13 Ways to Make the Most of 2 Days in Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas packs a mighty punch for visitors with its vibrant music scene, mouthwatering food, and unique attractions. With just 48 hours to explore this lively city, you’ll want to make every moment count. Here’s how to experience the best of Austin’s flavor, culture, and weirdness in one action-packed weekend.

1. Start with Breakfast Tacos at Veracruz All Natural

Morning sunshine calls for Austin’s most beloved breakfast ritual – handmade tacos stuffed with farm-fresh ingredients. Veracruz All Natural has earned its reputation among locals and visitors alike for their perfect migas tacos.

Family-owned and operated, this spot started as a food truck before expanding to multiple locations throughout the city. Their corn tortillas are made fresh daily, and the salsa alone is worth writing home about.

Pro tip: arrive early to beat the inevitable line, especially on weekends. Order the migas poblanas if you’re feeling adventurous or stick with the classic migas original for a foolproof introduction to Austin’s taco scene.

2. Snap a Photo at the “I Love You So Much” Mural

Tucked on the side of Jo’s Coffee on South Congress stands Austin’s most romantic photo spot. The simple green graffiti has become an essential Austin selfie backdrop since musician Amy Cook spray-painted it as a love note to her partner in 2010.

What started as a personal gesture has transformed into an Austin landmark where visitors queue up daily. The wall represents everything that makes Austin special – creativity, spontaneity, and heart.

Grab your coffee from Jo’s while you’re there – their iced turbo is legendary among locals. The mural’s simplicity against the building’s red brick creates the perfect contrast for a memorable photo that screams “I visited Austin!”

3. Browse Local Finds at South Congress Avenue

SoCo buzzes with eclectic energy where Austin’s creative spirit shines brightest. Vintage treasures await at Uncommon Objects, where curated collections of oddities transport you through decades of American history.

Allen’s Boots beckons with rows of handcrafted cowboy boots stretching toward high ceilings – even if you’re not buying, the leathery aroma and Western ambiance are worth experiencing. Street musicians create the perfect soundtrack as you stroll past locally-owned boutiques like Parts & Labour featuring Texas-made goods.

Hungry? Food trailers dot the avenue, offering everything from gourmet donuts to authentic Thai. The people-watching rivals the shopping, with Austin’s colorful characters on full display throughout the day.

4. Take a Dip in Barton Springs Pool

Crystal-clear waters beckon year-round at this natural limestone pool nestled in Zilker Park. Fed by underground springs, the water maintains a refreshing 68-70 degrees regardless of Austin’s notorious summer heat.

Spanning three acres with grassy hills for sunbathing, this urban oasis has attracted swimmers since the 1900s. Lifeguards watch over designated swimming areas while the deep end offers thrilling diving opportunities from concrete platforms.

Early morning swims reward visitors with peaceful moments and possible sightings of the endangered Barton Springs salamander. The pool closes on Thursdays for cleaning, so plan accordingly. Bring cash for the entrance fee ($5 for non-residents) and leave your floats at home – they’re not allowed in this natural treasure.

5. Walk (or Bike) the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

Winding alongside Lady Bird Lake, this 10-mile urban trail offers postcard-worthy views of Austin’s skyline. Locals flock here daily, making it the city’s outdoor social hub where runners, cyclists, and strollers share the path.

The trail’s crown jewel, the Boardwalk section, extends over the water providing uninterrupted lake views. Massive heritage oak trees create welcome shade during summer months, while strategic benches invite moments of reflection overlooking the water.

Bike rentals are available near the trail if you prefer covering more ground. Morning visits reward early risers with golden light on the water and cooler temperatures. Don’t miss crossing the architecturally stunning Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge for the ultimate Austin skyline photo opportunity.

6. Visit the Texas State Capitol

Majestic pink granite rises 308 feet into Austin’s skyline, crowning the highest point in the city. This architectural masterpiece, completed in 1888, stands even taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. – because everything’s bigger in Texas!

Free 30-minute guided tours reveal fascinating historical details and stunning interior spaces. The massive rotunda showcases portraits of Texas governors while the Senate and House chambers gleam with restored 19th-century details.

The surrounding 22-acre grounds feature monument-lined paths and century-old trees providing shade for picnics. Visit during legislative sessions (odd-numbered years) to witness Texas politics in action. Underground extension tunnels connect government buildings with interesting exhibits about state history.

7. Grab a BBQ Plate at Franklin or Terry Black’s

Smoke rises early over Austin as pitmasters tend to briskets that have been slow-cooking since dawn. At Franklin Barbecue, the line forms before sunrise – a testament to Aaron Franklin’s James Beard Award-winning craft.

