Spending a weekend in Austin on a fast getaway is a good way to get to know the Texas capital. Get able to rock within the metropolis that’s referred to as the Reside Music Capital of the World and the most effective cities within the US!
Two days in Austin is simply sufficient to take a look at a few of the sights and benefit from the nice outdoor by day. Come dusk, it’s time to dive into town’s well-known culinary and dwell music scenes.
It’s positively certainly one of my favourite cities I’ve visited within the US and I’ve been far and wide! A metropolis with a love for dwell 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 really solely the 4th greatest metropolis in Texas. The truth that it’s not an enormous metropolis makes it straightforward to cowl quite a lot of floor with only a weekend in Austin.
Consistent with town’s unofficial slogan “Preserve 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 test 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 the very best locations to remain and a jam-packed itinerary stuffed with suggestions for find out how 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 deal with 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 approach 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. In fact, every place has its personal specialty tacos as properly.
There are one million and one locations to eat breakfast tacos in Austin, however a few of the high selections embrace 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 usually ranked the very best within the metropolis.
For a enjoyable and informative introduction to town, I like to recommend leaping on a free strolling tour. One well-liked choice is the downtown strolling tour by Tipster. These run each day at 10 AM and final about two hours, starting on the State Capitol.
As with all free strolling excursions, it’s customary to depart a tip for those who benefit from the tour. You’ll be able to simply present up if you would 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 certainly one of their free excursions. These start each 30-45 minutes from 9:30-3:30 on Monday-Friday and 12:30-3:30 on Saturday and Sunday.
Even for those who don’t really feel like taking any sort of tour, you must nonetheless try the Capitol. It’s true that all the pieces’s greater in Texas — the State Capitol is larger than the nationwide one in DC!
When you’re over there, you may as properly try the Governor’s Mansion as properly. You’ll must ebook your spot at the very least per week upfront to take one of many free excursions right here, so click on right here to enroll.
Need to simply cowl the entire above with a pleasant and knowledgable information, travelling by air-conditioned transportation and having fun with a meals truck snack?! This tour is just 2 hours lengthy and $40, 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 recognized for his or her chili right here. Attempt the XXX for those who dare! In addition they have numerous 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 relies on your pursuits, so let me provide you with a number of choices.
To begin with, you may try a number 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 Historical past Museum.
With interactive displays, movies, and an superior IMAX theater, this can be a good place to study all concerning the Lone Star State. Tickets for the museum price $13 and it can save you time for those who click on right here to ebook 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 definitely worth the $15 value of admission (though it’s free on Tuesday), and there are 20,000 different artworks you may try as properly.
Maybe you’re not likely into museums and would moderately spend extra time outdoors. In that case, head straight to the College of Texas campus. It’s an attractive 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 greatest considered at sundown and is kind of well-liked, so make sure to ebook your spot properly upfront.
Different choices on campus embrace heading to the highest of the UT Tower to absorb 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 US 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 each day from 9-5 and tickets are simply $13. Click on right here to purchase them on-line upfront.
For a full checklist of some distinctive tradition, historical past and art-filled issues to do, click on right here to study concerning the well-liked Viator excursions on supply, and click on right here to seek 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 full of school college students and musicians, there’s no scarcity of locations to moist your whistle.
There are bars of all shapes, sizes, and kinds within 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 pleased hours on a weekend in Austin, however you may catch dwell music nearly all over the place.
One place that’s positively price trying out 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 luxuriate in Prohibition-era cocktails with dwell 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 the very best BBQ on the town is. What I can say is that I totally loved our meal on the well-known Stubb’s. They normally have dwell music right here as properly, so it’s a one-stop-shop for a enjoyable night in Austin.
Different well-liked locations to get your BBQ repair downtown embrace Cooper’s Outdated-Time Pit Barbecue, Iron Works, and Gebby’s. If you wish to strive the legendary beef brisket at Franklin Barbecue, you’ll must rise up early and wait in an extended line. However it’s price it!
