotted within the city cannot inflict as much damage as other species, but experts do recommend keeping your distance. If you head out into the countryside, you may encounter rattlesnakes and water moccasins. If you're stung by a scorpion or bitten by a snake, contact a medical professional immediately.

Getting Around Austin

The best way to get around Austin is by bus and light rail. Some travelers recommend a car; however, the expense and pains of one are enough to encourage many visitors to use  Capital Metro – Austin's public transit system. The Route 20 Manor Road/Riverside line connects the downtown area with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), where you'll likely be greeted by music as soon as you exit the plane, to the heart of downtown about 10 miles northwest. The minimum taxi fare from the airport to downtown Austin costs $13.30. Amtrak provides train service to the city via the Texas Eagle line.

If you'll be centrally located downtown between the Convention Center and the University of Texas at Austin, you should be able to walk or bike.

The capital of Texas offers a Lone Star State-sized helping of history, music, art and food. 

Explore More of Austin

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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San Antonio

# 4 in  Best Places to Visit in Texas

# 1 in  Best Places to Visit in Texas

# 8 in  Best Food Cities in the U.S.

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Austin Travel Guide

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Austin is the Texas state capital and the Live Music Capital of the World, with more than 250live music venues in this sprawling central Texas city. More than 2,300 recording artists call Austin home. Among them? Willie Nelson, who moved from Nashville to Austin in 1972 and never looked back.

Austin is a college town, home to the University of Texas, and it's as big as you would expect the capital of Texas to be. The city limits cover 232 square miles encompassing more than 300 parks, including the nearly 360-acre Zilker Park. Austin is America's11th largest city and one of its fastest-growing.

They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and the state Capitol building—14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. —is no exception. Neither is the bat colony that roosts under Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge from April through October. It's the largest urban bat population in North America, home to between 750,000 and 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats.

Between the great outdoors, local art, music festivals, quirky neighborhoods, and a seemingly endless list of restaurants and bars, there's plenty to do in Austin whatever your fancy and whatever your budget. This guide is designed to help you make the most of your time in Austin, an evolving city that's successfully upholding its mantra to "Keep Austin Weird."

Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is observed seasonally.

Best Time to Go

March and October are particularly good times to catch live music in Austin. In March, the city hosts SXSW , a music and multimedia festival, and the Urban Music Festival, a celebration of R&B, jazz, funk and reggae. Austin City Limits , a two-weekend festival that brings more 130 acts to eight stages, happens each October. The Austin Rodeo, with nightly concerts, is held in March.

To wander down an iconic Austin street and get a feel for its bohemian roots, visit in May when the Pecan Street Festival takes over 6th Street. If you're looking to skip out on snow and ice, Austin can make for a temperate winter escape, but beware if you head to town in July or August. Texas summers can sizzle.

Related : 15 Best Places to Travel in March

Things to Know

In Austin, tacos are a breakfast item, and suits and ties are few and far in between. Flip-flops are acceptable footwear for many occasions, and there's never really a need for stilettos.

Austin is among the most walkable cities in Texas, but you'll want to take Uber or Lyft or rent a car to make the most of your time. Austin is big, and it's going to take you longer than you think to get where you're going.

Austin is an Instagrammer's paradise. The city has public art you've probably seen on your social feeds, including an I Love You So Much wall on South Congress, a Greetings from Austin postcard mural on South 1st Street and an atx sculpture at 5th and Lamar.

Lady Bird Lake isn't actually a lake. It's a river-like reservoir on the Colorado River created by the city in 1960 as a cooling pond for a new power plant.

How to Get Around

Cap Metro is Austin's public transit system serving a population of more than one million in its 535-square mile service area. More than 1,600 bus stops and 82 routes include MetroRail, MetroRapid, and High-Frequency Route Network. Weekend service may be limited.

Taxis: yellowcabaustin.com/

Lyft, Uber, and an emerging light rail system (Cap Metro) have made it easier to get around. Austin is walkable and bikeable, but a rental car is a great convenience there.

Best Hotels

The carpenter hotel.

Address: 400 Josephine Street, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 682-5300 Book Now

This quirky hotel, among Travel & Leisure's favorite new properties, is partially housed in a low-slung brick building that used to be a meeting place for union woodworkers. The hotel's owner has kept its original wood-paneled floors, teller window reception area and cork boards intact, creating a modest welcome to this minimalist space.

JW Marriott

Address: 110 E 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 474-4777 Book Now

This luxury hotel in downtown Austin is an easy walk from 6th Street, Austin City Limits, the Capitol, and the Austin Convention Center. The hotel has ample event space, and it's popular with conference goers and football fans in town for University of Texas Longhorns games.

