Austin is a city that can easily be explored in a weekend. It’s so alive and accessible that it takes little effort to be completely submerged in its life and culture.
This is the only day you will probably wake up early. First thing on the agenda is a hearty breakfast at the Magnolia Cafe. To walk off all the calories you just consumed, head straight out the door of Magnolia Cafe and down the street to Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake). Enjoy walking the overgrown trails, watch the turtles and ducks putter in the lake, and take in the stunning view of Austin’s skyline.
Just as a Catholic must first visit the Vatican upon arriving in Italy, a first day in Austin must include a visit to the Texas State Capitol. Walk the grounds, stand beneath the dome, and take in the gubernatorial history. If it’s between 10am and noon, make your way over to the Governor’s Mansion for a tour of the historic home that some think is haunted.
Austin city skyline at twilight with the capitol building. Photo © Wasin Pummarin/123rf.
By this point you may be burned out on politics. The solution to this is South Congress Avenue. Take your time walking the popular strip lined with funky shops, trendy boutiques, and restaurants. If you get hungry, order shrimp fajitas at popular Güero’s Taco Bar. Be sure to check out the oddity shop Uncommon Objects and marvel at the $3,000 cowgirl boots at Allens Boots.
Before evening descends, get a copy of the Austin Chronicle and look at the entertainment section. Pick a show—any show—and plan to have your socks blown off by a great night on the town. For an authentic Austin night out, catch a country band at the Broken Spoke. If you have the guts and gumption, try your hand at two-stepping.
The first half of Day 2 is devoted to an education in Texas pride by visiting the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Mull over the exhibits, experience the multimedia show in the Spirit Theater, and buy some souvenirs in the gift shop. After you’re all Texased out, have lunch at nearby Texas Chili Parlor, then walk over to Austin’s world-class repository for art, the Blanton Museum of Art. After admiring Picasso’s art, make your way to one of the most popular record stores in the United States, Waterloo Records. Be sure to check out their extensive collection of Texas music. After buying a Willie Nelson CD, walk across the street to Whole Foods world headquarters and buy some granola, energy bars, or dried fruit to consume the following day on a hike.
Austin
Walk up West 6th Street to Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill for an amazing dining experience. The blackened catfish enchiladas are a hit. To work off some of the calories, walk to Baylor Street to marvel at the famous poison survivor, the Treaty Oak. Walk to the corner of Lamar and 6th Street and watch someone beat the hell out of a scoop of ice cream at famous Amy’s Ice Creams.
By this time the music scene is getting revved up. Check out music listings in the Austin Chronicle and catch some live music at any of the venues on 6th Street or Red River Street, such as Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, The Mohawk, Red Eyed Fly, or anywhere for that matter.
Day 3 is kicked off with a visit to the most visited presidential library in the United States, the LBJ Library and Museum. You’re sure to be moved by the exhibit about the president’s life, and may well up with tears when you walk into the JFK assassination exhibit, or feel a sense of pride at seeing the pen LBJ used in signing the Civil Rights Act. Follow up the LBJ experience with lunch at Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ for some smoky beef brisket. If it’s not over 100 degrees, make your way to Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, which is close by. Walk the hills and learn about Central Texas flora and fauna through interpretive trails. At the end of the trail be sure to sit on the bench and enjoy the view for as long as you can
A pink lily at the Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin, Texas. Photo © Anne Swoboda, licensed Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike.
Once you’ve acquired peace of mind take a walk through Zilker Botanical Garden. Consider how this area was the stomping grounds of dinosaurs in the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, then get a bite to eat at nearby Shady Grove Restaurant. Once you’ve filled up on great Tex-Mex, head downtown to famous Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Order a pitcher of beer and either watch a random movie or attend a Michael Jackson sing-along.
Your final day in Austin will start with a trip to Zilker Park, where you’ll take a ride on the Zilker Zephyr. This mini-train takes both mini and fullsize passengers throughout the park. Assuming it’s a hot summer day, get off at the Barton Springs stop and jump in Barton Springs Pool. Plan to splash around in the constantly 68-degree water and people-watch for a couple of hours.
Before evening sets in, make your way to Lady Bird Lake and watch the bats of Congress Avenue Bridge, which take flight just before sundown. A great way to view them is by taking a ride on Lone Star Riverboat, a genuine double-decker paddle-wheel riverboat. Follow this up with a visit to Austin’s burgeoning Warehouse District. First stop off at the popular pub The Ginger Man and drink a pint of beer produced by local brewhouse Live Oak Brewing Company. It’s your last night, so if you still have ears for music, check out some more bands and musicians. Or if you prefer a calm evening, walk over to Halcyon Coffeehouse to roast marshmallows and make s’mores at your table.
If you can squeeze one more day into your long weekend, a trip to San Antonio to visit The Alamo is essential. After exploring Texas’s most sacred site, walk down to Schilos Delicatessen for lunch, followed by a stroll on the River Walk. Before heading back to Austin, drive the Mission Trail.
Excerpted from the Fourth Edition of Moon Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country.