Terry Black’s offers a worthy alternative with shorter waits and family recipes passed down through generations. The ritual remains the same: order by the pound at the counter, watching as meat is sliced before your eyes. Butcher paper serves as your plate.

Brisket reigns supreme with its peppery bark and signature smoke ring. Don’t skip the sides – creamy mac and cheese, tangy coleslaw, and pinto beans round out the experience. True enthusiasts know sauce is optional when the meat speaks for itself through hours of patient smoking over post oak wood.

8. Paddleboard or Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

Gliding across calm waters offers a unique vantage point of Austin’s skyline that few experiences can match. Lady Bird Lake (technically a river reservoir) forms the liquid heart of the city where locals escape urban energy without leaving town.

Rental shops dot the shoreline offering hourly rates for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. First-timers find paddleboarding surprisingly accessible on these gentle waters. The no-motorboat rule ensures peaceful paddling without waves or noise.

Morning sessions reward early risers with mirror-like reflections and wildlife sightings – turtles sunning on logs and herons stalking the shallows. Sunset paddling delivers magical golden hour views as the cityscape begins to twinkle. Bring water and sunscreen – Texas sun reflects intensely off the water’s surface.

9. Discover Live Music on 6th Street or Rainey Street

Austin earned its “Live Music Capital” title honestly, with over 250 venues where melodies spill onto streets nightly. Historic 6th Street transforms after dark as neon signs illuminate and bands set up in venues barely larger than living rooms.

For a more relaxed vibe, Rainey Street’s converted bungalows offer craft cocktails alongside intimate performances. The Continental Club stands as a local institution where legends and newcomers alike have graced the stage since 1957.

Genre-hopping becomes the evening’s adventure – blues at Antone’s, country at The White Horse, or indie rock at Mohawk. Many venues skip cover charges, instead passing tip buckets for musicians. Check the Austin Chronicle’s music listings before heading out to find your perfect soundtrack.

10. Check Out the Cathedral of Junk

Hidden in a suburban backyard stands a 60-ton testament to Austin’s “Keep It Weird” ethos. Artist Vince Hannemann began this three-story structure in 1988, crafting towers, tunnels, and stairways entirely from discarded objects – bicycles, kitchen utensils, computer parts, and thousands of unidentifiable treasures.

The sprawling sculpture feels like entering another dimension where junk transforms into art. Sunlight filters through colorful bottles, creating stained-glass effects on metal surfaces.

Visits require appointments (call ahead) and a small donation. The creator often guides visitors himself, sharing stories behind his favorite pieces. This hidden gem represents Austin’s creative spirit at its finest – resourceful, unexpected, and utterly unique.

11. Explore the Blanton Museum of Art

Artistic treasures await inside this limestone building on the University of Texas campus. The Blanton houses over 21,000 works spanning ancient Greek pottery to contemporary installations.

The museum’s crown jewel, Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin,” stands as a freestanding building with colored glass windows creating rainbow patterns across white marble. Latin American art forms a particular strength with one of the finest collections in the country.

Thursday evenings offer free admission, drawing students and art lovers. The museum’s thoughtful curation balances accessibility with depth, making fine art approachable for all visitors. The airy atrium features a stunning staircase installation of blue floating shapes by Teresita Fernández that changes appearance as you move throughout the space.

12. Watch the Bats Emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge

As sunset paints Austin’s sky, an extraordinary natural spectacle unfolds. Nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats spiral out from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in a swirling black ribbon that stretches across twilight skies.

This colony – the largest urban bat population in North America – calls Austin home from spring through fall. The bridge’s 1980 reconstruction accidentally created perfect bat roosting crevices underneath. What began as an unwanted pest problem transformed into one of the city’s most beloved attractions.

Prime viewing spots include the grassy hillside below the bridge or boats on Lady Bird Lake. The Bat Conservation International offers educational programs before emergence. Peak viewing occurs August through October when baby bats join the nightly hunt, creating even more dramatic displays.

13. End with Late-Night Tacos from a Food Truck

Austin’s culinary heartbeat continues long after most cities have gone to sleep. Food trucks illuminate parking lots and street corners, serving hungry night owls until the early morning hours.

Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ represents the perfect Austin fusion – smoked brisket nestled in handmade tortillas with bright salsas. Las Trancas specializes in authentic Mexican street tacos with perfectly grilled meats topped simply with onion and cilantro.

El Primo’s tiny trailer packs massive flavor into breakfast tacos served all day. These mobile kitchens often produce more innovative food than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Picnic tables foster community as strangers become friends over shared meals. Cash works best at most trucks, though many now accept cards.