Doubletree Suites

Address: 303 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 478-7000 Book Now

The Doubletree Suites, an all-suite hotel a stone's throw from the Texas Capitol building, is well suited for long stays and families. Each suite has a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. Some are two-bedroom, two-bathroom, and many have views of the Texas Hill Country or the Capital.

Hyatt Regency

Address: 208 Barton Springs, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 477-1234 Book Now

The Hyatt Regency in downtown Austin is a short walk from the bars on 6th Street, the Austin Convention Center, and the bats that live under Congress Avenue Bridge. Some rooms in this pet-friendly contemporary hotel have river views and patios.

Hampton Inn

Address: 200 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 472-1500 Book Now

Austin is home to several Hampton Inns that offer comfortable affordable accommodations, but the chain's downtown outpost is the most convenient for visiting the city's sights. The downtown Hampton Inn is just a short walk from the bars on 6th street, Austin's seasonal bat colony, the Texas State Capitol, and one of Austin's best eateries—Stubb's BBQ.

Fairmont Austin

Address: 101 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 600-2000 Book Now

The Fairmont Austin is a 37-story luxury hotel with more than 1,000 guest rooms, many with views of Lady Bird Lake. The hotel, located in Austin's central business district, is conveniently connected to the Austin Convention Center.

Address: 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 542-3600 Book Now

This four-star hotel in downtown Austin includes both a Tequila bar and a record room, perfectly suited for the Live Music Capital of the World. The W Austin's Record Room houses a collection of more than 8,000 records, making it the perfect place to begin a night of hopping between local live music shows.

East Austin Hotel

Address: 1108 East Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (737) 205-8888 Book Now

This unique entrant to the Austin hotel scene has rooms for under $100 a night on iconic Sixth Street if you're willing to share a private bathroom with your neighbors. More expensive rooms with private bathrooms also are available at this trendy boutique hotel that's brimming with East Austin pride.

Omni Barton Creek Resort

Address: 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX 78735 Phone: (512) 329-4000 Book Now

This luxe Austin resort offers six restaurants, a spa with an adults only pool, four golf courses, four swimming pools, and golf clubhouse. The 4,000-acre property is located west of downtown and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Driskill

Address: 604 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 439-1234 Book Now

The Driskill is the oldest operating hotel in Austin, named for Jesse Driskill, a cattle baron who aimed to build the finest hotel south of St. Louis. The hotel has long been popular American presidents. It's where Lyndon B. Johnson watched returns of the 1964 presidential election and where Bill Clinton stayed during his 1999 visit to Austin.

Best Restaurants

Launderette.

Address: 2115 Holly Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: 512-382-1599 Website

Launderette is a neighborhood cafe with a North African-inspired Mediterranean menu that includes dishes like fried shrimp, beet hummus, and steak. Launderette's burger has been called the best in Austin. Launderette's desserts, which include Hibiscus Poached Pears and Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches, are especially popular.

Franklin BBQ

Address: 900 E 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 653-1187 Website

Franklin BBQ started in a humble trailer but has since grown into an empire where President Barack Obama, Anthony Bourdain, and Jimmy Kimmel have dined. James Beard Award winning Pitmaster Aaron Franklin wrote "Franklin Barbecue, A Meat Smoking Manifesto" and launched a PBS barbecue show.

Home Slice Pizza

Address: 1415 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 512-444-PIES Website

If you're looking for a slice in Austin, Home Slice Pizza is where to find it. This New York style neighborhood pizza joint is one of the few places in Austin that serves pizza by the slice.

South Congress Cafe

Address: 1600 S Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 512-447-3905 Website

This retro hotspot, known for boozy brunches, carrot cake French toast, and jalapeño venison meatloaf, was a pharmacy back in the 1940s. Today, it's the place for a Texas-size shaded patio, happy hour, and the perfect spot for lounging on breezy days.

Address: 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: 512-476-4852 Website

Hula Hut, a lakeside TexMex restaurant with a Polynesian twist, is a tiki bar that fancies itself a surfer's paradise. One of its most popular menu items is the Kawaikini Stuffed Avocado, a Hass avocado filled with roasted chicken, green chilis and more, then fried and served with hatch green chile and queso blanco.

Address: 1917 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78722 Phone: (512) 391-2337 Website

Salty Sow is all about swine, wine, and beer. Its menu focuses on meaty dishes like triple fried duck fat fries, bacon and gruyere roasted bone marrow, candied pork belly, and slow-cooked beef shoulder. It's a very Austin restaurant with its focus on mindfully sourced local ingredients and creative hand-crafted cocktails.

