How to Plan an Unforgettable Weekend in Austin Texas in 2024

Planning to spend a weekend in Austin? Read our complete guide to make the most of your limited time exploring this amazing city!

Weekend Getaway Guide to Austin Texas

We’ve all been there. You have limited vacation time and want to get away. You’ve had Austin on your radar for awhile but you’re trying to figure out how many days do you need in Austin? Is a weekend in Austin long enough?

Good news! You really can accomplish A LOT in just one weekend in Austin!

Is 3 days enough for Austin? Yes! Absolutely, three days is plenty of time to see most of the major attractions and get a good feel for the city. But not to worry, you can easily see the major Austin attractions in just two days as well.

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Austin Weekend Planning Tips

Where is Austin Texas?

Austin is a little over 3 hours drive time from Dallas/ Fort Worth and Houston and 1.5 hours drive from San Antonio.

If you are arriving by air, fly into Austin-Bergstrom International airport (AUS) which is a short 15 minute ride to downtown Austin. Pro Tip: If possible, get the first flight of the day to allow you to maximize your time in Austin.

Do you need a car in Austin Texas?

The city of Austin is pretty spread out, but for just a weekend I would NOT recommend renting a car. If you stay in the downtown area, you can easily walk, rideshare, or use scooters or bikes to get around. Uber and Lyft are readily available all over town. Plus, there will likely be an additional fee to park if you are staying in downtown Austin.

Where should I stay in Austin?

If you only have a weekend in Austin, you should definitely consider staying downtown.

We loved our stay at the JW Marriott Austin. With a super convenient location, great restaurants, spa, and gorgeous rooftop pool, this was the perfect place to stay in Austin. Plus it’s within walking distance of the best breakfast tacos of my life!

Check out current rates and availability at the JW Marriott.

For a more budget friendly option, check out the Courtyard Austin Downtown or the Austin Marriott Downtown.

And for one of the trendiest spots to stay in Austin, check out the Hotel Van Zandt.

When is the best time of year to visit Austin?

Austin is a great year round destination, but spring and fall are the probably best time of year to visit due to more mild temperatures. We visited in July and let me tell you, it was REALLY hot. Like 110 Fahrenheit heat index hot. Coming from North Carolina, we are used to heat and humidity, but over 100 degrees makes it hard to enjoy being outside.

Pro Tip: When planning your trip to Austin, keep in mind it will be more crowded during the South by Southwest Festival held annually in March and the Austin City Limits Music Festival usually held in October each year.

Best Things to Do in Austin Tx

Austin is such a colorful and vibrant city. There are so many fun things to do in Austin. BUT, if you only have a weekend, here are our picks for the best things to do while you are in town:

Check out the Famous Congress Bridge Bats

Bats? Really?

Yes, bats. Really. Confession time: I almost skipped the bats. Everywhere you read, this is one of the top attractions in Austin from March to October. But I just couldn’t get excited about bats.

But I was wrong. It was absolutely fascinating to say the least.

Late spring to early fall, each night at dusk you can watch the largest urban colony of bats in the world leave the Congress Avenue Bridge to feed. An estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats live in the Congress Avenue Bridge.

Pro Tip: Many visitors choose to line up along the Congress Avenue Bridge to watch the bats each evening, but the bats are best seen from the water. Your best viewing opportunity is through renting a SUP, kayak, or paddleboat or with a guided tour.

We loved our tour with Lone Star Riverboat Cruise. We learned a lot about the bats, had a perfect view, and got amazing sunset city views all for a very affordable price.

You can also view the bats from The Line Hotel bar situated on Lady Bird Lake adjacent to the bridge if you can’t get out on the water.

Take a Guided Tour

One of the best ways to see a lot of a city in a short amount of time is through a guided tour.

“The Real Austin Tour” with was fantastic overview of the city. Your two hour tour includes many of the main Austin attractions and landmarks with a local twist. The small group size allows you the opportunity to chat about the city’s culture, art, music, history, food, and more! You’ll get to stop and go in the state capitol, at the famous “Greetings from Austin” mural, and even for a sweet treat towards the end.

This was the perfect tour to understand the city’s catchphrase, “Keep Austin Weird.” If you go, be sure to ask for Ike!

Austin Detours also offers a live music crawl tour, breakfast taco tour, mural tour, half day hill country wine tour, and even a BBQ and wine tour. We’ve got our eye on the BBQ & wine tour for our next visit.

Explore South Congress

South Congress is a fun area to shop, eat, and mural hunt! There’s no shortage of live music, cool bars, and quirky shops. Be sure to check out these fun SOCO stores:

• Allen’s Boots
• Parts and Labor
• Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds
• Tesoro’s Trading Company

This is also the area where you will find many of the murals in the Austin. You might also like and some of the more trendy shops like Aviator Nation and Loveshack Fancy.

