Exploring the Astonishing Austin in 48 hours.
Austin, Texas, the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World,” is a city that thrums with a unique energy. From outdoor adventures to world-class museums and a legendary music scene, Austin offers something for every kind of traveller. I arrived by plane from San Francisco and took the bus to downtown which was really easy! I stayed at a Super 8 motel, living my American movie fantasy.
Here’s a whirlwind itinerary to hit some of Austin’s must-see sights:
Morning
Take a dip in the iconic Barton Springs Pool, a fed-from-the-spring swimming paradise in the heart of Zilker Park. Be warned, it’s not a hot spring, the temperature is on average 20°c. On a hot day it was amazing to dip into the cool and refreshing waters. Watch out for the Barton Springs Salamanders too! It’s $9 for non residents, you can book tickets online or pay at the window. I had an amazing time here, lounging in the sun on the grassy banks reading and then taking a dip as and when.
Afternoon
Head south to explore the quirky shops and trendy restaurants that line South Congress Avenue. On the way I stopped off for some BBQ at the highly recommended Terry Black’s, it was delicious but I was shocked at how expensive it was. Over $40!
South Congress is a great area, with loads of cool street art. I was surprised to see so many churches with LGBTQ+ flags adoring their exterior. It made me feel super welcome as I explored the coffee shop, thrift stores and had some delicious Mexican food. They even had a whole salsa bar which was insane.I walked down towards the river, it was such a beautiful day.
Early Evening
As the sun begins to set, head to the Congress Avenue Bridge to witness the spectacle of millions of bats taking flight at dusk. There’s a small bank on the South side of the river, I grabbed a few beers and some snacks and watched the sunset. Waiting for the bats to emerge. It was an amazing experience, I’ve never seen so many bats. One thing is I would recommend the boat tour, I think you’d get a better view of the bats from there.
Night
Immerse yourself in Austin’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene with a visit to the bars on Fourth Street. I was staying down near the highway so I started at Cheer aul Charlie’s, a great gay bar with a nice outside terrace. I then headed to Oilcan Harry’s which I loved! They had some really cool drag shows on. I find that when you’re travelling solo, having a show or something on at the bar really helps to make me feel relaxed.
Next up was the Red Room, they also had a show on which is as crazy, I was close to Halloween at this point so it was a bit of a spooky one! After that I headed to The Iron Bear for a couple, this place serves a bit of an older crowd. Once I was at my limit I headed back, stopping off at Velvet Taco for some late night Mexican! It was so good, then my sweet tooth took me to Voodoo Donuts, and I stuffed my face as I walked back to the hotel.
Day 2 – Daytime
Explore Texas history and culture at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, this place is huge, I felt like I learnt so much about Texas and Austin here. The displays were really interesting and I must have been in there for a couple of hours at least. As soon as you walk in the lobby showcases an incredible mural on the floor. Make sure you snap a pic of the giant star outside. Celebration the lone star state!
I followed the historical culture up with a dose of art appreciation at the nearby Blanton Museum of Art, housing a world-class collection. Some of it was being refurbished while I was there, so the space was limited. I loved it, so I can imagine it’s even better when it’s fully open. There were some really thought provoking pieces, and a great exhibit on the Spanish Americas.
Afternoon
No Austin trip is complete without exploring the Texas State Capitol, a grand neoclassical landmark. There are some really cool statues/monuments dotted around the park that the Capitol sits in the centre of. It was a great spot to devour some snacks I grabbed at the 7/11. Check out the small museum in the corner of the park.
Evening
Lose yourself in the live music scene on East Sixth Street, where iconic venues like the Continental Club and The White Horse offer up a smorgasbord of musical styles. There is so much live music in Austin it’s crazy! Such a fun city and I’d love to go back as a non solo traveller and enjoy the nightlife a bit more.
Whether you’re a music lover, a history buff, or simply seeking a vibrant and eclectic city experience, Austin has something to offer you. So come on down, keep it weird, and discover why Austin is unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s also why it’s a beacon of liberalism in a state like Texas!
I had a few hours to kill before my flight. I heard about this really cute and interesting art gallery called Women and Their Work. A gallery that celebrates women and art. I followed this up with a wander through parks along the river. Finally I had to try Whataburger. The burger chain was actually really good, a great way to finish my Texan visit. I took the bus back to the airport, and even spotted an Armadillo on the way!
ALWAYSANOVICE 