Address: 2027 Anchor Lane, Austin, TX 78723 Phone: (512) 614 - 2260 Website

For an authentic Texas ranch-style dining experience without leaving the city, head to Contigo. Designed to feel like a country ranch, the restaurant serves menu items like crispy green beans, rabbit & dumplings, Texas quail, and a bone-in ribeye that serves three to four.

Torchy's Tacos

Multiple Locations Website

Torchy's Tacos started as an Austin food truck, and it's now best known for creative tacos. Among them is the Trailer Park—a combo of chicken fried steak, bacon, green chile queso, cotija cheese, and pico de gallo in a fresh flour tortilla. The Brushfire includes Jamaican jerk chicken, grilled jalapenos, mango sour cream, and cilantro with diablo sauce. They serve breakfast tacos all day.

Kemuri Tatsu-ya

Address: 2713 E. Second Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 803-2224 Website

This Austin restaurant's menu is a mashup of Texas barbecue and traditional Japanese izakaya. Think BBQ tsukemen, sticky rice tamales, and edamame smoked over cherry wood. The restaurant's founders are self-described Japanese Texans who brought Austin its first Ramen joint in 2012.

Ramen Tatsu-ya

Address: 8557 Research Blvd #126, Austin, TX 78758 Phone: (512) 893-5561 Website

Ramen is their specialty, and they offer a variety along with sides, extra noodles, toppings, small bites, and even instructions on the best way to enjoy their ramen.

Things to Do

Texas state capitol.

Address: 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 463-4630 Website

One of the nation's most distinguished state capitols, the building is surrounded by 22 acres of statues and monuments. Several historic sections of the capitol can be seen on a free guided tour covering Texas history and the building itself.

LBJ Presidential Library

Address: 2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78705 Phone: (512) 721-0200 Website

This presidential library chronicles the life of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. Johnson was born and died in central Texas, not far from the University of Texas where this library is housed. Visitors to the LBJ library can listen in on LBJ's calls from the White House, step inside a replica of the Oval Office, and experience interactive exhibits.

Austin Bats

Address: 305 S. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Website

Head to the Congress Avenue Bridge around sunset to see North America's largest bat colony. A renovation in 1980 turned the bridge into the ideal bat cave, attracting a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats typically emerge between 7:30 pm and 9:45 pm, and visitors start lining up just before sunset, facing east for the best views.

Barton Springs Pool

Address: 2101 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78746 Phone: (512) 974-6300 Website

Barton Springs Pool is the crown jewel of Austin's sprawling 358-acre Zilker Park. The man-made pool measures three acres, drawing its water from underground springs with an average temperature around 68 degrees. The pool is open year round and hosts a polar plunge each January.

Bullock Texas State History Museum

Address: 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 936-8746 Website

This Austin museum chronicles Texas history and the people who made the state what it is today. It houses an original NASA Mission Control console from the 1960s, cattle branding and oil field tools, and an AT-6 "Texan," the World War II-era training airplane flown by the trailblazing Women Airforce Service Pilots.

Harry Ransom Center

Address: 300 West 21st Street, Austin, TX 78712 Phone: (512) 471-8944 Website

The Harry Ransom Center is a humanities research library and museum with 41 million items, including one of five copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the U.S. The museum also houses the Niépce Heliograph, considered the earliest surviving photograph made with camera obscura, the archive of playwright Arthur Miller, and childhood writing from authors including Charlotte Brontë and David Foster Wallace.

Blanton Museum of Art

Address: 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Austin, TX 78712 Phone: (512) 471-5482 Website

The Blanton Museum of Art is the largest university-owned art collection in the U.S. The museum's key piece is Austin , a highly Instagrammable temple of light created by American artist Ellsworth Kelly. The 2,715-square-foot stone building features 33 mouth blown colored glass windows set in three different patterns, a totem made of salvaged wood, and 14 black-and-white stone panels representing the Stations of the Cross.

Play Golf at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Address: 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX 78735 Phone: (512) 329-4000 Website

Austin's warm weather and 300 days of sunshine a year make it an ideal golf destination, and the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa's four championship golf courses are the perfect place to play.

The Paramount Theater

Address: 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 472-5470 Website

The Paramount Theater is everything you'd imagine an opulent downtown theater to be. Opened as a vaudeville house in 1915, the theater now hosts live performances and movies. Houdini, Katharine Hepburn, Amy Schumer, and Sheryl Crow are among the performers who have graced the Paramount's stage.

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Address: 310 W. Willie Nelson Boulevard, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 225-7999 Website

The Moody Theater is home to Austin City Limits Live, the longest running music series in American television history. The Moody Theater hosts about 100 concerts each year and offers tours every weekday.

