Welcome to Austin, the capital of Texas and a proudly “weird” city. If this southern destination is on your travel radar, keep reading to find out the best things to do in Austin in 1 day. From the iconic capitol building to the gorgeous nature scenes of Lady Bird Lake, Austin has something for everyone.
As a native Texan, I have explored Austin many times and continuously find myself returning. This Austin day trip itinerary will allow you to enjoy some of the best parts of the city and likely leave you wanting to return to explore more.
Here is the ultimate one day in Austin itinerary and other helpful information to make your city trip the best possible! If you’re traveling around Texas, read more about other fun places to visit here.
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Austin 1 Day Itinerary
Morning
Breakfast as Afuga Coffee
It would be wrong not to start your day with a stop at one of Austin’s many boutique coffee shops. Afuga Coffee is one my favorite coffee shops in Austin, and if you’re a fellow coffee snob, this is a must visit.
To begin your one day in Austin with a bang, enjoy a latte and fresh cardamom bun at Afuga. They have a wide selection of espresso drinks, teas, pastries, and sandwiches.
Walk the Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk
After breakfast, head to the Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk for the best views in Austin. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail goes around nearly the entire lake; the boardwalk section is one of the most scenic parts of Austin and a great place to stroll and enjoy city views.
If you’re coming from Afuga Coffee, cross the river at the I-35 bridge and head right towards Congress Avenue. You can catch a rideshare lift to the Capitol, like Uber or Lyft. You can also walk or rent an electric scooter or bike. You can find these around the city, and you can download an app on your phone to rent them easily.
OR Kayak on Lady Bird Lake
If you’re feeling adventurous, go for a kayaking outing on Lady Bird Lake! This guided kayak tour of Austin includes all the equipment you need to enjoy a morning out on the water. You’ll get to kayak past the downtown Austin skyline and into Barton Springs all with a local guide at the helm.
This tour is suitable for all levels as it includes a kayaking lesson at the start. The water on Lady Bird Lake is very calm, so you won’t have to worry about rapids of any kind.
Afternoon
Guided Tour of the Capitol
A quintessential activity in Austin is visiting the Capitol. Sitting at the end of Congress Avenue, the Texas Capitol is a must-see! You can just stop by and snap some pictures or stay for a guided tour.
Tours run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on Monday through Friday and 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm on the weekends. They last about 30 minutes. You can also go on a self-guided tour of the Capitol any day. There are tour brochures available to help guide you around the Capitol.
Go On a Famous Texas BBQ Food Tour
If you’re visiting Austin from out of state, you have to try some of the best barbecue in the world. Austin has famously good barbecue spots as well as a plethora of smaller barbecue joints. This city hands down boasts the best, so if you’re a meat eater, make sure to leave room for Texas barbecue.
The best way to enjoy barbecue is by going on this 2-hour guided Austin food tour. You’ll get to try two iconic Austin barbecue joints as well as authentic Mexican food and the freshest smoothies in town.
You can also enjoy famous Texas barbecue at your own pace!
Be aware that the lines can get insanely long (I’m talking upwards of 3 hours) at the most famous Austin barbecue joints. To make the most of your one day in Austin, I recommend stopping by an equally delicious spot without the wait.
Go on your own BBQ tour of Austin and try one or more of the following restaurants!
- Terry Black’s Barbecue | 4.7 (20,558) · $30–50
- Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que | 4.4 (6,032) · $20–30
- Lamberts | 4.4 (1,949) · $20–30
- B. Cooper Barbecue | 4.9 (203) · $10–20
- JNL Barbecue | 4.9 (239) · $10–20
Evening
Stroll Down South Congress Avenue
South Congress Avenue is one of the most iconic places in Austin, Texas. This street is where you’ll find a ton of shops, from brand names to boutiques, as well as restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream shops.
I recommend walking around this area and staying for dinner. Stop for a pick-me-up at Two Hands (above); their coffee and bar drinks are a hit! There are tons of restaurants to choose from for dinner, and if you’re feeling like a drink afterward, stop by a bar or cocktail lounge.
