They call Austin the Live Music Capital of the World, but the soundtrack isn’t just guitars. It’s the sizzle of brisket, the lazy lap of a lake at sunset, and the steady beat of boot heels on a two-step floor. Founded in 1839 and named for Stephen F. Austin, the city became a creative oasis—part college town, part tech hub, part honky-tonk dream—where highbrow museums live side-by-side with mural-splashed taquerias.

Over seven days, you’ll taste your way through barbecue royalty, kayak beneath a sky of Mexican free-tailed bats, and wander from the Texas State Capitol’s pink granite to the luminous Ellsworth Kelly “Austin” at the Blanton. You’ll dip into spring-fed pools, rise to Hill Country overlooks, and toast the day with local wine or a perfect mezcal sour.

Practical notes: summers are hot—hydrate, wear sunscreen, and plan outdoor time early or late. Rideshares and scooters are plentiful, and parking can be tight downtown. Book marquee restaurants and tours in advance, especially on weekends and during SXSW (March) and ACL Fest (October).

Austin

Austin is where old Texas and new ideas shake hands. South Congress (SoCo) brings cowboy boots and contemporary boutiques; East Austin’s murals, microbreweries, and inventive taquerias showcase the city’s creative pulse. Lady Bird Lake loops the skyline with trails and kayaks, and Zilker Park is the city’s backyard.

• Top sights: Texas State Capitol, Blanton Museum of Art (don’t miss Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin”), Bullock Texas State History Museum, LBJ Presidential Library, Zilker Park & Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake boardwalk, Mount Bonnell, The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria.
• Eat & drink: Franklin Barbecue, Terry Black’s, la Barbecue, Uchi/Uchiko, Suerte, Emmer & Rye, Loro, Nixta Taqueria, Via 313, Bird Bird Biscuit. Breweries like Lazarus, Zilker Brewing, and Jester King (Hill Country).
• Live music: Continental Club (SoCo), Antone’s (blues), The White Horse (two-step), Mohawk and Parish (Red River), Elephant Room (jazz).
• Fun facts: From March to November, ~1.5 million bats roost under Congress Avenue Bridge. Barton Springs stays ~68°F year-round. The skyline you’ll photograph at sunset grew up fast—Austin’s been one of America’s fastest-growing cities for over a decade.

Where to stay (book with our partners): Browse central neighborhoods like Downtown (walkable to music and museums), South Congress (boutique and buzzy), or Zilker/Lamarr (near the park). Explore options on VRBO Austin stays or Hotels.com Austin hotels.

• Classic icon: The Driskill (historic 1886 grande dame with lobby bar perfect for a nightcap).
• Best for Lady Bird Lake views: Hyatt Regency Austin (walk to the trail and Congress Bridge).
• Value downtown: La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Austin Capitol / Downtown (easy Capitol access).
• Social & budget: Firehouse Hostel (in a 1880s firehouse with a speakeasy-style bar).

Getting to Austin (AUS): Fly into Austin-Bergstrom International. From most US hubs it’s ~2–4 hours (NYC ~4h, LAX ~3h, Chicago ~2.5h), round-trip fares commonly $150–$350 outside peak events. Compare prices on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Rideshare to Downtown is ~20–25 minutes, ~$25–$40 depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, South Congress Stroll, and a Classic Austin Stage

Afternoon: Land, check in, then shake off the flight with a South Congress wander. Grab an iced turbo at Jo’s Coffee and a quick photo at the “I love you so much” mural. Pop into Allen’s Boots for the wall of ostrich and lizard-skin pairs, and browse local designers at ByGeorge and Tecovas.

Evening: Dinner on SoCo: book Aba for modern Mediterranean (short rib hummus, smoky eggplant, garden patio) or opt for a New York–style slice at Home Slice—Pepperoni & mushroom is a perennial favorite; the garlic knots are essential. Catch a show at The Continental Club, a 1957 institution where surf rock, rockabilly, and roots bands keep the floor moving. Cap it with Amy’s Ice Creams (Mexican vanilla + fresh strawberries) as you people-watch under string lights.

Day 2: Capitol, Blanton, and an Austin Food Tour

Morning: Breakfast at Paperboy (Texas French toast with cinnamon-pecan crumble, or their famed migas). Walk to the Texas State Capitol for a free docent-led tour—learn why it’s taller than the US Capitol and admire the star-studded rotunda. Continue to the Bullock Museum for the “Story of Texas,” then step across to the Blanton Museum to see the immersive light and color of Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin.”

Afternoon: Power up at Fareground, the polished food hall where you can mix-and-match: TLV’s cauliflower shawarma, Henbit’s monster cookie, and Austin Rôtisserie’s herby chicken. Then join the Austin Food Tour with Local Flavors, Tacos & 6 Food Tastings (approx. 3 hours; ~$70–$90) for a guided bite-by-bite of downtown—think breakfast tacos, smoky bites, and sweet finishes while your guide layers in history and street art stories.

Evening: Sip serious cocktails at The Roosevelt Room (a menu organized by era) or Garage (hidden inside a parking garage; order the Indian Paintbrush, a grapefruit-elderflower nod to the state flower). For dinner, Red Ash draws a lively crowd for wood-fired Italian—pappardelle bolognese and a bone-in ribeye to share—so plan ahead with reservations.

Day 3: Zilker, Barton Springs, and Bats by Kayak

Morning: Enjoy a latte and a cheddar biscuit sandwich at Better Half Coffee & Cocktails, then head to Zilker Park. Swim at Barton Springs Pool (68°F year-round; usually closed for cleaning on Thursdays), or lounge under pecan trees if it’s brisk. Stroll the shaded trails of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden nearby.

