This two-day plan covers the Texas Capitol, the Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk, Barton Springs Pool, South Congress and an evening of live music, using walking, CapMetro and rideshare. It is a suggested sequence built from official sources; confirm hours, tickets and reservations before you go. Swap indoor options on very hot or rainy days.
Day 1: Downtown and the lake
- Morning — Texas State Capitol. The Capitol is open for self-touring Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; free guided tours run periodically (Monday–Saturday 9:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Sunday 12:00–4:15 p.m.).
- Midday — Congress Avenue and lunch. Walk south on Congress Avenue to the bridge. Pick a restaurant using the restaurants guide; check hours before you go.
- Afternoon — Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is a 1.3-mile section of the 10-mile Hike-and-Bike Trail loop.
- Sunset — Bats (late spring to early fall). Visit Austin says about 1.5 million bats emerge after sunset from under the Congress Avenue Bridge.
- Evening — Rainey Street or Sixth Street. See Rainey Street and Downtown / 6th Street; Sixth Street is closed to through traffic Thursday–Saturday nights.
Day 2: Zilker and South Congress
- Morning — Barton Springs Pool. The three-acre, spring-fed pool averages 68–70°F. Check the City of Austin page for current hours, fees and closures.
- Late morning — Zilker Park. Walk the park or visit the Botanical Garden; see Zilker.
- Afternoon — South Congress. Browse boutiques and murals; see South Congress (SoCo).
- Evening — Live music or barbecue. The Continental Club is a historic South Congress venue; East Austin has barbecue options such as la Barbecue (2401 E. Cesar Chavez St.). Check each venue's calendar and ordering rules.
Getting around
CapMetro local fare is $1.25 per ride ($2.50 per day; fare capping applies). Fares increase January 10, 2027. Rideshare is useful after dark and for Zilker. See the transportation guide.
Swap options
- Very hot day: move outdoor time to early morning; add Barton Springs for cooling off.
- Rain: swap the Boardwalk for the Capitol and a museum; check venue hours.
- Event weekends: SXSW (March 15–21, 2027), ACL (Oct 9–11, 2026) and Formula 1 (Oct 22–25, 2026) change crowds and transport; plan extra time.
Limits
This itinerary is an editorial plan assembled from official sources. We did not walk the route for this edition and we do not publish restaurant or attraction prices that we cannot verify.