5 Tips for Traveling to Austin!
5 Tips for Visiting Austin
Austin is an eclectic and artistic city known for its live-music scene, energetic culture, inspiring cuisine, and stunning natural beauty. The “keep it weird” attitude here makes this town so much fun to explore. You can find plenty of family-friendly activities, beautiful hiking paths, hipster cafés, and vibrant nightlife hotspots. If you are ready to experience it all, then check out our 5 tips for planning your vacation to Austin.
#1 Best Time to Visit
The summers in Austin are incredibly humid with temperatures in the mid to high 90s. Unless you love this weather for some reason, it’s probably best to visit from September to November or March to May, when temperatures are averaging around 70s to 80s. The winter in Austin is also enjoyable with temperatures in the low to mid-60s. It completely depends on what is comfortable for you and what activities you want to do. If your schedule is flexible, check out Austin’s festivals so you can plan to attend one that interests you.
#2 Getting to Austin
The Austin-Bergstrom Airport is the major nearby airport. There are direct flights from most cities in the US. However, the Houston Airport (IAH) is only 2 hours away and the flights are typically cheaper. Check out booking Houston Airport parking in advance to reserve a parking spot and to save money on your vacation. Also, you can find cheap flights to Austin or Houston on Skyscanner.
#3 Where to Stay
There’s a lot to consider when picking a place to stay for your vacation in Austin. Although the city is relatively small, each neighborhood has its own distinct character and vibe. If you are looking for live music and vibrant nightlife, then you will want to stay in the heart of downtown. Across the river from downtown is the South Congress neighborhood, which is perfect for visitors wanting to do some vintage shopping along with frequenting Austin’s best restaurants and coffee shops. East Austin is the artistic and creative section of town, with plenty of independently owned art galleries, bars, restaurants, and walls lined with colorful street art.
#4 What to Pack
Austin is unapologetically weird, so don’t worry too much about what to pack for going out. Keep your wardrobe casual and through a vintage t-shirt in, and you will fit right in. Like we said earlier, the weather stays pretty hot and humid, so pack lightweight layers to stay cool. If you’re joining us on a Kayak Tour, then be sure to pack a swimsuit, reusable water bottle, and sunscreen.
#5 Don’t miss the bats!
Austin is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony, so you definitely don’t want to miss them! The South Congress Bridge bats emerge every night about 20 minutes before sundown from March to October. It is a spectacular and unique sight watching over 1.5 million bats fly out from under the bridge. The best view of the bats is from the water on Lady Bird Lake. Join us on an Austin Bat Bridge Kayak Tour to enjoy the beautiful sunset, take in the sights of the Austin skyline, and watch the bats fly overhead.