Visit Austin, TX: When to Visit, Where to Go and Everything Else You Need to Know

Austin has a reputation for being a wonderfully weird city full of art, music, food and culture. If you want to experience the capital of Texas for yourself, we’ll help you plan the perfect trip!

This guide covers how to get around Austin, when to visit, where to stay, where to eat, what to do and more, so you can experience Austin in all its weirdness. And if you’re considering a move, use this guide to scope out the city and see it like a local.

Getting Here & Getting Around Austin

Before you start your Austin adventures, make sure you know how you’ll travel around the city:

• Nearest Airport: The closest airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, roughly 10 miles from Austin proper and 15-25 minutes away by car. It’s extremely convenient for visitors and frequent travelers, and flies to a wide range of destinations.
• Major Highways: I-35 and the MoPac Expressway are the two main highways, along with US 183 and State Highway 130. I-35 sees the most traffic, so it’s wise to avoid it during weekday rush hours.
• Public Transit: Austin’s public transportation system, CapMetro, includes train and bus services that reach almost anywhere in the city. Still, Austin is a place where it’s best to have a car, so consider renting one if you’re not staying in the thick of Downtown.
• Ride Services: Uber and Lyft are plentiful. In surrounding suburbs like West Lake Hills a car may take longer to reach you, but anywhere in Austin proper you should get one in under 15 minutes — and rideshares here are relatively affordable compared to other major US cities.
• Parking: Like most big cities, parking can be a struggle. If you’re staying somewhere compact like Downtown Austin, it’s best to skip the rental car; if you do get one, check whether your hotel provides parking or book a nearby garage. In residential neighborhoods, check street-parking regulations or book a rental with a driveway.

Where to Stay: Hotels vs. Local Life

When booking your stay, consider what kind of experience you want. You can live like a local in an Airbnb or enjoy a more luxe stay at a high-end hotel. Explore the top options below.

Deluxe Stays: Best Hotels in Austin

If you’re on vacation, you may want to indulge and stay somewhere everything is taken care of for you. These are highly recommended, centrally located hotels in Austin:

• Austin Proper Hotel: A luxury hotel in the heart of Downtown Austin, right by the Austin Public Library and Shoal Creek Trail, and close to Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park and many of the best restaurants. Expect gorgeous suites, a high-end spa and on-site bars and restaurants that exceed expectations.
• South Congress Hotel: A gorgeous luxury hotel in the busy, exciting South Congress neighborhood, surrounded by stores, restaurants, bars and small music venues. The hotel hosts a first-Thursday event with live DJs and local performers for an authentic Austin experience.
• Commodore Perry: A luxurious, elegant hotel perfect for a picturesque getaway — a serene pool, cozy rooms and verdant grounds that feel like a fairytale, all in the historic, walkable Hancock neighborhood.

Local Charm: Best Neighborhoods for Airbnb & Vrbo

If you’d rather rent a space so you can feel more like a local, look for places in these top neighborhoods:

• Downtown Austin: One of the most exciting areas to stay if you want to be in the middle of the action — near Sixth Street, the Texas Capitol, Lady Bird Lake and more. It’s compact and highly walkable, so you won’t need a car or constant rideshares. Expect condos and apartments rather than full homes.
• South Congress: Across the Colorado River from Downtown, near Zilker and Bouldin Creek. South Congress Avenue hops with music, food and fun — boutiques, vintage stores, intimate music venues and inviting eateries — and it’s close to some of the most popular trails and parks in South-Central Austin.
• Hyde Park: For a calm, quaint side of Austin, Hyde Park is endearing, with welcoming cottages and small houses ideal for a little more space or a family. Oak-lined streets create a picturesque canopy, it’s one of the safest neighborhoods, and you can spend an afternoon in Pease Park or play a few rounds at the Hancock Golf Course.

Best Time to Visit Austin

Austin is known for steamy summers that bring triple-digit temperatures and ample sunshine — from June through July, expect heat at all times. That’s not always bad if you want to take advantage of the lakes, creeks and pools, but Texas summers aren’t for everyone. Here’s what to expect each season:

• Spring: One of the best times to visit, when the weather is milder but still sunny enough for outdoor excursions. Temperatures usually run between 60ºF and 80ºF, and the wildflowers are in full bloom.
• Summer: Hot and humid, with temperatures frequently hitting 100ºF — but there’s no better time to dip into the natural freshwater pool, explore the creeks and rivers and indulge in local ice cream.
• Fall: Probably the second-best time to visit, with temperatures usually between 60ºF and 80ºF. Many find October the most comfortable month, mild enough for patios and parks.
• Winter: It rarely snows, and winter temperatures are often in the 60s, making it a comfortable but underrated time to visit — ideal if you’re on a budget and hate the tourist crowds.