Antone's Nightclub

Address: 305 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 814-0361 Website

Antone's Nightclub, open since 1975, is an iconic blues venue in Austin. The club has hosted B.B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, James Brown, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Best Shopping

Soco - south congress avenue.

Address: South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 441-2444 Website

This strip just south of Lady Bird Lake is where Austin's hipsters, politicos, and students come to peruse antique shops and vintage stores. It's also home to Allen's Boots , which stocks thousands of pairs of boots as well as snap shirts, belts, buckles, and anything else you might need for your first rodeo.

2nd Street District

Address: 2nd Street to 4th Street, between Colorado and Guadalupe streets, Austin, TX 78701 Website

This is Austin's original downtown pedestrian shopping district and includes the first ever brick and mortar ModCloth. The 2nd Street District is home to independent retailers and chains including Urban Outfitters and Loft.

Address: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace , Austin, TX 78758 Phone: (512) 795-4230 Website

The Domain has 700,000-square feet of luxury shops, mainstream stores, and restaurants, including Austin's first Neiman-Marcus, a Tiffany and Co., and a Louis Vuitton store.

South First Street

Address: South Austin, Austin, TX 78704 Website

If you're looking for retailers you won't find elsewhere, head to South First Street between Barton Springs Road and Oltorf Street. You'll find designer and vintage clothing, neon art and a whole lot of other things you likely won't see anywhere else.

Address: 603 N. Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: (512) 472-5050 Website

BookPeople is a behemoth of an independent bookstore. It's the largest independent bookstore in Texas and hosts regular signings and readings. BookPeople opened in 1970 and has hosted Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Waterloo Records

Address: 600 N Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: (512) 474-2500 Website

Waterloo Records has been part of Austin's music scene since 1982. It's an independent music and video store known for its vast selection of vinyl records, its knowledgeable staff, and its support of Texas music. Waterloo Records hosts live music, and past performers include Willie Nelson, Nirvana, Spoon, Cheap Trick, and Norah Jones.

Neighborhoods to Know

SoCo : South Congress , known as SoCo, is a collection of small shops, restaurants, music venues, and art galleries just south of Lady Bird Lake. It's a great spot to find food trucks, shop for quirky souvenirs, and take in postcard views of the Texas State Capitol.

Rainey Street: This once sleepy residential neighborhood has become a hub of Austin nightlife. Many of the old bungalows on this historic street have been converted into bars, restaurants, and live music venues. With its expansive porches and comfortable yards, it's a top spot for Sunday fundays.

Red River Cultural District : Austin may be the Live Music Capital of the World, but the Red River Cultural District is the live music capital of Austin. Once the domain of metal and punk fans, this area has evolved to become an ideal place for a live music crawl through genres.

Sixth Street Historic District: Sixth Street Historic District is perhaps Austin's best known neighborhood. It's home to the historic Driskill Hotel and a seemingly endless array of bars, clubs, and restaurants. The street occasionally closes to traffic for tailgating and other events.

Texas summers can be hot and humid, but winters are mild, and snow or ice are rare. Severe weather most commonly occurs in the spring when there can be heavy rain, flash flooding, and occasional tornadoes.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month.

January 42 - 62 February 45 - 65 March 51 - 72 April 59 - 80 May 67 - 87 June 72 - 92 July 74 - 96 August 75 - 97 September 69 - 91 October 61 - 82 November 51 - 71 December 42 - 63

Apps to Download

Park ATX: Pay for street parking in Austin iOs | Android

Cap Metro: Trip planning, online ticketing, real-time arrivals iOs |Android

Bird : Electric scooters iOs | Android

Lime : Electric scooters iOs | Android

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Austin, Texas Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Eat, and More

Austin likes to call itself the “live music capital of the world,” and the Texas town does its best to live up to the moniker. On a summer weekend night, you might find over 100 acts playing at venues across town, with the strains of Indy rock, funk, folk, blues, bluegrass, tejano, zydeco, and myriad other sounds filling the parched skies over south-central Texas. Of course, there’s much more to Austin than music. Food trucks, barbecue, microbreweries, arts festivals, spring-fed pools and a rather substantial bat population all play a part in luring travelers to one of the best-loved cities in the Lone Star state.

Where to Stay

Where to eat.

• How to Save Money on Your Trip to Austin, Texas 

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The vibrant shopping and dining district of South Congress area makes an excellent base while visiting the city. You’ll also find some gems downtown as well as in East Austin.

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Best SoCo Stay: Austin Motel

First opened in 1938, this South Congress Ave. sleeper was best known for its phallic sign and aging rooms before Bunkhouse Group gave the place a dramatic makeover a few years back. Today, the 41-room motel boasts plenty of color and whimsy — like retro lamps and radios, vibrantly hued wallpaper and a kidney-shaped pool that plays host to nighttime pool parties. There’s a good all-day Tex-Mex restaurant on site, and there are plenty of good eating and drinking options just a short stroll away.

