If you’re seeking a destination for your next vacay that’s perfect for any budget – Austin, Texas, fits the bill. From private, A-List tours that show off the city sights to budget-friendly museums and free art walks, this capital city has a little something for everyone.
Austin Attractions
Premium Ticket Experiences Up to $200
Private tastings in the Texas Hill Country, live music performances, and laugh-out-loud comedy shows. When it comes to unique tours, check out Austin Detours! Whether you’re looking for some of the best barbecue and craft beer joints throughout the city or have a craving for breakfast tacos (yes, there’s a breakfast taco tour), expect to feel like a VIP as you explore the city.
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Austin on the Downtown Austin Helicopter Tour. As you soar over the city, you’ll get a panoramic view of the Texas Capitol Building, Zilker Park, the University of Texas, and the Colorado River. It’s a great way to see some of Austin’s most iconic sights.
You’ve enjoyed Austin by land; now, how about by water? Cruise across Lady Bird Lake for spectacular views of the city skyline on an Austin Sunset Boat Cruise. A guide will provide local insights about popular spots like the Paramount Theater and the Willie Nelson statue as the sun goes down. March through October, this tour also includes a bat-watching excursion, where you’ll see free-tailed bats flying under the Congress Avenue Bridge.
If you love beer, then the 3.5-hour Austin Signature Brew Tour is a must. Across three different stops, you’ll sample up to 12 beers while getting a peak behind the scenes at some of Austin’s top breweries. Sample the world-famous Belgian-style witbier with notes of coriander and orange peel at Celis Brewery, or try a Sour Pale Ale at Blue Owl Brewing. Designated driver included!
Budget-Friendly Adventures Under $50
Beat the heat at the Typhoon Texas Waterpark, open from June through August. You’ll spend the day floating down the 1,000-foot lazy river and splashing in the wave pool. For adrenaline-pumping thrills, race down one of the many water slides, from the twists and turns of The Snake Pit to the seven-story free fall of The Dualin’ Daltons!
Art lovers should check out the newly reimagined Blanton Museum of Art’s indoor and outdoor exhibits. Outside, you’ll find towering petal sculptures, while the 200,000-square-foot interior showcases over 21,000 objects (the most in Central Texas). See ancient Greek pottery, early 20th-century Latin art and stunning casts made from plaster.
At the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden, nature and creativity come together in perfect unison. Here, 168 sculptures are nestled among flowering shrubs, trees, waterfalls and streams. Throughout this lush garden, you’ll see bronze and limestone statues depicting female figures, World War II refugees, and animals.
Dive beneath the waves and encounter stingrays, sharks and more sea life at the Austin Aquarium. Featuring both aquatic and land animals, you can hang out with alligators, sloths, and lemurs. And make sure to snap a selfie with the resident mermaid before you leave!
Texas history comes to life at the Bullock Museum. Home to rotating exhibitions, an IMAX theater and permanent installations, this museum features galleries highlighting European colonization, the Texas Revolution, space exploration and pop culture.
FREE Fun in Austin
Put on your swimsuit and soak up the sun at the three-acre Barton Springs Pool – this public pool is fed by four bubbling natural springs and maintains a 68-70-degree temperature no matter the season. With year-round swimming, this is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals.
Learn more about one of America’s favorite storytellers, William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, at the O Henry Museum. This museum is housed in his former home, a quaint Victorian-style cottage nestled in the heart of downtown Austin. Original manuscripts, personal letters, and rare photographs provide insight into the inspiration behind his most beloved stories.
Love vintage toys? Take a moment to browse through Toy Joy, a quirky and colorful vintage toy store filled with everything from action figures and classic board games to puzzles and yo-yos. Be careful; it might be challenging to walk away empty-handed.
The totally free Texas Military Forces Museum is a great way to spend an afternoon and learn about military history. Check out military artifacts and explore the outdoor artillery park with its impressive collection of tanks and jet fighters. Inside, see the Great Hall’s display of horse-drawn wagons and helicopters.
Don’t leave Austin without checking out the impressive street art on a self-guided Austin Art Walk. Along the way, you’ll see creative works like “Spaceman with Floating Pizza” and “Music Legends on the Drag,” paying homage to Austin’s musical heritage with depictions of iconic musicians who left their mark in the city.
Dining for Any Budget
Fine Dining between $50-$125
For traditional Mexican cuisine in an upscale Hacienda-style atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with Fonda San Miguel. Surrounded by stunning mosaic tiles and ornate chandeliers, you’ll dine on delicious dishes like Camarones Al Pastor, seared shrimp with a pineapple and habanero relish. Don’t forget to order the tres leches cake for dessert!
