Austin, Texas, USA 7 Day Itinerary

Austin, Texas: 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival & Settling In

  • Check-in at your preferred hotel (recommendations: Hotel Saint Cecilia, South Congress Hotel, or The Line Austin).
  • Familiarize yourself with the area around your hotel. Explore South Congress Avenue for unique shops, restaurants, and street art.
  • Have dinner at Terry Black’s Barbecue (1306 E. Oltorf St.) to experience authentic Texas-style barbecue.
  • Remember, Austin operates under Central Time Zone (CT).

Day 2 - Downtown Austin

  • Start the day with breakfast at Biscuits and Groovy (1510 S Congress Ave.).
  • Visit the Texas State Capitol for a tour (1100 Congress Ave.) to learn about the state’s history.
  • Lunch at Matt’s El Rancho (2613 S Congress Ave.), known for its Tex-Mex cuisine.
  • Explore Lady Bird Lake with kayak or paddleboard rentals from Paddle Sports Center.
  • Evening dinner at Juan in a Million (2300 E Cesar Chavez St.) for some classic Austin tacos.

Day 3 - South Congress & Live Music

  • Breakfast at Jo’s Coffee & Bakery (1300 S Congress Ave.).
  • Visit the Hope Outdoor Gallery (1101 Baylor St.) to see local street art.
  • Spend the afternoon shopping on South Congress Avenue, including the Uncommon Objects antique store and Allens Boots.
  • Attend a live music show at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul (2008 S Congress Ave.) or The Continental Club (1315 S Congress Ave.).
  • Dine at Odd Duck (1201 S Lamar Blvd.), offering farm-to-table dishes.

Day 4 - Barton Springs Pool & Zilker Park

  • Spend the morning enjoying the natural spring waters of Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park (2201 Barton Springs Rd.).
  • Picnic lunch at Zilker Park with items from nearby Whole Foods Market (525 N Lamar Blvd.).
  • Afternoon activities include hiking the trail system within Zilker Park or visiting the Zilker Botanical Garden.
  • Dinner at Uchiko (4200 N Lamar Blvd.) for contemporary Japanese cuisine.

Day 5 - East Austin & Food Trucks

  • Breakfast at Cafe No Sé (1500 S Congress Ave.).
  • Explore the vibrant street art of East Austin on a self-guided tour, including the HOPE Outdoor Gallery.
  • Lunch from one of the many food trucks in the Eastside Food Park (1201 E 7th St.) or Rainey Street Food Park (915 Baylor St.).
  • Spend the afternoon exploring local galleries, boutiques, and vintage shops around East Austin.
  • Dinner at La Barbecue (1200 E Cesar Chavez St.), known for its delicious barbecue.

Day 6 - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center & The Domain

  • Morning visit to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 La Crosse Ave.) to enjoy nature and native Texas wildflowers.
  • Lunch at True Food Kitchen in The Domain (11601 Century Oaks Terrace).
  • Afternoon shopping at The Domain, an upscale outdoor mall featuring various stores, restaurants, and a movie theater.
  • Dinner at Juliet Italian Garden (360 Nueces St.) to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine.

Day 7 - Departure

  • Breakfast at your hotel or try Café Blue (1101 E 52nd St.).
  • Depending on your departure time, explore additional attractions like the Bat Observation Center (100 S Congress Ave.) or the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
  • Head to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) for your departure.