For years, I’ve been listening to how cool Austin, Texas is. Ceaselessly talked about on lists of one of the best cities to stay in, town is booming in recognition. Once I lastly had the prospect to spend a weekend in Austin, I jumped on the chance.
My expectations had been excessive, however Austin is a kind of locations that lived as much as its hype. I had a lot enjoyable exploring the quirky neighborhoods, consuming all the road meals, discovering secret bars, and cooling off within the pure swimming holes.
If you happen to’re planning a weekend journey to Austin, I’ve acquired you lined. Right here’s a jam-packed Austin 2-day itinerary that will help you take advantage of your time there.
Weekend in Austin Itinerary
Day 1 Weekend in Austin- Discover South Congress and See Reside Music
After touchdown in Austin, you’ll doubtless be hungry, so head out to one of many meals truck areas to seize a fast chew earlier than exploring town. It’s a few of the tastiest and most inexpensive!
A number of the finest meals truck parks are Rainey Avenue Meals Vehicles, East Riverside Meals Vehicles, and The Picnic, that are near Barton Springs. I had a Mexican-style “mighty cone’ which was simply as tasty as the meals in Puerto Vallarta.
To your first afternoon in Austin, take a while to discover the South Congress, considered one of Austin’s hottest neighborhoods. It’s a wonderful place for buying, with cute classic outlets, costume shops, and native boutiques.
South Congress can also be a terrific place to snap some Insta-worthy footage of the murals alongside the road. It’s dwelling to the well-known ” I really like you a lot!” mural on the facet of Jo’s Espresso (1300 S Congress Ave).
A brief stroll away is my favourite, the “Greetings From Austin” mural that appears like a postcard (1720 S 1st St.)
For dinner, take a look at one of many eating places on South Congress. We stumbled upon Aba, which is a beautiful Mediterranean restaurant. They’ve an superior patio, and the artichoke hummus is tremendous tasty!
Earlier than heading out for the evening, make the most of your first sundown in Austin and head to considered one of these three spots to look at the solar go down.
- Witness hundreds of bats flying nightly on the Congress Avenue Bridge. It’s the biggest city colony in North America, so it’s fairly a sight.
- If bats aren’t your factor, there’s one other bridge you’ll be able to go to only for sundown – the 360 Bridge (you’ll want a automotive to get right here). You may’t cease on the bridge as visitors flows by means of it, however you’ll be able to park close by and climb up a small ledge subsequent to it for a view above.
- Alternatively, hike to the highest of Mount Bonnell. It’s only a small hill that takes about ten minutes to climb, with pretty metropolis and lake views.
To your first evening out in Austin, it’s time to see some music since that’s what town is thought for! There are all the time reveals on the numerous venues on sixth Avenue and Rainey Avenue, or you’ll be able to take a look at what live shows are taking place on the bigger venues.
If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to go to Austin in October, you’ll be able to attend the well-known Austin Metropolis Limits music competition.
The Rainey Avenue Historic District was my favourite spot to exit in Austin. All of the bars there are historic bungalow properties; strolling round is so charming.
Day 2 Austin Itinerary: Discover the Pure Aspect of Austin and Speakeasy Hunt
Treatment your hangover from the evening earlier than with a greasy brunch! Austin has a terrific brunch tradition, which is the proper strategy to kick off the day. I beloved the Driskell 1886 cafe – their egg benny is unbelievable!
For day two, it’s time to embrace Austin’s pure facet. Begin with a go to to Zilker Park, an unlimited leisure space with botanical gardens.
If the climate is heat, head to Barton Springs close by. It’s a swimming gap stuffed with water from close by pure springs. It’s chilly however so refreshing in the summertime warmth.
Tons of individuals come right here with paddleboards, canines, and drinks, so it’s a terrific vibe. It was my favourite reminiscence of Austin!
If that’s not your jam, there are different water actions. You may go boating at Lake Travis or paddleboarding on Ladybird Lake within the metropolis! It’s tremendous common amongst locals on the weekend; you’ll see a whole lot of kayaks and paddleboards.
In case of rain or if you wish to study Austin’s historical past and tradition, head to one of many museums just like the Bullock Texas State Historical past Museum or the Blanton Museum of Artwork.