•  Nearest airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• Time: 12 minutes by car
• Distance: 9 miles

Best Downtown Digs: The Driskill

Austin’s oldest operating hotel is set in a grand Romanesque Revival building downtown that dates back to the 1880s. The lobby bar is a swanky hangout spot, though a pure abomination for vegans: Think cowhide barstools, oversized leather couches, and wall-mounted heads of Texas longhorn peering down at you while you sip a glass of local Sisterdale whisky. Rooms aim for a look of classic timelessness, and the best have elegant balconies with skyline views.

• Time: 13 minutes by car
• Distance: 10 miles

Best Luxury Hideaway: Saint Cecilia

Named after the patron saint of music and poetry, Saint Cecilia plays muse to anyone lucky enough to overnight in this stylish beauty in the Travis Heights neighborhood. The secluded property has lush grounds with a 50-foot heated lap pool open 24 hours a day, and the individually designed accommodations (five suites, six bungalows, and three studios) boast loads of style. Rooms are kitted out with Rega turntables and Geneva sound systems and you can borrow LPs (as well as poetry anthologies) for leisurely listening whenever the mood strikes you — like when you order an in-room spa treatment for instance. You can also grab a bike for a quick spin over to South Congress Ave., just down the road.

• Nearest airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• Time: 11 minutes by car

The dining scene in Austin is as vibrant as ever, with creative ethnic eateries, legendary barbecue, and New Texan standouts showcasing all things locally sourced.

Best Food Trailers: The Picnic

Just one block from the entrance to Zilker Park, the Picnic is Valhalla for food truck lovers. You’ll find nine top names in the mobile food game, including Cannone Cucina Italiana (and its sister truck serving up heavenly gelato), Coat & Thai with its fiery curries, and the Mighty Cone, famed for its tasty breaded chicken, shrimp, and avocado snacks that are served up in a tortilla cone.

browse menu

Best Brisket: Franklin Barbecue

Serving up some of the best brisket on the planet, Franklin Barbecue has a rather sizable following (NY Times restaurant critic Pete Wells is a fan). In other words, the line is absurdly long — some queuing diners might have to wait up to four hours before sinking their teeth into that smoked perfection. Barbecue lovers say it’s worth the wait (just come prepared, bring a chair, coffee and/or beer, some shade for the hot sun and some snacks!). There is also a way to avoid the long wait. You can pre-order up to six weeks in advance; simply show up within that 30-minute window, grab your food, and go. The catch: There’s a three-pound minimum and you can’t eat on-site, so bring a serious appetite, a few famished friends and picnic plans (Lott Pocket Park is an easy stroll from the restaurant).

Best Tex-Mex: Güero’s Taco Bar

A South Austin classic, Güero’s whips up the city’s best tacos , which taste all the better in the rustic oak-shaded garden. It’s set in a former feed and seed store from the 1800s, which makes a fine backdrop to the live music happening Wednesday to Sunday. The bar is also a fine spot for quality margaritas just about any time of day.

Downtown Austin

The gridlike streets of downtown have a mix of high-rise office buildings as well as abundant amusement (bars and live music clubs) along 6th St. You can also check out America’s largest state capitol, a striking red granite building where you can have a peak inside on a guided tour. Nearby, you can delve into Lone Star lore at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which covers everything from Neolithic peoples and early Native American settlements to Civil Rights and the space program. You can also catch some excellent works of art at the behemoth Blanton Museum of Art. Don’t miss Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin,” a kaleidoscope of a building that opened to much acclaim in 2018.

South Austin

Head across the Colorado River to reach the painfully hip SoCo district — short for South Congress, which is what most locals call it. Much of the action is along the eponymous avenue, which is lined with funky boutiques, edgy art galleries, patio cafes and bars, and quirky hotels — plus seemingly limitless dining options. West of South Congress is leafy Zilker Park, home to Barton Springs Pool , a massive swimming spot fed by an ice-cold spring. It’s a much-loved destination on hot days. You can also hang out in the forest-lined springs just outside the pool.

Winged Wonders

For a glimpse of Austin wildlife, stake out a spot south of the Congress Avenue Bridge just before dusk. Every night from spring through autumn, a vast swarm of Mexican Free-Tailed bats takes to the sky. Their numbers can reach over 1.5 million by the end of the season.

