5 days in Austin

Day by day

1. Day 1: Texas State Capitol and Sixth Street and Red River

   Texas State Capitol, Sixth Street and Red River and Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail, then Congress Avenue Bridge bats in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Texas State Capitol

      Stand in the centre of the rotunda and look up at the star in the dome, then walk the grounds' monuments. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Sixth Street and Red River

      For original bands rather than covers and shots, head to the clubs on Red River Street. (An evening, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Central Texas brisket

      Franklin Barbecue in East Austin and other well-known pits; queues form for hours before the most famous ones open, and Lockhart is an hour away.

   4. Afternoon

      Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail

      Rent a kayak or paddleboard from one of the rental docks and paddle towards the downtown skyline at sunset. (1–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Congress Avenue Bridge bats

      Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset; August, when the young join the flight, is usually the biggest show. Bat-watching boat tours give a close view from the water.

2. Day 2: Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park

   Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park and Umlauf Sculpture Garden, then Continental Club in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Barton Springs Pool

      Swim early in the morning on a summer weekday before the crowds and the heat. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Zilker Park

      Combine it with Barton Springs and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden just across Barton Springs Road. (2–4 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Breakfast tacos

      Taquerías and food trucks citywide, especially in East Austin and South Austin.

   4. Afternoon

      Umlauf Sculpture Garden

      A calm, shaded stop before or after Barton Springs. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Continental Club

      Early evening happy-hour sets are often free or low-cost and less crowded.

3. Day 3: South Congress Avenue and Bullock Texas State History Museum

   South Congress Avenue, Bullock Texas State History Museum and Blanton Museum of Art, then Sixth Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      South Congress Avenue

      Stay into the evening for live music at the Continental Club. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Bullock Texas State History Museum

      It is a few minutes' walk from the Capitol and the Blanton, so pair the three. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Queso

      Tex-Mex restaurants across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Blanton Museum of Art

      Visit 'Austin' in the morning when sunlight casts coloured patterns across the floor. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Sixth Street

      The famous bar strip east of Congress Avenue, with cover bands, shots and big crowds on weekend nights.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Lockhart

   About 45 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Car via US Route 183.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Lockhart

      About 45 minutes by car (Car via US Route 183); about 50 km.

   2. Day

      Lockhart

      Designated the 'Barbecue Capital of Texas' by the state legislature, Lockhart has several historic barbecue restaurants, some in old meat markets serving brisket and sausage on butcher paper, plus a handsome 1890s courthouse. Best for food lovers and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Austin

      Dinner: try Tex-Mex enchiladas.

5. Day 5: LBJ Presidential Library and Harry Ransom Center

   LBJ Presidential Library, Harry Ransom Center and Mount Bonnell, then Red River Cultural District in the evening.

   1. Morning

      LBJ Presidential Library

      Allow time for the civil-rights galleries, which are the museum's strongest section. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Harry Ransom Center

      Entry is free; check the current exhibition before you go. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tex-Mex enchiladas

      Long-established Tex-Mex restaurants on South Congress, South Lamar and in East Austin.

   4. Afternoon

      Mount Bonnell

      Go at sunset, but arrive early as the small parking area fills. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Red River Cultural District

      Long-running original-music clubs and rock venues.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Downtown keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, South Congress (SoCo) ($$$) suits first-timers, couples, shopping and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–31 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.2 hours in December to 14.1 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Austin
• 2 days in Austin
• 3 days in Austin

Questions travellers ask