Irrespective of while you go to for a weekend in Austin, there’s positive 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 model 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 enable you plan the place you need to spend your money and time. The very last 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 lots of the massive sights, it’s time for some additional exploration outdoors 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 likely to be feeling somewhat tough across the edges after a giant night time out in Austin. That’s why we’re beginning day two out with a leisurely brunch.
My advice goes to the realm simply south of the river referred to as SoCo (South Congress). Inside a number of blocks, you’ll discover a few of the metropolis’s greatest brunch spots.
Some glorious choices within the space embrace 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 retailers.
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 certainly one of my private favorites, the “Willie For President” mural.
You may as well 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 obligatory 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 may linger for some time. We’ve nonetheless acquired quite a lot of floor to cowl on this Austin itinerary, although, so let’s maintain it shifting.
Notice: If you happen to’re actually into avenue artwork, there are some implausible 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 study extra about this highly-rated expertise — it’s one you received’t’ need to miss!
Afternoon
Having fun with the good outdoor is a should when touring to Austin. Fortunately you don’t must go very far to take action! Listed below are a number of totally different choices for spending a day outdoors.
Zilker Metropolitan Park – This large metropolis park is the right place to go on an attractive day in Austin. Right here you may go for a stroll alongside one of many trails or simply take a dip within the Barton Springs Pool.
The park can be house to a very nice botanical backyard. Close by is the Umlauf Sculpture Backyard and Museum, which at $7 is a complete steal for all of the wonderful sculptures you get to see.
Enjoyable within the Water – You may as well take within the sights from the water in a rented kayak, canoe, or SUP (stand-up paddleboard). Click on right here to study extra concerning the tremendous enjoyable kayak skyline tour, and click on right here for an SUP small-group tour.
Girl Fowl Lake – There’s a scenic 10-mile lengthy hike-and-bike path right here that makes for an amazing outing. Simply click on right here to obtain a map of the path.
There’s additionally a mile-long boardwalk for those who’re on the lookout for one thing a bit extra enjoyable. You’ll want to try the fascinating 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 must 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 selections. Right here yow will discover Italian, Thai, New Orleans model po’ boys and gumbo, and extra.
Night
In case your weekend in Austin occurs between March and November, it’s important 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 absorb 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 “Preserve Austin Bizarre!”
Study extra concerning the excursions with bats flying above — on a kayak, bike tour, or segway tour.
Another choice to your ultimate 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 $14 per individual. They’ll additionally set you up with a non-public dinner cruise. Head to their web site to take a look at all of the choices.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for 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 numerous bars set in historic, bungalow-style properties.
A implausible dinner selection right here is Emmer & Rye. Along with their revolutionary menu of seasonal specialties, additionally they have a dim sum cart rolling round.
If you happen to’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 ultimate night time on the town, simply stroll round Rainey Road and pop into no matter place seems to be and sounds good. On any given weekend in Austin, there are at all times tons of selections for dwell music and good occasions!
Insider’s Suggestions for a Weekend in Austin
There you’ve it. I’ve set you up properly for an superior 2 days in Austin. Earlier than we wrap issues up, listed below are a number of suggestions to make sure you get pleasure from your weekend to the fullest:
Skip the automobile – Whereas some folks prefer to hire a automobile for his or her go to to Austin, I don’t discover this obligatory. To begin with, having to be accountable for a car limits your enjoyment of a weekend in Austin. You’ll have to fret about parking and received’t be capable to indulge within the metropolis’s well-known breweries and bars.
It’s straightforward sufficient to get round Austin by catching the bus, calling an occasional Uber, and possibly renting a motorbike for a number of hours. Let different folks fear about driving and have your self some enjoyable!
Guide a desk – Austin is a reasonably bumping place on the weekend. It’s a preferred vacationer vacation spot and locals love going out right here as properly. Keep away from disappointment by reserving a desk the place potential at a few of the locations listed on this information.
