Austin, the vibrant capital of Texas, is a foodie’s paradise and a historian’s dream. Two days in Austin is the perfect amount of time to explore what the area has to offer. It is one of the best cities to visit in Texas and could easily be paired with a trip to San Antonio or Houston.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Austin here. They are very affordable too!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you! Special thanks to the Bullock Museum for hosting me on my trip to Austin! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Table of Contents
History of Austin
Austin has an interesting history as it reflects a lot of the story of the American Southwest. Originally founded in 1839, it was named after Stephen F. Austin, who is known as the Father of Texas. It became the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1839.
During the Civil War, Austin was a strategic location that caused the city to grow. The expansion of the railroads continued to spur further growth. The University of Texas was founded in 1883 and continued Austin’s growth as a hub for learning and culture.
In World War II, Austin saw rapid population growth and urban expansion. During the 21st century, the area has become a tech haven. Today, Austin is known for its vibrant music scene and a center for cultural diversity.
When to Spend Two Days in Austin
The best time to spend two days in Austin is in the fall or spring. During summertime, the weather is very hot and humid. In the wintertime, it can get pretty chilly. Thus, visiting in fall or spring allows for the ability to be outside during good weather.
How to Get to Austin
Austin has one major airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights. You can get flights from all over the United States into Austin. Alternatively, there are some flights from Mexico and Canada.
Austin is also a great city to pair with other Texas cities like Dallas, San Antonio, or Houston, all of which also have major international airports.
Transportation in Austin
While Austin does have some public transportation options, I recommend renting a car in order to take some day trips during your two days in Austin. I recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings as it will search all rental car companies for you.
If you plan to only stay in the downtown Austin area, you can use the bus and metro rail system to get around. A day pass is only $2.50. Alternatively, Uber and Lyft are widely available.
Where to Stay in Austin
The main area of Austin, which has the majority of the attractions, is the downtown Austin area. This is where you will want to stay if you do not rent a car, as you can walk to many of the local attractions.
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Austin here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
The following options are great locations in the downtown area.
- Hyatt Regency Austin
- Hyatt Centric Congress Ave.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Austin-Downtown
- Hilton Austin
- Austin Marriott Downtown
- Courtyard Austin Downtown
- Holiday Inn Express Austin Downtown
We opted to stay outside of downtown at the Hyatt Place Austin/Arboretum since we knew we were taking several day trips. This was a good way to save some money as hotels are significantly cheaper outside of the downtown area.
What to do During Two Days in Austin
Day 1
Bullock Museum
Cost: $15
Hours: 10am-5pm
The Bullock Museum, also known as the Bullock Texas State History Museum, is a major cultural institution in Austin. This museum highlights the history of Texas and its diverse people through a variety of exhibits spread across three floors.
The exhibits at the Bullock Museum do a good job of highlighting the various eras of Texas history and exploring various facets of Texas history. I appreciated the nod to the Native Americans who lived on the land prior to the settlers. It also gave a good overview of the Mexicans living in Texas prior to the takeover from the United States.
In addition to the temporary and permanent exhibits, the Bullock Museum is also home to an Imax Theater, a cafe, and puts on various educational events throughout the year. It also has several free admission days throughout the year, so make sure to check the website for more details!
Capitol Building
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm, Sat-Sun: 9am-6pm
When spending two days in Austin, you will not want to miss out on visiting the capital of Texas. Visitors can opt to take a self-guided tour of the inside, exploring the exquisite interior. Alternatively, you can take a free 30-minute guided tour. They leave every 30-45 minutes every day of the week.
Eat lunch at Fareground
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-9pm
When spending time downtown during your two days in Austin, you cannot miss eating at Fareground. This food hall has five different eateries to choose from and two bars/cafes. It is the perfect place to meet friends or hang out with a larger group.
The University of Texas Campus
For those interested in seeing one of the best known universities in Texas, you will want to make a stop at the University of Texas Campus. Here, you can visit the University of Texas Hall of Fame to see all of their trophies and learn more about sports at the University. Alternatively, you can spend some time walking around campus and checking out the architecture. If it is during football season, you may want to check out a game!