Expect to pay a premium price per plate at Jeffrey’s, a posh New American hot spot that pulls out all the stops when it comes to ambiance and flavor. We’re talking white linens, servers in tuxedos and dishes that look like works of art. Indulge in truffled deviled eggs, table-side caviar service and dry-aged steaks like the porterhouse or tomahawk with truffle butter.
In Austin’s oldest fire station, the Firehouse Lounge offers up a swanky speakeasy experience (you enter through a fake bookcase)! Sip on classic cocktails or a craft brew from one of the local, small-batch breweries and enjoy live music from some of Austin’s best jazz and blues musicians.
For farm-to-table fare, try Barley Swine’s chef’s seasonal tasting menu. For $115, you’ll sample dishes like cured bluefin tuna with brown butter, baked oysters with creamed broccoli and sweet treats like grapefruit ice cream with shortbread crumble.
Budget-Friendly (and Delicious) under $50
If you’re looking for delicious, grab-and-go eats, Austin’s incredible food truck lineup is where it’s at. There are many food truck parks throughout the city where you can dine on everything from authentic street tacos to barbecue, breakfast bites and crepes.
For some incredible Austin brisket, head over to Franklin Barbecue (don’t be surprised if there’s a line out the door). Enjoy a plate of tender and juicy brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, and jalapeno cheddar sausage links. Be sure to grab a slice of bourbon banana pie for dessert!
Sip on great beer and dig into pizza, tacos and ice cream from local food trucks at Meanwhile Brewing. Try the Octopus Daydream, a tropical hops with a taste of citrus, mango and papaya. Or, go for the Shadow Dance, a chocolate stout with a smoky flavor.
Hang out at the Salt Sow, a laid-back gastropub serving up unique menu items like candied pork belly and duck-fat fries. Chow down on slow-cooked beef shoulder, blackened redfish and bananas foster beignets with local honey.
While the Texas Chili Parlor looks like an unassuming hole in the wall, it’s home to some of the best chili in the state! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even order your chili at an XXX heat level – pile it high with jalapenos, sour cream, cheese, and onions. Beyond chili, you can enjoy Tex-Mex classics like sizzling fajitas and enchiladas.
Austin Accommodations
Luxury Hotels and Resorts Up to $1,000
At the Four Seasons, high-end style meets the hip downtown Austin atmosphere. Experience nirvana with five-star spa treatments, relax in a suite overlooking Lady Bird Lake and take a sunrise stroll along one of the many lakeside trails.
Situated in the Second Street District, The Proper Hotel is Austin’s newest luxury lifestyle hotel. Chill out on the rooftop pool deck and take in the sights of the city with a cocktail made from local, small-batch tequila. Rest in one of the 228 rooms or suites with balconies offering views of Lady Bird Lake. And check out the fitness center and spa. You’re also just a short walk from Austin’s best boutiques!
Located on a private Victorian estate, Hotel Saint Cecilia has 14 charming rooms, a 50-foot lap pool and a neat onsite library featuring vintage vinyl. Lounge in a poolside bungalow wearing a complimentary kimono with a craft cocktail in hand.
Commodore Perry Estate is more than a hotel; it’s an Austin landmark that has transformed into a glamorous retreat and social club. Stroll through the 10 acres of gardens and explore the numerous buildings of this estate, including an Italian Renaissance Revival mansion.
Budget-Friendly Stays Under $200
Just a five-minute walk from Lady Bird Lake, Hotel Van Zandt is the definition of Austin cool. Laid-back, affordable and yet still classy, you can kick back in the bar with live music or relax by the rooftop fireplace. Even better, you’re within walking distance of all that downtown Austin has to offer.
Dating back to 1898, the affordable (yet luxurious) Hotel Ella features a sculpture garden, outdoor pool, and sophisticated restaurant serving up delicious international cuisine. Located in a historic mansion, you can choose between first-floor suites with private walled gardens or second-floor suites with private verandas.
Located in downtown Austin, The LINE is a mix of fantastic art, food, and modern flair. While this mid-century building once housed a jazz club, it now features rooms with local artwork, an on-site restaurant with river views, and free yoga classes.
Zen meets urban chic at the Casulo Hotel. With European and Japanese-inspired décor, this boutique hotel is a great space to relax and get away while still enjoying all of Austin’s attractions. Even better, breakfast is complimentary, and you get a free shrimp platter in the evening.