Note that the SXSW festival takes place in March and the Austin City Limits Music Festival is usually in early October; expect crowds and prices to increase during these weeks.

Things to Do: Austin Highlights

If you know where to go and what to do, Austin is a thrilling place for a getaway. These are the top things to do, from unusual art galleries to iconic state landmarks:

• Zilker Metropolitan Park is a must-visit, known for the Barton Springs Pool and the Zilker Botanical Garden. Take a dip in the spring-fed natural pool, walk through the Hartman Prehistoric Garden to admire primitive plant species, or have a charming picnic on the grass.
• For a taste of Austin’s famous music culture, head to Sixth Street in Downtown Austin and pop into the countless music venues. Places like Friends Bar, The Belmont, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, the Elephant Room and Voodoo Room each have their own flavor of Austin music, from country to jazz.
• History buffs have to visit the Texas State Capitol. This historic landmark is taller than the U.S. Capitol and a stunning architectural feat, with its Goddess of Liberty statue and grand dome. Take a free guided tour to learn Texas history, or stroll the 22-acre grounds.
• Families can spend the day at the Austin Zoo, a research-focused, non-profit facility that protects and rehabilitates animals in need. Over 300 species call it home, including zebras, cheetahs, emus, parrots and petting-zoo goats.
• For a memorable wild-animal experience, visit the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk between March and November. It’s home to roughly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats — the largest urban bat colony in the world — and when the sun goes down, they take flight for a spectacular sight.
• One of Austin’s most unique cultural attractions is the Cathedral of Junk, an art gallery made of random junk and trash. Explore sculptures and tunnels of scrap metal, car parts, surfboards and more — it’s something you can’t fully understand until you see it in person.

Where to Eat & Drink: A Taste of Austin

Austin’s food scene is worth getting excited about, especially the barbecue. When you arrive and your stomach is rumbling, check out these top places:

• Ask locals where to get the best Austin BBQ and you’ll hear InterStellar BBQ over and over. Run by award-winning chef John Bates, it serves irresistible dishes like jalapeño kielbasa sandwiches, brown butter mac and cheese and classic Polish sausages.
• Cuantos Tacos is another local favorite. Whatever kind of taco you’re into, you’ll find an exceptional version here, including fresh takes on barbacoa and spicy chorizo.
• Odd Duck is an Austin staple with high standards. From cast-iron cheddar cornbread to fried quail, its modern, surprising menu is served in a sunny, convivial atmosphere — the spot many locals default to for date night, brunch or family dinner.
• For dinner and a friendly board game, visit Vigilantes Gastropub and Games, with a vast game library of modern tech games and familiar classics, plus seasonal cocktails, THC drinks, loaded burgers and shareable plates.
• The Roosevelt Room is ideal for an elegant nightcap, with an extensive list of cocktails inspired by major US cities and historic decades. Try the Hemingway Daiquiri or the Chartreuse Swizzle alongside flatbreads and cheese boards.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth at Lick Honest Ice Creams, one of the most popular ice cream spots in the city. This small chain scoops some of the most unique flavors around, like roasted beets with fresh mint, cilantro lime and blueberry crumble.

Thinking of Turning Your Visit into a Move?

If you like what you see and are thinking about making this spirited city your home, pay attention to what it’s like to be a local. Take these factors into account:

• Neighborhood Options: The most important thing to consider — many Austin areas feel drastically different. Check out a few, such as Zilker, Tarrytown, West Campus and Travis Heights, to get a feel for the options.
• Commute Test: If you commute and have an idea of where you’d work, give the drive a test run. Pay attention to peak traffic hours and how congested the streets get, with your ideal neighborhood (or a few) in mind.
• Walkability and Safety: Austin is fairly safe and walkable, but it depends heavily on the neighborhood. Downtown and South Congress are highly walkable but may not be as safe as neighborhoods like Clarksville and Old West Austin.
• Amenities and Convenience: Determine whether Austin has the amenities you need — proximity to airports, parks, nature, grocery stores, shopping centers and more can help you decide if it’s the right fit.
• Housing Styles: Do you want to buy a home or rent an apartment? Consider everything from parking and bedroom counts to architectural styles and landscaping. For historic vibes, South-Central Austin is ideal; areas like Agave on the east side have more modern styles.
• Cost of Living: Research the cost of living. Compared with many major US cities, Austin is quite affordable — ranked the 806th most expensive US city, well below places like Boston and San Francisco — and its average cost of living is below the national average.

Explore Austin Neighborhoods

Ready to find your corner of the city? Explore our guide to the best neighborhoods in Austin to see where you might feel most at home.