For years, I’ve been listening to how cool Austin, Texas is. Continuously talked about on lists of one of the best cities to reside in, town is booming in reputation. After I lastly had the possibility to spend a weekend in Austin, I jumped on the chance.
My expectations had been excessive, however Austin is a type 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.
For those who’re planning a weekend journey to Austin, I’ve acquired you coated. Right here’s a jam-packed Austin 2-day itinerary that will help you benefit from 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 chunk earlier than exploring town. It’s among the tastiest and most inexpensive!
A few of the finest meals truck parks are Rainey Road Meals Vans, East Riverside Meals Vans, 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.
On your first afternoon in Austin, take a while to discover the South Congress, one in all Austin’s hottest neighborhoods. It’s a superb place for purchasing, with cute classic retailers, costume shops, and native boutiques.
South Congress can also be an incredible place to snap some Insta-worthy footage of the murals alongside the road. It’s residence to the well-known ” I like you a lot!” mural on the aspect 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, benefit from your first sundown in Austin and head to one in all these three spots to look at the solar go down.
- Witness hundreds of bats flying nightly on the Congress Avenue Bridge. It’s the most important 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 automobile to get right here). You possibly can’t cease on the bridge as site visitors flows by 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 beautiful metropolis and lake views.
On 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 exhibits on the numerous venues on sixth Road and Rainey Road, or you’ll be able to take a look at what concert events are occurring on the bigger venues.
For those who’re fortunate sufficient to go to Austin in October, you’ll be able to attend the well-known Austin Metropolis Limits music pageant.
The Rainey Road 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
Remedy your hangover from the evening earlier than with a greasy brunch! Austin has an incredible brunch tradition, which is the proper strategy to kick off the day. I liked the Driskell 1886 cafe – their egg benny is incredible!
For day two, it’s time to embrace Austin’s pure aspect. Begin with a go to to Zilker Park, an enormous leisure space with botanical gardens.
If the climate is heat, head to Barton Springs close by. It’s a swimming gap crammed 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 an incredible vibe. It was my favourite reminiscence of Austin!
If that’s not your jam, there are different water actions. You possibly can go boating at Lake Travis or paddleboarding on Ladybird Lake within the metropolis! It’s tremendous widespread 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 may as well 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 among 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 probably the most scrumptious “pulled pork” sandwich.
On your second evening out, discover East downtown Austin. The vibe right here is extra grungey, however I liked 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 simplest to get into, however they’re definitely worth the effort. My two favorites had been Pink-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 regularly, plus what could be the enjoyable in that?
The place to Keep in Austin
To enhance your weekend in Austin, you’ll wish 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 Road in an Airbnb throughout from the Driskell Resort. 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 aspect, it meant I may hear a whole lot of noise from the condo. So, in case you’re in search of one thing quiet, I’d advocate elsewhere, or no less than indirectly on sixth Road.
Throughout the river, South Congress is a good space to remain. It’s quieter than downtown, however there’s nonetheless a lot to do. One other widespread neighborhood to remain in is East Downtown. It’s a district that has skilled development in recent times and has some very cool bars.
Luxurious: The Driskell Resort – The place luxurious meets Texas allure! This well-known 1886 resort is positioned downtown on sixth, so it’s a superb place to remain if you wish to be within the coronary heart of the motion.
You’ll fall in love if you enter the grand columned foyer, that includes marble flooring and stained-glass domes. It’s price testing even in case you aren’t staying right here!
Mid-range: South Congress Resort – this beautiful boutique resort options three distinctive eating places, a espresso and bake store, a foyer bar, and two locally-owned retailers. The rooftop pool surrounded by lush gardens is ideal for cooling off from the Texas warmth!
Because the title suggests, it’s conveniently positioned within the South Congress neighborhood, so extra retailers and eating places are steps outdoors your door.
Finances: Firehouse Hostel – Firehouse often is the solely hostel within the central downtown space, however it’s additionally a strong alternative. It’s inside strolling distance of every thing you want and is in a cool transformed firehouse. The most effective half is the hooked up speakeasy you enter by way of a bookshelf. So cool!
Arriving and Getting Round Austin
For those who’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 straightforward 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 retailers.
The best strategy to get between locations is Uber or a scooter, which you’ll hire from Uber or Lyft. I wasn’t positive 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 a whole lot of sightseeing, renting a automobile could also be price it as some points of interest are unfold out from one another. Whereas having a automobile is handy, it isn’t essential for a brief weekend in Austin.
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I liked my weekend in Austin- it was a lot enjoyable. It’s properly price planning a visit there; town lives as much as its fame. I hope this Austin itinerary may assist you uncover among 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 attainable. During the last 15 years, she has traveled solo to 70+ international locations and 6 continents. She at present calls Puerto Vallarta, Mexico residence, the place she runs the web site Take Me To Puerto Vallarta.
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