Austin has a packed festival calendar, with South by Southwest (SXSW) in March among the city’s best-known events. On the first two weekends in October, Austin City Limits festival features a stellar musical lineup. This year you can catch Billie Eilish, Erykah Badu, Rüfüs du Sol, Miley Cyrus, Jon Batiste, and dozens of other artists. The festival quickly sold out, though you can still score resale tickets on the website.

How to Save Money on Your Trip to Austin, Texas 

Experiences.

While it is popularly known for its music, Austin, Texas, can offer so much more than that. From exceptional museums and top-notch ballet performances to numerous restaurants and a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, it is difficult to fit all of these in a day or two, especially with limited time and budget. So it’s best to prepare your itinerary and accommodation ahead of time (but if you want to be spontaneous, why not?). Good thing, there are multiple apps and websites to help you maximize your stay and keep you on your budget during your trip. Airbnb.com  offers a wide variety of options when it comes to rentals and hotel accommodations, depending on whether you want to be near some good eating spots or some peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

It is not so wrong to feel like a local in Austin whether you’re just visiting for the weekend or planning to come for an event. With the rise of the hotel industry, experiencing the city first-hand is now made more convenient, even at the comforts of your own rental place. From retro to Romanesque revival, each hotel has plenty to offer while showcasing what the city is known for: Arts and music. If you’re still undecided on where to stay, check out Hotel Tonight , Airbnb.com , and Kayak.com as they offer just about the right place for you to stay in Austin, Texas without breaking the bank.

Vehicle Rentals

Sure, there are accessible cabs in Austin, Texas but isn’t it nice to roam around the city without the hustle and bustle of public transportation? There are a lot of places to visit in Austin that having a car to go from one place to another will be convenient to maximize your stay and save some cash. Kayak.com is the best way to look for some of the best deals for car rentals.

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Jesse Tyler Ferguson is a household name, having played a leading role on Modern Family. He has also acted in various other movies and TV shows, and won a Tony award. Beyond his clear talent for acting, Jesse is passionate about food and travel. As Pride month hits the halfway mark and the summer travel season draws near, we chatted with the actor about his favorite LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations, what he always packs, and more. 

Not only is travel fun and exciting, but it also comes with many scientifically-proven health benefits! These benefits can positively impact your mind and body as you take a few days off of work and your daily routine to engage in some well-deserved London travel.

London has so much to offer, including fashion, art, music, cuisine, and an extensive history of buildings, museums, and jaw-dropping architecture. Whatever your taste, budget, or cultural persuasions may be, London can meet them. 

A fairytale castle. Winding, cobblestone alleys. Abundant street art. The best tapas in Spain. These are just a few of the many reasons to visit Granada, Spain, which is one of my favorite small cities in the world. Barcelona might get all the attention, but I’ve spent just over two years in Granada, and I know all too well the greatness that this pint-sized place has to offer.

When you visit, you’ll likely be going briefly as part of a larger trip through the country, so you’ll be working to experience Spain on a budget. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to enjoy Granada for roughly $400 over the course of 48 hours. I guarantee that you'll enjoy it.

• Weekend Guide

A Weekend Travel Guide to Austin, Texas

Dance to your own tune in the live music capital of the world.

By Elite Traveler

Texas’s state capital, Austin , has something for everyone: eclectic live music focusing on country, blues and rock; lots of parks and lakes; a vibrant nightlife; excellent shopping; and delicious food, as this travel guide shows.

To begin your ultimate Austin music tour, head to Austin City Limits for a behind-the-scenes look at the Moody Theater. Austin Detours offers a fun tour led by an Austin musician who will take you off the beaten path to discover hidden gem music venues.

Animal lovers should explore the Austin Zoo. Situated southwest of the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve, it houses more than 300 animals and 100 different species. See lions and tigers, black bears (that have been rescued and rehabilitated), monkeys, reptiles and exotic birds — and there are peacocks roaming the grounds. Be sure to get a picture with a Texas Longhorn.

[See also: A Luxury Guide to a Long Weekend in San Antonio]

When the sun sets, head to Congress Avenue Bridge to see around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats soar through the sky from beneath the bridge.

History buffs will find tons to see in Austin: Explore the Texas Capitol Complex at the Texas Capitol Visitors Center to learn about the state’s history with a guided tour.

The University of Texas at Austin also has an impressive collection of museums including the Harry Ransom Center. Enjoy the great outdoors at Lady Bird Lake — do the 10-mile hike-and-bike trail; canoe, kayak or paddleboard through the calm water; or enjoy a beer and some lunch on a river cruise.

Where to sleep

On the corner of Brazos and 6th streets in central Austin, you’ll find The Driskill Hotel. Filled with character and historic charm, it’s the perfect base for sightseeing in Austin. Prosperous cattle baron Jesse Driskill built the hotel in 1886; the hotel maintains many original fittings and interesting memorabilia. The Driskill Grill is famed for its Texas cuisine — order the local Wagyu beef. There are 189 guest rooms to choose from, each with its own individual character, but we love the two-bedroom Cattle Baron Suite best.

