1 Day Austin Itinerary

If you’ve only got one day in Austin, Texas, don’t worry—you can still soak up the city’s vibrant culture, music and film scene, and outdoor beauty.

This 1-day Austin itinerary covers the best places to visit, eat, and experience, giving you an unforgettable taste of the Texas capital.

1. Breakfast

   Usually I recommend guests eat breakfast wherever they are staying (it's faster and more affordable) but if you want to dine out, there's a couple of places I recommend:

   
   

   If you have a Capital One card, you'll get 50% off at the Capitol One Cafe on Congress Avenue.

   
   

   Kerbey Lane Cafe is a diner known for their remix of classic breakfast dishes that include queso.

2. Visit the Texas Capitol

   No trip to Austin is complete without a visit to the Texas State Capitol. This historic building offers free guided tours: a quick lesson on Texas history and politics.

   
   

   There are also nice monuments around the grounds, my favorite is the African American History Monument. It's rich with symbolism and a great overview of black history.

   
   

   Don't forget the basement of the Capitol which has many representatives' offices, the gift shop, and a place to have lunch.

3. Bob Bullock Museum Photo Op

   Once you're in the back of the Texas Capitol, walk a bit north through the newly created Congress plaza until you get to the Bob Bullock Museum. Take a picture in front of the big star and then move on! The museum is so big you could spend half a day there and you don't have time for that!

4. UT Tower Photo Op

   Keep walking North and you'll quickly get to the UT Campus. Take the iconic UT Tower photo with your fingers shaped into a longhorn. There's also a monument of spheres on the East side if you're looking for THAT photo...iykyk.

5. Souvenir Shop at the UT Co-Op

   Walk to the west side of campus towards Guadalupe Street (or the Guad as we call it). The UT Co-op is a great, although not cheap, place to get souvenirs related to UT and Austin. There's also a couple of places to take photos behind the building in the parking lot.

   
   

6. Have Lunch on South Congress

   You're exactly where you need to be to take the Rapid bus to South Congress. After about a 30 minute ride (that's close in American terms) you'll be in one of Austin’s most iconic streets, lined with quirky boutiques, vintage shops, and colorful murals.

   
   

   Many Austin originals line South Congress Avenue. Try a place like Hopdoddy's Burgers, Homeslice Pizza, or Torchy's Tacos.

   
   

   Afterwards, stop by Allen’s Boots for authentic cowboy gear and grab a coffee at Jo’s Coffee, home of the famous “I Love You So Much” mural.

   
   

   Want to learn more about cowboy culture & clothing (like hats, boots, and bolo ties)? Check out Uniquely Austin's Cowboy Clothing Tour!

   
   

7. Alternative: Eat BBQ

   If you're looking for BBQ, I recommend that you get a car and go to one of these places before you head to South Congress:

   • KG BBQ (Egyptian Style BBQ, Michelin recommended)

   • Slab BBQ & Beer (BBQ sandwiches, As Seen on TV)

   • Leroy & Lewis BBQ (Michelin Star)

   • Franklin BBQ (Michelin recommended, As Seen on TV)

   • Interstellar BBQ (Michelin Star, the farthest of all)

   Pro Tip: ORDER AHEAD. The best stuff usually runs out early.

8. Eat Dessert on South Congress or South Lamar

   If you stay on South Congress, try Amy's Ice Creams, Jeni's Ice Cream, or my personal favorite Gelato Paradiso.

   
   

   South Lamar Street, which is a short car ride away, also has good options for desserts such as Gourdough's Donuts, Bouldin Creek Cafe (vegan cobbler and other vegan baked goods), and Dolce Neve Gelato.

   
   

   So many desserts, so little time! Try our Texan Desserts Food Tour so you can get a full taste of Texas.

9. Take an Austin Film Tour

   If you started early, you've probably got some extra time before you eat dinner or see the Congress bats. Head downtown to check out Uniquely Austin's Film Tour. You'll get to see set locations in movies like Spy Kids, Miss Congeniality, Boyhood, and more!

   
   

10. Have Dinner Downtown

    There are many options including Michelin starred restaurants (reserve ahead) but if you're looking for variety and affordability, try the different eateries at the Fareground.

    
    

11. Watch the Bats on Congress Avenue

    Look, I'm going to be honest here. I've been to the bridge many times and I have not see more than 10 or so bats. If you're happy with that and it's bat season, then go around 7:30PM-9:00PM. Otherwise, I recommend a nice nap to prepare for the rest of the night.

    
    

12. Listen to Live Music

    There's many places to go to get a drink, dance at a club, and listen to music. I recommend walking down one of these streets:

    • West 6th Street (classier bar and club area)

    • East 6th Street (Hotel Vegas has good live music)

    • Dirty 6th (the one most tourists go to)

    • 4th Street (LGBTQ bars)

    There's also the Continental Club and Antone's Blues Club.

    
    

    That's a pretty good overview of Austin. There are a couple of things that you would miss such as Zilker Park Boats (kayaking on the river), swimming at Barton Springs Pool (great for hot days), and watching the sunset at Mt. Bonnell or 360 Bridge (more risky and farther away). Feel free to substitute those into this itinerary if that's more your vibe.

    
    

    Enjoy your trip! :D