Whether you are looking for family fun in Austin or activities to do in Austin with your loved one, you will be pleased with what this diverse city has to offer. It is a hip, trendy city with great recreational activities and some yummy food options! A day trip to Austin Texas is close and easy if you are already visiting nearby San Antonio. Check out these suggestions from an Austin local for spending one day in Austin Texas!
If you enjoy my itinerary for one day in Austin Texas, check out these other pieces:
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- What to do in Stockholm, Sweden with Only One Day
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Getting To and Around Austin Texas
Getting into town from the airport: This seems to be one of the easiest and cheapest towns to get into from the airport. Airport flyer line 100 goes from the airport right into downtown Austin every 30-40 minutes and costs only $1! You can fine more information about Austin airport connections here: https://www.capmetro.org
Austin has been designated one of the country’s most bike friendly cities! If you love bicycling, this is an easy pleasure to add to your Austin Texas itinerary. The city has made a conscious effort to build bike paths throughout the city, making as bicycle a great way to get around. Here are a couple of suggestions about where to rent a bicycle in Austin:
Bicycle Sport Shop
Cruiser Bike: $22/24 hour period
Tandem Bike: $60/24 hour period
Address: 517 S. Lamar Blvd
Phone: 512-477- 3472
http://bicyclesportshop.com/
Barton Spring Bike Shop
One Speed Cruiser: $7.50/hour or $22.50/day
Multi Speed Cruiser: $9.50/hour or $28.50/day
Tandem: $14.50/hour or $43.50/day
Address: 1529 Barton Springs Rd. Suite 31
Phone: 512-480-0200
http://bartonspringsbikerental.com
Work up a sweat on the Barton Creek Greenbelt
7.8 miles of hiking and biking trails right near the city. Rent a bike from either of the above locations and have them point you in the direction of the Barton Creek Greenbelt (another option: Google Maps can give you bicycle directions with bike routes spelled out to print ahead of time!)
More information about the Barton Creek Greenbelt can be found here: http://www.cityofaustin.org/parks/greenbelts.htm
Experience the Wierd Side of Austin
Austin’s unofficial slogan is “Keep Austin Wierd”. Folks who live here are really proud of their local culture and they want to keep it a little on a wierd side. You can experience a little slice of this in the Museum of the Wierd in Downtown Austin. This off the beaten path gem is one of teh last of a dying breed – a dime museum. This place houses oddities that will boggle your mind (in an old fashioned, quirky way that seems like it comes straight from the 1800’s. This is one of the weirder things to do in downtown Austin, but it looks like fun!
Address: 412 E 6th Street, Austin
Admission: $12/adults, $8 for kids 8 and under
https://www.museumoftheweird.com
Where to Eat Lunch in Austin
I hate to use a cliche, but I have heard the word “institution” used about this place. One of the original restaurants to pioneer the Tex Mex food movement, Chuy’s is a great place to relax for lunch and enjoy fresh made salsa and sauces and made from scratch margaritas. A great place to rest and refresh while spending one day in Austin Texas!
Address: 1728 Barton Springs Rd; Austin, TX
Phone: 512-474-4452
http://www.chuys.com
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am until 10:00pm
Friday and Saturday from 11:00am until 11:00pm
Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Featuring: Fully loaded nacho car, $3.75 house margaritas $7.25 house Texas martinis and $2.50 domestic beers.
Cool Off at Barton Springs
Barton Springs is a spring fed pool in Austin and according to my sources is a local hot spot when you need to cool off. Admission is just $3. No food or coolers are allowed, but you will have just come from Chuy’s for lunch so no food should be necessary for a while (make sure to give your stomach time to settle before swimming!)
This really is a MUST on your Austin Texas itinerary. More info available at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool
Address: 2201 Barton Springs Road, Austin
Admission: $9/adult, $4 child
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool
Check out the Austin Food Trucks!
Whether you are planning a day trip to Austin Texas or an Austin Texas weekend getaway, I am SURE that food is on your list. The food truck scene is alive and well in Austin, and it can be a great way to get a taste of the local flavor.
Plan a route on your bike to hit a couple of these unique, local treasures…my choice for dessert would be Hey Cupcake. This foodcart/trailer can be located at different locations on different days of the week…details and information about its location on the day that you plan to be in Austin can be found here: Hey Cupcake!
Dinner and a Movie
But not just your ordinary dinner and a movie…dinner and a movie AND a great beer at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. They have many different themed nights, ranging from Girlie Night to Sing Along Musical Dance Parties to Heckle Vision (where you can text jokes that appear on the screen.)
There are a number of locations, but the location on South Lamar is the one that is closest to Barton Springs.
Address: 1120 S Lamar Blvd
Phone: 512-476-1320
http://drafthouse.com/austin
Experience AWESOME Austin Texas Music Scene
Austin is the home of the South By Southwest Music Festival and one of the music capitols of the world (you can even listen to live music in the Austin airport!)
On a recent search of music events, I saw listings for symphony orchestra, blues, and rock on a given night (and if music isn’t your thing, this guide to Austin Entertainment had TONS of other tempting options that make me think I will need to hang out in Austin for a whole month just to get a bite sized taste!)
You can search the above directory by date to find events for the exact date that you will be spending one day in Austin Texas.
What are your favorite tips for spending one day in Austin Texas? Other great suggestions for what to see in Austin TX in one day
Yay! This is awesome, and yes, the perfect itinerary for a day in Austin. You have to hike the Greenbelt and swim with the hippies at BSP so that you can eat all of the awesome food!
I love Austin!! A few more suggestions: rent kayaks at Barton Springs and explore the river, check out the bats at sunset that live under the bridge, and over-indulge at all the food carts! =)