Things to do in Austin
BBQ lines, honky-tonks, and the local spots that earn their reputation.
This is Austin for people who want to eat well, drink honestly, and spend their time where locals actually go. The days move between East Side smoke pits and South Congress record bars, with one proper splurge dinner and enough walking to justify it. No party-bus 6th Street, no cover charges, no regrets.
Day 1: East Cesar Chavez, Start to Close
The East Side anchors the whole trip: museum-hopping, serious BBQ without the Franklin wait, and a honky-tonk night at The White Horse to close it out.
- 9:30 AM
Two Hands
Australian-style cafe on South Congress; get the avocado toast or a breakfast bowl with a flat white.
Map - 11:00 AM
French Legation Museum
Built in 1841 for France's envoy to the Republic of Texas; small museum open Tuesday to Saturday from 11.
Map - 12:30 PM
Micklethwait Craft Meats BBQ & Catering
Micklethwait is the neighbourhood BBQ darling, smoked meats on the East Side without the Franklin queue.
Map - 2:30 PM
George Washington Carver Museum
George Washington Carver Museum celebrates Black Austin history and culture, a meaningful afternoon stop just up the street.
Map - 7:30 PM
Emmer & Rye
Emmer & Rye is the one splurge, acclaimed, seasonal dim-sum-style service, the memorable dinner this trip calls for.
Map - 9:30 PM
The White Horse
The White Horse is East Austin's beloved honky-tonk, two-step on the dance floor and a proper cold drink to close the night.
Map
Day 2: Lady Bird Lake and East Side Eats
A morning run or walk along the lake trail earns the afternoon brisket at la Barbecue, and Parley keeps things low-key when the night winds down.
- 9:30 AM
Jo's Coffee, South Congress
South Congress landmark with the 'I love you so much' mural, coffee and breakfast, people-watching spot.
Map - 10:30 AM
Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail
10-mile loop along the lake with boardwalk, skyline views, and kayak access, the outdoor thing locals swear by.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 2:30 PM
Texas State Cemetery
Free hillside cemetery where Stephen F. Austin and many Texas governors lie; walk the monuments.
Map - 7:30 PM
Cuantos Tacos
Mexico City-style tacos from a truck on East 12th; get the suadero and the campechano.
Map - 9:30 PM
Parley
Low-key cocktail bar a short walk away, a proper drink to close the night without blowing past midnight.
Map
Day 3: South Congress, Top to Bottom
Breakfast at Kerbey Lane, a slice at Home Slice, the bat bridge and the lakeshore, then Odd Duck for dinner and The Continental Club to end a proper Austin night.
- 9:30 AM
Kerbey Lane Cafe - University
An Austin breakfast institution on the Drag: pancakes and a bowl of Kerbey Queso.
Map - 12:30 PM
More Home Slice Pizza
Home Slice's takeaway window for New York-style slices; eat one on the South Congress sidewalk.
Map - 2:30 PM
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bat Bridge
By day it's a skyline walk; come back at dusk March to October, when 1.5 million bats pour out from under it.
Map - 4:30 PM
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
Lakeside lawn with a wide skyline view across Lady Bird Lake and an off-leash dog area on the shore.
Map - 7:30 PM
Odd Duck
Bryce Gilmore's farm-driven small plates on South Lamar; order across the menu and share everything.
Map - 9:30 PM
The Continental Club
The Continental Club, intimate 1955 roots/rockabilly/blues room on South Congress, serious sound, standing-room energy.
Map
Where to stay
The Heywood Hotel
The Heywood sits closest to the East Side plan and punches above its price with design-forward rooms and a genuinely local feel.
Hotel Van Zandt
Hotel Van Zandt is the mid-range pick near Rainey Street, a short ride from every day of this plan, with a rooftop pool and a live-music room that fits the trip's tone.
Make Austin your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- ACL Live at Moody Theater: weeks ahead
- Cathedral of Junk: a few days ahead
- Rowing Dock: a few days ahead
- Fazio Canyons Golf Course: weeks ahead
- Fazio Foothills Golf Course: weeks ahead
- Hamilton Pool Preserve: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Dirty Sixth as a destination: go once to say you saw it, then drink on West 6th, East 6th or Rainey instead.
- Settling for Torchy's: it is a chain now, so start with Veracruz, Cuantos, Discada and Rosita's.
- Stubb's as a barbecue destination: go for a concert or Gospel Brunch, eat serious barbecue elsewhere.
- The Domain as Austin: it is a nice mall, not what a visitor travelled for.
The full Austin travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around