In the event you’re headed to the Texas capital on a fast getaway, learn on for the proper itinerary for a weekend in Austin. Get able to rock in the town that’s often known as the Stay Music Capital of the World!
Two days in Austin is simply sufficient to take a look at among the sights and benefit from the nice open air by day. Come dusk, it’s time to dive into the town’s well-known culinary and dwell music scenes.
Whereas Austin is the state capital, it’s truly solely the 4th largest metropolis in Texas. The indisputable fact that it’s not an enormous metropolis makes it straightforward to cowl quite a lot of floor with only a weekend in Austin.
It’s undoubtedly one in all my favourite cities I’ve visited in the US and I’ve been in all places! A metropolis with a love for dwell music, tacos, and craft beer is principally my dream come true.
Consistent with the town’s unofficial slogan “Hold Austin Bizarre,” I additionally encourage you to improvise a bit with this Austin 2-day itinerary.
Hear some funky music from a bar? Pop in to examine the band out. Odor one thing scrumptious? Wander over to that meals truck. Meet some cool locals? See the place they like to hang around.
Learn on for a take a look at the very best locations to remain and a jam-packed itinerary stuffed with suggestions for the way to spend 2 days in Austin.
Day 1 in Austin
With solely 2 days in Austin, there’s no time to waste! On the primary day, we’ll deal with the historical past and tradition of the town through the day earlier than indulging in the culinary and nightlife worlds.
Morning
I can’t consider any higher strategy to kick off a weekend in Austin than with breakfast tacos. It is a metropolis obsessive about breakfast tacos, and why wouldn’t they be?
Tex-Mex is king right here, with a typical breakfast taco consisting of a flour tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and seasoned potatoes. After all, every place has its personal specialty tacos as nicely.
There are one million and one locations to eat breakfast tacos in Austin, however among the high selections embody Cisco’s, Joe’s Bakery, and Rosita’s Al Pastor. Valentina’s is a little bit of a hike however is price it, as they’re usually ranked the very best in the town.
For a enjoyable and informative introduction to the town, I like to recommend leaping on a free strolling tour. One fashionable possibility is the downtown strolling tour by Tipster. These run every day at 10AM and final about two hours, starting on the State Capitol.
As with all free strolling excursions, it’s customary to depart a tip should you benefit from the tour. You possibly can simply present up if you’d like, or click on right here to allow them to know you’re coming and what number of are in your group.
Another choice is to simply head to the State Capitol and be part of one in all their free excursions. These start each 30-45 minutes from 9:30-3:30 on Saturday and 12-3:30 on Sunday.
Even should you don’t really feel like taking any sort of tour, you must nonetheless take a look at the Capitol. It’s true that all the pieces’s greater in Texas —the State Capitol is larger than the nationwide one in DC!
Whilst you’re over right here, you would possibly as nicely take a look at the Governor’s Mansion as nicely. You’ll should e book your spot a minimum of every week in advance to take one of many free excursions right here, so click on right here to enroll.
Need to simply cowl all the above with a pleasant and knowledgable information, travelling by air-conditioned transportation and having fun with a meals truck snack?! This tour is barely 2 hours lengthy, and $35, that means you continue to have a great deal of time left to spend exploring all of the enjoyable issues to do in Austin.
Afternoon
After exploring the Capitol grounds, a handy lunch spot is Texas Chili Parlor. Not surprisingly, they’re identified for his or her chili right here. Strive the XXX should you dare! Additionally they have plenty of tasty Tex-Mex choices like tamales and enchiladas.
As I discussed earlier, there’s undoubtedly some room for improvisation when exploring Austin in 2 days. The way you select to spend the afternoon completely is determined by your pursuits, so let me provide you with a number of choices.
To start with, you may take a look at a number of museums, the campus of UT, and the LBJ (Lyndon Baines Johnson) Presidential Library. Only a few blocks north of the Capitol is the Bullock Texas State Historical past Museum.
With interactive displays, movies, and an superior IMAX theater, it is a good place to be taught all in regards to the Lone Star State. Tickets for the museum value $13 and it can save you time should you click on right here to e book your tickets on-line.
Proper throughout the road, you’ll discover the Blanton Museum of Artwork. It’s well-known for Austin – a stone constructing with coloured home windows designed by famend artist Ellsworth Kelly.
Seeing that alone is well worth the $12 value of admission, and there are 20,000 different artworks you may take a look at as nicely.
Maybe you’re probably not into museums and would quite spend extra time exterior. In that case, head straight to the College of Texas campus. It’s a lovely place to discover, stuffed with artwork and historic landmarks.