Have you been bit by the travel bug? If you’re constantly dreaming of travel (like me) you might also love these wanderlust captions and quotes.

Eat Until Your Hearts Content

We went to Austin for the food. True Story.

Austin is an incredible city for foodies! BBQ, tacos, craft cocktails and more. More than likely, you won’t have enough time to try all the deliciousness in one weekend. But you can certainly try!

BBQ

So BBQ in Austin is a daytime thing. The best places often sell out or run out of certain menu items early afternoon. We went for lunch each day and didn’t have to wait too long. For BBQ we recommend trying:

• Franklin’s BBQ – An Austin institution. Expect a line and know they sell out every day.
• Terry Black’s BBQ – Our personal favorite. So. Much. Flavor.
• Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ – I put this on the list because the food was solid and it is a super convenient option.

We didn’t personally go to any of these last three places (there’s only so much food you can consume in one weekend) but they were all consistently recommended to us as the best after Franklin’s and Terry Black’s.

• Micklethwait Craft Meats
• Leroy & Lewis (for unconventional BBQ)
• La Barbecue

Tacos

Tacos are my love language.

Breakfast tacos are a big thing in Austin. You have to try them! Our favorite places for tacos:

• TacoDeli – This is a Texas chain and for good reason. I am literally still dreaming about these breakfast tacos, they were that good!
• Veracruz All Natural – A super convenient option if you’re staying downtown and absolutely delicious. Try the agua frescas too.
• Velvet Taco – Another taco spot that has become a chain, but still absolutely delicious. PS- get the red velvet cake.

More Incredible Restaurants in Austin:

We actually didn’t have a bad meal in Austin. We also recommend:

• Anthem
• La Condesa
• Hillside Farmacy
• Gourdough’s Big Fat Doughnuts
• Amy’s Ice Cream

Other Highly Recommended Restaurants in Austin:

Again, there is only so much food one can eat during a weekend in Austin. But these restaurants were recommended to us time and time again.

• Lucky Robot
• Homeslice Pizza
• South Congress Cafe
• Iron Cactus Mexican
• Mattie’s (for brunch)
• Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ
• Suerte
• Olamaie
• Uchi/ Uchiko

Whether you’re in Austin for a romantic getaways, girls weekend, or just a solo trip, you simply cannot go to Austin without indulging in the mouthwatering foodie scene.

Get Outside in Austin

There are so many great ways to spend time outdoors during your weekend in Austin.

• Hike Mount Bonnell – the perfect spot to watch the sunset in Austin- this short 0.5 mile hike is popular amongst visitors and locals.
• Enjoy Lady Bird Lake – Get out on the water by renting a SUP, canoe, or kayak. This is also a popular fishing area. If you’re up for a little more exercise, try the Hike & Bike Trail which runs a 10 mile loop around the lake.
• Zilker Park – one of the best things to do in Austin is visit Barton Springs, a natural underground spring fed pool that stays a refreshing 68 degrees year round. If you’re not up for swimming, then enjoy the awesome skyline views, the sculpture garden, the botanical gardens, or the Austin Nature and Science Center. Traveling to Austin with kids? Check out the Eagle Miniature Train in Zilker Park.
• Most neighborhoods in Austin are very walkable if you prefer to explore and wander at the same time.

Check Out All the Fun Austin Murals

Do it for the gram! Or because you just love street art like me! Austin has so many amazing wall murals. Up your Instagram game and photograph these 10 fun Austin murals near downtown:

1. I love you so much – 1300 South Congress Avenue (side of Jo’s Coffee)
2. Greetings from Austin – 1720 South 1st Street
3. You Belong Among the Wildflowers – directly across from the Greetings from Austin postcard mural
4. Tau Ceti – Austin’s tallest piece of public art is a vertical rainbow that sits 10 stories tall – corner of Brazos and 2nd Street
5. Willie for President! – 1315 South Congress Avenue
6. Smile, even if you don’t want to – Next to Willie mural
7. You’re the Yee to My Haw – 1701 South Congress
8. Hey, Good Lookin – 91 Red River Street
9. Love from Austin – 1912 South Congress Avenue (side of Prima Dora)
10. Peace, Love, Austin – 201 Colorado Street

BONUS: If you want to grab an Uber, visit “You’re my butter half” – 2000 East Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, one of the most popular murals in Austin.

Austin is soooo Instagrammable! Be sure to share all your fun find on social media with these fun vacation captions, city captions, or adventure captions.

Get Your Party On!

Austin truly comes alive at night! From honky-tonks to clubs to jazz to heavy metal and more, there is literally something for everyone in Austin. With more liquor licenses in the city limits than any other city in the country, your options are endless.

Secret speakeasies are a thing here. Find out the code from local bartenders (it changes monthly) to get into The Floppy Disk Repair Company or make a reservation at Midnight Cowboy Bar (they’ll email you instructions how to get in).

