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The Ultimate Weekend in Austin, Texas: Insider Tips for Spending 3 Days in Austin

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Searching for the ultimate weekend in Austin, Texas? Look no further!

Austin, Texas: full of beer, bats, and breakfast tacos! Austin is known for “keeping it weird,” and I can honestly say they do it well. Whether you love quirky murals or enjoy taking a scooter across town for the perfect taco, this city is for you. So check out the perfect 3 days in Austin itinerary below! 

If you only have 3 days in Austin, this is the go-to weekend in Austin itinerary for you!

Austin Howdy mural
How to Spend a Weekend in Austin Texas
Absolute Best 3 Days in Austin, Texas
Ultimate Austin Texas 3 Day Itinerary
3 Days in Austin
3 Days in Austin
How to Spend 3 Days in Austin: Photos top right clockwise: Taco stand, bridge into Austin, people floating and swimming in Barton Springs, and beers on a shelf at a brewery
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Ultimate Weekend in Austin 3 Day Itinerary:

While I’m going into more detail below, if you need a quick guide to refer back to, here is a list version of the itinerary:

Day 1: Beer, BBQ, and Tacos

  • Start out either doing a brewery/BBQ tour or DIY it by visiting Coopers BBQ
  • Continue on to Central District for beer
  • End at Las Trancas Taco Stand
  • Party on Rainy Street

Day 2: Float and Party

  • Float or go hiking nearby
  • Visit Lady Bird Lake
  • Grab Torchy’s Tacos
  • Drinks on Rainy Street or Speakeasy

Day 3: Tacos and Bats

  • Rent a scooter to explore various taco trucks around town
  • Grab beer at Easy Tiger
  • Watch the bats
Weekend in Austin | Austin Skyline at night

Day 1: DIY BBQ, Beer, and Taco Crawl to Kick Off Austin in 3 Days!

Austin, Texas is a foodie and beer lover capital! We’re talking amazing Tex Mex, mouthwatering tacos, delicious BBQ, and tons of craft breweries and cocktail bars that make this place well worth a visit alone.

So if you are spending a weekend in Austin, then I highly encourage you to either do your own DIY BBQ, beer, and taco crawl like we did below or take this incredible brewery and BBQ tour!

beer bottles displayed on a wall

Stop 1: Cooper’s BBQ

You’re probably staying downtown as most of the hotels are there, and as that was the case with us, we ended up doing a walking distance crawl. We started at the easiest place to get to, and right downtown, Cooper’s BBQ.

Now I eat mostly vegetarian so I didn’t partake in the good BBQ, though others enjoyed it! But we all know it’s the sides that are the best, right?

Get the mac-n-cheese and pecan cobbler and thank me later! Oh my gosh, they were so rich, and they give you so much that I had to share mine. You’ve got to save room for tacos later too!

Seriously, guys, the pecan cobbler gave me so much life! If you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend it.

Spend a little time there to see the scenery of this trendy place, grab a local Austin beer on tap, and enjoy the BBQ or sides of your choice before the 15-minute walk to the next place.

Cooper's BBQ

Stop 2: Central District Brewing

On the walk to Central District Brewing, pass by the lovely park next to Lady Bird Lake for great views. It’ll add on a few minutes but it is well worth it!

Craft beer lovers, unite! Central District is located near Rainey Street, which is such a fun area for going out on the town, so be sure to stop by there later that evening for quirky bars that look like homes from the outside.

Central District has quite the list of beer, including IPAs, sours, and even their award-winning Wit-tington Belgo Ale. So pick your poison and then have a seat outside in the beautiful sunshine.

Overall, I was impressed by the laid-back atmosphere and the quality of the craft beer. Definitely stop by this place during your stay. Now on to the final part of the crawl: tacos!

Craft Pride

Stop 3: Las Trancas Taco Stand

Taco stands are a way of life in Austin, and you’d be remiss if you didn’t eat at least a taco a day during your Austin 3 day itinerary. So for our final stop on our DIY crawl, I picked a great taco stand that was actually open past 3 pm: Las Trancas Taco Stand!

This taco stand has great tacos, ranging from a bean taco to chorizo or even tongue. Definitely grab a few of these and sit under the covered seating area to cool down from your walk.

