The USA is filled with awesome food cities, but Austin, Texas give them all a run for their money. Boasting delicious traditional Texas BBQ, inventive modern cuisine, and some of the best tacos you can find stateside, Austin has so much to offer. Put all of that alongside a city filled with friendly and quirky residents, a thriving nightlife pulsing with great live music, and easy access to fun outdoor activities, it is easy to have a perfect Austin weekend getaway. Keeping Austin weird, as the reputation dictates, is no longer really an option as the city gains in popularity with travelers, but it still remains one of the most interesting and exciting cities to visit in the USA.
Stay in downtown to get the most out of a weekend in Austin. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is located about 12 miles outside of the downtown. There is also a bus station with routes serving the Southern United States. Parking is tricky once downtown, but many hotels will offer the option to purchase a parking spot for the weekend at an additional cost. The city is easy to get around without a car. It has a great bus system, bikes for rent, and the popular areas are very walkable.
I am Alicia Raeburn, of Miles Less Traveled. My partner Joe and I have visited Austin three times recently, and have found our perfect way to spend a weekend, and we think it might suit you. By the way, we love food, outdoor activities, and nightlife. There are a lot of other choices in Austin, but that is how we spend our time and what our suggestions include. So, if you re ready..
Our Perfect Austin Weekend Getaway
Outdoor Activities in Austin:
Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail and Barton Springs
One of the most enjoyable things about Austin is its access to outdoor activities within the downtown. The Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike trail runs along the Colorado River for miles, leading to Barton Springs, a popular swimming hole turned pool in Barton Creek. The area gets crowded, especially on weekends, and is best visited early morning. There are restrooms and water fountains along the trail and at the springs.
Kayaking on the Colorado River
Take to the water in yet another fun way to explore the city. There are several rental agencies along the water that provide kayaks or stand up paddle boards at an hourly rate. This is one of the last spots to explore the Colorado River before it spills out into the ocean.
See the Bats at South Congress Bridge
Every year, from March to November, the bats that live in the South Congress Bridge put on an amazing show at sunset. Spilling into the sky in streams of black, this is the largest urban colony of bats in the country. The bats can be watched from the bridge itself, which has a pedestrian walkway, or while enjoying dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants. There are also boat tours available if you’d like a view from the water.
What to Eat during your Austin Weekend Getaway:
BBQ
An Austin weekend getaway, or any trip to Austin, is not complete without a stop off at one of it’s famous BBQ joints. Tourists flock to Franklin and La BBQ where the lines start early and the meat sells out fast. Both of these spots do offer an order ahead option, Franklin’s is only for large orders, though. If you are going to wait it out, get there as early as possible and commit to the cause. The lines are usually fun, with many folks chatting and sharing beers together in the early morning.
Food Trucks
Known for meals on wheels, Austin has arguably one of the best food truck scenes in the country. One of the best ways to discover great the trucks is simply to wander around and follow the lines, a big crowd is usually a safe bet for great food when in a city with endless delicious options. However, if you prefer a more targeted search, there a couple of areas where trucks congregate, making it simple to hop from one to the next sampling a variety of eats. Midway Food Park, located in Western Austin, is a family friendly spot with a playground at the center of the trucks. The Picnic is another great food truck lot to check out on your trip, this one on Barton Springs Rd.
Uchi
Good sushi in Texas? It’s surprising, but legit. The sushi at Uchi is fresh, inventive, and exciting. A testament to the growing modern food scene in Austin, there is something so comfortable about the intimate yet trendy setting of this old bungalow converted to a now restaurant. Serving sushi since 2003, the award winning chef will change the way you think about seafood restaurants away from the coast.
Where to Enjoy Nightlife During your Weekend in Austin:
Elephant Room
A funky basement bar with live music and great cocktails. The crowd at The Elephant Room is mixed with locals and tourists, young and old, men and women. The dollar bills stapled to the walls lend a dive bar feel, but the craft cocktails elevate it far above that. The music here is consistently good, leaving out the cheesy cover bands that are found throughout much of Austin.
6th Street
This is not a must-do, but many people do take a walk down what is now called Austin’s “Dirty 6th Street”. It’s a take on the rowdier Bourbon Street of New Orleans, and shares its strange and alluring pull of people drinking well beyond their limit and street performers. While the bars aren’t really worth visiting, the street is worth a look just to see it, although it’s not necessarily child friendly.
Rainey Street
A block of homes turned bars, Rainey Street offers the party scene of 6th street with a bit more class. The bars are all different and mostly charming due to their living room settings. Most have great outdoor space and bands just about every night. On Fridays and Saturdays the bars get pretty packed with groups of bachelor and bachelorette parties, but there is usually some that are quieter than others. There is a parking lot with food trucks here as well that has great late night snack options.
Is it time for your Austin Weekend Getaway?
In any activity you choose, or wherever you decide to eat, take some time to get to know Austin. The people are extremely friendly and approachable, and will likely make you feel right at home. The city is vibrant and fun, but also homey and comfortable. Take it all in, enjoy the quirks and kinks, and it’s a safe bet that you’ll return home with a cozy feeling that is sure to outlast the weekend.
Time to reserve your Austin hotel now!
If you are looking for a fabulous weekend escape, and Austin isn’t quite it, check out our Weekend Getaway page, for choices all over the United States!
Alicia Raeburn is is one half of the Miles Less Traveled duo, a blog focused on local eats and adventures around the world. Her writing focuses mostly on food, fitness, and general travel. When she’s not working, Alicia chases her passions for running, hiking, and all outdoor activities while traveling around the world.
We would also like to thank ATMTX Photo, who took the mahority of photos used n this story, including our cover photo, which you can see here: ATMTX Austin Skyline.
