A weekend in Austin, Texas is the perfect quick getaway! The city is well known for live music, epic barbecue, nearby nature and a very lively bar scene.
With 3 days in Austin over a long weekend, you can really experience a lot. Our Austin Itinerary features must-see sights, top eateries and the best bars!
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Planning a Weekend in Austin Itinerary
When my friends and I planned a girls weekend in Austin, we wanted to completely immerse ourselves in the absolute best experiences.
While we could have easily spent our entire Austin weekend imbibing, we actually wanted to see more than just the inside of bars!
With a rich history and abundant nature, the area offers a wide range of entertainment – and we include it all in our Austin 3-Day Itinerary!
More of the Best Places To Visit on a US Weekend Getaway!
Organizing your Itinerary for Austin
As you begin to make reservations, stay organized for your vacation to Austin by using our Trip Planning Printables!
Best Austin Itinerary
Our Austin Itinerary is formatted in a day-by-day, easy-to-follow guide. It includes top attractions, restaurants and districts to visit during your weekend trip to Austin.
At the end of the article, you will find additional planning tips – like what tours to take, where to stay and things to pack.
Day 1 of Your 3 Days in Austin Itinerary
Begin by stretching your legs around Lady Bird Lake, then mosey onto Rainey Street for dinner. End your night with a bang in the iconic Sixth Street entertainment district.
Lady Bird Lake Walk
Start your weekend Austin trip along the banks of Texas’ Colorado River, which runs through the center of the city.
The river pools into a reservoir, called Lady Bird Lake – or just Town Lake – to the east of the city center and is lined with walking paths on both the north and south sides.
Ambitious explorers can make the 6-mile loop on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Use Congress Avenue Bridge as a starting point and cross over at the Longhorn Dam. For half the distance, use the I-35 frontage road bridge.
If you are getting a late start to your weekend in Austin, skip the longer walk, but at least make your way to Waller Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park for a glimpse of Lady Bird Lake.
Rainey Street Historic District
From Waller Beach, it is just a short jaunt to the Rainey Street Historic District – one of the top places to visit in Austin.
This quaint neighborhood is characterized by historical dwellings – most of which were built prior to 1934.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1985, the residential Rainey Street was transformed into a thriving dining district in the 2010s.
Some of the top spots are Corner Restaurant, Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, Corinne and Emmer & Rye.
East Sixth Street
San Diego has the Gaslamp, Denver has LoDo, New Orleans has Bourbon and Austin has Sixth Street.
As one of the must-see places, embarking on a walk down 6th Street is essential on your Austin weekend itinerary. As the main thoroughfare through downtown – it’s an iconic nightlife district.
East 6th Street – or the Dirty Sixth – hosts an incredible number of drinking establishments, many known for their cheap booze and others for legendary Austin live music.
Of course, not all of these spots are drowning in youthful debauchery. With such a vast array of bars and styles, it is impossible to make a recommendation one single place.
The Jackalope is one of the long standing classics. For cocktails in a speakeasy atmosphere, go to Midnight Cowboy (reservations required) or the Eden Cocktail Room.
Of course, it’s not just about drinking. Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar provides fun entertainment, Esther Follies is a great theater for vaudeville and The Velveeta Room is good for comedy and open mic nights.
That said, we suggest just strolling 6th Street and popping into any place that suits your idea of a good time!
Day 2 of Your 3-Day Austin Itinerary
On the second day of your weekend in Austin itinerary, learn about the history of the city, indulge in some classic eats and then head south to the SoCo district.
Sixth Street During The Day
In the morning, make your way back to Sixth Street – this time for a daytime experience. First, feast on a sumptuous breakfast.
For fancy eats, get Eggs Benedict at 1886 Café and Bakery located inside the landmark Driskell Hotel. If an eclectic scene is more your style, get the Chick and Waffles from 24 Diner.
Then, with a full stomach, take a walk down 6th and pop into a few shops or check out the Museum of the Weird for fun souvenirs.
Texas Capitol
Mid-morning, delve into the history of Austin at the Texas State Capitol. The gorgeous structure was built in 1888, features a phenomenal dome and is a top place to visit in Austin.
Start off with a free 30-minute guided tour, where your local guide will fill you in on all the important history.
Afterwards, explore more of the building and the grounds on your own. You can even pick up a helpful pamphlet at the visitor’s center.
Barbecue Lunch
An Austin for the weekend trip is not complete without chowing down on at least one meal of Texas barbecue!
The much-touted Franklin Barbecue in East Austin is a top pick, but with wait times of up to 3 hours, it’s difficult to recommend. It is possible to place to-go orders…at least 6 weeks in advance!