Get Photos by the “I love you so much” Mural
What’s a trip to Austin without stopping by the iconic “I love you so much” mural. Austin has quite a bit of street art, so keep an eye out while you’re exploring. But if you don’t see any, make sure you stop by this mural on S Congress Ave and W James St. It’s right across the street from Amy’s Ice Cream!
Sushi Dinner and an Ice Cream Treat
If you want to stick around the South Congress area, there are many great restaurants here. I highly recommend Lucky Robot for a delicious sushi dinner. You should snag a reservation if you can beforehand, and know it is on the pricier side (but this is Austin, so what’s not). The vibe, the food, and the service at Lucky Robot are all fantastic.
To switch things up, if you have a car, drive to Loro for a unique Asian fusion dinner. This restaurant is sooo good, it’s just a little inconvenient to get to if you don’t have a car in Austin. For cheaper bites that still hit the spot, I recommend Guero’s Taco Bar or Home Slice Pizza.
End your one day in Austin itinerary with a stop at the famous Austin ice cream parlor, Amy’s. There are multiple locations around the city, but if you stick around South Congress Ave, then stop by their window service location here. They always have quirky flavors along with classics, and their ice cream never disappoints.
Stay Out for Drinks
If you want to stay out longer, S Congress has a plethora of bars. Head to Cosmic Pickle for a laid back, beer garden feel. They have a big selection of beers, cocktails, and wines. For a moodier, fancier night out, go to Equipment Room for a cocktail!
Where to Stay in Austin
Some neighborhoods in Austin are much nicer than others. When it comes to the best places to stay in Austin, I recommend Downtown, Travis Heights, or East Austin, so you’re closer to most things and in a nice area. Here are a few of the best hotels in Austin.
- South Congress Hotel | Best location, 9.1/10 rating, $$$ (Click here to check availability)
- The Otis Hotel Austin | Chic hotel with great staff, 9.1/10 rating, $$$ (Click here to check availability)
- Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol | Best budget-friendly option, 8.9/10 rating, $$ (Click here to check availability)
Austin Itinerary Map
Other Best Things to Do in Austin
If you find yourself with more time to spend in Austin, there is no shortage of fun activities here. There are great museums, outdoor spaces, and fun boutique shops like BookPeople. Or swap one of the itinerary activities with the following options! Here are other fun things to do in Austin, Texas.
- Stroll through Zilker Botanical Garden
- Visit BookPeople (for bookish folks…hey friends!)
- Bullock Texas State History Museum
- Have traditional tea at West China Tea
- Walk to the Pease Park Treehouse
- Get outside at Peter Pan Mini Golf
- Try the pavlova at Two Hands on South Congress
- Tour the University of Texas at Austin campus
- Admire exhibits at Blanton Museum of Art
- Explore the LBJ Presidential Library
- Swim at Barton Springs Pool in the summer
How to Get Around Austin
I do recommend renting a car if you’re not driving into Austin as public transportation is thin here. You could also opt to use rideshares, like Uber and Lyft, but be aware that the costs can add up quickly. If you’re only in Austin for one day, then you can skip the car rental and just grab an Uber.
- Rental Car: Best for those who want to travel around and venture outside of Downtown Austin, and those who are staying more than one or two days.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are both available in Austin; this is a great option for those only visiting Austin for one day and don’t necessarily need a car.
- Public Transportation: Buses and trains are few and far between in Austin, so I don’t recommend relying on this option.
In Conclusion: 24 Hours in Austin, Texas
If given the chance, I recommend staying in Austin for two or three days, but if you only have time to spend one day here, you’ll still get to enjoy some of the best parts of the city. With this Austin 1 day itinerary, you will get to explore the Texas capitol, admire the natural beauty of Lady Bird Lake, try famous Texas barbecue, and visit Austin’s most iconic street.
There is no shortage of fun things to do here, but this itinerary includes the top activities and sights to make the most of your one day in Austin. As a Texas native, I’ve spent many days exploring the Austin area.
I highly recommend visiting Austin, especially if you love a city with great outdoor activity options. Plan a Texas road trip and visit other places like San Antonio and Dallas!
