The Lone Star State is famed for its cowboys, cookouts, and country music. And we’ve yet to find a better way to experience all of them in a flash than by spending one day in Austin!
Ever since our first trip to Texas’s state capital, we’ve fallen in love with its vibrant culture, beautiful parks and lakes, and historic attractions. Even with just 24 hours in Austin, we’ll always find plenty to see & do, from exploring museums & art galleries to experiencing the city’s famous live music scene. Along the way, we can also never get enough of Austin’s food & drink scene, as we wander in search of our new favorite cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Not sure where to start? Let us help you see more of Texas’s capital on a time crunch with our complete 1-day Austin itinerary, including our recommendations for what to see & do, where to eat & drink, and where to stay!
Our recommendations for where to go in Austin in one day
Enjoy breakfast in Downtown Austin
When we’re crunched for time, we always like starting our day with a good breakfast and a strong coffee. Let’s begin in Downtown Austin.
Whenever we’ve roamed around Austin’s city center, we’ve found plenty of charming coffee shops and cafés, buzzing breakfast bars, and laid-back restaurants. Starting here, we’ll have plenty of great choices to start our trip.
Nestled in the Driskell Hotel off E 6th Street, the 1886 Cafe & Bakery (604 Brazos St) is a charming Victorian-style tearoom. We’re big fans of their freshly baked pastries and classic American fry-ups.
Grab a sweet treat from the beloved bakery or—even better in our books—sit down to gobble up one of their famous Texas-shaped pecan waffles.
Another breakfast spot we enjoy while visiting Downtown Austin is Phoebe’s Downtown (408 W 11th St). Close to the Texas State Capitol, this lovely neighborhood diner serves classic Texan breakfast dishes like shrimp and grits and chorizo hash.
(Our favorite is the fried chicken biscuit; it’s Southern cookin’ at its finest!)
There are a few sidewalk tables at Phoebe’s Downtown, but why not grab a breakfast-to-go and find a quiet spot in the park surrounding the State Capitol for a peaceful start to the day?
Just looking for a light snack and a caffeine boost? We found Jo’s Coffee all over the city, and it’s one of our go-to spots for freshly brewed java and light fare when we’re visiting Austin. Head to 242 West 2nd Street to get your fix!
Admire the magnificent Texas State Capitol
Okay, now that we’re fueled up, let’s get our day of sightseeing started!
Our first recommendation is a stop at the Texas State Capitol to admire its beautiful architecture. Designed by architect Elijah E. Myers and built in 1882, the Texas State Capitol is the seat of government for the state of Texas, and the most stunning building we’ve seen in the city.
Constructed in an Italian Renaissance Revival style, the building is one of the nation’s most distinguished state capitols. Whenever we’ve visited Austin, we can’t get enough of staring at its magnificent edifice, which features a symmetrical design, a vast central dome, and beautiful interiors.
The Texas State Capitol houses the chambers and offices of the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas. In our opinion, the best way to explore the beauty of the building and its intricate workings on a time crunch is on a self-guided tour.
Let’s head to the Texas Capitol Visitors Center in the General Land Office building, the oldest in Texas. Here, we can grab everything we need to embark on our self-guided tour of the State Capitol.
A self-guided tour should, in our experience, take about an hour.
PRO TIP: If you’ve got more time to explore the State Capitol, you could also opt for a free guided tour. These will take at least 2 to 3 hours.
Explore the past at the Bullock Texas State History Museum
A short stroll north up Colorado Street will take us to the Bullock Texas State History Museum, a wonderful Austin museum that tells the whole story of the Lone Star State.
As we stroll up to the museum, located on the edge of the University of Texas at Austin’s campus, we’ll be greeted by its massive, Instagram-worthy bronze star. Make sure to snap a photo here before heading inside.
The three floors of interactive exhibits of the Bullock Texas State History Museum illuminate the state’s rich history.
We thought the Becoming Texas exhibit was particularly interesting. It walked us through the state’s earliest history to Mexican Independence in 1821. Also keep on the lookout for the 16-foot-tall Goddess of Liberty statue on th second floor and the World War II-era AT-6 military training aircraft hanging on the third floor.
Other highlights at the museum include watching short films about Texas (and Hollywood releases) in the IMAX® theatre and the life-size bison statue in the permanent exhibits area.
Take a break from exploring the museum at The Star Café on the second floor. Browse the gift shop for something special, from bluebonnet-adorned plates and leather goods to Texan-grown pecan nuts.
(Might we suggest grabbing a cowboy costume and a pair of longhorns for the kids?)
Another fantastic museum we’d recommend exploring in the area (if you’ve got time) is the Blanton Museum of Art. Just across Martin Luther King Boulevard on the University of Texas campus, this teaching museum is home to a compact but impressive collection.
When we visited the Blanton Museum of Art, we noticed a variety of genres in the collection, from early Renaissance paintings and Roman-era pottery to Native American and Latin American works. A contemporary gallery houses modern works in stark white spaces, brightened with skylights, and a small series of sculptures stand sentry in a round rotunda.