One factor you received’t need to miss is The Coloration Inside. This Skyspace from artist James Turrell is finest seen at sundown and is sort of fashionable, so be sure you e book your spot nicely in advance.
Different choices on campus embody heading to the highest of the UT Tower to take in the views of this basic American campus. It prices $6 and solely takes about 45 minutes to go to.
In the event you’re actually into historical past, then a go to to the LBJ Presidential Library is a must-do in your weekend in Austin. Native Texan Lyndon Baines Johnson was the 36th President of the USA after the assassination of JFK.
There’s sufficient to see and do right here to maintain you busy for hours, together with listening to precise cellphone calls LBJ had as president. It’s open every day from 9-5 and tickets are simply $10. Click on right here to purchase them on-line in advance.
For a full checklist of some distinctive tradition, historical past and art-filled issues to do, click on right here to be taught in regards to the fashionable Airbnb Experiences on provide.
Night
After a giant day of sightseeing, it’s time to transition into Austin’s well-known nightlife. On this metropolis full of faculty college students and musicians, there’s no scarcity of locations to moist your whistle.
There are bars of all shapes, sizes, and types in the Texas capital!
I like to recommend simply heading to sixth Road for a stroll to see what catches your eye. You received’t discover many Comfortable Hours on a weekend in Austin, however you may catch dwell music nearly all over the place.
One place that’s undoubtedly price testing is the Firehouse Lounge. It’s positioned simply off sixth Road in an outdated fireplace station. Discover the key entrance to this cool speakeasy and revel in Prohibition-era cocktails with dwell jazz and blues.
When spending 2 days in Austin, one merely should eat barbecue. This culinary artwork kind is a vital a part of the tradition right here, and locals are happy with their legendary barbecue.
I haven’t spent sufficient time in Austin to attempt to proclaim what the very best BBQ in city is. What I can say is that I completely loved our meal on the well-known Stubb’s. They often have dwell music right here as nicely, so it’s a one-stop-shop for a enjoyable night in Austin.
Different fashionable locations to get your BBQ repair downtown embody Cooper’s Previous-Time Pit Barbecue, Iron Works, and Gebby’s. If you wish to attempt the legendary beef brisket at Franklin Barbecue, you’ll should stand up early and wait in a protracted line. However, it’s price it!
Irrespective of whenever you go to for a weekend in Austin, there’s certain to be tons of dwell music happening. Whether or not you’re into rock, funk, jazz, bluegrass, hip hop, digital, or simply about some other type of music, there’s a spot for you in Austin.
I like to recommend testing this calendar of occasions in the town to higher assist you plan the place you need to spend your money and time. The final thing you need to do is wait in line and pay a canopy cost solely to finish up in a spot the place you hate the music!
Day 2 in Austin
Now that you simply’ve checked off most of the massive sights, it’s time for some additional exploration exterior of Austin’s downtown space. I’ll provide you with some strong choices for the tip of this weekend in Austin.
However first, brunch.
Morning
You is perhaps feeling a bit tough across the edges after a giant evening out in Austin. That’s why we’re beginning day two out with a leisurely brunch.
My suggestion goes to the world simply south of the river often known as SoCo (South Congress). Inside a number of blocks, you’ll discover among the metropolis’s finest brunch spots.
A basic alternative is the South Congress Cafe. Strive their well-known quick rib hash or eggs benedict with crab muffins. In the event you want a bit hair of the canine, champagne bottles are 10% off on the weekend. Get these mimosas flowing!
Different glorious choices in the world embody Cafe No Se, June’s, and Magnolia Cafe. Wherever you eat, prepare for a bit stroll across the space in search of road artwork and boutique outlets.
Head as much as Jo’s Espresso, the place you may snap a pic with the “I Love You So A lot” wall. Stroll a block south to take a look at one in all my private favorites, the “Willie For President” mural.
You can too seize some chalk and scribble a message on the close by Earlier than I Die Wall. Write one thing that’s in your bucket-list then get to work checking it off!
Whilst you’re in the world, be sure to see the Greetings From Austin mural. Go forward and get your needed shot for the ‘gram with this iconic mural. Present everybody simply how a lot enjoyable you’re having together with your 2 days in Austin!
Down in SoCo you’ll additionally discover loads of good cafes, galleries, and boutiques.
It’s undoubtedly an space you may linger for some time. We’ve nonetheless received quite a lot of floor to cowl on this Austin itinerary, although, so let’s hold it transferring.
