Explore Austin in a Day: Top Locations, Activities & Eateries

If you’re planning a trip to the capital city of Texas, this guide is for you. Discover the top locations, activities, and eateries in Austin, along with useful tips to make the most of your time in the city.

I visited Austin during my four-day Texas trip this year. We decided to fly back from Austin instead of San Antonio, as it was close by, and we also wanted to see a few spots and meet our friends.

In this blog post, I’ll share everything we did on our day trip to Austin. One of the spots surprised us the most, and you could say we were lucky to be there at the right day and time to witness something truly spectacular.

Austin isn’t exactly a budget destination, as flights and hotels can be quite expensive. This was one of the main reasons we chose San Antonio as our base. However, we found a fairly-priced flight back to Seattle, so we made a day trip out of Austin. Alternatively, you could fly to Dallas, which often has better flight pricing, and then take a rental car or bus to Austin.

Here’s our complete itinerary and everything we did on our trip to Austin:

Table of Contents

Morning: Bus from San Antonio to Austin

Several buses run daily from San Antonio to Austin. We took the 7:30 AM FlixBus from the San Antonio Bus Station to downtown Austin. It was a short, comfortable two-hour ride, which we fully utilized by catching up on some much-needed sleep 🤣.

Caffeine fix at Cafe 508

Right next to our bus stop in Austin was a coffee shop highly recommended on Reddit, so we decided to grab our caffeine fix there. The café is located inside Bar 508 Mezcalerita and has a comfortable seating area. It also shares space with Pelón’s Tex-Mex Restaurant, where you can order breakfast if you like. I ordered a regular latte, which was delicious, and we enjoyed our coffee at a small park along the Waller Creek Greenbelt Trail near 9th Street.

Visiting the Texas Capitol

The Texas State Capitol was completed in 1888 and stands as a monumental symbol of Texas pride and history. Its architecture is inspired by the grand Italian Renaissance Revival style and features a striking pink granite facade that is even taller than the U.S. Capitol.

Abhi and I love visiting state capitol buildings, and we had heard a lot of praise for the Texas Capitol’s architecture. So, we decided to start our day here. Although we didn’t have time for a guided tour, we explored the building on our own and were thoroughly impressed.

The campus is also home to many historic monuments and statues celebrating Texas heritage. We walked around the grounds to view the Capitol and surrounding landmarks from different angles. Highlights include the ornate dome, Corinthian columns, and the unique whispering gallery in the rotunda, making it a must-see if you love history and architecture.

Tips for your visit to Texas Capitol

Visiting Hours: Mon – Fri, 7 AM to 6 PM and Sat – Sun, 9 AM to 6 PM
Guided Tours: They are free and highly recommended for history and architecture enthusiasts. You can also do a Self-guided tours like we did, if you’re short on time.
Parking: There’s plenty of paid and free parking spots available nearby. However, they get filled up quickly, especially on the weekends.
Accessibility: The building is wheelchair accessible, and there are ramps and elevators available.
Photography: You can take as many photos as you want of the buidling both inside and outside. The grounds and interior are perfect for photos. Don’t miss the rotunda and the whispering gallery!
Time Needed: Exploring the building can take up to 2 hours as the area is huge.

Afternoon: Exploring Texas Military Forces Museum

Abhi loves reading about World War history, so he suggested we visit this museum, similar to our visit to the World War II Museum in New Orleans. The museum is located in Building 6 at Camp Mabry and is free to the public. However, you need to show a valid ID to enter the premises.

The museum houses a wide range of equipment used by the U.S. military during World War I and II, from fighter jets to tanks, it has it all. We explored the artifacts and displays, learning about the wars’ impact on the country and the contributions of various people.

The most compelling part of our visit was watching a reenactment of World War I, which vividly demonstrated the hardships soldiers endured to protect the nation and ensure the safety of others. This performance literally gave me goosebumps and deepened my empathy and respect for the soldiers. You can catch glimpses of the reenactment in my YouTube video.

