3 Day Austin Itinerary

Shiny new buildings are popping up all over Austin

Why go to Austin?

Another bucket list item checked off! I had heard so much about Austin, and it did not disappoint. This city is truly an adult playground for live music, cocktails, amazing food and lodging! For me, it ranks up there with Miami, New Orleans and Vegas as one of the most fun places to spend a long weekend. (Definitely better than Vegas because you don’t have mingle with the bargain hunters who are there only for the cheap thrills and free booze.) This city is attracting corporations like Google and who are setting up headquarters in downtown Austin, not just for the tax benefits, but for the droves of young employees willing to move here to be a part of this new “Silicon Valley”. No wonder it is one of the fastest growing cities, not just in America but in the world (according to a study by the JLL real estate company). Austin and Silicon Valley in California are the only two American cities to make the JLL City Momentum list at the global level (although Silicon Valley isn’t actually a city!).

A lot of people asked me, “what took you to Austin”? My answer is, “just for fun!” We really had no reason to go there unlike most visitors to Austin; no business meeting, no music festival, no sporting event, no milestone birthday or bachelorette party. We just wanted to check it out! At first it was just going to be a romantic empty nester weekend for two, but I was successfully able to strong-arm our friends, Linda and Jesse, to fly in to meet us. We have a blast with this couple and we are a good fit for each other…we party at the same speed, you could say.

The Research Phase

In the weeks before our trip, I reached out to Austin transplants, Facebook friends, and searched blog posts, assembling the best tips for food and fun. I collected all the suggestions on a page in my Notes App on my phone. Anytime someone’s recommendations overlapped I would put an asterisk next to that item for each mention. Anything that had 3 or more asterisks was a “must do” for me…sadly I couldn’t do EVERYTHING on my list but I came very close! I do regret not making it to the LBJ Library or to Valentine’s BBQ Food Truck…but I will be back. If you are going to Austin for a weekend, and you have never been…feel free to follow this itinerary Warning: this itinerary does require stamina and willingness to eat and drink a lot! It helped that we had the California time difference on our side - allowing me to stay up well past my bedtime.

Friday Evening

Arriving inside the city limits!

Friday, 7pm: Arrive and Check-In to your Hip Hotel

Be ready to schlep your carry-ons and bags the long distance to the “Ride App Designated Pick Up” location. (Has anyone noticed that this seems to be an airport trend these days? To locate the ride app pick up as far away as possible from your designated baggage claim?) Luckily it is only a 25 min ride to downtown. Check into the W Hotel, and enjoy your complimentary glass of champagne while you check in to the sounds of live music from the lobby bar- weekend vibes are in full swing! (You chose the W after discovering the gym there has two Peloton bikes, and you knew that a sweaty workout would be an important part of counter-balancing the weekend activities. It is a bonus that the W is part of the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program with the early and late check out option give you an extra few hours to enjoy the city.) You considered some of the other hotels in the area and it was really hard to decide as there are some VERY cool and hip options. You wish you didn’t have to choose. Some other contenders were The Van Zandt (just steps from lively Rainey Street), The Proper (brand new- only opened in January 2020), Hotel Saint Ceclia (the secret hideaway of artists and musicians), Hotel San Jose, South Congress Hotel and The LINE.

9pm Dinner at Kemuri Tatsuya

You are skeptical of the combination of Japanese and Texas bar b que but more than one trusted friend has recommended this place, so you decide to give it a try. BBQ Brisket Ramen just sounds too good to pass up! Your Uber drops you in the parking lot of what is clearly a BBQ joint with its Texan vibe, but is decorated in the style of a down and dirty funky basement Izakaya, like the one you used to frequent in your Tokyo neighborhood. The menu is a mix of Japanese with Texan flourishes, and every dish was a fun hands on experience, from the do-it-yourself grapefruit sours to the assemble yourself ramen. Even the bathroom is part of the fun and in theme. I love it when they don’t skimp on the bathroom design and I have been collecting bathroom photos for a while now - I know its weird but I really appreciate a nice bathroom.

10:30 pm Live Music at Skylark Lounge

Only a short 5 minute ride from the restaurant is your first of many live music experience of the weekend (unless you count the band that was playing when you checked in at the hotel!). This place from the outside looked a little sketchy but it had come recommended from a good friend who recently moved to Austin, and she says she will meet you there. Definitely do not be put off by the outside appearance…once inside you are in an intimate “dive bar”, with an amazing rhythm and blues band, headlined by an aged, blind African American crooner, straight out of central casting. You are having so much fun that you don’t want to leave…but eventually logic prevails. After a final beer and a final song, it is time to call it a night.