Afternoon: Lunch at Terry Black’s Barbecue—marbled brisket, dinosaur beef rib, and green beans that count as a vegetable victory. Walk the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and the scenic boardwalk for skyline views; if you’re feeling energetic, rent bikes and loop over the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge.

Evening: At sunset, paddle into magic on the Downtown Austin Sunset Kayak Tour with 1.5 Million Bats (2.5 hours; ~$65–$85). You’ll glide along the skyline during golden hour and pause near Congress Avenue Bridge as the bat colony streams into the sky—a summer-to-fall rite of passage.

After, wander to Rainey Street for dinner at Emmer & Rye—seasonal Texas ingredients and grain-focused pastas, with dim-sum-style carts delivering small bites. Nightcap at Half Step (classic cocktails, porch seating) or Banger’s for house-made sausages and a deep beer list.

Day 4: East Austin: Murals, Markets, and Ghosts

Morning: Start at Cenote with cold brew and a breakfast taco in the leafy courtyard. Wander East Austin’s murals—“You’re My Butter Half,” “Greetings from Austin”—and peek into vintage shops and studios along Cesar Chavez and 6th. If you’re an early-riser barbecue pilgrim, line up for Franklin Barbecue; doors open at 11am and sellout is the rule—consider sharing brisket, turkey, and ribs for the full spectrum.

Afternoon: Lunch at Nixta Taqueria where heirloom corn tortillas cradle tuna tostadas, beet “tartare,” and confit duck carnitas—playful and profound. Then brewery-hop: Lazarus Brewing (coffee + IPA + tacos in one spot), Zilker Brewing (Marco IPA and airy taproom), and Central Machine Works (sprawling beer garden).

Evening: Trade sunshine for spine-tingles on the Haunted Austin Walking History Tour (90 minutes; ~$25–$35). A master storyteller threads saloons, scandals, and the city’s stranger chapters through downtown’s historic blocks.

Refuel late with Detroit-style squares at Via 313 (crispy edges, pillowy middle—try the Detroiter with pepperoni two ways) and catch a set at Mohawk or Parish on Red River. If you prefer jazz, slide into a candlelit table at The Elephant Room.

Day 5: Salt Lick & Hill Country Wineries

Morning–Afternoon: Leave the city without the hassle on the From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle (~5–6 hours; ~$95–$125). You’ll head to Driftwood’s legendary Salt Lick BBQ for family-style platters under oak trees, then sample Hill Country terroir at two wineries—think tempranillo, viognier, and rosé with rolling-vineyard views.

Evening: Back in town, keep it easy with neighborhood favorites: Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon (charcoal-grilled citrus chicken with tortillas and bright salsas) or Dee Dee (fiery Northern Thai from a beloved food truck). Close the night at The White Horse, where a live fiddle and a cold Lone Star make learning the two-step irresistible.

Day 6: UT Campus, Artful Gardens, and Lakeside Golden Hour

Morning: Breakfast at Swedish Hill—laminated pastries, baguette sandwiches, and a proper cappuccino. Walk the University of Texas campus: the Tower, the Turtle Pond, and the LBJ Presidential Library (time capsule exhibits and civil rights history). For lunch, head to Crown & Anchor Pub for a classic burger and curly fries just off campus.

Afternoon: Drive to Mount Bonnell for a breezy overlook of Lake Austin, then visit Mayfield Park to spot peacocks strutting through cactus gardens. Continue to The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria, where sculptures peek from cypress-shaded paths along the water.

Evening: Make it a sushi night at Uchi (Tokyo technique meets Texas produce—machi cure and hot rock wagyu are favorites) or Uchiko (sister spot with a wood-fired tilt). Dessert options: Bananarchy (frozen bananas dipped and rolled) or Cow Tipping Creamery (stacked soft serve).

Day 7: Clarksville Brunch, Pease Park, and Farewell

Morning: Brunch in Clarksville at Josephine House—lemon ricotta pancakes, leafy patio, and a well-made Bloody Mary. Stroll through the Clarksville Historic District’s cottages, then meander Pease Park’s Kingsbury Commons (treehouse, sculptures, creekside shade).

Afternoon: Last tastes before wheels up: grab an award-winning taco at Veracruz All Natural (al pastor or the migas poblanas) or a biscuit sandwich from Bird Bird Biscuit (the Queen Beak with spicy honey). If time allows, swing through Waterloo Records for Texas vinyl, then head to AUS. Rideshare is usually 20–25 minutes; give yourself buffer for security lines.

Optional Add-On: Austin Orientation by Bus

If you like a big-picture intro, slot in the Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour (1–1.5 hours; budget-friendly) early in your trip for context and great skyline photos from the open-top deck.

Getting around: Austin is rideshare-friendly, and scooters/bikes are everywhere for short hops. Downtown and SoCo are walkable; for Hill Country or North Austin excursions, a day rental can help—compare on Trip.com or plan around tours that include transport.

Coffee & breakfast cheatsheet: Merit Coffee (downtown), Houndstooth Coffee (pour-over pros), Mañana (pastries), Radio Coffee & Beer (South Austin food trucks), Paperboy (farm-to-table plates). BBQ lineup: Franklin (go early), Terry Black’s (beef rib), la Barbecue (pepper-crusted brisket), Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ (brisket tacos). Tacos: Veracruz All Natural, Nixta, Discada (planchas on the curb), Suerte (masa magic). Live music nightly—check lineups for Antone’s, Continental Club, Parish, Mohawk, and ACL Live.

Seven days in Austin lets you taste, hear, and see the city at an unhurried pace—barbecue smoke by day, guitar riffs and violet crown sunsets by night. With this plan, you’ll leave feeling like a local who knows where to get the best taco, the best view, and the best seat for the last song of the set.