- Where to Stay in Austin: Why I Chose an Apartment Over a Hotel
- Day 1: Arrive, Eat, Explore
- Day 2: The Real Austin Day
- Day 3: Last Morning, Then Head Out
- The Black Side of Austin, Texas: East Side Crawl
- What It's Like to Visit Austin During SXSW
- Getting Around Austin
- What to Know Before You Go
- Is Austin Worth a Long Weekend?
Austin doesn’t need to sell itself. The food does it. The music does it. Sixth Street at midnight definitely does it — in all the ways.
I was there for SXSW, which meant Austin was running at full volume. But here’s the thing: you don’t need a badge or a wristband to love this city during festival week. The city is the festival. This guide covers what three days in Austin actually looks like, even if you’re visiting for SXSW or just want a long weekend done right.
Where to Stay in Austin: Why I Chose an Apartment Over a Hotel
For 72 hours in a city with a serious food scene, I wanted flexibility. That meant a kitchen for breakfast, a grocery run on day one, and not eating every single meal out. I stayed at a Blueground apartment on Brazos Street, right in the heart of downtown Austin — and the location changed everything.
From the front door: five minutes to 6th Street, eight minutes by car to South Congress, five-minute walk to most SXSW venues. During the festival, especially, not needing a rideshare to get anywhere was genuinely useful. Surge pricing during SXSW peaks is real — a quick $8 ride turned into $40 during rush hour.
Stay Tip: Having a central base you can walk from matters. Book your Blueground Austin apartment here.
Day 1: Arrive, Eat, Explore
Coffee First
I’d recommend starting your trip with a hole-in-the-wall coffee stop in East Austin before you do anything else. It sets the tone — Austin’s independent coffee scene is genuinely good, and most spots have outdoor seating that lets you ease into the city at your own pace. Ask a local which one they’re going to that week.
Getting Your Bearings
Walk downtown first. The Texas State Capitol sits at the top of Congress Avenue and is visible from most of downtown — it orients you fast. Head south down Congress, and you’ll start to feel how the city is laid out: the Capitol at one end, the Congress Avenue Bridge over Lady Bird Lake at the other. Street art appears quickly. The skyline is modest, but the energy is not.
Austin feels bigger than it is. That was my first honest surprise. It carries the weight of a major city, the crowds, the buzz, the pace — but it’s genuinely navigable.
Dinner: Perry’s Steakhouse
For the first night, I went straight to Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille downtown. I got the tater tot stack with steak on top to start, and a filet mignon for dinner. The sides: mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, came out enormous. This is a share-the-sides situation. Go with someone. Everything was delicious, and the service was smooth, even with the city packed for SXSW.
Evening: 6th Street
After dinner, walk 6th Street. It’s loud, it’s packed during SXSW, and it’s exactly what you expect — bars spilling onto the sidewalk, live music from every doorway.
East 6th Street, Austin, Texas, is where the more local crowd goes: smaller venues, less tourist traffic, better energy, and very Black and historical. If you want a quieter version of the same vibe, Rainey Street is a short rideshare away and worth the trip.
Day 2: The Real Austin Day
Brunch: Bird Bird Biscuit
Bird Bird Biscuit on Manor Road was one of the best meals of the trip. We ordered a sample of everything: the biscuits are handmade buttermilk, soft inside and crispy on the outside — not a single floppy edge.
The pickles were fresh, the sauce was excellent, and the fresh lemonade was worth ordering twice. This is an order-online-for-pickup operation, so plan ahead. Showing up without a pre-order means waiting at the kiosk, which is fine, but slower.
Menu standouts worth knowing: the Firebird (hot chicken, dill mayo), the Bird Bird Bacon (melty cheese, egg), and the Little Bird for a lighter option. It’s consistently ranked among the best breakfast spots in Austin, Texas, for good reason.
Daytime: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is about 30 minutes outside downtown Austin, Texas — and it’s worth the drive. The full tour is three hours, five ziplines, and includes a boat ride out to the island.
The first two lines ease you in. The last three are the longest and fastest ziplines in Texas. The Double Barrel Shotgun — the final line — sends two people side-by-side across 2,800 feet over Lake Travis, Austin, Texas. The views are stunning. Book ahead; spots fill up, especially on weekends.
Afternoon: South Congress Avenue
South Congress is Austin’s most walkable stretch for wandering. I did a full loop — local boutiques, a few vintage shops, a grocery run at one of the independent food stores, and plenty of people-watching.
