Quick Guide to Austin, Texas in a Weekend

Austin is a great weekend getaway destination in the US and has grown in popularity over the years! With its quirky vibe, endless live music, hip restaurants and outdoor activities, Austin has got a little something for everyone.

If you’re planning a quick trip to Austin, I’ve got you covered with where to get delicious food, the best hotels and all the fun things to do.

Here’s my quick guide to Austin, Texas in a weekend!

WHERE TO STAY

Austin has no shortage of hip hotels with rooftop bars, swanky pools and delicious restaurants.

South Congress Hotel: This hip boutique hotel has one of the best locations in the city — right on South Congress! The hotel has minimalist modern rooms and has an outdoor pool, perfect for relaxing during those hot Texas days!
The LINE: Centrally located with sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake, the LINE hotel is a great base for exploring Austin. Plus it has a trendy rooftop bar, outdoor pool, and restaurant by Top Chef winner Kristen Kish.
Hotel Saint Cecilia: This small luxury boutique property has just 5 suites, 6 poolside bungalows and 3 studios so if you’re looking for a secluded getaway, this may be the spot for you!
Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt: In true Kimpton fashion, Hotel Van Zandt is trendy, modern and has a fun vibe! You won’t want to miss their rooftop pool, live music or city skyline views.

WHERE TO DINE

From Texas classics to Asian fusion, foodies will love Austin’s unique dining scene!

Torchy’s Tacos: Don’t miss grabbing some breakfast tacos at this taco chain that has become an Austin staple.
Jo’s Coffee: Grab a coffee at Joe’s while browsing South Congress — and don’t miss taking an obligatory touristy photo at the ‘I Love You So Much’ mural!
P6: The perfect place for afternoon drinks and light fare is on the rooftop of a former parking garage (hence the name ‘P6’!).
Franklin’s Barbecue: If you’re willing to wait in line for some of the world’s best barbecue, then head to Franklin’s as early as you can — they open at 11am and sometimes sell out by 2pm.
Loro: When two great chefs come together, you know it’s goign to be great! Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Chef Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue have created this “asian smokehouse” serving dishes like smoked beef brisket with thai herbs, chicken kaaraage and Texas sweet corn.
Launderette: This converted laundromat turned trendy restaurant serves New American fare with an excellent happy hour and 1/2 off any bottle of wine on Mondays. Don’t miss their birthday cake ice cream sandwich!
Il Brutto: This East Austin Italian spot has all my favorite makings of good Italian: mouth-watering pizzas, authentic pastas, Sicilian syrahs and an outdoor patio!
Ramen Tatsu-Ya: We have a ton of incredible ramen joints in southern California and this Austin spot is right up there with the best of them! There are several Tatsu-Ya locations around Austin all serving ramen with the East Austin location specializing in Japanese izakaya.
Lamberts: This upscale BBQ spot is perfect for a fun night out! Along with their delicious and hearty dishes, they also have live music upstairs — in a converted general store.

THINGS TO DO

Whether you’re looking to get outdoors, enjoy live music or shop ’til you drop, Austin’s got you covered.

Explore South Congress: Enjoy a stroll down one of Austin’s most well-known streets filled with quirky shops, restaurants and murals.
Go for a dip at Barton Springs Pool or Gus Fruh Pool: Cool off from the Texas heat in one of the city’s swimming holes. Barton Springs is definitely the most popular spot for a dip while Gus Fruh is a little lesser known spot but just as beautiful!
Enjoy Lady Bird Lake: Austin is located on beautiful Lady Bird Lake! Spend an afternoon stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, paddling or hop on a boat.
Check out some live music: Austin has one of the best music scenes in the country and with shows every night, there’s bound to be something for you during your visit! If you’re a music lover, plan your visit around one of their many music festivals like Austin City Limits or South by Southwest.
See the Bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge: Austin is home to the largest urban colony of bats in North America — over 1.5 million of them! They usually head out for the night from the bridge around dusk, drawing huge crowds nightly.