2 Day Austin Itinerary
Two full days, split so you’re not backtracking, with downtown and the Capitol on day one and the springs and East Austin on day two.
Two days in Austin is enough to properly cover the Capitol and downtown, and still get out to Barton Springs and East Austin for a proper taste of the neighbourhoods. Here’s how I’d split it, day by day.
Downtown & the Capitol
Start at the Texas State Capitol for a free guided tour, then breakfast tacos and a wander down South Congress Avenue. Grab barbecue for lunch, then spend the afternoon browsing the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Finish the day at the Congress Avenue Bridge for the bat emergence at dusk, then dinner and live music on Sixth Street.
Afternoon Barbecue, the Bullock Texas State History Museum
Evening The bat bridge, dinner and live music on Sixth Street
Barton Springs & East Austin
Spend the morning at Barton Springs Pool and the wider Zilker Park, a natural spring-fed pool that stays a constant 68-70 degrees year-round, worth a proper couple of hours in the water and lounging on the grass afterward. The botanical garden nearby makes for a pleasant, low-key stroll too.
In the afternoon, head to East Austin, a properly eclectic, creative part of the city, street art, food trucks and independent breweries throughout. Consider a walk along Lady Bird Lake in the evening if the weather holds, a genuinely different, quieter side of the city.
Afternoon East Austin
Evening Lady Bird Lake, if the weather holds
Getting around across both days
Downtown Austin is genuinely walkable, most of day one’s sights sit within a comfortable stroll of each other. A rideshare or bike is worth it for Barton Springs and East Austin, both a proper distance from the core.
If you only have time for one thing each day
Day one, make it the Congress Avenue Bridge bats, genuinely one of the most distinctive experiences the city has to offer. Day two, make it Barton Springs, a proper contrast to downtown’s energy and one of the best free cool-downs in the state.
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.