The neighborhood has good energy even when it’s busy, and during SXSW, it’s a bit more relaxed than downtown. The ‘I Love You So Much’ mural is there; you’ll find it.
Brunch: Serenade at the W Hotel
Serenade inside the W Hotel downtown was a different vibe entirely from Perry’s the night before. I kept it classic: eggs, ham, steak, and their French toast, with drinks.
The restaurant wasn’t packed — the aesthetic is sleek and calm, with a girls-trip energy that I appreciated. Good spot for when you want a nice meal without the crowd.
Day 3: Last Morning, Then Head Out
Boat Ride: Retro Boats ATX
Save the morning of day three for Retro Boats ATX on Lady Bird Lake. This is Austin’s most underrated activity. You rent a restored 1958–1963 vintage fiberglass boat, retrofitted with a quiet electric motor, and cruise the lake with the Austin, Texas skyline behind you.
The boats only seat four people and max out at 4.5 mph, which is exactly the pace you want. No experience required. It’s slow, scenic, and genuinely lovely.
Book directly through their website. Boats are docked at the Waller Creek Boathouse, 74 Trinity Street.
One Last Thing
If you have time before you leave, walk the Congress Avenue Bridge at the right hour. The bat colony under the bridge is one of the best free things to do in Austin, Texas.
Around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at dusk from March through October. From the bridge or from the water, it’s one of those things to see in Austin, Texas, that doesn’t translate until you’re standing in it.
If you have a few extra hours before your flight, Mount Bonnell is worth the short drive. It’s one of Austin’s highest points, 106 steps up, with views of Lake Austin and the Hill Country on the other side. Free to visit. Takes 20 minutes. Most people skip it. Don’t.
The Black Side of Austin, Texas: East Side Crawl
Self-Guided Walking Tour · East Austin, TX
East Austin Black History Crawl
East Austin’s streets hold one of Texas’s richest concentrations of Black history — music venues on the Chitlin’ Circuit, churches built after Emancipation, Green Book hotels, and schools that educated generations under segregation.
African American Cultural & Heritage Facility
912 E. 11th St
City of Austin community center anchoring the East 11th corridor. Home to the ceramic and glass mosaic Reflections by Houston artist Reginald C. Adams, and the mural Portraits of Our History by Austin muralist Ryan Runcie — both celebrating African American figures from Austin.
Dedrick-Hamilton House
912 E. 11th St
In 1878, Thomas Dedrick — a formerly enslaved person — bought this property on Robertson’s Hill. Five generations of his family lived here, including writer-activist Darwin Hamilton. Artifacts uncovered during restoration are now displayed inside the Heritage Facility next door.
Ebenezer Church
1010 E. 10th St
Organized in 1875. Church members moved from a frame building into a brick structure at E. 10th and San Marcos in the mid-1880s. The bell ringing in the tower today is from that original brick church — the congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary this year.
Texas Music Museum
1009 E. 11th St
Housed in the Rev. Marvin C. Griffin Building — named for a former pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church and AISD board member — this museum holds artifacts, documents, and reference materials telling the story of the people who shaped Austin’s music scene.
MW St. Joseph Lodge
1017 E. 11th St
The Most Worshipful St. Joseph Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M. Masonic Temple — an African American Masonic lodge and fraternal organization, completed and opened in 1950.
Dr. Charles E. Urdy Plaza
E. 11th St & Waller
Named for Dr. Charles E. Urdy — chemistry professor at Huston-Tillotson, Austin City Councilman, Mayor Pro-Tem, and first chairman of the Austin Revitalization Authority. The plaza features mosaic tile murals by local artists John Yancey and Regina Thomas.
Metropolitan AME Church
1101 E. 10th St
First members began meeting in a private home in the early 1870s. Driven by their passion for the education of young people, this congregation established Paul Quinn College in 1872 in Waco — now operating in Dallas.
Street-Jones & Snell Buildings
1050 E. 11th St
Named for business leader Oliver B. Street, civic and church leader Deacon Walter Jones, and former Austin City Council member and Travis County Commissioner Jimmy Snell. Formerly housed — and currently house — several Black-owned businesses.
Victory Grill
1104 E. 11th St
Opened in 1945 as Austin’s first home of the blues. A Chitlin’ Circuit venue that brought Billie Holiday, James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner, Etta James, and Chuck Berry to Austin during segregation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
1106 E. 11th St
Named for the legendary East Austin jazz trumpeter and Motown composer. An outdoor music venue in the heart of the historic East End cultural district, near the last home of the man himself.
