Spending a weekend in Austin on a fast getaway is an effective way to get to know the Texas capital. Get able to rock within the metropolis that’s often called the Dwell Music Capital of the World and one among the best cities in the US!
Two days in Austin is simply sufficient to take a look at a number of the sights and benefit from the nice outside by day. Come dusk, it’s time to dive into town’s well-known culinary and stay music scenes.
It’s positively one among my favourite cities I’ve visited within the US and I’ve been far and wide! A metropolis with a love for stay music, tacos, and craft beer is mainly my dream come true.
The Excellent 2 Day Itinerary for a Weekend in Austin
Whereas Austin is the state capital, it’s truly solely the 4th largest metropolis in Texas. The truth that it’s not an enormous metropolis makes it simple to cowl quite a lot of floor with only a weekend in Austin.
In step with 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. Scent 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 one of the best locations to remain and a jam-packed itinerary filled with suggestions for easy methods to spend 2 days in Austin.
Day 1 in Austin
With solely two days in Austin, there’s no time to waste! On the primary day, I’ll give attention to the historical past and tradition of town throughout the day earlier than indulging within the culinary and nightlife sights of Austin.
Morning
I can’t consider any higher method 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 full of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and seasoned potatoes. In fact, every place has its personal specialty tacos as nicely.
There are one million and one locations to eat breakfast tacos in Austin, however a number of the high decisions embody Cisco’s, Joe’s Bakery, and Rosita’s Al Pastor. Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ is a little bit of a hike however is price it, as they’re typically ranked the best in the city.
For a enjoyable and informative introduction to town, I like to recommend leaping on a free strolling tour. One widespread choice is the downtown strolling tour by Tipster. These run day by day at 10 AM and final about two hours, starting on the State Capitol.
As with all free strolling excursions, it’s customary to go away a tip when you benefit from the tour. You’ll be able to simply present up if you would like, or click here to allow them to know you’re coming and what number of are in your group.
Another choice is to only head to the State Capitol and be part of one among their free tours. These start each 30-45 minutes from 9:30-3:30 on Monday-Friday and 12:30-3:30 on Saturday and Sunday.
Even when you don’t really feel like taking any form of tour, it’s best to nonetheless try the Capitol. It’s true that every thing’s larger in Texas — the State Capitol is greater than the nationwide one in DC!
When you’re over there, you may as nicely try the Governor’s Mansion as nicely. You’ll should ebook your spot at the least every week prematurely to take one of many free excursions right here, so click 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 simply 2 hours lengthy and $40, that means you continue to have a great deal of time left to spend exploring all of the fun things to do in Austin.
Afternoon
After exploring the Capitol grounds, a handy lunch spot is Texas Chili Parlor. Not surprisingly, they’re recognized for his or her chili right here. Attempt the XXX when you dare! Additionally they have a number of tasty Tex-Mex choices like tamales and enchiladas.
As I discussed earlier, there’s positively some room for improvisation when exploring Austin in 2 days. The way you select to spend the afternoon completely will depend on your pursuits, so let me offer you a couple of choices.
To begin with, you’ll be able to try a couple of museums, the campus of UT, and the LBJ (Lyndon Baines Johnson) Presidential Library. Just some blocks north of the Capitol is the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
With interactive reveals, movies, and an superior IMAX theater, it is a good place to be taught all concerning the Lone Star State. Tickets for the museum value $13 and it can save you time when you click here to ebook your tickets on-line.
Proper throughout the road, you’ll discover the Blanton Museum of Art. It’s well-known for Austin – a stone constructing with coloured home windows designed by famend artist Ellsworth Kelly.
Seeing that alone is definitely worth the $15 worth of admission (though it’s free on Tuesday), and there are 20,000 different artworks you’ll be able to try as nicely.
Maybe you’re probably not into museums and would somewhat spend extra time outdoors. In that case, head straight to the University of Texas campus. It’s a phenomenal place to discover, filled with artwork and historic landmarks.
One factor you received’t wish to miss is The Coloration Inside. This Skyspace from artist James Turrell is greatest considered at sundown and is sort of widespread, so make sure you book your spot nicely prematurely.