Tex-Mex Lunch at Torchy’s Tacos

Another one from Abhi’s list, a trip down memory lane to his college favorite, Torchy’s Tacos. This popular taco chain has quite the fan following across the South, parts of the West, and even the Midwest. Known for its wildly creative and flavor-packed tacos, it’s the kind of place where deciding on just one is impossible… so naturally, we tried four.

I went with the Baja Shrimp, one of their most-loved creations and The Hogfather. Abhi went for the Bushfire and the Trailer Park. Every single taco was bursting with flavor, but The Hogfather easily stole the show for me.

We also couldn’t resist adding chips and tater tots to the mix, paired with chorizo and creamy guacamole. The portions were generous, the flavors spot on, and the whole meal felt like a big win for both our taste buds and wallets.

Evening: Short hike to Mount Bonell

After indulging in so many tacos, a hike was a must! 🤣 We made our way to Mount Bonnell, one of Austin’s most iconic scenic spots, offering sweeping views of Lake Austin, the Colorado River, and the Hill Country from its 775-foot summit.

Located in Covert Park, the overlook is reached via a short climb (mostly stairs) and is named after George W. Bonnell, a notable figure in the Republic of Texas. Recognized as a Historic Landmark, this spot is both culturally and naturally significant.

The view from the top was absolutely breathtaking, brilliant blue waters framed by lush greenery and stunning mansions lining both sides of the lake. It’s a photographer’s dream and a perfect spot to watch the sunset. 🌅

The Oasis on Lake Travis

If you have time or are staying in Austin for a night, I highly recommend heading to The Oasis on Lake Travis. This popular Tex-Mex restaurant is known not just for its food but also for its breathtaking sunset views. The Oasis is located outside the city limits, so you’ll need a car to get there. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even zipline across the lake with Lake Travis Zipline Adventures.

Exploring the Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake

Our final stop of the day was Lady Bird Lake Metropolitan Park, a serene escape with a postcard-worthy view of Austin’s skyline. We strolled along the boardwalk, soaking in the golden light on the city’s silhouette and spotting some of the lake’s resident birds.

If you’re visiting Austin between March and November, don’t miss the famous Congress Avenue Bridge, just a few miles west of the boardwalk, where you can watch thousands of bats take flight at sunset. It’s an unforgettable sight!

Lady Bird Lake is also perfect for a bit of adventure. Take a kayaking tour for a fun and relaxing time on the water, or hop on a bike and explore the scenic Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail that loops around the lake. In fact, you can mix Bat watching and Kayaking by taking an Evening Bat Watching Kayak Tour and get the best of both in one place. Whether you’re here for the skyline views, the wildlife, or the activities, it’s a spot that captures Austin’s charm perfectly.

Ending the Day on a Sweet Note

On our way to the airport, we made one last stop at Gourdough’s Big Fat Donuts & Coffee, a famous Austin spot known for its decadent donuts and indulgent desserts. I ordered the Black Out, an intensely chocolatey creation loaded with brownie bites and chocolate chips, rich, but in the best way possible. Abhi went for the Funky Monkey, topped with cream cheese icing, caramelized bananas, and brown sugar. Both donuts were absolutely delicious and so massive that we couldn’t finish them, so we brought the leftovers back to Seattle and happily enjoyed them the next day.

Final thoughts about Austin

Overall, I had an amazing time exploring Austin. The skyline was stunning, and the city offered the perfect blend of urban charm and natural beauty. The view from Mount Bonnell was absolutely breathtaking, and visiting the Texas Capitol was well worth it. Austin makes for a great day trip, as you can easily cover all the top spots without feeling rushed.

Even if you’re flying back from San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston, a day trip to Austin is totally doable, each is just a 2–3 hour drive one way. Moreover, if you’re in Austin and looking for a guided experience, here’s a tour of the Texas State Capitol and Mount Bonell that’s highly recommended by travelers.

You can read more about my San Antonio trip in this blog post and catch my Austin day trip vlog on YouTube. And drop a comment if you have questions about my trip or need help planning your trip to Austin.