The museum also hosts rotating exhibits showcasing mediums from photography to print and by big names like Andy Warhol.
(We’d recommend visiting the museum on a Thursday for free admission.)
When we’re done, we can take a stroll around the university campus’s beautiful grounds. Wander up to the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum to admire its unique monolithic architectural design.
Fuel up with lunch on South Congress Avenue
Time for lunch! Let’s head back down past the Texas State Capitol and over the Colorado River to South Congress Avenue, where we’ll find a fantastic variety of cafés and restaurants—some of our favorites in the city, to be sure!
For classic diner-style food and a laid-back atmosphere, we’d suggest the Magnolia Café (1920 S Congress Ave). Still going strong after 43 years, this quaint family-owned café has a lovely patio where we loved watching the world go by over lunch. (You can’t go wrong with the shredded beef omelette here.)
A block away is June’s (1722 S Congress Ave), another friendly neighborhood bistro on South Congress. It serves contemporary American fare, from salads to burgers and brightly colored cocktails. We’d go for the grilled lamb couscous again, washed down with an agave cocktail.
(NOTE: June’s is a pretty popular joint, so we’d recommend making reservations.)
If you have a hankering for Mexican food, head to Guero’s Taco Bar (1412 S Congress Ave) for some of the tastiest tacos in town, including our favorite: tacos al pastor. Kick back on the patio of this funky restaurant and sip icy, hand-shaken margaritas.
Just across the street is Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1400 S Congress Ave Suite A190) for great burgers, greasy fries, and ice-cold craft beer. This Austin-born franchise is one of our go-tos when we’re visiting and craving fresh, handmade burgers and a vibrant atmosphere with live music.
Enjoy your burger and beer in, or take them to go and have an impromptu picnic lunch at our next destination: Butler Metro Park.
Chill out in Butler Metro Park
Let’s wander back up South Congress Avenue to the river, where we’ll find this lovely urban space a block to the left. Formerly known as Town Lake Metro Park, Butler Metro Park is a beautiful green urban space on the banks of the Colorado River.
Hugely popular with locals and visitors alike, Butler Metro Park is one of our favorite spots in Austin and is packed with activities and attractions for the whole family.
A calm reservoir on the Colorado River, Lady Bird Lake offers a cool respite in summer. Here, you can enjoy water-based activities like stand-up paddling, kayaking, and river cruises. We’ve also noticed several hiking and biking trails around Lady Bird Lake and a boardwalk for watching picture-postcard sunsets.
Other top Austin attractions in the park include a children’s garden and a splash pad for fun in the sun. You can walk your pooch in an area dedicated to doggies and practice your putting skills at Butler Pitch & Putt.
Whenever we visit Austin, we always pay tribute to one of America’s greatest guitarists (and one of our favorites!) with a visit to the Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue.
For an extra day of culture in the area, you can catch the Austin Symphony Orchestra, opera, or ballet in action at the Long Center for Performing Arts.
Take a break at Zilker Botanical Garden
While we’re in the green zone, let’s head east on Baron Springs Road to the Zilker Metropolitan Park to spend an hour in the Zilker Botanical Garden. We always enjoy scooting over to this incredible oasis in the heart of downtown Austin to wander among its themed gardens, Koi ponds, and gurgling streams; in our opinion, Zilker Botanical Garden is yet another perfect place to take a break from big city life.
Let’s take a gentle stroll through themed gardens like the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Riparian Streambed. Admire plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs in the Hartman Prehistoric Garden and relax in the shade of heritage live oaks while we soak up views over the Colorado River.
If you’re in the mood for a bit of nature and science, follow Stratford Drive beneath the MoPac Expressway to the Austin Nature & Science Center. We’ve heard from locals that this fantastic nature center offers interactive, hands-on nature exhibits and activities that focus on the exploration of the natural world. Kids will love the fun, immersive displays like the Dino Pit and the Pond Walk.
If you have the time, we’d also recommend heading south to the Barton Springs Pool for a refreshing dip. Located within Zilker Park’s 358 acres, the three-acre pool is fed from underground springs and is the perfect temperature for a swim year-round. We also think it’s a great spot to relax and people-watch.
Chow down on dinner in the Rainey Street Historic District
All that walking worked up an appetite? It sure has for us!
One of our favorite spots in Austin for dinner is the Rainey Street Historic District. Situated on the west bank of the Colorado River just north of Lady Bird Lake, the Rainey Street Historic District is a lively area with beautifully maintained early-20th-century bungalows. Walking in the area, we always stroll past cool casual eateries, stylish restaurants, food trucks, and hip bars.
Make your way across the South Congress Avenue Bridge to get to the district. Here, we’ll find a fantastic choice of wining and dining spots.
