24 Hours in Austin
One day, a swim, a slab of brisket and a million and a half bats, hour by hour, ending with live music on Sixth Street.
Twenty-four hours in Austin means starting at the Capitol before the heat sets in, this order gets you the Capitol, Barton Springs and the bat bridge without wasted backtracking. Here’s the full plan, hour by hour.
The Texas State Capitol, before the heat
Start at the Texas State Capitol, widely the largest state capitol building in the country, its pink granite dome standing taller than the US Capitol in Washington DC. Free guided tours run throughout the day, worth catching one for the history behind the building.
Breakfast tacos
Grab breakfast tacos nearby, widely a genuine Austin institution, and a properly good way to fuel up before a day of walking and heat. Nearly every neighbourhood has a strong contender, worth asking a local for their favourite.
South Congress Avenue
Walk South Congress Avenue, widely known as SoCo, boutique shops, murals and the classic “I love you so much” wall all worth a stop. The view of the Capitol from the bridge looking north is one of the best photo spots in the city.
Barbecue for lunch
Grab lunch at a proper Austin barbecue joint, Franklin Barbecue is the famous, queue-worthy choice, though Terry Black’s or La Barbecue both offer a shorter wait with genuinely excellent brisket. Arrive early if Franklin’s is the target, they sell out most days.
Barton Springs Pool
Head to Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, a natural spring-fed pool that stays a constant 68-70 degrees year-round, widely one of the crown jewels of the city. A proper way to cool off before the afternoon heat peaks.
Zilker Park and the Botanical Garden
Wander the rest of Zilker Park, 350 acres of green space with hiking trails and a botanical garden worth a stroll. A properly relaxed way to spend the afternoon before the evening’s main event.
The Congress Avenue Bridge bats
Head to the Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, roughly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging at dusk between March and November. Arrive an hour before sundown to stake out a proper spot.
Dinner and live music on Sixth Street
End the day on Sixth Street, widely the heart of the city’s live music scene, honky-tonks and bars packed with acts most nights of the week. A fitting close to a full day of Music City’s Texan cousin.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