Terry Black’s BBQ
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by Location
Tonight, grab dinner at one of the best mouthwatering barbeque places in Austin, Terry Blacks. This restaurant was established by the Black family and has many of the major barbeque staples. They are most well known for their massive beef ribs. No matter what, you cannot go wrong with anything you get, and you will not be sorry to grab dinner here during your two days in Austin.
Alternatively, you could also check out Leroy and Lewis Barbecue, another popular Austin barbeque spot.
Day 2
Barton Springs
Cost: $9
Hours: Varies
Start your second of two days in Austin with a visit to Barton Springs. This massive outdoor natural swimming pool is popular with locals and visitors alike. The pool itself is 3 acres and is fed by underground springs, which keep the water 68-70 degrees consistently year-round. You can easily spend several hours relaxing in the area.
It is important to note that you cannot bring food into the complex. I also recommend that you buy tickets online ahead of time.
LBJ Library
Cost: $16
Hours: 9am-5pm
The highlight (for me) for any two days in Austin is a visit the the Lyndon Baines Johnston Library. I enjoy visiting any presidential libraries whenever I am in places that have them, like in Boston! At this library, you learn all about the presidency of LBJ. They recently added a new exhibit on his policy and involvement in the Vietnam War, which is often considered the most controversial period of his presidency.
Plan to spend about an hour exploring the museum -it has three floors, so it is not huge. Also, admission is half off on Tuesdays, and there are several free days throughout the year, so be on the lookout for those days!
Cape Bottle Room
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Fri: 2pm-10pm, Sat: 12pm-10pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm
After spending the day relaxing at Barton Springs and visiting the LBJ Library, head to the Cape Bottle Room for some wine tasting. This tasting room only serves South African wines, which is not as well known in the wine scene. You can opt to do wine flights, glasses, or bottles. I recommend trying a pinotage! It is a great way to unwind during your two days in Austin.
Bats at Congress Ave. Bridge
Right before sunset, head to the bridge at Congress Ave. to watch the bats take flight! Each night at sunset, the bats wake from their slumber and fly off over the town.
Dinner at Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
Cost: $$
Hours: 5pm-10pm
To finish off your two days in Austin, head to Kemuri Tatsu-Ya for dinner. This Japanese Texas fusion restaurant offers some delicious options. I recommend the omakase menu. This is a preset menu with different courses that offer a variety of items off their menu. The hot pocketz and the chicken were two of my favorite dishes, but you cannot go wrong with anything that you order.
More Than Two Days in Austin
If you have more than two days in Austin, it is a great area to base yourself on to take some day trips to other areas nearby. Don’t forget to stop at a Buc-ee’s along the way!
Day trip to Waco
Taking a day trip to Waco makes for a fun escape from the city. In Waco, you can find a plethora of things to keep you busy. From learning about ancient mammoths, the Dr. Pepper Museum, to visiting the Silos at Magnolia Market, there is plenty of things to explore during a day in Waco. It is also home to Baylor University, which has a popular football team.
Day trip to Fredericksburg
Wine lovers may want to take a day trip to the Fredericksburg area to check out this cute German town. The area is full of wineries that offer a lot of Texas varietals. It becomes very popular during the winter season when the town is extensively decorated for the Holiday season.
Day trip to the LBJ Ranch
History lovers will not want to miss a trip to the Texas White House, also known as the LBJ Ranch. LBJ spent a lot of time here during his presidency. In addition, this was also his birthplace, and Johnson is now buried there. It is also free to get into the ranch as it is run by the National Park system.
Final Tips for Two Days in Austin
Austin is a fantastic city to explore, especially for foodies and history lovers. Planning to spend two days in Austin is the perfect amount of time to see the sites and get a sampling of the food. If you have time, pair it with a trip to San Antonio and Dallas, which also makes for a great Texas road trip.