Test 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 night time. You’ll want to test and see what’s enjoying so you may make a sport plan and purchase tickets if obligatory.
Tempo your self – It’s straightforward 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, however it’s key to tempo your self when doing so! Don’t overlook 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
You understand this metropolis rocks while 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 succeed in downtown, the College of Texas campus, and northeast Austin.
The bus runs 7 days per week and leaves each quarter-hour.
It’s solely $1.25 for a one-way ticket, or you may seize a day go for $2.50 that’s good on all different routes. If you might want to switch to a different route to succeed in your resort, make sure to seize the day go.
Taxi/Rideshare
Different choices embrace taking a shared shuttle, getting a taxi, or utilizing rideshare apps. A cab trip downtown from the airport prices round $30-35 today.
It’s normally a bit cheaper to make use of Uber or Lyft when you have an account and a working cellphone.
Hire a Automobile
With only a weekend in Austin, it’s actually not a foul thought to simply hire a automobile. This provides you the liberty to maneuver across the metropolis as you please and extra simply attain locations outdoors of the middle.
That being mentioned, town has strong choices for public transportation. It’s additionally an amazing place for biking and there are a number of retailers 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 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 firms 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!
Finest Locations to Keep for a Weekend in Austin
There are a number of strong selections relating to areas to remain for a weekend in Austin.
If you happen to’re on the town for a bachelor or bachelorette social gathering (that are large right here), then the Rainey Road Historic District is a good choice. This space is thought for its many bars in transformed bungalows.
One other well-liked space to remain in for two days in Austin is South Congress.
Positioned simply throughout the river from downtown, the realm referred to as SoCo is filled with wonderful avenue artwork and performers. Your Instagram feed will probably be on level for those who base your self right here for the weekend!
Just some blocks west is the Zilker neighborhood. Dwelling to town’s large Zilker Metropolitan Park, that is the place to be for those who’re hoping to spend most of your time outdoor.
Whereas all of those are high quality selections, my advice for a weekend in Austin goes to staying downtown. Extra particularly, the few blocks referred to as the Pink 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 implausible 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 night time.
Throughout the day, you’re only a few blocks away from the Texas Capitol and a brief stroll all the way down to the river. In brief, it’s the right house base for an Austin weekend journey.
I understand that being surrounded by dwell music bars isn’t for everybody. By no means concern — there are many locations to remain downtown for those who want a quieter night.
Listed below are a few 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 ebook an condo and have the place to your self or hire a room. Test Reserving.com’s Austin Flats Web page for listings of the present top-rated residences within the metropolis.
The Finest Time to Go to Austin
If you happen to love dwell music, then completely the very best time to go to Austin is within the fall throughout the Austin Metropolis Limits Music Pageant. However for those who can’t come then, there’s nearly at all times good dwell 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, for those who’re extra into avoiding crowds and better costs, then positively don’t come to Austin throughout these two massive 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 delicate and nice.
FAQs About What to Do on a Weekend in Austin
Nonetheless have some questions on find out how to spend a few days in Austin? Try these FAQs.
I feel so. When you may simply spend longer, two days in Austin offers you sufficient time to see the primary sights, have some BBQ, and go to a park or museum.
Saturdays in Austin are somewhat busier than throughout weekdays, however you may nonetheless have a breakfast taco, go to a museum, and head to a park for a while outdoor 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 certainly one of my favourite cities within the US, and I’ve traveled to numerous them. Austin has cool neighborhoods, nice meals, glorious dwell 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 convey 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 may see, you’re in for a deal with while you spend a weekend in Austin.
There’s at all times one thing happening on this metropolis, which is house to an exquisite mix of scholars, musicians, artists, techies, and entrepreneurs.
From large festivals like Austin Metropolis Limits to the annual Bat Fest, there are an eclectic mixture of occasions right here. Whether or not you journey there throughout a competition or not, you’re certain to have a very good 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 social gathering, go away a remark and allow us to hear about it!
Photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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