Two other highly-rated downtown Austin BBQ joints are Stubb’s Bar-B-Q and Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que. Either one will surely satisfy a barbecue craving – and they are both about a 15 minute walk from the Capitol.
Austin City Tour
After lunch, continue your education with a Guided Walk. On this small-group tour, locals reveal off-the-beaten-path gems and share insider information on what to do in Austin.
Note: This tour includes the Texas Capitol – which is perfect if your day got off to slow start!
An Evening in SoCo Austin
In the early evening, head to the SoCo District – South Congress – for a little retail therapy, dinner, bats (yes, bats) and drinks.
Start your exploration on South Congress Avenue at Jo’s Coffee for a little late afternoon pick-me-up. Be sure to check out the “I love you so much” street art mural while you are there!
Then, spend time perusing the goods at some of the best boutique shops in town. Allens Boots is goof for leather western gear and Big Top Candy Shop for nostalgic candy classics.
Dinner: Burritos or Burgers
A local assured us that eating at Freebirds was an absolute must and we were so happy to heed that advice!
You can build-your-own at Freebirds World Burrito using fresh ingredients – and the taste is simply out of this world.
Alternatively, the old-fashioned Sandy’s Hamburgers has been an institution since 1946. Just remember to save room for frozen custard!
Do your travel companions want a bit of everything? We get it, group dynamics is often a part of traveling. Head for Magnolia Café and thank us later!
Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
Austin is plenty weird, but the quirkiest attraction is the daily flight of the South Congress Bridge bats! Since 1980, a colony of 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats have resided under the bridge.
From spring to autumn at sunset, they fly out from under the bridge in dramatic patterns as they devour insects.
Live Music in SoCo
Although you can’t go far in the Live Music Capital of the World without hearing someone singing a tune, there are a few amazing places to listen to incredible performers.
The Continental Club in SoCo was established in 1955 and the small-capacity shows are intimate and authentically Austin.
A low-key music venue in SoCo is Guero’s Oak Garden, where the outdoor stage will draw you in, and Ego’s, a fun karaoke spot.
Texas Two-Step Honkytonk Bar
On the other hand, if a classic Texas dance hall piques your interest, there is no better place to go two-steppin’ than Broken Spoke on South Lamar.
The honkytonk bar also offers dance lessons, which I can personally tell you is a fun activity for a girls trip to Austin!
Austin City Limits
Catching a taping of this famed TV show is another fantastic way to experience live music during your Austin weekend getaway. Get information from ACL on how to score tickets.
Austin Music Tour
If you’re interested in learning more about the scene, but looking to avoid packed crowds – consider adding a Live Music Crawl to your Austin trip itinerary!
Day 3 of Your Austin Weekend Itinerary
On the last day of your getaway to Austin, see some beautiful nature and navigate your way through the University of Texas campus.
Mount Bonnell
Start off with an outdoor adventure: Climb Mt. Bonnell at Covert Park. To be honest, it is not as difficult as it sounds.
The hill is just 775-feet-high and only takes about 100 steps to ascend to the viewing deck. At the top, you are treated to phenomenal views of the Austin skyline, Colorado River and West Texas hills.
Mount Bonnell is just 5 miles north of 6th St. – but not accessible by public transport – so unless you have car, grab an Uber or Lyft.
Before heading up, pick up VooDoo Donuts or stop by the Whole Foods flagship store (both on 6th Street) and enjoy a picnic breakfast with a view from the top!
Alternative Outdoor Nature
Rather than an early climb, consider spending the morning in abundant nature at Mayfield Park. The preserve features roaming peacocks, koi filled ponds and walking trails.
Alternative Breakfast Idea
If an adventurous hike or the great outdoors is not how you want to start the day, consider indulging in a classic Texas tradition of breakfast tacos!
Longstanding Cisco’s is famous for their delectable migas – just be sure to order at least one of their extraordinary biscuits, too. At Tamale House East, they make pretty good migas, too (and the space is a lot fun).
University of Texas at Austin
By late morning, make your way to the University of Texas Longhorns campus. One of the largest in the United States, it was founded in 1883.
The campus is comprised of 150 university buildings – of which the UT Tower, built in 1937 and reaching 307 feet, is a central focal point.
The LBJ Presidential Library is another top UT campus attraction. The space details the interesting life and legacy of Lyndon B Johnson, the 36th president of the United States.
Other places to visit here are Texas Memorial Stadium, Blanton Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Center and the nearby Bullock Texas State History Museum.
After touring the UT Austin Campus, head north on The Drag (formally Guadalupe Street) and grab some lunch. Hopfields, Via 313 Pizza and Kerby Lane Cafe are all solid choices.
