Austin

Day 1: Downtown pulse, Red River riffs, Rainey patios

Ease into Austin with a blend of lakeside calm and downtown energy. You’ll sample its live-music core on Red River and end with bungalow-bar vibes on Rainey Street.

• Morning: Stroll the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake, then grab breakfast tacos and coffee nearby; it’s cooler and quieter before 10:00 (pack water—Texas heat ramps up quickly).
• Midday: Explore the Red River Cultural District in daylight and scope tonight’s shows; if it’s Sunday, book Stubb’s Gospel Brunch, otherwise pop into Waterloo Records to discover local acts (check the Austin Chronicle listings for last‑minute sets).
• Afternoon: Siesta or hotel pool time, then a refined cocktail at the Roosevelt Room during happy hour; reserve if you can, as spots fill fast (smart move before a late night).
• Evening: Catch a show at Mohawk or Cheer Up Charlies, then ride-share to Rainey Street for beer and sausages at Banger’s and a patio nightcap at Icenhauer’s; keep an eye on your drink, expect small cash covers at venues, and tip the band—locals do.

Day 2: South Congress charm and classic clubs

Today blends South Congress style with old‑school Austin institutions. Dress is casual, but the music is serious—plan for dancing shoes after dark.

• Morning: Wander South Congress for murals, boutiques and a leisurely coffee; duck into the Continental Club to note showtimes for later (weekdays see fewer queues).
• Midday: Head to Zilker Park and Barton Springs for a refreshing dip; the spring stays chilly year‑round, so it’s perfect in summer and still pleasant on mild winter days (bring a towel and flip‑flops).
• Afternoon: Recharge and book a speakeasy slot at Midnight Cowboy or sip an inventive drink at Garage; both are central enough to keep transfers short (ride‑share beats parking hassles).
• Evening: Choose your flavour: intimate sets at the Continental Club, or two‑stepping at the Broken Spoke (dance lessons typically midweek evenings; arrive early). If you prefer jazz, detour to the Elephant Room’s basement vibe; bring cash for the cover and the tip jar.

Day 3: East Side creativity and neighbourhood hangs

Cap your trip with East Austin’s indie spirit—craft drinks, courtyards and global sounds. This is where locals linger, from breweries to listening rooms.

• Morning: Start with tacos from a food truck and a neighbourhood stroll along East Sixth; murals and cafés wake up by mid‑morning (scooters are handy for short hops, but ride cautiously).
• Midday: Sample a relaxed brewery crawl—Zilker Brewing and Lazarus Brewing are walkable—pair pints with on‑site food trucks (hydration break between rounds is standard local practice).
• Afternoon: If it’s Sunday, experience Chicken Sh*t Bingo at the Little Longhorn Saloon; otherwise, peek at the Historic Scoot Inn’s calendar or BYO-friendly Kenny Dorham’s Backyard for low‑key outdoor sets (hours vary; check ahead).
• Evening: Settle into Whisler’s for mezcal‑leaning cocktails, then choose a show: eclectic line‑ups at the Sahara Lounge for global grooves or a gig at Scoot Inn. Wrap on East Sixth with late‑night bites; use ride‑shares, and remember many venues add a modest cover after dark. (Festival season—SXSW in March, ACL in October—means packed rooms and pop‑up shows, so book early and build in queue time.)

By Air

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the primary airport, about 7–10 miles (15–25 minutes by car) from the city centre. CapMetro Route 20 runs between the airport and downtown roughly every 15 minutes; typical journey 30–45 minutes. Taxis, ride-hailing and car hire are on site.
• Alternative airports:
  • San Antonio International (SAT): ~80 miles south; 1.5–2 hours by car to Austin.
  • Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL): ~200 miles north; 3–3.5 hours by car.
  • Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU): ~160–180 miles east; 2.5–3.5 hours by car.
  • Austin Executive (EDC): business/general aviation, ~20–30 minutes to downtown.

By Train

• Amtrak’s Austin Station (near North Lamar Blvd and 3rd St) is close to downtown.
• The Texas Eagle runs once daily in each direction:
  • North to Dallas/Fort Worth (around 5–6.5 hours) and onwards to Chicago.
  • South to San Antonio (about 3 hours), with connections there to the Sunset Limited (tri‑weekly) for Los Angeles and New Orleans.

By Bus/Coach

• Multiple operators link Austin with major Texas cities:
  • Greyhound and FlixBus offer frequent services to San Antonio (~1.5–2 hours), Houston (~2.5–3.5 hours) and Dallas (~3.5–4.5 hours). Stops are in central Austin/downtown and near the UT campus (check your ticket for exact pick-up points).
  • Vonlane (premium coach) runs Austin–Dallas, Austin–Houston and Austin–San Antonio from central hotels; fewer stops, more space, onboard amenities.

By Car

• Main approaches:
  • I‑35 runs north–south through Austin (Dallas–Waco–Austin–San Antonio).
  • TX‑71/I‑10 and US‑290 connect Austin with Houston (via Bastrop/Columbus or Brenham).
  • US‑183 and Loop 1 (MoPac) serve the metro area; SH‑130 (toll) bypasses I‑35 congestion east of the city.
• Typical driving times (traffic dependent): San Antonio 1.5–2 hours; Dallas 3–3.5 hours; Houston 2.5–3 hours; Waco ~1.5 hours. Parking in the city centre is limited and can be expensive.