Charlie’s Playhouse
1206 E. 11th St
Owner Charlie Earnest Gilden made this one of the most popular jazz and blues clubs in East Austin. Ike and Tina Turner performed here. The club thrived under segregation — and ironically, desegregation spelled its end.
Hillside Farmacy
1209 E. 11th St
In the 1920s, Dr. Ulysses “Doc” Young became one of the first African Americans to operate a pharmacy in Austin. Restored in 2019 and designated a Texas Historical Landmark — it’s now an open restaurant. One of the most tangible living markers on this crawl.
Deluxe Hotel
1101 Navasota St
Operated by James and Gladys Reed, this hotel was listed in the Green Book — the essential guide helping Black Americans identify safe businesses to patronize in the segregated South. B.B. King, Etta James, and Tina Turner stayed here while performing nearby.
Fire Station #5
1005 Lydia St
In 1952, Willie Ray Davis, Nathaniel H. Kindred, and Roy Green became the first three Black professional firefighters hired in Texas with the Austin Fire Department. Davis retired as a captain — a quiet but significant marker of integration in city services.
Southern Dinette
1010 E. 11th St
Opened around 1947, the Southern Dinette built a reputation as the best soul food on the Eastside. A community anchor in the heart of the historic business corridor.
White Swan Lounge
1906 E. 12th St
A historic lounge offering live blues and jazz. One of the longer-surviving anchors of the East 12th Street music scene.
Harlem Theater
E. 12th St & Salina St
Founded in 1935 to serve Black moviegoers in ways other Austin theaters would not. Famously served 15-cent chili burgers — so popular that non-moviegoers would come just to buy them at the window.
Sam’s Barbecue
2000 E. 12th St
Family-owned since Sam Campbell opened it in 1957. The current owners, the Mays family, have said they are determined not to lose the restaurant to gentrification. A living piece of East Austin’s Black business community — still open.
Shorty’s Bar & Grill
1010 E. 11th St
Named for owner Eugene “Shorty” Bonner, a popular gathering spot from 1960 to 1987. In 1985, Shorty had the Haehnel Building designated as a historic site by the National Register of Historic Places.
Wesley Church
1164 San Bernard St
After emancipation, formerly enslaved congregation members separated from the First United Methodist Church, formed Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, and built their own sanctuary. The bell in the current belfry came from that original church.
Olivet Baptist Church
1179 San Bernard St
One of several notable buildings in Six Square, Austin’s Black Cultural Heritage District. Designed by John S. Chase — the first African American architect licensed in Texas — in his signature steep, brick-clad angular style.
George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
1165 Angelina St
Opened in 1980 inside what was once Austin’s first library — later its first branch library. Collects, preserves, and interprets the African American experience in Austin. Consider starting your crawl here for context before hitting the street.
George Washington Carver Branch Library
1161 Angelina St
The former “Colored Branch” — Austin’s segregated public library — later renamed the George Washington Carver Branch Library. A 1979 expansion was built adjacent to the original 1926 building.
Kealing Junior High / Anderson High School
1607 Pennsylvania Ave
Built in 1884 as one of Austin’s first schools for African American children. Moved and renamed multiple times, becoming E.H. Anderson High School — Austin’s only public high school for Black students during segregation. Closed in 1971 as part of a court-ordered desegregation plan.
Huston-Tillotson University
900 Chicon St
Austin’s first institution of higher learning, opened in 1875. Two historically Black colleges — Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College — merged here in 1952. Officially became Huston-Tillotson University in 2005. Still active today.
Rosewood Courts
2001 Rosewood Ave
The oldest African American public housing project in the United States, opened in 1939. Currently being redesigned to include 164 units for rent and ownership alongside open green space.
Rosewood Park & Henry Green Madison Cabin
2300 Rosewood Ave
A homestead from the 1870s turned community park in 1930 — historically a Juneteenth celebration site. The reconstructed log cabin belonged to Henry Green Madison, the first African American appointed to Austin City Council, recently refurbished by architect Donna Carter.
Doris Miller Auditorium
2300 Rosewood Ave
Named for Waco native Doris “Dorie” Miller, who — during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941 — moved his wounded captain to safety, then manned an anti-aircraft gun and shot down four enemy aircraft. He became the first African American to receive the Navy Cross, on May 7, 1942.
Yellow Jacket Stadium
Rosewood Ave & Hargrave St
Also known as Anderson Stadium — the main football and track facility for Anderson High School, Austin’s only public high school for Black students during segregation. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.