8:30 Peloton in the Gym followed by a Breakfast Excursion

Grab a coffee at Jo’s, just across the street from your hotel - where Austin locals go for their daily cup and migas (breakfast tacos). This is not the original location but it is still popular and you stand in a long line. Next, walk a few steps down the block to Torchy’s- one of the most famous breakfast taco spots with multiple locations in Austin. This is where you will try your first queso. It is amazing and life changing. You are now officially initiated and a queso addict.

11am Stroll and Shop on South Congress

You have been told by many that Allen’s Boots on South Congress is a MUST and your group thinks that cowboy boots might be a fun Austin souvenir. You all agree its a gorgeous day to walk to that part of town -about a mile and a half from the hotel with shops and points of interest along the way.

Walk along the river and over the bridge to South Congress…you are in no hurry so you stop along the way - first for another coffee at the original location of Jo’s coffee, and then at some of the shops (Yeti has a huge flagship store), Aviator Nation, Krewe Sunglasses and a few other funky boutiques. You do your civic duty in helping the Austin economy as you make your way towards the boot store. Allen’s Boots is HUUUUUGE. It has every size and style of cowboy boot you can imagine. It can be a little overwhelming. You try on a few styles but ultimately realize you will never wear them in Napa. Your group decides to have a drink across the street at the hip South Congress Hotel, instead of buying boots (you were outvoted on heading to the South Congress Cafe for Carrot Cake French Toast - will have to be for a future Austin visit).

3pm Biker Gang Tour

One of the best ways to see a new place is by bike, or a food tour. You stumbled onto this bike tour on Trip Advisor (yourbikergang.com) and it is highly rated, so you took the chance and booked it. You are worried it could be a total winner or a total dud. Turns out that this tour is one of the best parts of the weekend!

The “bikes” are actually a hybrid electric scooter and Harley-Davidson and that turn eyes as you honk your horns cruising down the streets of Austin. Your tour guide is “Rooster” who immediately steals your heart when he reveals that he is a die-hard 49ers fan (doesn’t hurt that he has a nice smile and gorgeous blue eyes). He’s a former fourth grade teacher (bless him) and he is talented at taking photos of you and your friends in front of iconic Austin backdrops. You can’t wait to post these to Instagram. You learn a lot about Speakeasys, see some cool street art, and ride by glistening new buildings (the Austin Public Library is a must see) as well as historic buildings, like the Driskoll Hotel. At the end of the ride, you invite Rooster to watch the 49ers with you tomorrow and he promises to meet you but you doubt he will show.

5pm Happy Hour at Odd Duck

You need a little snack after all the hard work pushing the speed button on your scooter, so you head over to Odd Duck. A friend had recommended the Barrel Aged Margaritas. Not to spoil your appetite, you were disciplined and only had one drink and shared a few “farm-to-table” snacks (you were momentarily disappointed that the barrel age “drink of the month” was NOT a margarita). Don’t forget tp donate $1 towards the kitchen staff’s beer fund.

7pm Cocktails at Roosevelt Room

You LOVE craft cocktails, and you did your research and found out from a local friend that this is THE place to go. Everything is right about this place - the lighting, the menu, the glasses. You were happy you had a reservation as you see other parties being turned away. Your party of four was seated at a long banquette, and shared a table with another party of four that was already seated. It takes some time to peruse the exquisite leather-bound cocktail list organized by era. They must have known you wanted to steal that menu, because they offer it for sale (and you buy it as a souvenir). For your final cocktail you order the Zombie that is lit on fire - primarily because you love a spectacle. It is a very sweet oversized drink that nobody will help you with it. You do your best.

8:45 Dinner at Red Ash

After a day of grazing and drinking, you aren’t very hungry but you make your way to the next eating engagement. Red Ash tops many of the Best Restaurant Lists and it did not disappoint. A hip urban atmosphere but they take their Italian food and homemade pastas very seriously. Everything was delicious.

10pm Live Country Music at The White Horse

Many people told you to go to Broken Spoke for Line Dancing but you also heard mention of White Horse. Some of the reviews on Yelp were hysterical so you flipped a proverbial coin and chose The White Horse…a self-described Honky Tonk. It seems to pride itself on being a dive bar and it is very white. Your friend, Jesse, of Indian descent, is one of just a few people of color in the room. You feel like you left Austin and arrived back in Texas. You do get your husband to dance briefly, just before the band goes on their break. After just one beer, it is time to move on to the next spot.