Be aware: In the event you’re actually into road artwork, there are some improbable items to see in East Austin. Discover on foot for a few hours to offtrack areas that you simply received’t discover in your guidebook. Click on right here to be taught extra about this highly-rated expertise — it’s one you received’t’ need to miss!
Afternoon
Having fun with the good open air is a should when touring to Austin. Fortunately you don’t should go very far to take action! Listed here are a number of totally different choices for spending a day exterior:
Zilker Metropolitan Park – This big metropolis park is the proper place to go on a lovely day in Austin. Right here you may go for a stroll alongside one of many trails or simply take a dip in the Barton Springs Pool.
The park can also be house to a very nice botanical backyard. It solely prices $Three to go to, so that you would possibly as nicely go for it. Similar for the Umlauf Sculpture Backyard and Museum, which at $3.50 is a complete steal for all of the superb sculptures you get to see.
Enjoyable in the Water – You can too take in the sights from the water in a rented kayak, canoe, or SUP (stand-up paddleboard). In the event you’re in extra of a “sit again, loosen up and drink beer” frame of mind, go for some good quaint tubing down the river! Study extra about that right here.
Girl Chook Lake – There’s a scenic 10-mile lengthy hike-and-bike path right here that makes for a terrific outing. Simply click on right here to obtain a map of the path.
There’s additionally a mile-long boardwalk should you’re in search of one thing a bit extra enjoyable. Make sure to take a look at the attention-grabbing Belting It Out artwork set up right here, which options belts engraved with lyrics from Texas musicians.
No matter possibility you select, you received’t should go far to discover a good lunch spot. In the event you go to the lake, you received’t be too removed from the legendary Rosita’s Al Pastor.
Over close to the park, there are many eating places on Barton Springs Highway. There’s additionally the Picnic — a meals truck park with a number of selections. Right here you could find Italian, Thai, New Orleans type po’ boys and gumbo, and extra.
Night
In case your weekend in Austin occurs between March and November, you must see the bats in your final night in city.
About half an hour earlier than sundown, over one million bats fly out from crevices in the bridge!
You could find a spot on the hill beneath the bridge to take in the spectacle or join a tour to see them from a kayak or SUP. Austin even has an annual Bat Fest in August. I advised you their slogan was “Hold Austin Bizarre!”
Study extra in regards to the excursions with bats flying above — on a kayak, SUP tour, or segway tour.
Another choice to your closing night in Austin is taking a river cruise.
Capital Cruises has a number of totally different cruises, together with a bat watching and sundown tour for $12 per particular person. They’ll additionally set you up with a personal dinner cruise. Head to their web site to take a look at all of the choices.
In the event you’re in search of a one-stop-shop for eating and nightlife to wrap up your weekend in Austin, head on over to Rainey Road. It’s well-known for the various bars set in historic, bungalow-style houses.
A improbable dinner alternative right here is Emmer & Rye. Along with their progressive menu of seasonal specialties, in addition they have a dim sum cart rolling round.
In the event you’re into beers and sausages, you may head to close by Banger’s Sausage Home & Beer Backyard. With 30 totally different do-it-yourself sausages and over 200 beers on faucet, the probabilities are infinite right here!
With the rest of your closing evening in city, simply stroll round Rainey Road and pop into no matter place appears to be like and sounds good. On any given weekend in Austin, there are at all times tons of selections for dwell music and good instances!
Insider’s Suggestions for a Weekend in Austin
There you might have it. I’ve set you up properly for an superior 2 days in Austin. Earlier than we wrap issues up, listed here are a number of ideas to make sure you get pleasure from your weekend to the fullest:
Skip the automotive – Whereas some individuals wish to hire a automotive for his or her go to to Austin, I don’t discover this needed. To start with, having to be answerable for a automobile limits your enjoyment of a weekend in Austin. You’ll have to fret about parking and received’t have the ability to indulge in the town’s well-known breweries and bars.
It’s straightforward sufficient to get round Austin by catching the bus, calling an occasional Uber, and perhaps renting a motorbike for a number of hours. Let different individuals fear about driving and have your self some enjoyable!
E book a desk – Austin is a fairly bumping place on the weekend. It’s a well-liked vacationer vacation spot and locals love going out right here as nicely. Keep away from disappointment by reserving a desk the place potential at among the locations listed in this information.
Examine the calendar – As I discussed, there’s at all times one thing happening right here. Austin has festivals all all year long and there’s dwell music each evening. Make sure to examine and see what’s enjoying so you may make a recreation plan and purchase tickets if needed.
