Explore The Best of Austin in 3 Days
There’s a reason why Austin’s slogan is “Keep Austin Weird.” The Texas capital is a melting pot of culture and, well, all things weird that will make any person fall in love. If you’re planning a trip to Austin, don’t miss out on all the different of things to do, from outdoor activities to exploring weird oddities. In fact, there’s so much to see and do, you’ll most likely have trouble choosing.
If you’re visiting Bat City with only a 3 days to spare, planning an itinerary that combines the perfect combination of the best attractions can be overwhelming, especially with a group. That’s where Longhorn Charter Bus comes in. As the leading Austin charter bus rental company, we help groups travel with ease anywhere they want to go in the city with a modern, up-to-date, and comfortable bus rental.
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Because we work with groups all across the state of Texas, we created the ultimate guide to visiting the best spots that make Austin what it truly is: weird, unique, and unforgettable.
Looking for the ultimate weekend trip instead? Let us help you plan a trip hitting all of Austin’s highlights.
Where To Stay
If you aren’t well-rested, then you won’t be able to enjoy Austin to its fullest potential. We recommend staying at a hotel downtown, right in the heart of all the action, or near a major highway for easy accessibility to all your attractions. Here are a few hotels that you can only find in Austin that will complete your authentic Texas experience:
Hotel Saint Cecilia
Address: 112 Academy Dr, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 852-2400
Heywood Hotel
Address: 1609 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 271-5522
Kimber Modern Boutique Hotel
Address: 110 The Cir, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 912-1046
The Pearl
Address: 1809 Pearl St, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 478-0051
Hotel San José
Address: 1316 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 444-7322
How to Get Around with a Group
Did you know that Austin is the fastest-growing large city in the U.S.? As a large city that only continues to grow, you can only imagine how tricky travel can be, especially with a group. Groups may find it difficult to stay together and organized when they rely on public transportation, like CapMetro, rideshare apps, cabs, and carpooling. Plus, the bigger the group, the more the travel fees accumulate.
A personal charter bus or minibus rental is the best and most cost-effective way for groups to travel around Austin safely and efficiently. Longhorn Charter Bus works with groups of every kind to find the most reliable transportation for their specific trip. Whether you’re on a private trip, planning a wedding, attending a corporate event, or anything else, transportation for your group is completely stress-free when you work with us. From minibuses to full-sized motorcoaches, we’ve got the right transportation for your trip.
Explore The Live Music Capital of the World
Explore what makes Austin weird, fun, and memorable for a trip you and your group won’t find anywhere else. Here’s a 3-day itinerary to help you plan your Austin trip based on our clients’ past trips:
Day 1: The History Lesson
Morning:
Start day at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Address: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 936-8746
Start your first day in Austin learning the complete story of Texas. The Bullock Texas State History Museum features interactive exhibits, films, and events that take you through the history of Texas in an iconic building just a short walk from the Texas State Capitol. If you’re visiting with a group of 20 people or more, be sure to let them know for a personal, guided group tour and discounts. Plan to spend lunch at their Story of Texas Cafe, located right in the building, for favorite Texas comfort food with locally-sourced ingredients.
Afternoon:
Lunch at Olamaie
Address: 1610 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 474-2796
If you’re opting out of lunch at the museum and would rather try Austin’s local cuisine, give Olamaie a try. Just a few blocks away, this elegant restaurant is situated in a refurbished home and features classic Texan comfort food with farm-fresh ingredients. Favorite dishes include the biscuits, the pork chop, the red snapper, and their cocktails.
Harry Ransom Center
Address: 300 W 21st St, Austin, TX 78712
Phone: (512) 471-8944
Next stop, see a collection of rare books, manuscripts, photos, and art with your own eyes at the Harry Ransom Center. Your bus will drop you off directly in front of the building, leaving you to skip finding parking. Located in The University of Texas at Austin, this library’s mission is to preserve authentic works of some of our finest writers and artists, from Hemingway to Kahlo.
Evening:
Catch a Show at the Paramount Theater
Address: 713 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 472-5470
Watch a classic film, attend an event, or enjoy a comedy special in Austin’s original performing arts venue. Standing at over 100 years old, the Paramount Theater is a timeless attraction that signifies what makes Austin unique, featuring performances by prominent artists, including Houdini, Katharine Hepburn, and so many more.
