Austin in 5 days

The live-music capital of the world, where Texas BBQ, food trucks and a green, lake-laced city meet a famously laid-back vibe. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $130 to $250 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Downtown & Sixth Street, The nightlife and music core: bars, venues, the Capitol and Lady Bird Lake on its southern edge.

Morning: Texas barbecue. Queue for legendary brisket at a Central Texas BBQ joint; arrive early before the best cuts sell out.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Sixth Street, The nightlife and music core: bars, venues, the Capitol and Lady Bird Lake on its southern edge.

Evening: Live music. Catch a show on Sixth Street, the Red River district or a honky-tonk; Austin has live music every night.

Eat: Central Texas brisket and smoked sausage

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: South Congress (SoCo), The hip strip of boutiques, food trucks, music and the famous 'i love you so much' mural.

Morning: Barton Springs & Lady Bird Lake. Swim the cool spring-fed pool, then kayak or walk the trail around the downtown lake.

Afternoon: Explore South Congress (SoCo), The hip strip of boutiques, food trucks, music and the famous 'i love you so much' mural.

Evening: Congress Avenue Bridge bats. At dusk in warmer months, watch up to 1.5 million bats stream out from under the bridge.

Eat: Breakfast tacos, the local morning staple

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: East Austin, The creative east side: craft breweries, taco joints, street art and indie galleries.

Morning: Swimming holes in the Hill Country like Hamilton Pool and Jacob's Well, a short drive west.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore East Austin, The creative east side: craft breweries, taco joints, street art and indie galleries.

Evening: Live music on a night out. Austin is the 'Live Music Capital of the World'. Catch bands on Sixth Street, at the Continental Club or any number of venues, there's something on every night.

Eat: Tex-Mex queso and margaritas

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Zilker & Barton Springs, The green heart: a huge park, the spring-fed pool and trailheads along the lake.

Morning: The cactus-filled Zilker Botanical Garden and the nearby Umlauf Sculpture Garden.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Zilker & Barton Springs, The green heart: a huge park, the spring-fed pool and trailheads along the lake.

Evening: Bats, BBQ and the outdoors. Watch 1.5 million bats stream from under Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk, queue for legendary Texas barbecue, and swim in the cool Barton Springs pool.

Eat: Food-truck eats around South Congress and East Austin

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Downtown & Sixth Street, The nightlife and music core: bars, venues, the Capitol and Lady Bird Lake on its southern edge.

Morning: Breakfast tacos from an unassuming East Austin trailer, an Austin morning ritual.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Sixth Street, The nightlife and music core: bars, venues, the Capitol and Lady Bird Lake on its southern edge.

Evening: Sunset paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake with the skyline behind you.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Central Texas brisket and smoked sausage

Hidden gems

Swimming holes in the Hill Country like Hamilton Pool and Jacob's Well, a short drive west.
The cactus-filled Zilker Botanical Garden and the nearby Umlauf Sculpture Garden.
Breakfast tacos from an unassuming East Austin trailer, an Austin morning ritual.
Sunset paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake with the skyline behind you.

Getting around

Austin is fairly spread out and car-friendly; many visitors use Uber and Lyft, which are plentiful. Downtown, South Congress and East Austin are walkable in pockets, and there's a bike-share and scooters. CapMetro buses cover the city but service is limited compared with bigger metros. The airport is about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown by rideshare. A rental car helps for Hill Country trips.

Safety

Austin is generally safe, with the usual caution warranted on Sixth Street late at night when the bars empty out. Summers are very hot, regularly topping 38°C, so hydrate, seek shade and plan outdoor activities for morning or evening. Watch for flash floods in the Hill Country after heavy rain.

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