6th Street – Nicknamed “Dirty 6th” you’ll have to decide if 6th Street is for you or not. The area is the place to be for clubs, entertainment, bars, dining, and more. It’s definitely a hotspot for bachelorette parties and if nothing else has some of the best people watching around.

And if you’re feeling rowdy, be sure to ride the mechanical bull at Buck Wild.

Rainey Street – We personally enjoyed Rainey Street more than 6th Street. There’s no shortage of fun restaurants, food trucks, bars, and live music on Rainey Street.

Check out the University of Texas

From museums to athletic venues to the LBJ library, there is a lot to see and do at The University of Texas. Check out the Texas Memorial Museum, the UT Tower, and the Harry Ransom Center while you are on campus.

Visit the State Capitol

If you end up visiting the state capitol on your own outside of the organized Austin tour, you can do a free 30 minute tour or grab a pamphlet and do your own self guided tour.

Visit the legislative chambers, peruse state historical artifacts, admire the unique architecture, and check out 17 monuments throughout the grounds. Get more history from free guided tours on select days of the week directly across the street from the capitol building at the Texas Governor’s Mansion.

Insider Tip: The Texas Chili Parlor located right next to the Capitol is supposed to be the best chili in town.

Listen to Live Music

It’s the live music capital of the world!

We love live music. Here are some popular places to catch live music while you are in Austin:

• The Continental Club
• Austin City Limits (ACL Live at the Moody Theatre)
• Antone’s
• The Elephant Room
• All along Rainey Street and 6th Street
• Mohawk
• Stubbs
• C-Boys Heart & Soul

What should you not miss in Austin?

If you only have a weekend in Austin, do not miss these 7 fun things to do in Austin:

1. Congress Avenue Bridge bats.
2. BBQ
3. Live music
4. Take a guided tour
5. Breakfast tacos
6. South Congress
7. The State Capitol

We’re all about experiences here!! Join me in discovering MORE to life!

Weekend in Austin Itinerary

Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, super into art, or just love exploring new cities, there is something for everyone in Austin.

Disclosure: This itinerary is meant to maximize your weekend in Austin. It is jam packed full of stuff to do- feel free to edit as needed.

How can I spend 2 days in Austin? If you have just 2 days in Austin, here is my suggested itinerary:

Day 1: Austin Itinerary

• Check into your downtown Austin hotel
• Grab lunch at Cooper’s BBQ or The Burger Bar. If you only have two days- try your luck at Franklin’s BBQ. (We showed up at 1:30pm and the only thing they were out of was ribs. BUT they sold out and closed an hour later.)
• Do the afternoon “Real Austin Tour” – see The State Capitol, Greetings from Austin mural, and grab a treat from a popular food truck
• Check out the Mexi-Art Museum or visit the University of Texas museums, athletic venues, and library.
• Freshen up at your hotel
• For a fast and causal dinner try Velvet Taco. If you’re looking for more upscale try La Condesa but be sure to make a reservation in advance!
• Uber to Mount Bonnell for sunset.
• Still ready to party? Hit up Dirty 6th for some big nightlife, The Elephant Room for some low key jazz, or make a reservation at The Million Dollar Cowboy for a fun secret speakeasy on 6th Street.

Day 2: Austin Itinerary

• Starting the day right with some breakfast tacos- we suggest Jo’s Coffee, Veracruz, or TacoDeli.
• Explore the super trendy and fun area of South Congress. Check out the boutiques, go mural hunting, and grab and ice cream cone from Amy’s.
• Lunch at Terry Black’s BBQ- this is a non negotiable- don’t miss this stop.
• Head to Lady Bird Lake or Barton Springs for some outdoor fun. If you have three days, this would be the perfect time to recharge at the hotel pool or spa.
• Do the Congress Bridge Bat tour.
• Hit up Rainey Street for some drinks and live music or catch a show at ACL Moody Theatre.

If you 3 days in Austin, here is my suggested itinerary for your third day:

Day 3: Austin Itinerary

• If you didn’t make it to Franklin’s on Day 1- Go now! You won’t regret it. Looking for breakfast? Try Piknic or Snooze Eatery.
• This is the time to do the things you’ve missed out on Days 1 and 2 like Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs, or The University of Texas.
• Hungry? Grab a slice of pizza from Homeslice, Amazing tex-asian from Anthem, or sushi from Lucky Robot.
• Ready for a treat? Try Gordough’s Big Fat Donuts. (There is a VooDoo Donuts here as well, but I consider that a Portland thing. lol)
• Get your shopping fix at The Domain.
• Grab a drink at The Driskell Hotel.
• Listen to live music at The Continental Club or Antone’s.

So tell me…what would you do first during your weekend in Austin?

We love a weekend getaway! Some of our other favorite cities to escape to are Chicago, New York City, and Wilmington NC!

BE SURE TO SAVE THIS BEST THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN POST FOR YOUR NEXT WEEKEND GETAWAY!