Austin
3-DAY Austin, Texas ITINERARY
Austin is the state capital of Texas, an inland city bordering the Hill Country region. Home to the University of Texas flagship campus, Austin is known for its eclectic live-music scene centered around country, blues and rock. Its many parks and lakes are popular for hiking, biking, swimming and boating. South of the city, Formula One's Circuit of the Americas raceway has hosted the United States Grand Prix, per Google.
To read about My Travels, click here.
Must do, must see, must try:
KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD™
Austin does its own thing - from a homeless man running for Mayor to annual bat migrations.
BRISKET, SAUSAGE, BEER, REPEAT
Eat as much as you can, and then eat some more.
GREAT OUTDOORS
Breathe in the sunshine at a brewery or on the trails. Austin is a beauty to behold.
The 3-Day Austin Itinerary
ACCOMMODATIONS
AirBnB close to 6th street, the Domain, or South Austin
Hotel: Driskill Hotel ($$$), Hotel San Jose ($$)
CLIMATE
Spring and Summer are hot, while Fall and Winter are not as hot. Fall is preferred, but keep in mind the football schedule.
TRANSPORTATION
Downtown Austin is walk-able, but you'll want to Lyft to the outskirts. Don't rent a car, it's too expensive paying for parking. Biking, scooters and the bus are also readily available.
ENVIRONMENT
Language is English
Currency: US Dollar
LIFESTYLE
Great city for a bachelor/ette party, birthday celebration or a friendly getaway. A lot of day time activities and night.
Austin is one of my favorite places to visit because there's always something to do. The historical friend can visit the Capital, the foodie friend can eat BBQ until they hit a meat-coma, the nature friend can venture through all kinds of trails. This is a place that you can visit over and over again and for all occasions. It's great for family outings, party weekends or a romantic weekend getaway. What's great, is Austin is a city were you can experience a lot and not break the bank.
Austin is known for its music festivities so check the calendar and see a show: Austin City Limits, Austin Food + Wine Festival, South by Southwest, Texas Relays, UT Football games and more.
Day one
Early Afternoon travel to Austin
Drive downtown to gaze upon the Capital
Check-in with friends or at hotel
Dinner: Launderette ($$, American)
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Make a reservation in advance
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Try and split: fried oyster Florentine, the burger, birthday cake ice cream sandwich
Drinks on Rainey Street
Day Two
Start with coffee
Head over to Castle Hill Graffiti Park, also called HOPE Outdoor Gallery
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Parking is terrible, don't park in a tow-away zone because it will happen
11 AM Lunch: Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood ($$, Barbecue)
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You must get BBQ in Austin. Not sure what to order? Fatty and lean brisket with extra bark, sausage, baked beans and potato salad
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Personally, Franklin Barbecue ($$, Barbecue) is the best (Voted #1 in Texas) but the wait starts at 6:30 AM and lasts 6+ hours. Yes, it's worth it but not if this is your first trip to Austin.
1 PM - Now that you're full, take an easy hike up Mount Bonnell for 360 views of the entire city; time spent is 1 hour, free
2:30 PM - Cozy up outside at Jester King Brewery ($$, Brewery); time spent is 2-3 hours
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Check out the tour times then coordinate so someone can get in line for a pizza from Stanley's Farmhouse Pizza ($$, Pizza)
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Other options: Hops and Grain ($, Brewery); El Gaucho Winery ($$, Wineries); Bent Oak Winery ($$, Wineries)
Or go shopping along East Austin for the hippest stores in town - check out Juniper, Olive, and East Austin Succulents
6 PM Dinner: Lucy's Fried Chicken ($$, Chicken Wings)
8:15 - 8:40 PM - Get to Congress Avenue Bridge to see the bat colony; time spent is less than an hour, free
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Check the calendar before going
Drinks on West 6th or get in some two-stepping at Continental Club ($, Dive Bar & Music)
If you have time for a show before drinks - Esther's Follies ($$, Comedy Club)
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Love this! And after the show, walk outside and you're on 6th Street.
Day Three
7 AM - Head to the native Whole Foods Market for some picnic materials and snacks or Central Market
8 AM - Morning hike at Hamilton Pool Preserve; time spent is 3 hours, $15 USD, cash only
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Must have a RESERVATION
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Wear your bathing suit under your hiking clothes
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Other option if Hamilton is crowded - Zilker Park and go to Lady Bird Lake or Barton Springs Pool
If you're not in the mood for a hike, check out Blanton Museum of Art ($9 USD), Harry Ransom Center(free), Tour the Capitol (30 minutes, free), Mexic-Arte Museum ($5 USD) or the Bullock Texas State History Museum ($13 USD)
Goodbye Austin. Head home.
Travel a GO-Go
Use the Google map on the left to get a lay of the land and see all the fun spots that you'll visit. Download the free PDF by clicking the icon below to have this itinerary at your finger-tips.
How to Use the Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner to view the layers (days, points of interest, route).
If you click the star, this map will be added to your Google Map account. To view, open your Google Maps, click the menu button "Your Places" and select the map to open.
MY TRAVELS
Keep Austin Weird. Austin attracts thousands of visitors each year in addition to their student population. Beside the beautiful rolling hills, Austin offers delicious food, unique people and a lively night life. This is a place that you'll want to visit over and over, and you'll never have the same experience.
Growing up, Austin was a must with my family. We'd venture up for a University of Texas football game and cheer on the longhorns in the Texas sun signing anthems at the top of our lungs. After turning 21, the nightlife changed when I was able to visit 6th street for the first time. This is a dirty, bar filled street but you LOVE it. Jump in and out of bars all night, cross the street to see what's happening on that side, and then venture back and forth.
While Austin can be known for the 'dirty 6' (aka 6th street and bar streets) and the UT fans, it's also loved for the food scene. If you're looking for meat, this is your place. If you want to try something healthy, this is your place. If you want to have a food experience, then come hungry. You can never visit Austin on a diet, but there's so much walking that you don't need to count the calories.
A weekend getaway to Austin is just what you need to let off some steam. Good drinks, delicious food and people watching that will make your jaw drop - it's a glorious place. Be outside as much as you can and enjoy the city.
Stay weird Austin and safe travels,
Itinerary Traveler