Different choices on campus embody heading to the highest of the UT Tower to soak up the views of this basic American campus. It prices $6 and solely takes about 45 minutes to go to.
If you happen to’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 thirty sixth President of the United States 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 day by day from 9-5 and tickets are simply $13. Click here to purchase them on-line prematurely.
For a full record of some distinctive tradition, historical past and art-filled issues to do, click here to be taught concerning the widespread Viator excursions on supply, and click here to search out cool excursions on GetYourGuide.
Night
After a giant day of sightseeing, it’s time to transition into Austin’s well-known nightlife. On this metropolis filled with college college students and musicians, there’s no scarcity of locations to moist your whistle.
There are bars of all shapes, sizes, and types within the Texas capital!
I like to recommend simply heading to sixth Avenue for a stroll to see what catches your eye. You received’t discover many joyful hours on a weekend in Austin, however you’ll be able to catch stay music nearly all over the place.
One place that’s positively price trying out is the Firehouse Lounge. It’s situated simply off sixth Avenue in an previous fireplace station. Discover the key entrance to this cool speakeasy and luxuriate in Prohibition-era cocktails with stay jazz and blues.
When spending two days in Austin, one merely should eat barbecue. This culinary artwork type 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 try to proclaim what one of the best BBQ on the town is. What I can say is that I totally loved our meal on the well-known Stubb’s. They often have stay music right here as nicely, so it’s a one-stop-shop for a enjoyable night in Austin.
Different widespread locations to get your BBQ repair downtown embody Cooper’s Old-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 if you go to for a weekend in Austin, there’s positive to be tons of stay music occurring. Whether or not you’re into rock, funk, jazz, bluegrass, hip hop, digital, or simply about another type of music, there’s a spot for you in Austin.
I like to recommend trying out this calendar of occasions within the metropolis to higher assist you to plan the place you wish to spend your money and time. The very last thing you wish 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 huge sights, it’s time for some additional exploration outdoors of Austin’s downtown space. I’ll offer you some strong choices for the top of this weekend in Austin.
However first, brunch.
Morning
You could be feeling somewhat 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 realm simply south of the river often called SoCo (South Congress). Inside a couple of blocks, you’ll discover a number of the metropolis’s greatest brunch spots.
Some glorious choices within the space embody Cafe No Se, June’s All Day, and Magnolia Cafe. Wherever you eat, prepare for somewhat stroll across the space looking for avenue artwork and boutique outlets.
Head as much as Jo’s Coffee, the place you’ll be able to snap a pic with the “I Love You So A lot” wall. Stroll a block south to take a look at one among my private favorites, the “Willie For President” mural.
You can even 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!
When you’re within the space, be sure to see the Greetings From Austin mural. Go forward and get your essential shot for the ‘gram with this iconic mural. Present everybody simply how a lot enjoyable you’re having along with your 2 days in Austin!
Down in SoCo you’ll additionally discover loads of good cafes, galleries, and boutiques.
It’s positively an space you’ll be able to linger for some time. We’ve nonetheless acquired quite a lot of floor to cowl on this Austin itinerary, although, so let’s hold it transferring.
Observe: If you happen to’re actually into avenue artwork, there are some incredible 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 here to be taught extra about this highly-rated expertise — it’s one you received’t’ wish to miss!
Afternoon
Having fun with the nice outside is a should when touring to Austin. Fortunately you don’t should go very far to take action! Listed below are a couple of totally different choices for spending a day outdoors.
Zilker Metropolitan Park – This enormous metropolis park is the proper place to go on a phenomenal day in Austin. Right here you’ll be able to go for a stroll alongside one of many trails or simply take a dip within the Barton Springs Pool.
The park can also be house to a very nice botanical backyard. Close by is the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, which at $7 is a complete steal for all of the superb sculptures you get to see.
Enjoyable within the Water – You can even take within the sights from the water in a rented kayak, canoe, or SUP (stand-up paddleboard). Click here to be taught extra concerning the tremendous enjoyable kayak skyline tour, and click here for an SUP small-group tour.
