As they say, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and that goes double for Austin. If you have a long weekend to escape and spend in the Lone Star State, the fun and interesting capital will allow you to maximize these 72 hours. The long-standing mantra of “Keep Austin Weird” is testament to the variety of unique offerings this town promises visitors, as well as the reliable adventure and culinary finds that carry deep into the neighboring Hill Country.
Easy to reach and home to a mild year-round climate, Austin is a Texas treasure located both geographically and experientially between the center of the state and the eastern edge of the American Southwest. Here you will meet a vibrant mix of people and cultures that come together in the best sense.
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From famous 6th Street filled with bright bars, restaurants, and music venues to the famous Austin City Limits, Austin is one of the country's great music destinations, with great food, nightlife, and an arts scene to match. Here's how to make the most of three perfect days in and around Austin.
How to Get to Austin and Surroundings?
Home to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), which serves flights of American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines and many other airlines, Austin is a very easy city to reach from all directions. Once there, it's an easy city to navigate, with rental car options and ground transportation including carpools, taxis, shuttles, pedicabs, electric scooters, and bikes. Austin has BCycle, which has e-bikes that are easily rented. Once you get into the heart of the city, it is also a very walkable city.
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When to Visit Austin?
While Austin is an enjoyable place to visit any time of year, its reliably mild climate during the “shoulder” months of spring and fall (September through November and March through May) is comfortable for most visitors, with temperatures generally in the 70s and During this time it was 80s Fahrenheit. The Texas heat and humidity of summer can be intense, as can the cold of winter. Austin's climate is ideal for outdoor activities, and the city can experience nearly 300 days of sunshine per year.
Where to Stay in Austin?
Combining Texas-style comfort and luxury, the Archer Hotel is a top choice when you visit Austin. The lobby's massive limestone staircase, offset by a massive chandelier, is your first glimpse of the opulence you'll experience when staying here; “Texas Chic with Luxe Boutique” is what hotel owners like to call it. For something more niche and intimate, check out the Heywood Hotel in the East Cesar Chavez District. A modern boutique hotel in a convenient location that offers a cozy atmosphere filled with bright décor and award-winning architecture, the hotel offers seven guest rooms, each individually designed with local artwork and furnishings.
Where to Eat: The Best Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Austin
You'll eat very well in and around Austin, which is famous for its excellent barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide variety of great restaurants to choose from innumerable cuisines. For breakfast, Cisco's Restaurant, Bakery & Bar on 6th Street is a local institution that dates back to the 1940s. Breakfast foods here include Cisco's mighty migas (a Tex-Mex comfort melange of scrambled eggs, chili, cheese, onion, and crispy tortilla strips) and a solid huevos rancheros. For lunch, check out Franklin Barbecue, one of Austin's most famous barbecue joints, serving up a brisket sandwich that's worth every bite of that $17 bill. Get there early before half the menu is sold out. Come dinner time, it's always a delicious time at ATX Cocina, which specializes in amazing modern Mexican food in the heart of downtown.
Best Bars in Austin
Bars are as plentiful and diverse as live music in Austin. Ranch 616 combines Texas-style cocktails (try the famous Ranch Water) with distinct Western vintage influences and excellent bar food. Next door, the Wiggle Room (run by the same owners) is a new West Texas-themed addition to downtown's thriving bar scene; It has eccentric décor and tequila blends with names like La Pistola Rosa.
Don't Miss: The Best Attractions in Austin
Austin is world-famous for its music scene, and a night at Mohawk, the live performance temple at the corner of Red River and 10th downtown, confirms why. The indoor/outdoor venue offers multi-level options for catching a great Austin live show. Also, don't miss visiting the iconic Austin City Limits (ACL) Moody Theatre, home of America's longest-running television musical series. Even if you can't catch a live recording here, getting a behind-the-scenes look at some of the world's best musicians performing on camera is the next best way.
Things to Do in Austin in Three Days
Day 1: Explore 6th Avenue, Get Your Weird Solution, and Listen to Live Music
For your first day in Austin, head to 6th Avenue for a stroll through the still-quirky-enough heart of Austin. This core area is home to great restaurants, hotels, nightlife and quirky shops; such as the Museum of the Weird, with exhibits ranging from the weird to the downright weird.
For a late lunch, stop by Iron Cactus, which specializes in local Mexican cuisine and some of the best (i.e. strongest) margaritas in town. Finally, you'll want to make your way to Ann Richards Convention Boulevard for a true Austin rite of passage; You'll want to witness the famous bridge bats pouring out en masse from seemingly nowhere at dusk and flooding the evening sky.
For a classic post-bat dive lounge experience, head to the historic Midnight Cowboy. Austin's oldest watering hole is housed in a former brothel; It offers a vintage Prohibition-era vibe, boozy cocktails, and a reservation-only space. End the night at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Icehouse for great live music in the heart of 6th Avenue or nearby Ester's Follies Comedy Club for a good laugh.
Day 2: Bike, Wheel Ride, and Dine on Local BBQ and Craft Beer
Jump-start your day with a java from Jo's Coffee, which offers strong coffee, a delicious brunch, and occasional live music. Then hop on a bike and take a tour of Greater Austin from the saddle. You can rent wheels at Mike's Bikes and Rental Tours, whose knowledgeable staff will point you in the right direction, whether you're exploring the city like a local or pedaling the extensive single track in the Hill Country. Grab a seat at The Meteor along the way. Founded by several cyclists, this favorite bike shop/lunch stop lets you grease your chain while enjoying quality pizza.
A trip to Austin wouldn't be complete without going out on the water. Board the Lone Star River Boat for a tour of Lady Bird Lake aboard a double-decker paddle boat. Or you can spend the afternoon exploring the Zilker Botanical Gardens. Filled with themed gardens, koi ponds, and cacti, this is a favorite green space in the city for solo travelers and families alike; The Alliance Children's Garden in Butler Park is well-equipped for children with its playground. End your day with a cold beer and some hot barbecue at the world-famous Stubb's Bar-B-Q. If you're lucky, you'll watch a live show while you eat.
Day 3: Wind in the Hill Country, Get Wet, and See a Show at Gruene Hall
Immerse yourself in Texas' favorite countryside with a classic Hill Country road trip for your last day in Austin. A short drive from Austin, this 14,000-square-mile hillscape is filled with charming towns, scenic barbecue joints, top local wineries, lazy rivers, dusty trails, and caves for the adventurous.
At Carter Creek Winery & Resort Spa in tranquil Johnson City, visitors can enjoy everything from a glass of local wine or craft beer to a deep tissue massage. Or head to New Braunfels, home to the Guadalupe River, an ideal place for paddleboarding or swimming when the weather is nice. Featuring giant slides, wave pools, and the namesake lazy river, Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort attracts families and children of all ages.
Afterwards, have dinner and a show at Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest dance hall, which serves seafood and steaks overlooking the Guadalupe River and is home to the Gruene River Grill, which inspired your latest thought in the Austin area this weekend: Three days are just three days. Not enough to fully appreciate this delicious slice of Texas. Here's the good news. Austin loves repeat guests and you'll be back very soon, hear?