Tempo your self – It’s straightforward to enter a meals coma or get a bit tipsy in Austin. You’ll want to eat and drink all of the issues right here, but it surely’s key to tempo your self when doing so! Don’t neglect that water is your buddy and it’s OK to eat a vegetable or two in between all of the BBQ and tacos.
Attending to Austin
Many guests arrive at Austin–Bergstrom Worldwide Airport (AUS), which is 5 miles southeast of downtown. There are fairly a number of choices for attending to your lodging from the airport.
By Bus
this metropolis rocks whenever you stroll out of the airport and see an enormous neon guitar for a bus cease. That is the place you may hop on the Capital Metro bus to achieve downtown, the College of Texas campus, and Northeast Austin.
The bus runs 7 days every week and leaves each 15 minutes.
It’s solely $1.25 for a one-way ticket, or you may seize a day cross for $2.50 that’s good on all different routes. If it’s good to switch to a different route to achieve your lodge, be sure you seize the day cross.
Taxi/Rideshare
Different choices embody taking a shared shuttle, getting a taxi, or utilizing rideshare apps. A cab trip downtown from the airport prices round $30-35 lately.
It’s often a bit cheaper to make use of Uber or Lyft in case you have an account and a working cellphone.
Hire a Automobile
With only a weekend in Austin, it’s definitely not a foul thought to simply hire a automotive. This offers you the liberty to maneuver across the metropolis as you please and extra simply attain locations exterior of the middle.
That being stated, the town has strong choices for public transportation. It’s additionally a terrific place for biking and there are a number of outlets renting bikes out in addition to a bike-share program.
Arriving to Austin By Prepare or Inter-city Bus
In the event you’re already touring in the US, you even have the choice of arriving in Austin by prepare or bus. The Texas Eagle Amtrak line stops in Austin and continues so far as each Los Angeles and Chicago.
A number of totally different bus corporations have routes that undergo Austin, together with Greyhound and Megabus. In the event you e book
Megabus tickets early sufficient they’re tremendous low cost. I feel we went from New Orleans to Houston to Austin for about $10 every!
Finest Locations to Keep for a Weekend in Austin
There are a number of strong selections on the subject of areas to remain for a weekend in Austin.
In the event you’re in city for a bachelor or bachelorette get together (that are big right here), then the Rainey Road Historic District is a superb possibility. This space is understood for its many bars in transformed bungalows.
One other fashionable space to remain in for 2 days in Austin is South Congress.
Positioned simply throughout the river from downtown, the world referred to as SoCo is filled with superb road artwork and performers. Your Instagram feed will probably be on level should you base your self right here for the weekend!
Only a few blocks west is the Zilker neighborhood. House to the town’s huge Zilker Metropolitan Park, that is the place to be should you’re hoping to spend most of your time open air.
Whereas all of those are high quality selections, my suggestion for a weekend in Austin goes to staying downtown. Extra particularly, the few blocks often known as the Purple River Tradition District will get my vote.
This small however tight-knit neighborhood is the epicenter of Austin’s dwell music scene.
There are a number of improbable eating places, bars, and golf equipment right here, that means you may bounce round to totally different locations and have a brief stroll house on the finish of the evening.
Through the day, you’re just some blocks away from the Texas Capitol and a brief stroll right down to the river. Briefly, it’s the proper house base for an Austin weekend journey.
I understand that being surrounded by dwell music bars isn’t for everybody. By no means worry — there are many locations to remain downtown should you desire a quieter night.
Listed here are among the finest choices for lodging in downtown Austin — a price range, mid-range, and luxurious option to fulfill all budgets:
After all, one other nice possibility is to e book an Airbnb and have the place to your self or hire a room. Click on right here to see the choices obtainable in Austin, and don’t neglect your $55 coupon right here.
Now You’re Prepared For Austin
As you may see, you’re in for a deal with whenever you spend a weekend in Austin.
There’s at all times one thing happening in this metropolis, which is house to a beautiful mix of scholars, musicians, artists, techies, and entrepreneurs.
From huge festivals like Austin Metropolis Limits to the annual Bat Fest, it’s an eclectic mixture of occasions right here. Whether or not you journey there throughout a competition or not, you’re certain to have a great time in Austin.
In the event you’ve been to Austin and have some suggestions on what to do, the place to eat, and bars to get together it up at, depart a remark and allow us to hear about it!
Photos in this text are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
Disclaimer: Some hyperlinks in this text are affiliate hyperlinks, which implies that if you buy via them, we obtain a small fee. This may by no means value you further and in many instances you obtain a particular low cost. We respect your assist!