Source: East Austin Black History Crawl pamphlet, produced by the East Austin Coalition for Quality Education, the African American Cultural & Heritage Facility, and OLCAAA, Inc. Pick up a copy at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX.
East Austin Interactive Checklist and Map
Self-Guided Tour · East Austin, TX
East Austin Black History Crawl
Select a location tab to navigate the map, then tap a zone to see what’s there and check off stops as you go.
A The Music Block
Victory Grill, Charlie’s Playhouse, the Deluxe Hotel — the Chitlin’ Circuit corridor where legends performed and stayed
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✓1
Victory Grill
1104 E. 11th St
Austin’s first home of the blues, opened 1945. Billie Holiday, James Brown, and Etta James all performed here. NRHP listed.
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✓2
Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
1106 E. 11th St
Named for the legendary East Austin jazz trumpeter. Outdoor music venue near his last Austin home — still active.
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✓3
Charlie’s Playhouse
1206 E. 11th St
East Austin’s most popular jazz and blues club. Ike and Tina Turner performed here. Desegregation ironically ended it.
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✓4
Texas Music Museum
1009 E. 11th St
Artifacts and documents preserving the story of the people who shaped Austin’s music scene. Free to visit.
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✓5
Deluxe Hotel
1101 Navasota St
Green Book listed. B.B. King, Etta James, and Tina Turner stayed here while performing on the Chitlin’ Circuit.
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✓6
Fire Station #5
1005 Lydia St
In 1952, Davis, Kindred, and Green became the first three Black professional firefighters hired in Texas.
B Civic & Faith Row
Churches, lodges, and community institutions that held East Austin together through segregation and beyond
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✓1
African American Cultural & Heritage Facility
912 E. 11th St
City community center with mosaic art celebrating African American figures from Austin. Start here.
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✓2
Dedrick-Hamilton House
912 E. 11th St
Bought in 1878 by formerly enslaved Thomas Dedrick. Five generations lived here.
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✓3
Ebenezer Church
1010 E. 10th St
Organized 1875. The bell in the tower today is from the original mid-1880s brick church — 150 years old.
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✓4
Metropolitan AME Church
1101 E. 10th St
Congregation founded Paul Quinn College in 1872. First met in a private home in the 1870s.
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✓5
MW St. Joseph Lodge
1017 E. 11th St
African American Masonic lodge and fraternal organization. Completed 1950.
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✓6
Dr. Charles E. Urdy Plaza
E. 11th St & Waller
Named for Austin’s first Black City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem. Features tile murals by John Yancey and Regina Thomas.
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✓7
Street-Jones & Snell Buildings
1050 E. 11th St
Named for Black civic leaders. Formerly housed and currently houses several Black-owned businesses.
-
✓8
Hillside Farmacy
1209 E. 11th St
Austin’s first Black-owned pharmacy, 1920s. Texas Historical Landmark 2019. Now an open restaurant.
C East 12th Street
Soul food, cinema, nightlife, and sacred spaces — the strip that fed and entertained the community
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✓1
Southern Dinette
1010 E. 11th St
Opened ~1947. Known as the best soul food on the Eastside.
-
✓2
Harlem Theater
E. 12th St & Salina St
Founded 1935 for Black moviegoers. Famous for 15-cent chili burgers non-moviegoers came just to buy.
-
✓3
White Swan Lounge
1906 E. 12th St
Historic lounge offering live blues and jazz. One of the longer-surviving East 12th Street music anchors.
-
✓4
Sam’s Barbecue
2000 E. 12th St
Family-owned since 1957. Still open. Current owners determined not to lose it to gentrification.
-
✓5
Shorty’s Bar & Grill
1010 E. 11th St
Popular gathering spot 1960–1987. Owner Shorty Bonner placed the Haehnel Building on the National Register.
-
✓6
Wesley Church
1164 San Bernard St
Post-emancipation congregation built their own sanctuary. The original church’s bell still hangs in the belfry.
-
✓7
Olivet Baptist Church
1179 San Bernard St
Designed by John S. Chase — the first African American architect licensed in Texas. Part of Six Square Heritage District.
D The Carver Corridor
Libraries, schools, and a university — the institutions built to educate and preserve Black Austin’s history
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✓1
George Washington Carver Museum
1165 Angelina St
Opened 1980 in Austin’s first library building. Collects and interprets the African American experience in Austin. Start here.
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✓2
GW Carver Branch Library
1161 Angelina St
The former “Colored Branch” public library — renamed for the African American inventor and scientist.