Midnight at Brasserie Justine’s

You arrive here just before the the midnight rush and you’re happy to score a great table…Justines is a French brasserie that is THE place that all the bands and entertainment industry people end up at the end of the night. Their motto is “If you think you’ve gone too far, keep going” and they are open until 2am serving “very late night food”. It is buzzing with youth, creativity, and happily intoxicated people. You order your current favorite cocktail (the Sidecar) and some fries and dessert. At the table next to you is a country music star and entourage, in town for sold-out concerts. Apparently he is famous. You leave around 1:30 and every table is occupied including the large tented front courtyard.

10am Voodoo Doughnuts

On your bike tour you passed this place with the long line out the door, and you vowed to come back. Nothing is more taunting and tempting to you than a long line! The line actually moves fast, and it is a beautiful morning to be outside and chat with your friends. It also gives you time to peruse the menu and come up with a plan. You give up and order one of each because you can’t decide. You go a little crazy trying each one. You LOVE the beauty of the colors and the creativity of the donut flavors (Captain Crunch!) and you realize you don’t actually remember the last time you ate a donut. It is worth it.

11am Walk the River and Explore Rainy Street

You feel that after the box of donuts, you will never ever eat again….you walk along the river to digest and stop at some of the hotels you had considered but didn't book, including the Line. The Proper and The Van Zandt. They all have really cool architecture and design. You end up at Rainey St, which is alive with people in bars brunching and sipping on Bloody Marys and listening to live music. It feels a little like Fraternity Row, but you enjoy the energy. The sun is shining, the beer is flowing, and life is good! You wish you could stay and drink and listen to music, but you have a massage booked at the W Hotel. You rush back to the best massage of your life.

4pm Lavaca Street Bar to Watch the 49ers!

Your husband is 100% focussed on watching the 49ers playoffs, so you had done some research and found a really fun sports bar near the hotel that has a taco truck built into it. You get there early to stake out a good table and order some nachos and tacos. (We invited Rooster but he can’t come to the 21+bar because he is hanging out with his teen daughter, but you exchange a few texts and animoji’s celebrating some great touchdowns.) Once you realize the 49ers are going to win you start looking at Super Bowl tickets on Stubhub and realize you probably can’t afford to go to the Big Game.

9pm Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar and

After the game, your local Austin friend suggests the dueling piano bar. You trust him, because he’s a fun guy and fun guys know where fun bars are. This bar, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, is crazy fun. Two pianos on the stage, with two expert piano players, taking requests from the audience. It is basically live karaoke and the entire house is singing along. At some point your new best friend, Rooster, shows up!

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11pm Rainey Street

After the piano bar you stroll towards Rainey Street to see if there are any good bands out and maybe to find some late night eats (believe it or not, someone in your group is hungry again)! Sadly, it is a little too late, and all the bands are finished for the night. The only place that has a crowd is a big outdoor disco (kind of cool in that it is comprised of shipping containers) but it feels like a meat market for the 20-30 something crowd. You feel too old for that. You stay for a beer and get a few high fives from fellow Niners fans (you are still wearing your 49ers fan gear). Moving on, you pass a few other bars that are mostly emptying out, but you finally find a late night billiards bar still serving food. If even Rainey Street is shutting down, then it must be time to get back to your hotel and crawl into that comfy bed and pull those blackout curtains shut…

11am Coffee at Jo’s and Brunch at Loro

You have heard that Loro is the hot new place that everyone is talking about. Your masseuse at the W Hotel said she is obsessed with it. It is the project of two famous James Beard Award winners; Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi (Japanese) and Aaron Franklin of the famous Franklin Bar B Que. This is your last chance to try it- sadly you fly out this afternoon. Today is to be a “no alcohol day”, and you immediately feel cheated when you see the boozy milkshakes on the menu. You stay strong though. The concept of Loro is Texas smokehouse barbecue with a Japanese farm-to-table vibe. Its excellent and you would love to go back to try more, and you feel jealous that this doesn’t exist in Napa. A final hug to your friend, Linda, who gets to stay two more nights here, and you are off to the airport. Too bad you aren’t at all hungry because some of the famous Austin eateries have outlets here. You are sad to leave- there are so many other recommendations on your Austin list that you missed out on, but you know you will be back soon!

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Feb 21 3 Day Austin Itinerary