Dinner and Drinks at The Driskill Bar
Address: 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 439-1234
Spend the rest of your evening in a historic bar sipping away on strong drinks after your show. This classy bar sits inside one of Austin’s most historic hotels and features live music to top of your first day in the city.
End day going back to your hotel.
Day 2: Get Weird in Austin
Start day at the Museum of the Weird.
Morning:
Museum of the Weird
Address: 412 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 476-5493
Start your day off in downtown Austin admiring weird oddities, including shrunken heads, bigfoot, and anything else out of the ordinary. As one of the last true dime museums in the U.S., the Museum of the Weird is the perfectly strange way start to your 2nd day in Austin--and is just the beginning!
Afternoon:
Lunch at Franklin Barbecue
Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 653-1187
You can’t visit Austin without enjoying barbecue. As a popular lunch-only spot, Franklin Barbecue is an Austin classic, offering a casual environment with some of the best brisket you’ll ever taste. But get there early! The restaurant is only open until 3 p.m., and the line is usually out the door as soon as it opens.
Cathedral of Junk
Address: 4422-4424 Lareina Dr, Austin, TX 78745
Phone: (512) 299-7413
It’s time to hop on your bus and explore outside of downtown Austin. The Cathedral of Junk is an unusual piece of artwork made entirely out of random junk handcrafted by a local--in fact, the sculpture is located directly on his property. Just make sure to call ahead to let him know you’re stopping by. All he asks for is a $5 donation!
Evening:
Uncommon Objects
Address: 1602 Fortview Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 442-4000
Even if antique shopping isn’t your thing, you’ll want to have your bus take you a few more miles outside downtown to explore Uncommon Objects. This store features an eccentric collection of uncommon antique items, from costume jewelry and old furniture to pinball machines and other vintage items-- all for sale! This eye-catching curiosities store resembles what makes Austin so worth visiting, even if you don’t end up purchasing anything.
Toy Joy
Address: 403 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 320-0090
Head back towards the downtown area to finish off your evening at another strange establishment. Toy Joy is one of Austin’s many unique stores that focuses entirely on, you guessed it, toys. But this isn’t any normal toy store. Toy Joy only sells unique toys, novelty items, and collectibles you can’t find anywhere else. Afterwards, there are plenty of local restaurants within walking distance for you to enjoy dinner.
End day heading back to hotel after dinner.
Day 3: Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Start day at Longhorn Cavern State Park.
Morning:
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Address: 6211 Park Road 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611
Phone: (512) 715-9000
About an hour outside Austin, explore the magic of Mother Nature at Longhorn Caverns. Learn all about the history and geology on a guided walking tour that takes you down 1.1 miles of passageways, featuring beautiful indoor rooms and unique formations. If you have a group of over 20, make sure to call ahead and reserve to be a part of the experience! There’s a snack bar on property for when you get hungry, but we suggest getting lunch at a nearby restaurant when you’re all done.
Afternoon:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Address: 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
Phone: (512) 232-0100
Head back to Austin to explore the native Texas plants, including the beloved wildflower. With a cafe and hundreds of plants to explore, you’ll find yourself in complete paradise. Register for a guided tour to get the ultimate Wildflower Center experience!
Evening:
Mayfield Park and Nature Reserve
Address: 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Phone: (512) 974-6700
Settle down and take in the fresh air at Mayfield Park and Nature Reserve, overlooking Austin Lake. This park features hiking trails at all levels and free-roaming peacocks, making it the perfect setting for an evening picnic or grilling season with your group. With almost non-existent parking, you’ll be glad to have your bus drop you off for a nice, quiet evening.
End day back at your hotel.
Easy Bus Rentals in Austin
Longhorn Charter Bus is the most-trusted bus rental company in the state of Texas, serving not only Austin, but other major cities like Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Waco, and more. Because of our expertise and our large network of bus rentals, we make bus rentals easy and fast, no matter what your trip entails. Get started by calling our 24/7 team at 1-844-447-2779.