These tacos definitely hit the spot, were a great introduction to Austin tacos, and helped soak up all that beer we had.

This is another 15-minute walk or so from Central District, so I would recommend taking an Uber or finding a scooter back to downtown if that is where you’re staying.

And if you’d rather have someone show you around to the best beer in Austin, I love this BBQ and brewery tour that shows the local places to go!

After all of that, I highly recommend heading back to Rainey Street later that evening for dancing and partying! This is the perfect end of the first day of your weekend in Austin itinerary!

Las Trancas Taco Stand tacos

Day 2 of Your Weekend in Austin: Float Your Boat (or Bottom)

On a hot, sunny Austin day, being on the water may be the best option. I would highly recommend either taking a tubing trip or at least stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. You could also check out Barton Springs, a big pool to just cool off in.

For the tubing trip, be sure to book ATXCursions for a fun day floating on the river! Simply bring yourself, a swimsuit, snacks, and your own beer/wine/beverage of choice, and for 6 hours enjoy the stunning Texas scenery from the river.

If it is a cooler day, however, go hiking! There are a lot of great parks and hiking trails to visit and explore like River Place Nature Trail, Barton Creek Greenbelt, and McKinney Falls State Park. You may want to rent a car for these as well.

Weekend in Austin | People floating and hanging out in Barton Springs

As this takes up most of the day, I would recommend either walking around the park next to Lady Bird Lake and hitting up the Rainey Street bars for their quirkiness, 6th Street bars for live music, or check out Speakeasy for a fun, rooftop bar downtown.

But of course, you need tacos too for dinner! Check out Torchy’s tacos, with a few places around the city. Get the Trailer Park taco and “Get it Trashy” for loads of queso, fried chicken-y goodness.

Speakeasy Downtown Austin

Day 3: Scoot Around Town to Explore More of Austin in 3 Days

For the last day of your weekend in Austin, definitely get a scooter. I felt like the Lime scooters were faster, but both Bird and Lime are available all over downtown.

Hop on, and start wandering! Go exploring East Austin and see the colorful streets and eat all the tacos. I started with Veracruz All Natural, which is hands-down, the best taco stand in Austin.

Veracruz Natural Taco Truck

I loved the fish taco as well as the Migas Poblanas (breakfast egg taco with poblano peppers). They also have delicious, fresh fruit smoothies to wash it all down.

Beware, though, lines can get really long, especially on weekends. Either go when it opens or opt for a weekday.

Then, scoot over to Tacos Guerrero just a little further down. I swear if you blink you would miss this place. While Veracruz All Natural in East Austin is basically a school bus, this little pull-behind trailer parked out at an intersection is small but mighty. I loved the salsa and the Migas tacos.

Weekend in Austin | shrimp tacos on a paper plate topped with lime, pickled onions, radishes, avocado, and salsa verde
Veracruz All Natural tacos
Tacos Guerrero Taco Truck

Okay, aside from feasting on tacos, check out the cute shops and tucked away restaurants around downtown and East Austin! I happened upon a great spot called Easy Tiger serving up great beers.

Enjoy this place for a fun afternoon just sipping beer, chatting with friends, and relaxing. It is bliss. And don’t forget to scoot on by the red-bricked Texas State Capital on your way back to downtown.

Texas State Capitol

And if scooting isn’t your thing, here is a fantastic tour of the highlights of Austin that is perfect for exploring and getting to know the place, or you can go on this fun mural tour and get some great shots for the ‘gram.

For the last thing to do in Austin: check out the bats! South Congress Bridge is home to over a million Mexican free-tailed bats, making it the largest urban population of bats!

Austin Bat Bridge

If you’re here during March-November, you’re in for a show when the sun comes down. You can take a kayak tour, take a boat cruise, head over to the park next to the bridge, or just stand on the bridge for the show.

Around sunset, these bats make their way out to hunt down the pesky mosquitos and it is incredible to see! At first, only a few bats fly out, and before you know it, thousands upon thousands of bats are flying out into the night sky. It’s a really unique way to end your time in Austin.

