Trip highlights
- 16th Street live music
- 2Lady Bird Lake kayaking
- 3Texas BBQ
- 4South Congress shopping
- 5Barton Springs Pool
Daily spend
Where you're going
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & 6th Street Live Music
Monday, April 26
Est. spend
$160
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
A roughly 15-20 minute drive connects the airport to downtown Austin.
Rideshare is generally the easiest option — Austin's airport is close to downtown with light traffic outside rush hour.
☀️ Afternoon
South Congress Avenue stroll
South Congress Avenue, Austin
Austin's quirky shopping strip lined with boutiques, vintage stores, and the famous 'I Love You So Much' mural.
Get a photo at the Hope Outdoor Gallery or the SoCo mural wall — both classic Austin Instagram spots.
🌙 Evening
6th Street live music crawl
6th Street, Austin
Austin's famous entertainment strip packed with live music venues spanning blues, country, and rock, often with no cover charge.
Many venues have no cover before 9pm — start early to catch a few different bands before the street gets crowded.
🍽️ Meals
Airport or hotel breakfast
American · $10
South Congress taco lunch
Tex-Mex · $14
6th Street dinner
American · $30
Lady Bird Lake & Texas BBQ
Tuesday, April 27
Est. spend
$175
per person
🌅 Morning
Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake, Austin
Paddle the calm urban lake right beside downtown, with views of the Austin skyline and, in summer evenings, thousands of bats emerging from the Congress Avenue Bridge.
Rent a kayak or paddleboard from one of the lakeside outfitters near the Lamar pedestrian bridge.
☀️ Afternoon
Franklin Barbecue or similar legendary BBQ pit
Franklin Barbecue, East Austin
Austin's most famous BBQ joint, known for its smoked brisket and notoriously long lines — a true Texas culinary pilgrimage.
Arrive by 8-9am or order ahead online — the brisket regularly sells out by early afternoon.
🌙 Evening
Rainey Street bar hopping
Rainey Street, Austin
A former residential street turned into a strip of converted bungalow bars with food trucks parked in the yards.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
American · $10
BBQ lunch
Texas BBQ · $30
Rainey Street food truck dinner
American · $20
Barton Springs & East Austin
Wednesday, April 28
Est. spend
$150
per person
🌅 Morning
Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park
A natural spring-fed swimming pool that stays a constant 68-70°F (20°C) year-round, set in a leafy park just south of downtown.
Arrive early on weekends — this beloved local spot gets crowded by midday.
☀️ Afternoon
East Austin street art and food trucks
East Austin
Austin's creative East Side neighborhood, packed with colorful murals, indie galleries, and some of the city's best food truck parks.
🌙 Evening
Dinner with live music at a honky-tonk
South Austin honky-tonk
A classic Texas dance hall experience with two-stepping, cold beer, and live country music.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
American · $10
Food truck lunch
Tex-Mex · $14
Honky-tonk dinner
Texan · $35
Final Shopping & Departure
Thursday, April 29
Est. spend
$130
per person
🌅 Morning
Mount Bonnell sunrise lookout
Mount Bonnell, Austin
Austin's highest point, offering sweeping views over the Colorado River and the Texas Hill Country — a scenic final morning stop.
The 100-step climb is short but steep — worth it for the panoramic Hill Country views.
☀️ Afternoon
Final South Congress souvenir shopping
South Congress Avenue, Austin
A last stop for cowboy boots, vintage finds, or Texas-themed gifts before the airport.
🌙 Evening
Transfer to AUS Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Allow at least 2.5 hours before an international flight given TSA wait times.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
American · $10
South Congress lunch
Tex-Mex · $16
Airport food
American · $16
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
March-May and October-November offer warm but bearable temperatures (20-28°C); summer (June-September) is brutally hot and humid.
🛂 Visas
International visitors from visa-waiver countries (most of Europe, UK, Australia, and others) need ESTA pre-authorization before flying to the US; other nationalities require a B1/B2 tourist visa arranged in advance.
💱 Currency
US Dollar (USD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere; tipping 18-20% at restaurants is standard and expected.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 911
ambulance: 911
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Franklin Barbecue's line forms before opening — arrive by 8-9am or order ahead online to avoid disappointment.
- 6th Street venues often skip cover charges before 9pm — start your music crawl early.
- Barton Springs Pool stays a refreshing 68-70°F year-round, making it popular even outside peak summer.
- Austin's official slogan is 'Live Music Capital of the World' — check the Austin Chronicle's weekly listings for the best shows during your visit.
- Rideshare is the easiest way to get around — Austin's public transit is limited compared to other major US cities.
One thing worth not skipping
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