For somewhere casual and relaxed, we don’t think there’s a better place than Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden (79 Rainey St). Sausages, beer, and live music in a leafy garden setting? What more could we ask for? Dine in the rustic cottage if you prefer indoors, and kick back to some live music after dinner.
If you prefer something quieter, we’d recommend heading to Emmer & Rye (51 Rainey St Unit 110) in the SkyHouse Austin Apartments. This stylish restaurant serves farm-to-table fare in an elegant setting within a beautifully restored warehouse.
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Another classy spot we’ve found around the Rainey Street Historic District is Geraldine’s (605 Davis St). Sleek and sophisticated, Geraldine’s serves contemporary cuisine against a backdrop of spectacular views of Lady Bird Lake and the rhythmic beat of live music.
Experience Austin’s nightlife in East Cesar Chavez or on 6th Street
We don’t think spending one day in Austin would be complete without a nightcap at one of the many bars in the famous East Cesar Chavez district. Home to craft cocktail lounges, industrial-chic brewpubs, and live-music rooms, this is one of our favorite places to be in Austin when the sun goes down.
Located in East Austin, just next to the Rainey Street Historic District, the East Cesar Chavez area is packed with fantastic spots to sip cocktails and dance until dawn.
Set on the top floor of the Austin Downtown Marriott hotel, Zanzibar (304 E Cesar Chavez St) is an opulent oasis of decadence. With its breathtaking views over the city, the rooftop terrace transports you to the tropical jungles of the island with lush greenery, kaleidoscopic signature cocktails, and a sleek and sophisticated ambiance.
For something less glam but, in our opinion, just as fun, head to Shangri-La (1016 E 6th St), where you’ll find a laid-back dive bar with a dog-friendly patio and classic jukebox tunes.
We’re also big fans of the Lazarus Brewing Co. (1902 E 6th St), where we can sip on unique local craft beers like their Lightning Wolf hazy IPA or Black Pearl rice lager.
If you want to experience the vibrancy of Austin and its local characters, take a stroll down 6th Street. Distinctly Austin, 6th Street is lined with a bustling array of bright bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues, and is a go-to for locals looking for a night on the town.
For a classic sports bar with live television, thumping music, and a bar lined with every drink you can think of, jump over to Little Woodrow’s West 6th (520 W 6th St). One of Austin’s most popular watering holes, this vibrant bar offers simple pub grub, tall drinks, and endless specials. (We can’t help but love signature cocktails like the Morning Woody or the more PG-13 named Pineapple Paloma.)
The breezy Key Bar (617 W 6th St) has a lovely outdoor bar and patio area. It’s one of our favorites in the area for relaxing over a drink. It’s a popular spot with the cool crowd who sidle in throughout the night to sip handcrafted cocktails and craft beer.
For fine wines and European-style tapas plates in a stylish setting, try the Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen – Downtown (800 W 6th St #100). We think it’s pretty chic and cool, with a beautiful outdoor garden for alfresco wining and dining.
Other downtown options for nightlife we’d suggest include the bustling 2nd Street District, where you’ll find the iconic music venue ACL Live at the Moody Theater (310 W Willie Nelson Blvd). The venue is the backdrop for Austin City Limits, the longest-running American music TV show.
Where to stay with 24 hours in Austin
For visiting Austin on a quick layover, our top choice for where to stay in Austin is Downtown. If you’re okay with staying a little further from the action, we think South Congress (SoCo), Central Austin, and East Austin are great choices, too.
Moxy Austin – University
Located near the University of Texas, the Moxy is a wonderful choice to add a little flash to your Austin trip itinerary. We’re big fans of this hotel’s trendy bar & lounge, which offers guests a cool social vibe. Just outside the door, we found plenty more restaurants and bars, too, along with vintage stores and boutique shops.
Canopy By Hilton Austin Downtown
For a modern stay in downtown, we’d steer you towards booking a night at the Canopy by Hilton. Fuel up with a buffet breakfast and launch your journey through the city with one of the hotel’s free bike rentals. After our long layover, cool down with a relaxing dip in the rooftop pool, illuminated by the Austin skyline.
The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection
Add a dash of elegant style to your trip with a night at The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection. We love the prime location of this 5-star luxury hotel, just a half mile from the Texas State Capitol. As with other Autograph hotels we’ve stayed in, we’re impressed by the stylish digs here, mashing modern and retro design elements. We also think you’ll love the hotel’s swath of luxurious amenities, from a romantic outdoor pool on the roof to a suave cocktail bar.
When to visit
The best time to visit Austin is between March and May. In these spring months, the weather is pleasant, making it easy to enjoy a walking tour through the city. Traveling to Texas’s capital city in the spring means missing out on its hot & humid summers and cool, wet winters. (The summer is, by far, our least favorite time to travel to Austin—well, Texas in general.)
If you can’t fit in a spring visit, we think fall is another great alternative. Although it’s not quite as sunny as spring, the autumn season still offers warm temperatures and is, in our experience, perfect for tackling Austin’s slate of outdoor activities.
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