604 Brazos Street Austin, TX 78701, +1 512 439 1234, driskillhotel.com

Where to eat

The Carillon draws visitors and many return diners — a testament to its delicious American fare with a Texas twist. Order the Kurobuta Farms pork belly with pear miso and crispy kimchi Brussels sprouts; the Texas grass-fed lamb shank with local radish, nasturtium and corn nuts; and the brown sugar butternut squash with Mexican vanilla ice cream and candied pepitas. For a special evening, book the private dining room.

1900 University Avenue Austin, TX 78705 +1 512 404 3655 thecarillonrestaurant.com

Where to fly

Million Air Austin responded to the demand for top-quality corporate aircraft hangars in Austin, Texas with a limited offering of subleases. The FBO offers hangars dedicated to short-term leasing, overnight parking and maintenance facilities. Managed by Million Air and conveniently located at Austin Bergstrom International Airport 16 minutes from downtown, Million Air Austin is Austin’s premiere hangar facility. Your jet awaits, yet you’re in no hurry to leave. That’s what Million Air Austin strives to offer — a facility so comfortable that it’s your home away from home. With reserved parking, an on-site fuel farm and impeccable service minutes from Austin, there’s no better way to fly.

Million Air Austin (AUS); 4801 Emma Browning Avenue Austin, TX 78719; [email protected] , +1 737 208 1400 , millionair.com

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Getting around Austin, TX

Planning to travel in Austin? Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, let this guide help you make the most of your Austin experience. Travel from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Fairmont Austin using Uber and discover popular routes and destinations. Depending on your city, you can even use the app to get around with public transport, bikes or scooters, and more.

Plus, check out Uber rates for riders and drivers and learn how to use Uber to get paid to drive or deliver in Austin.

Reserve car service in Austin with Uber

Arrange your car service needs in advance with Uber in Austin. Request a ride anytime up to 90 days ahead, whether you need transportation to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, you have plans to visit your favorite restaurant, or you’re going somewhere else.

Ride Sharing in Austin

Getting around Austin without a car is easy with Uber. Find places to visit, then request a ride on any day and at any time of the week. You can request a ride from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Auditorium Shores or head to another destination with the app. If you’re planning to travel in Austin with a large group, request Premier to enjoy a comfortable ride.

Open the Uber app and enter your destination to begin exploring Austin.

Austin-area airport car service

When your travel in Austin takes you to an airport from Auditorium Shores, West Oak Hill or elsewhere, open the app and request a ride at any time of day. Tap below on the name of a nearby airport to learn how to use Uber to get car service to arrivals and departures. On the linked airport page, you’ll find out where to meet your driver for pickup, how much the trip will cost, and more.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

San antonio international airport (sat), george bush intercontinental airport (iah), dallas fort worth international airport (dfw), robert gray army air field airport (grk), william p. hobby airport (hou), choose the best ways to get around austin, taxi in austin.

Consider Uber as an alternative to taxis when traveling in Austin. With Uber, you can trade flagging down cabs for requesting rides on demand, no matter the time of day. You can request a ride from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, visit West Lake Hills, or enter another place. Open the app and enter a destination to get around Austin.

Public transport in Austin

Getting around with public transport is an affordable way to travel. Depending on the area, you can view nearby bus or subway routes with Uber Transit to help plan your travels. Open the app to see if Uber Transit is available in neighborhoods such as Auditorium Shores and West Oak Hill, or visit popular places in Austin by ridesharing with Uber.

Bike rentals in Austin

Biking is an eco-friendly way to get around the heart of a city. In select cities, you can find and ride electric bikes with Uber. Open the app to see if bikes are available in Austin, then order from our popular restaurants to refuel after a day of exploring. If bikes are available in Austin, remember to wear a helmet and follow traffic laws while riding.

Uber does not tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs by drivers using the Uber app. If you believe your driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, please have the driver end the trip immediately.

Commercial vehicles may be subject to additional state government taxes, which would be over and above the toll.

There are a number of location-specific requirements and regulations users should be aware of when using Uber in your country. Please visit this page to read them.

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Solar Eclipse 2024: Expect Flight Delays and Traffic Jams from Texas to Maine

By Rachel Chang

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Millions of people are expected to travel to see the total solar eclipse on April 8. As a result, large swaths of the country could be faced with traffic jams and flight delays in the coming days, government agencies warn.

