Austin Travelers Recommend

The Live Music Capital of the World and a hub for food, culture, and creativity, Austin ranks among the fastest growing cities in the US. With loads of entertainment, outdoor attractions, and quirky neighborhoods, the Texas capital has a lot to offer. Here’s how to make the most of your time if you only have one day in Austin.

Morning: City Sightseeing

Austin’s compact downtown area is an excellent place to get out and do some sightseeing to kick off your short visit. Step on a Segway and zip past the Texas State Capitol, historic Driskill Hotel, and hip South Congress Avenue, or hop on a bike to peddle through downtown, across the Congress Avenue Bridge, and to Zilker Park. Alternatively, the hop-on hop-off bus lets you explore the city at your own pace, with stops at the Texas State Capitol, Museum of the Weird, South Congress District, and the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum.

Afternoon: Austin Outdoors

Austinites love their outdoor activities, many of which are accessible to visitors as well. Spend a sunny afternoon cycling along Walnut Creek, swimming in the cool waters of Barton Springs, touring the murals and street art of the HOPE Outdoor Gallery, or kayaking on the waters of Lady Bird Lake. For something a little different, head to Zilker Park, Congress Avenue, or the Texas State Capitol downtown for a digital scavenger hunt.

Night: Live Music

Before diving into Austin’s nightlife, head to the Congress Avenue Bridge to watch North America’s largest urban bat colony take flight. No visit to Austin would be complete without seeing some live music. After the sun sets, join a local musician for a live music crawl to a mixture of iconic clubs and up-and-coming venues while learning about the history of Austin’s storied music scene.

Whether for a long weekend or midweek getaway, three days in Austin allows enough time to experience the town’s funky culture, enjoy its plentiful green spaces, hear its live music, taste its food, and get out into the Texas Hill Country to enjoy the countryside. Here’s how to spend three days in Austin.

Day 1: Essential Austin

Immerse yourself in all things Austin with an exploration of the city’s quirky culture. Options abound, from bike or Segway tours of downtown and the Texas State Capitol to hop-on hop-off bus tours or a walk around Lady Bird Lake. Don’t miss some of the capital’s most iconic neighborhoods, like South Lamar and South Congress.

In the evening, gear up for a night out on the town. Austin is world famous for its live music, but you’ll also find top-notch comedy, performing arts, nightclubs, and cocktail lounges. Sign up for a bar crawl through nightlife hot spots like Sixth Street and Rainey Street.

Day 2: Bike, Brew, Paddle

Austin seems made for active travelers, so use your second day to take advantage of the city’s many offerings. Go mountain biking along Barton Creek, take a kayaking tour of Lady Bird Lake, get behind the wheel of a race car on a professional track, or experience the rush of indoor skydiving. If the weather isn’t cooperating, you can always try one of Austin’s many escape rooms.

In the afternoon, reward your active efforts with a culinary exploration of the Texas capital. Visit some of the city’s top craft-beer bars and breweries, or take a food tour to sample the best barbecue, Tex-Mex, and sweet treats Austin has to offer.

Day 3: Texas Hill Country

Austin lies in the heart of Texas Hill Country, and three days gives you plenty of time for a day trip to explore beyond the capital. In the summer, enjoy the local pastime of tubing down the San Marcos River alongside a floating cooler. Alternatively, make the short drive to Dripping Springs to visit olive orchards and an Italian-style mill, or do some wine tasting at the wineries of Driftwood or Marble Falls.

Lake Travis, located just a short drive from downtown, is a popular destination for sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or simply relaxing on the sunny shores.

With two days in Austin, you’ll have time to explore many facets of the Texas capital—its history, politics, art scene, live music, nightlife, and extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation—at a much more leisurely pace. Here are a few ways to spend two days in the Live Music Capital of the World.

Day 1: Keep Austin Weird

Morning: Texas History

To understand Austin’s present, look to its past. Dive deep into Texas history at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, learn about Austin politics at the Texas State Capitol (the biggest capitol building in the 50 states), or snap a photo with an animatronic version of a past president at the LBJ Library and Museum, where you’ll also find the best views of the University of Texas campus.