ATX Sign Austin Texas | Weekend in Austin

If You Have More Than a Weekend in Austin:

If you have an extra day in Austin, this is perfect for taking a day trip! There are some really neat places to visit outside the city, but here are a few great trips to check out:

Austin, Texas USA Bucket List

Best Time to Visit For Spending 3 Days in Austin

The great thing about Austin is that it doesn’t get super cold, at least never Cleveland kind of cold. However, Austin gets very hot in the summer, so if you’d like to spend a lot of time outside walking around, maybe it is best to avoid June through early September.

I went at the end of September and it was definitely warm out, but not too miserable that you couldn’t sit outside. Pretty much, spring and fall are great times to go for warm, but not too hot weather, and winter is ideal for cooler weather and fewer crowds.

Don’t forget: Austin is home to some famous festivals including South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, Austin Food and Wine Festival, and even the Austin Marathon brings in over 20,000 runners! If you are not attending one of those festivals or events, I would avoid going to Austin during those times.

Here is a weather breakdown by season:

  • Winter: Winter can get chilly at times, but it certainly doesn’t stay cold. Daytime temperatures are around 61-65ºF (16-18ºC) and evening temperatures are 41-45ºF (5-7ºC).
  • Spring: Spring temperatures warm up during the day to 73-86ºF (23-30ºC) and evening temperatures are 51-66ºF (11-19ºC). May is the rainiest month at 6 days of precipitation. However, it doesn’t rain a ton in Austin.
  • Summer: Summer is HOT. Honestly, I would avoid summer altogether if you can help it. Temperatures can easily creep above 100ºF (38ºC) at times. The average daytime temperatures are 92-96ºF (33-36ºC) and evening temperatures are 72-74ºF (22-23ºC).
  • Fall: Fall can also be a hot time to visit, but is it cooler than mid-summer. Average daytime temperatures are 71-90ºF (22-32ºC) and evening temperatures are 50-70ºF (10-21ºC).

To be comfortable and enjoy being outdoors during your visit, the best time to visit Austin is spring and mid to late fall.

Weekend in Austin |Taco bar in Austin Texas - 3 Days in Austin

Where to Stay in Austin:

I would recommend either staying downtown or in East Austin when you only have a weekend in Austin. This is where you’ll find most of the breweries, taco stands, eateries of all kinds, and more. When it comes to being in the heart of things, this is where you’ll want to place yourself!

If you’re on a budget, you can check out VRBO too! There are plenty of affordable places to stay in Austin on VRBO.

Budget: Firehouse Hostel

If you’re trying to save more money for food, definitely opt for a hostel. Austin surprisingly has quite a few hostels, but I love this one best as it is right downtown. I stayed here during my time exploring Austin, and the hostel itself was clean with comfortable rooms, great common areas, and for a low price, it is a great place to stay.

Read reviews and book on TripAdvisor!

Mid-Range: Hyatt Regency Austin

Located downtown right next to Lady Bird Lake, this place has a pool to cool off during hot Texas days, a bar/lounge, and free breakfast. Plus, as a fan of Hyatt as a brand in general, the rooms are modern, clean, and always comfortable, with plenty of the amenities you’d expect.

Read reviews and book on TripAdvisor!

Luxury: JW Marriott Austin

Literally, right downtown and within walking distance to so many attractions, including the Capitol and South Congress Bridge, this hotel is where you want to be. With a rooftop pool, fitness center, a Starbucks in the lobby, 3 restaurants to choose from, and a spa, you’ll love relaxing and unwinding after days of exploring here.

Read reviews and book on TripAdvisor!

Austin Texas building signs lit up at night

Getting There and Getting Around Austin in 3 Days:

Getting to Austin is easy. Flights to the Austin airport are fairly inexpensive and most US airlines fly into it. I booked a Southwest flight using 19,022 miles transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards.

It is also drivable from Dallas (about 3 hours), Houston (about 2 hours and 30 minutes), Waco (about 1 hour and 40 minutes), and San Antonio (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). If you can’t use miles, I always love searching on Skyscanner for the best deals on flights!

As far as getting around, Austin has Uber and Lyft. They also have buses, and my personal favorite, scooters! Bird and Lime scooters are everywhere in the city center, so rent one and ride around town!

Lastly, you can always rent a car so you can explore more of Austin and the surrounding area easily. I love checking Skyscanner for great rental car prices!

