Travel guide · United States
Austin travel guide
Live music, brisket, spring-fed swimming and the Texas Hill Country
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Austin, the capital of Texas, sits on the Colorado River where the flat prairie meets the limestone hills of the Hill Country. It calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, with music most nights on Sixth Street, Red River and South Congress, and it is a magnet for Central Texas barbecue and breakfast tacos. Days revolve around Lady Bird Lake, the 20°C spring water of Barton Springs Pool and the granite-domed State Capitol. Summers are long and very hot, so spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are March–April and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- March–April and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- AUS
- Mid-range daily budget
- $200–$330 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Live music, Texas barbecue, Breakfast tacos and SXSW
Why visit Austin
- Live music plays most nights in venues from Sixth Street and Red River to the Continental Club on South Congress, and the city hosts SXSW and Austin City Limits.
- Central Texas barbecue — slow-smoked brisket, ribs and sausage — is a pilgrimage, both in the city and in nearby Lockhart.
- Barton Springs Pool is a spring-fed pool in Zilker Park that stays around 20°C all year.
- Lady Bird Lake's 16-km hike-and-bike trail, kayaks and paddleboards put outdoor life right beside downtown.
- The Hill Country's swimming holes, small German-settled towns and wineries are within 1–2 hours.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Architecture · Downtown
Texas State Capitol
Completed in 1888 from pink Texas granite, the Capitol is taller than the US Capitol in Washington.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Nature · Zilker and Barton Hills
Barton Springs Pool
A 275-metre-long natural pool fed by underground springs that keep the water around 20°C all year, with a grassy slope for sunbathing.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Experience · Downtown
Congress Avenue Bridge bats
Up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live under the Ann W.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- After dark
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Street · Downtown
Sixth Street and Red River
East Sixth Street between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35 is Austin's famous bar strip, closed to traffic on weekend nights, while the Red River Cultural District around the corner has many of the city's long-running original-music clubs.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Iconic
Waterfront · Downtown
Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail
A reservoir on the Colorado River through central Austin, circled by the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, a loop of about 16 km.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
Park · Zilker and Barton Hills
Zilker Park
Austin's main green space covers about 140 hectares south of the river, with lawns, Barton Springs Pool, the Zilker Botanical Garden, canoe rentals and the Zilker Zephyr miniature train.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Where to stay
Downtown is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and luxury
Downtown
High-rise hotels, the Capitol, Sixth Street bars and the lakefront
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, shopping and food lovers
South Congress (SoCo)
Boutiques, food trucks, neon signs and Capitol views along South Congress Avenue
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and budget
East Austin
Bars, barbecue joints and murals east of Interstate 35
$$$ · Best for nightlife and solo travellers
Rainey Street
Bungalows converted into bars beside high-rise hotels
What to eat
- Central Texas brisket — Beef brisket rubbed simply with salt and pepper and smoked for many hours over post oak until it has a dark bark and a pink smoke ring, sold by weight on butcher paper with white bread, pickles and onions.
- Breakfast tacos — Flour tortillas filled with eggs and fillings such as bacon, chorizo, potato or beans and cheese, eaten for breakfast across the city; the 'migas' taco with crispy tortilla strips is an Austin favourite.
- Queso — Warm, melted cheese dip, often with green chilli, guacamole and ground beef stirred in, served with tortilla chips.
- Tex-Mex enchiladas — Corn tortillas rolled around cheese or meat and smothered in chilli con carne gravy and melted cheese, with rice and refried beans — the classic Tex-Mex plate.
- Kolaches — Soft, slightly sweet buns filled with fruit or cream cheese, brought to Texas by Czech immigrants.
- Smoked sausage and ribs — Barbecue joints also serve smoked pork ribs, beef ribs and sausage links, often jalapeño-cheddar, a legacy of the German and Czech meat markets of Central Texas.
When to go
The best times to visit Austin are March to May and October to November, when days are warm rather than scorching. April brings bluebonnets, and autumn is usually dry and pleasant. Avoid July and August if you dislike heat, when highs average around 36°C, and book far ahead or avoid SXSW in March and the ACL and Grand Prix weekends in October if you want reasonable hotel prices.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm days, wildflowers and SXSW; storms and flash floods become more likely by May. |
| Summer | June–August | Long, intense heat with highs often above 35°C; life moves to pools, swimming holes and air conditioning. |
| Autumn | September–November | Heat lingers through September, then pleasant October and November days with ACL, the Grand Prix and football. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild and often sunny, with occasional cold fronts and rare ice storms; quieter and better value. |
Getting there and around
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is about 12 km southeast of downtown. A taxi or rideshare takes about 15–25 minutes, and a CapMetro bus route connects the terminal with downtown.
Austin is car-oriented, but downtown, South Congress, Rainey Street and East Austin are close enough to combine on foot, by scooter or by rideshare. CapMetro buses and one commuter rail line serve the city.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Capitol, South Congress, Barton Springs, the bat flight and a night of live music. Four days adds a Hill Country day trip to Fredericksburg, Lockhart or a swimming hole, plus museums and East Austin.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; carry a refillable bottle in the heat.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and something in the tip jar for musicians.
Summer heat is the main risk: drink water, wear sun protection and avoid strenuous activity in the afternoon. Heavy rain can cause dangerous flash floods; never drive or walk through flooded low-water crossings. Sixth Street can be rowdy late at night.
Flights to Austin
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Austin?
Two days covers the Capitol, South Congress, Barton Springs, the bat flight and a night of live music. Four days adds a Hill Country day trip to Fredericksburg, Lockhart or a swimming hole, plus museums and East Austin. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Austin?
The best times to visit Austin are March to May and October to November, when days are warm rather than scorching. April brings bluebonnets, and autumn is usually dry and pleasant. Avoid July and August if you dislike heat, when highs average around 36°C, and book far ahead or avoid SXSW in March and the ACL and Grand Prix weekends in October if you want reasonable hotel prices.
+What is Austin known for?
Live music, Texas barbecue, Breakfast tacos, SXSW, Congress Avenue bats, Barton Springs Pool and Texas State Capitol. Live music plays most nights in venues from Sixth Street and Red River to the Continental Club on South Congress, and the city hosts SXSW and Austin City Limits.
+Is Austin expensive?
Austin is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $200–$330 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Austin?
Not for downtown and the central neighbourhoods, where rideshare, scooters and buses work. A car is very useful for Hill Country day trips, Lockhart and the swimming holes.