Afternoon: Music & Art

Austin is known as quite the quirky community—a characteristic you’ll quickly note when exploring the art and music scene. Take in some of the city’s street art on a Segway tour, or head to the shops on Lamar, including Waterloo Records (Austin’s favorite music store) and the Whole Foods flagship.

Night: Bar Crawl

Austin is home to well over 200 live-music venues, plus plenty more bars, clubs, lounges, and breweries. Depending on your interests, you might join a local musician for a live-music crawl down Sixth Street, hop on a bike to peddle between the lounges and pubs of Rainey Street or the East Side, or polish up your offbeat Austin trivia while hopping between the city’s best patio bars.

Day 2: Get Outdoors

Morning: Lady Bird Lake

Yesterday was all about diving into Austin’s culture. Today is about getting outdoors. Start your morning with a walk, bike, or Segway tour along the shores of Lady Bird Lake, set beneath the skyscrapers of downtown Austin. Take a stroll through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to learn about the 800 species of native Texas plants on display.

Afternoon: Barton Springs

The cool, clear waters of Barton Springs rank as one of the best swimming holes in Texas. Come for a refreshing dip during the hot summer months, or get your heart pumping with some mountain biking along Barton Creek no matter the season. 

Night: Congress Avenue Bats

As the sun begins to set, some of Austin’s most famous residents make an appearance: the Congress Avenue bats. One of the best places to watch as North America’s largest urban bat colonies takes flight is from the water beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. Join a guided kayaking tour for the best views.

Known for its live music scene, stellar restaurants, green spaces, and hippie culture, the quirky Texas capital is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. Despite its expanding size, Austin maintains a welcoming small-town vibe. Here are some of the best ways to experience the local culture in Austin.

Highlights

• Get a new view of downtown Austin during a stand-up paddleboarding lesson or small-group kayak tour on Lady Bird Lake.

• Dive into East Austin’s street art scene with a walking tour and hands-on lesson from local artists.

• Explore Austin's darker side on a running tour past haunted sites and Congress Avenue Bridge, home of the largest urban bat colony in North America.

• Take advantage of Austin's stellar network of recreational trails and cycle past Lady Bird Lake, Longhorn Dam, and Govalle Park on a bike tour of Walnut Creek.

• Hop aboard the Brunch Bus and treat your taste buds to local specialties like breakfast tacos, Czech kolaches, and chicken with waffles—all to the sounds of a live band.

• Taste some of the city's famous BBQ and visit local wineries on a Winery Tour.

They say that the heart of a place lies in the music it produces and if that’s the case, then Austin’s got a rough-and-tumble, honky-tonk, country rock of a good heart. From the raucous music festivals in Zilker Metropolitan Park to the funky clubs on 6th Street, these are some of the best spots for live tunes.

Sixth Street & Downtown

The Historic 6th Street District comprises roughly eight blocks of downtown Austin—such a hotbed of great nightclubs and music joints that the very act of walking through these streets will lead you to some world-class live music establishments, like Stubb’s Barbecue. This neighborhood plays host to much of the live music action during the annual SXSW Festival at venues like Mohawk, Beerland, and the Elephant Room.

Zilker Park

While Zilker Park doesn’t always have live music, it’s notable as the home of Austin’s biggest music festival, Austin City Limits. For two consecutive weekends each October, the park hosts more than 125 performances across eight stages. Past headliners have included Metallica, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, and Kendrick Lamar.

South Congress

South Congress Avenue, or SoCo, is a hip neighborhood that’s home to antique shops, costume stores, and a handful of excellent live music venues. On the top of the list is the Continental Club, an institution since the 1950s that often features swing, country, and rockabilly performances. Fans of blues and soul should check out C-Boy’s Heart & Soul.

The Moody Theater

The iconic Austin City Limits films at the Moody Theater, a 2,700-seat venue that hosts a range of big name performers like ZZ Top or Belle & Sebastian throughout the year. Visitors can also enter drawings to attend a taping of ACL live at the theater.

South Lamar

Music lovers looking to treat their ears to some old-time country music should make their way to the classic honky tonks of South Lamar. The most notable venue in this bohemian neighborhood is the Broken Spoke, known equally for its boot-scootin’ music, Texas two-steppin’ and hearty chicken-fried steak. The Saxon Pub hosts popular happy hour shows on most weekdays.