Woman Hen Lake – There’s a scenic 10-mile lengthy hike-and-bike path right here that makes for an incredible outing. Simply click here to obtain a map of the path.
There’s additionally a mile-long boardwalk when you’re searching for one thing a bit extra enjoyable. Make sure you try the attention-grabbing Belting It Out artwork set up right here, which options belts engraved with lyrics from Texas musicians.
No matter choice you select, you received’t should go far to discover a good lunch spot. If you happen to 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 decisions. Right here you could find Italian, Thai, New Orleans style po’ boys and gumbo, and extra.
Night
In case your weekend in Austin occurs between March and November, it’s a must to see the bats in your final night on the town.
About half an hour earlier than sundown, over one million bats fly out from crevices within the bridge!
You’ll find a spot on the hill beneath the bridge to soak up the spectacle or join a tour to see them from a kayak or SUP. Austin even has an annual Bat Fest in August. I informed you their slogan was “Hold Austin Bizarre!”
Be taught extra concerning the excursions with bats flying above — on a kayak, bike tour, or segway tour.
Another choice to your closing night in Austin is taking a river cruise.
Capital Cruises has a couple of totally different cruises, together with a bat watching and sundown tour for $14 per particular person. They will additionally set you up with a non-public dinner cruise. Head to their website to take a look at all of the choices.
If you happen to’re searching for a one-stop-shop for eating and nightlife to wrap up your weekend in Austin, head on over to Rainey Avenue. It’s well-known for the various bars set in historic, bungalow-style houses.
A incredible dinner selection right here is Emmer & Rye. Along with their modern menu of seasonal specialties, additionally they have a dim sum cart rolling round.
If you happen to’re into beers and sausages, you’ll be able to head to close by Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden. With 30 totally different do-it-yourself sausages and over 200 beers on faucet, the probabilities are countless right here!
With the rest of your closing evening on the town, simply stroll round Rainey Avenue and pop into no matter place seems to be and sounds good. On any given weekend in Austin, there are all the time tons of decisions for stay music and good occasions!
Insider’s Ideas for a Weekend in Austin
There you’ve got it. I’ve set you up properly for an superior 2 days in Austin. Earlier than we wrap issues up, listed here are a couple of ideas to make sure you take pleasure in your weekend to the fullest:
Skip the automobile – Whereas some folks wish to hire a automobile for his or her go to to Austin, I don’t discover this essential. To begin with, having to be liable 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 within the metropolis’s well-known breweries and bars.
It’s simple sufficient to get round Austin by catching the bus, calling an occasional Uber, and perhaps renting a motorcycle for a couple of hours. Let different folks fear about driving and have your self some enjoyable!
E-book a desk – Austin is a reasonably 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 a number of the locations listed on this information.
Verify the calendar – As I discussed, there’s all the time one thing occurring right here. Austin has festivals all all year long and there’s stay music each evening. Make sure you examine and see what’s taking part in so you may make a recreation plan and purchase tickets if essential.
Tempo your self – It’s simple to enter a meals coma or get a bit tipsy in Austin. It would be best 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 good friend 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 couple of choices for attending to your lodging from the airport.
By Bus
You already know this metropolis rocks if you stroll out of the airport and see an enormous neon guitar for a bus cease. That is the place you’ll be able to 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 quarter-hour.
It’s solely $1.25 for a one-way ticket, or you’ll be able to seize a day move for $2.50 that’s good on all different routes. If it’s worthwhile to switch to a different route to achieve your resort, make sure you seize the day move.
Taxi/Rideshare
Different choices embody taking a shared shuttle, getting a taxi, or utilizing rideshare apps. A cab experience 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 actually not a foul concept to only hire a automobile. This offers you the liberty to maneuver across the metropolis as you please and extra simply attain locations outdoors of the middle.
That being stated, town has strong choices for public transportation. It’s additionally an incredible 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
If you happen to’re already touring within the US, you even have the choice of arriving in Austin by practice 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. If you happen to ebook
Megabus tickets early sufficient they’re tremendous low cost. I feel we went from New Orleans to Houston to Austin for about $10 every!