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✓3
Kealing / Anderson High School
1607 Pennsylvania Ave
Built 1884. Austin’s only public high school for Black students during segregation. Closed 1971 by court order.
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✓4
Huston-Tillotson University
900 Chicon St
Austin’s first institution of higher learning, opened 1875. HBCU — still active today.
E Rosewood
Parks, housing, and stadiums — community spaces built by and for Black Austin through the 20th century
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✓1
Rosewood Courts
2001 Rosewood Ave
Oldest African American public housing project in the United States. Opened 1939. Being redesigned and preserved.
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✓2
Rosewood Park & Madison Cabin
2300 Rosewood Ave
Juneteenth celebration site since 1930. The cabin belonged to Henry Green Madison — first Black Austin City Council member.
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✓3
Doris Miller Auditorium
2300 Rosewood Ave
Named for the first African American to receive the Navy Cross — for heroism at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
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✓4
Yellow Jacket Stadium
Rosewood Ave & Hargrave St
Main sports facility for Anderson High School during segregation. Added to National Register of Historic Places in 2022.
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✓5
Henry Green Madison Cabin
2300 Rosewood Ave
Built ~1863. Henry Green Madison was the first African American appointed to Austin City Council. Recently refurbished by architect Donna Carter.
What It’s Like to Visit Austin During SXSW
The short answer: you don’t need an SXSW badge to have a good time. The city is the festival. Free shows happen on sidewalks, in parking lots, and inside venues that open their doors during the week. The energy is contagious. Austin at full capacity is loud, packed, and alive in a way most cities never are.
What you do need is a central place to stay. Rideshare surge pricing during SXSW is significant. That $8 Uber becomes $40 during peak hours.
The Waymo autonomous electric vehicle option (available through the Uber app, toggle on electric ride preference) was a genuinely fun workaround, but it doesn’t solve the surge issue entirely. Walking distance to downtown is worth paying for.
Most popular restaurants fill up fast. Make reservations wherever you want to eat dinner, at least 48 hours ahead. Brunch spots with a pickup model, like Bird Bird Biscuit, are actually easier during festival week because there’s no waiting for a table.
Tip: If you’re visiting specifically for the festival, I’ve covered the full SXSW experience in a separate post, for the deeper dive on programming, venues, and navigating the week.
Getting Around Austin
Austin is not a walkable city overall, but downtown and South Congress are the exceptions. For everything in this guide, a central downtown apartment gets you most of the way on foot.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft), pedal cabs, and scooters are the default for anything beyond walking distance. Budget extra during SXSW. A rental car is useful if you’re planning to get outside the city; Lake Travis is 30 minutes out, but not necessary for a pure downtown weekend. Scooters (Lime, Bird) are available throughout downtown for quick hops.
The Waymo autonomous ride experience is available in Austin through the Uber app. Turn on the electric/autonomous ride preference option in settings. It’s worth trying at least once, quiet, smooth, and a genuinely interesting way to move through the city.
What to Know Before You Go
- SXSW runs in March. Book accommodation 3–4 months out minimum — prices spike sharply as the festival approaches. Most popular restaurants fill quickly during festival week; make reservations where possible.
- Weather in March: warm days averaging 18–24°C (65–75°F) with cooler nights. Bring a layer for evenings.
- The Congress Avenue bat bridge, Austin, Texas, is visible at dusk from March through October. Free, no reservation needed.
- Austin, Texas, BBQ joints worth knowing: Franklin Barbecue opens at 9 am, and lines form before that. Terry Black’s is a strong no-wait alternative with the same caliber of brisket. If BBQ is a priority, plan a morning around it.
- Mount Bonnell, Austin, Texas, is a free half-day detour on the way out of the city, a short hike, panoramic Hill Country views, and almost no crowds compared to downtown attractions.
- Lake Travis Zipline Adventures requires reservations and is located about 30 minutes from downtown. Plan it as a half-day trip.
Is Austin Worth a Long Weekend?
Yes. Austin earns its reputation. The food, the music, and the general energy all line up in a way that’s rare for American cities. It surprised me by feeling bigger than I expected, more cosmopolitan, more layered, more alive than the ‘quirky Texas college town’ reputation suggests. The activities in Austin, Texas, run deeper than most short-trip destinations.
The SXSW version is a specific experience: louder, more crowded, harder to get a table anywhere — but also more electric than most cities ever feel. I’d go back during SXSW again. There’s something about seeing a city at its fullest.
If you prefer a quieter visit, fall is a strong alternative. But if you want to see the heart of Austin and tick off every Austin, Texas must-do? March is the answer.