Barton Springs Municipal Pool at Zilker Park
In the afternoon, cool off with a swim at Barton Spring Pool – especially if you are planning a weekend trip in Austin for the summertime.
Fed by underwater springs – and maintaining a year-round temperature of about 70 degrees – this is an absolute gem.
Surrounded in lush nature and with plenty of places to spread out and relax, spending the afternoon at Barton Springs is the perfect way to end your weekend trip itinerary in Austin!
Zilker Botanical Gardens
If it is too cold for a swim, spend the last hours of your 3 Day Austin Itinerary at the Zilker Botanical Garden.
The space is inclusive of the Taniguchi Japanese Garden and koi pond, the Pioneer Village, a rose garden, butterfly trail and a prehistoric area with a dinosaur sculpture and waterfall feature.
More Austin, Texas Things To Do
We have highlighted the best plan for a weekend in Austin, Texas. Still, there is so much more to see and do in the city!
Search for Austin Street Art
Seeking out the best street art is a fun activity for your vacation in Austin. You can set off to search for them on your own – or join a highly-rated tour.
Visit Austin Museums
We highlighted some of the best cultural spots at UT, but there are other intriguing venues in Austin to visit.
Featuring exhibits and art installations by local Texas artists, The Contemporary is conveniently located in the city center.
Those planning an Austin Itinerary for families won’t want to miss Thinkery, a fun hands-on learning museum designed especially for kids.
Offering a heaping dose of nostalgia, the Texas Toy Museum is a blast from the past! It features toys and memorabilia from the past – including action figures and arcade with old school games.
The UMLAUF Garden is a spectacular place to escape the crowds, enjoy nature and admire the works of art. They offer pamphlets to enhance your visit – but don’t miss the peaceful spot above the waterfall.
A small museum dedicated to Latino artworks, Mexic-Arte actually provides guided tours that help explain the stories behind the art. Additionally, the museum offers free admission on Sundays.
A unique Austin experience, the Museum of Ice Cream is completely dedicated to the love of this sweet treat. It’s a bit north of town, so if you don’t have a vehicle order an Uber/Lyft.
Take a Half Day Trip from Austin
While we believe we’ve provided plenty to do to fill your Austin itinerary, there are additional spots to check out nearby if you have the time!
Salt Lick and Winery Tour
An Austin Day Trip to Texas Hill Country is a great way to explore beyond the city limits. Catch a ride on the Salt Lick and Winery Shuttle for a half day adventure of Texas wine tasting and BBQ!
Spend Time on the Water
Lake Travis and Lake Austin sit northwest of the city center and are perfect for spending a day on the water!
You can join a sunset boat tour on Lake Travis (like this one) or let a captain show you the beauty of Lake Austin (more details).
An interesting way to spend time lakeside is sans clothes – and the Hippie Hollow Nude Beach is the place to do it!
Austin Food Tours
Visitors who like to get a little taste of everything might want to join a Foodie Tour where guides lead participants to their favorite Austin eats.
Hop heads – like us – can get an in-depth look at the Austin craft beer scene on a brewery bus tour that includes 12 tasting and snacks!
Weekend in Austin Itinerary Travel Tips
Ready to go to Austin? We bet you are! We have just a few last pieces of advice and then you’re off.
Where To Stay in Austin
On our trip to Austin, we stayed in the Hilton Downtown. The location – near Sixth Street and Rainey District – was perfect and the amenities were top notch.
While we have not stayed in the Austin Downtown Aloft, it is located just steps from Sixth Street, not far from the Capitol Building and fellow travelers give it rave reviews.
The Driskill is a must-see, so why not just stay there for your weekend in Austin? We haven’t seen the rooms, but the property is gorgeous!
What To Pack
We have just a few final tips and packing hacks for your Austin trip. So grab our FREE Packing Checklist and let’s go!
Durable Shoes
Our 3-Day Austin Itinerary involves a ton of walking. While the city’s walkability score is high, you will want to wear comfortable travel shoes. I like these lightweight trainers, while Kris prefers Merrell trail shoes.
Weather Gear and Day Pack
Depending on what season you visit Austin, you will want to be prepared for the weather.
For spring, bring along a travel umbrella and packable raincoat. In the summertime, make sure to pack sunscreen, a travel hat and your swimsuit!
Whether you prefer a backpack or a suitcase, you will certainly want a great day bag to organize and secure all of your everyday travel items!
Travel Camera
Filled with historic sites, quirky art and beautiful nature, Austin is an extremely photogenic city. If you are anything like us, we are certain you will be taking many pictures.
Rather than relying on your phone, we recommend upgrading to real camera. We use a Canon Rebel with a 18-135mm lens. It is a great budget camera and the kit comes with great accessories!
Start planning your USA trip! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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