You too can take a look at the Texas State Capitol, the tallest one in the USA! It’s spectacular to see from the surface, however it’s also possible to go to the within of the constructing till 8 pm on weekends.
For dinner that evening, embrace Austin’s BBQ scene. Franklin BBQ is without doubt one of the hottest spots for a meat-heavy meal. Vegans can benefit from the BBQ, too! We went to the Beer Plant, the place I had essentially the most scrumptious “pulled pork” sandwich.
To your second evening out, discover East downtown Austin. The vibe right here is extra grungey, however I beloved it. Begin at Central Machine Works, a microbrewery beer corridor in a spacious transformed machine works. It has a cool vibe and nice pizza.
After leaving East Downtown, go on a speakeasy hunt all through town. They aren’t the best to get into, however they’re well worth the effort. My two favorites had been Purple-headed Stepchild, fronted by the “floppy disk restore co” on 119 E fifth St. You’d by no means understand it was a bar from the surface!
You’ll want a passcode to get within the door lock, which we ultimately acquired after asking round at non-speakasy bars. One other nice one is Right here Nor There (612 Brazos St), which additionally requires a password. I can’t let you know what they’re as a result of they modify incessantly, plus what could be the enjoyable in that?
The place to Keep in Austin
To enrich your weekend in Austin, you’ll need to discover someplace to remain that’s as cool as town, and there are many choices.
We stayed downtown on the coronary heart of town on sixth Avenue in an Airbnb throughout from the Driskell Lodge. This had its ups and downs. It was good to stroll out my door with limitless eating places, co-working areas, and bars close by.
However on the flip facet, it meant I may hear quite a lot of noise from the condo. So, in case you’re on the lookout for one thing quiet, I’d suggest elsewhere, or a minimum of circuitously on sixth Avenue.
Throughout the river, South Congress is a good space to remain. It’s quieter than downtown, however there’s nonetheless loads to do. One other common neighborhood to remain in is East Downtown. It’s a district that has skilled progress lately and has some very cool bars.
Luxurious: The Driskell Lodge – The place luxurious meets Texas appeal! This well-known 1886 resort is situated downtown on sixth, so it’s a wonderful place to remain if you wish to be within the coronary heart of the motion.
You’ll fall in love whenever you enter the grand columned foyer, that includes marble flooring and stained-glass domes. It’s value testing even in case you aren’t staying right here!
Mid-range: South Congress Lodge – this beautiful boutique resort options three distinctive eating places, a espresso and bake store, a foyer bar, and two locally-owned outlets. The rooftop pool surrounded by lush gardens is ideal for cooling off from the Texas warmth!
Because the title suggests, it’s conveniently situated within the South Congress neighborhood, so extra outlets and eating places are steps outdoors your door.
Funds: Firehouse Hostel – Firehouse often is the solely hostel within the central downtown space, however it’s additionally a stable alternative. It’s inside strolling distance of all the things you want and is in a cool transformed firehouse. The very best half is the connected speakeasy you enter by way of a bookshelf. So cool!
Arriving and Getting Round Austin
If you happen to’re flying into Austin, you’ll be glad to know that the airport is only a 15-minute drive from town. An Uber is the quickest strategy to get from the airport into town heart.
Getting round Austin is comparatively simple because the neighborhoods you’ll be spending time in are fairly shut to one another. And inside each, you’ll be able to stroll to bars, eating places, and outlets.
The best strategy to get between locations is Uber or a scooter, which you’ll be able to hire from Uber or Lyft. I wasn’t certain concerning the scooters at first, however they’re really actually enjoyable and environment friendly for getting across the metropolis.
That mentioned, in case you plan to do quite a lot of sightseeing, renting a automotive could also be value it as some sights are unfold out from one another. Whereas having a automotive is handy, it isn’t obligatory for a brief weekend in Austin.
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I beloved my weekend in Austin- it was a lot enjoyable. It’s effectively value planning a visit there; town lives as much as its fame. I hope this Austin itinerary may allow you to uncover a few of the finest components of town.
Visitor Bio: Lora is a full-time digital nomad on a quest to go to each nation and pet as many canines as doable. Over the past 15 years, she has traveled solo to 70+ nations and 6 continents. She presently calls Puerto Vallarta, Mexico dwelling, the place she runs the web site Take Me To Puerto Vallarta.
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