Austin Texas Top USA Travel Destinations

Other Tips for Your Weekend in Austin Itinerary

When it comes to spending 3 days in Austin, you’ll want to keep these essentials in mind:

  • Mosquitos are a thing, and they are RUTHLESS. I hardly ever suffer from mosquito bites back home in Cleveland, but in Austin, I was attacked the second the sun started setting. It wasn’t until a friend introduced me to Badger Balm one night that I put it on and no more mosquito bites! I’ve been using it ever since all over the world from Peru to Southeast Asia and it is all-natural, DEET-free, and works like a charm!
  • Definitely pack your swimsuit for hot days whether you’re stand-up kayaking at Lady Bird Lake or floating down the river. I love this one piece! Chris is a fan of these swim trunks!
  • Sunscreen is essential too in that hot Texas sun! I love this one that is all-natural.
  • If you’re traveling internationally for a long Austin weekend, definitely consider travel insurance. We go with World Nomads for its comprehensive plans and low price!
  • Scooters are a ton of fun in Austin, but definitely follow the rules including obeying all traffic laws (treat it like riding a bike and use bike lanes, ride in the same direction as traffic, etc.). Also, don’t drink too much and scoot! Yes, you can get a DUI on a scooter too.
  • This also makes for a fantastic Austin bachelorette party itinerary! This city is a great spot to celebrate with friends. 

From bats to BBQ, Austin, Texas has a lot to offer. You could definitely find a lot to do during your 3-day Austin itinerary. Whether it is for an Austin honeymoon or a fun visit to Texas, it is well worth your time to stop in this eclectic, “weird,” and bucket-list-worthy city.

What do you think? Do you love Austin? What else would you recommend for a 3-day Austin itinerary? Let me know in the comments!

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How to Spend 3 Days in Austin
How to Spend 3 Days in Austin
Austin Texas Things To Do | top photo is of the Austin Howdy mural, bottom are people paddle boarding and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake.
The Perfect 3 Days in Austin | canal passing through the city with bridges over it
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How to spend 3 Days in Austin | Photos top right going clock wise: capitol building, Barton Springs and people swimming or floating in the water, Lady Bird Lake, tacos on white plates.
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jULIE

Saturday 1st of February 2020

I love Austin! We were only there for a short time - I"d love to go back and try some of your itinerary. It looks fantastic!

Kat

Saturday 1st of February 2020

Thanks! The beer, taco, and BBQ crawl is a must!

Dani

Saturday 1st of February 2020

Austin has been on my list for a while! Now I really need to get down there!

Kat

Saturday 1st of February 2020

Yes you do! Such a neat city!

Erica

Saturday 1st of February 2020

Great post! I've never been to Austin, but my dad has been a number of times and always raves about how beautiful it is. It is one of his favourite cities in the US. It looks gorgeous and like it has a really cool vibe. I'd love to visit Austin with my dad one day and be able to share his love of the city. Thanks for such a great post!

Kat

Saturday 1st of February 2020

Thank you for reading! That's awesome he's been so many times! I loved it! I also love that it is pretty warm year-round compared to Cleveland lol. It's a great winter escape!

Amber Woolsey

Friday 31st of January 2020

We're info geeks who did three days in Austin almost a year ago. Since my adult son and I were living out of van, lodging was a non-issue. We went to Austin because 1) I had never been there and 2) it's a stop on the Presidential tour. So, first full day we went to LBJ's Library and Museum. I don't know what admission is because we didn't have to pay. Check out their website to find what it costs www.lbjlibrary.org . AND parking is free! I don't remember which two floors we visited, but one day most certainly wasn't enough and we stayed as long as possible. That evening we spent in the Austin Public Library. We weren't there very long, but unlike Houston, paking is free if you have a hang card/parking placard. The Library is pretty big and is part of the massive downtown area. Second day was spent in the Capital. Half of the day can easily be spent looking around the park-like grounds with its multiple and majestic statues. I'm a Yankee so, not all statues got the same amount of attention from me. Inside the Capital, a working building, you can observe this part-time Legislature in action. We saw the rooms where both houses sit. We also learned much about Texas history, with a little amusement park history, too. On our last day, we went back to the LBJ Library and saw the rest of the museum. If you think Vietnam is all Johnson did, you MUST go here. Very few people have not been affected by his legislation.

Kat

Saturday 1st of February 2020

Wow this is interesting to know!

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Thursday 9th of January 2020

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