“This rare event may be a once-in-a-lifetime for some, but could have widespread impacts on the traveling public,” Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrator Shailen Bhatt said in a video message in late March. “So please plan ahead to arrive early, and, if you can, stay put to avoid traffic congestion.”

According to the FHWA , 32 million Americans live within the eclipse path—which sweeps from the Mexican border in Texas up to the Canadian border in Maine —and millions more are expected to travel into the zone for the event. That means even those who aren't traveling for the eclipse should prepare for crowds of umbraphiles in many parts of the country, particularly at and around certain airports and roadways.

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an alert flagging that the already busy spring break week will be exacerbated by eclipse-related travel. While the peak travel day was Thursday, April 4 (with 50,670 scheduled flights), fliers should also expect busy airports on Friday, April 5, the FAA says.

The agency has even issued a domestic notice warning of “possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path” from April 7 to April 10. Higher volumes of traffic are expected at airports of all sizes within the eclipse zone, especially in the greater Boston , Chicago , Cleveland, Fort Worth , Houston, Indianapolis , Kansas City , and Memphis regions. Aircraft may be subject to potential airborne holding and reroutes, the notice says, and arrivals to some airports could possibly be restricted due to the increased volume. For travelers, all that could result in flight delays, traffic jams on the way to the airport, a lack of parking spots, and long security lines.

During the 2017 solar eclipse, some traffic jams lasted between 7 and 15.5 hours.

While the last solar eclipse visible from the United States was just a few years ago ago in 2017 , the anticipation for this year's is even greater. One reason for this (in addition to the duration of totality being almost double in length this time) is the fact that the 2024 eclipse path is much wider and more densely populated than 2017's.

“What makes it even more appealing is that there are so many major cities and populated areas along the path of totality this time,” Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson tells Condé Nast Traveler , citing Austin , Dallas , Dayton, and Indianapolis as 2024 eclipse hot spots.

The travel booking company has seen searches for hotels within the path go up 1,100% compared to the same period last year, including a 1,155% rise in searches for Burlington, Vermont; 985% for Little Rock, Arkansas; 705% for Dayton, Ohio; 645% for Buffalo, New York; and 545% for Indianapolis.

Likewise, Airbnb has also experienced a surge of more than 1,000% in searches compared to last year for what it calls “up to 268 seconds of darkness.” In fact, one in four Airbnb guests with a booking the night before the eclipse has a stay booked within the totality path, the company says.

How to avoid eclipse traffic jams

Traffic congestion warnings have been released for totality path states including Texas , Arkansas , New York , and Maine . Rental car company Hertz has seen a 3,000% increase over last year in advance bookings for cities within the totality pathway, the American Automobile Association (AAA) says.

When the eclipse hits, with totality starting at 1:27 pm local time in Texas and ending at 3:35 p.m. local time in Maine, “the last thing you want is to be driving,” Hudson, of Expedia, says. “So make a day of it, bring a picnic, and make sure to get gas the night before.”

On the roadways, the most congested sections are likely to be rural roads in popular eclipse destinations that aren't built for such a high volume of travelers, an AAA spokesperson tells Traveler. Following the 2017 eclipse, four of the five most bottlenecked locations were not freeways, AAA data from transportation analytics data company Inrix shows. At the time, traffic lasted between 7 and 15.5 hours, with the longest backups ranging from 45 to 70 miles.

In Texas, the eclipse path follows much of Interstate 35, through Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth, as well as smaller towns, a Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson told Time Magazine , warning of “possible significant delays” on both the main highway and farm roads. Austin NBC affiliate KXAN warns of backups on U.S. Highway 290, 281, and 183—the latter especially around Liberty Hill.

Over in Arkansas, AR Highway 70 to Benton and AR Highway 65 between Conway in Greenbrier are forecasted to be the busy zones, per the Time report.

Around Columbus, the Ohio Department of Transportation told the local NBC affiliate WCMH to expect high volumes on Interstate 70 in downtown and Zanesville, Interstate 71 in downtown, Interstate 75 in Cincinnati and Dayton, Interstate 475 on Toledo's southwestern side, and Interstates 76 and 77, plus State Route 8, in Akron. Real time congestion can also be tracked here .

Canada's side of the Niagara Falls in Ontario has preemptively declared a state of emergency as an estimated 1 million travelers flock to the photogenic waterfall, which lies in the eclipse path. On Friday morning, the city issued a map of road closures in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie.

To avoid getting caught in traffic following the eclipse, “consider staying longer at your eclipse-viewing destination afterward,” an AAA spokesperson tells Traveler . “Much like after a concert, hang out until the initial rush passes.”

Hudson concurs, saying: “There will be many crowds. Pack your patience—and your special eclipse viewing glasses!”

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