Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Austin?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Austin?
Most visitors spend two to three days in Austin when visiting. The unconventional city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the food, the nightlife, the live music scene, and the museums and landmarks.
Austin is the capital city of Texas, and while it is home to the iconic Texas Capital Building, most people think about the live music scene first. The city has had a long running influence over many types of music, including country, blues, rock 'n' roll, and more. There are also many parks and natural areas where you can walk, run, or swim.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Austin? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Austin?
Three days is the perfect amount of time in Austin, as many people prefer to spend two to three days here. You'll be able to taste delicious cuisine, grab some drinks at a bar, enjoy the live music scene, and browse through museums. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.
How to spend 3 days in Austin
Don't miss the Texas Capital during your trip to Austin, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The culinary scene in Austin is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Austin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($99)
- Austin South Congress Food Tour +6 Tastings, Local BBQ & Sweets ($99)
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in Austin ($75)
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Austin, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, which is $13. It's great for families and is known for showcasing the comprehensive and immersive history of Texas through interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations.
LBJ Presidential Library is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families. Known for its extensive collection of presidential documents and exhibits related to Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration and American history in the 1960s, entry is $10.
It's worth around 2 hours for Mexic-Arte Museum. Entry is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, children under 12 are free on weekends and during special events.. It's known for showcasing Mexican and Latin American art and culture through rotating exhibits and community events.
It's worth around 2 hours for Blanton Museum of Art. Entry is $12 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, and free admission for children 12 and under and University of Texas students and staff.. It's known for its extensive collection of Latin American and contemporary art within a beautifully designed modern building.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for The Contemporary Austin. It's a nice activity for any traveler and is known for its contemporary art exhibitions and outdoor sculpture gardens at two scenic locations in Austin. It's around $15 for adults, with discounted tickets available for seniors, students, and free admission for members and children under certain ages..
Make sure to set aside around 1 hour for Congress Avenue Bridge Bats, which are free. It's great for families and are known for hosting the largest urban bat colony in North America and their spectacular evening emergence from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Texas State Capitol, which is free. It's great for families and is known for its impressive architecture, historic significance, and free guided tours of the Texas state legislature building.
You'll want to have around 1 hour for Cathedral of Junk. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for being an enormous outdoor art structure made from thousands of pieces of junk creatively assembled into a cathedral-like form. It's free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Brewery 5K Fun Run, BBQ, and Texas History Museum in Austin ($175)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour ($35)
Shopping in Austin is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.
Live music is very popular in Austin, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Austin Live Music Crawl ($99)
Is 4 days enough time in Austin?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Austin at your own pace to experience the food, the nightlife, the live music scene, and the museums and landmarks. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Austin, Texas
How to spend 4 days in Austin
If you have more than 4 days in Austin, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Austin, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Austin.
Is 5 days enough time in Austin?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Austin has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Austin as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the food, the nightlife, and the live music scene at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for backpackers and students. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Austin
Having 5 days in Austin will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Austin. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Austin, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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