Greatest Locations to Keep for a Weekend in Austin
There are a couple of strong decisions relating to areas to remain for a weekend in Austin.
If you happen to’re on the town for a bachelor or bachelorette occasion (that are enormous right here), then the Rainey Avenue Historic District is a good choice. This space is thought for its many bars in reworked bungalows.
One other widespread space to remain in for two days in Austin is South Congress.
Situated simply throughout the river from downtown, the realm known as SoCo is stuffed with superb avenue artwork and performers. Your Instagram feed might be on level when you base your self right here for the weekend!
Just some blocks west is the Zilker neighborhood. House to town’s huge Zilker Metropolitan Park, that is the place to be when you’re hoping to spend most of your time outside.
Whereas all of those are high quality decisions, my suggestion for a weekend in Austin goes to staying downtown. Extra particularly, the few blocks often called the Pink River Tradition District will get my vote.
This small however tight-knit neighborhood is the epicenter of Austin’s stay music scene.
There are a number of incredible eating places, bars, and golf equipment right here, that means you’ll be able to bounce round to totally different locations and have a brief stroll house on the finish of the evening.
Throughout the day, you’re just some blocks away from the Texas Capitol and a brief stroll all the way down to the river. In brief, it’s the proper house base for an Austin weekend journey.
I notice that being surrounded by stay music bars isn’t for everybody. By no means concern — there are many locations to remain downtown when you desire a quieter night.
Listed below are a number of the greatest choices for lodging in downtown Austin — a finances, mid-range, and luxurious option to fulfill all budgets:
In fact, one other nice choice is to book an apartment and have the place to your self or hire a room. Verify Reserving.com’s Austin Flats Web page for listings of the present top-rated residences within the metropolis.
The Greatest Time to Go to Austin
If you happen to love stay music, then completely one of the best time to go to Austin is within the fall throughout the Austin City Limits Music Festival. However when you can’t come then, there’s virtually all the time good stay music occurring in Austin.
One other nice occasion in Austin is South by Southwest (SXSW) in March. It has music, movie, comedy, exhibitions, and a lot extra.
However, when you’re extra into avoiding crowds and better costs, then positively don’t come to Austin throughout these two huge occasions!
Austin will get extremely popular in the summertime and somewhat cool within the winter. Due to the climate, my favourite time to go to Austin is throughout the spring or fall, when the climate is gentle and nice.
FAQs About What to Do on a Weekend in Austin
Nonetheless have some questions on easy methods to spend a few days in Austin? Try these FAQs.
I feel so. When you may simply spend longer, two days in Austin will provide you with sufficient time to see the principle sights, have some BBQ, and go to a park or museum.
Saturdays in Austin are somewhat busier than throughout weekdays, however you’ll be able to nonetheless have a breakfast taco, go to a museum, and head to a park for a while outside or on the water.
Sure, Austin is a really walkable metropolis. You’ll be able to discover loads by strolling round downtown throughout a few days in Austin.
Completely! It’s one among my favourite cities in the US, and I’ve traveled to a number of them. Austin has cool neighborhoods, nice meals, glorious stay music, and world-class occasions like Austin Metropolis Limits and SXSW.
No, you don’t want a automobile in Austin, and I like to recommend you don’t deliver one. You’ll be able to see lots on foot with a few days in Austin, and also you received’t have to fret about parking.
Now You’re Prepared for two Days in Austin
As you’ll be able to see, you’re in for a deal with if you spend a weekend in Austin.
There’s all the time one thing occurring on this metropolis, which is house to a beautiful mix of scholars, musicians, artists, techies, and entrepreneurs.
From huge festivals like Austin City Limits to the annual Bat Fest, there are an eclectic mixture of occasions right here. Whether or not you journey there throughout a pageant or not, you’re certain to have a great time in Austin.
If you happen to’ve been to Austin and have some suggestions on what to do, the place to eat, and the place to occasion, go away a remark and allow us to hear about it!
Photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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