Austin in a flash

Only 24 hours in Austin? Make the most of a quick getaway

With perfect temperatures in the air and the craziness of South By Southwest out of the way, it’s a great time for a short weekend trip to one of the most versatile cities in Texas. Visiting Austin on non-football weekends is a different experience, with activities and restaurant choices for everyone.

An itinerary can be crafted in many different ways to focus on outdoor activities (rent a canoe on Town Lake, throw a Frisbee at Zilker Park, grab lunch at a South Congress food truck), museum tours (there’s the Blanton, Capitol, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum), or a shopping tour (2^nd Street area, South Congress, The Domain).

Here is one way to spend 24 hours in Austin on a beautiful spring weekend. Don’t forget it’s almost bluebonnet season, too, which makes the trip all the more enjoyable.

(9 a.m. – Noon): Leave Houston early on a Saturday morning and arrive before lunchtime. Check in at a downtown hotel or stay with friends. Don’t spend too much money on lodging; you won’t be there long.

(Noon – 2 p.m.): Drive to Shady Grove on Barton Springs Road for lunch. Grab a drink at the bar and wait for a table outside. Choose from their giant salads, Hippie sandwiches, and add on the green chile cheese fries. Don’t worry, you’ll walk it off later.

(2 – 5:30 p.m.) Here’s your chance to explore. Take in a few museums, as many are close together near campus. If museums aren’t for you, venture to South Congress to browse some eclectic shops, get great photos of the Capitol from across Town Lake, and enjoy one of Austin’s funkiest areas. Head north to The Domain, an outdoor shopping mall far less congested and easier to park at than The Galleria. Grab a snack at the flagship Whole Foods on 6^th Street and Lamar (80,000 square feet of foodie heaven) or grab an afternoon pick-me-up juice at Daily Juice off of Town Lake.

(5:30 – 7:30 p.m.) Head back to your hotel to rest and gear up for the night. Nothing in Austin is too dressy, jeans are appropriate most everywhere. Start off the night with drinks at any bar you see on 4^th-6^th Street, then head to dinner.

(7:30 – 9:30 p.m.) Austin has great restaurants to suit large parties, intimate tables for two, authentic Mexican food, BBQ outside of the city, and even a winery with restaurant and wine tastings. Lambert’s on 2^nd Street is great for upscale BBQ featuring brisket, ribs and quail, served with more than just drippy corn kernels and green beans. The Achiote Seared Chickpeas with Goat Cheese is an amazing appetizer, as is the smokey gumbo soup of the day.

(9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.) Whether you are ready to hit the club scene, a relaxed bar, or find some live music, Austin has variety. Try Halcyon, a fun dessert/coffee shop on 4^th Street, where you can make your own S’mores served over an open fire with a Hershey’s bar, marshmallows and graham crackers. If you are ready to leave downtown, Amy’s Ice Creams or Mozart’s on Lake Austin are perfect for dessert. The W Hotel is newly opened and has three bars/lounges of different styles.

Check Antone’s, La Zona Rosa, or Esther’s Follies for live music/shows to reserve ahead of time. It’s a smart idea to keep your dinner and bar scene all downtown to avoid needing your car. Pedi-cabs are all over Austin to help scoot you along too. West 6^th Street (Star Bar, J. Black’s, Molotov, Little Woodrow’s) is a popular strip of bars for the non-college age crowd.

(2 – 9 a.m.) Sleep.

(9 a.m. – Noon) Get some exercise with a walk around Town Lake or head over to Jo’s Coffee on 2^nd Street for a quick coffee or breakfast before hitting the road.

A great cure for a hangover is TNT’s (stands for Tacos and Tequila) Sunday Mexican-style brunch buffet for $17.95/person. It includes made-to-order huevos rancheros, omelets, and choices of sugared donuts, corn soufflés, migas and more, so you'll be well-fed on your way out of town. Don’t forget about their dozens of tequila choices for the non-drivers in your party.

(Noon – 3 p.m.) Back to Houston. This itinerary just scratched the surface, so it's a good thing that Austin is just about the right distance for visiting regularly.

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2025 world's best awards

6 Houston hotels ranked with the best in the world by Travel + Leisure

Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

The Houstonian is back on top as the best resort in Texas.

Several renowned Houston hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication's annual World's Best Awards.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was honored as the No. 1 best resort in Texas, while the prestigious Post Oak Hotel ranked as the No. 7 best hotel in the nation. Among T+L's list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, four more distinguished Houston properties made the cut.

Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

The Houstonian Hotel reclaimed the top spot for 2025 after previously slipping into No. 4 in 2024. The publication celebrated this "serene sanctuary" for its numerous sports and fitness activities, plus its rejuvenating 26,500-square-foot spa, pool, and jacuzzi. The resort's location next to Memorial Park also provides guests with the feeling that they've escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

“The staff treats you like you are a long-awaited family member," said a T+L reader.Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

"Resort guests receive complimentary access to the fitness club, which has dedicated spaces for a myriad of sports, including nine tennis courts, a shaded jogging trail, an indoor track, and a lap pool," the report said. "On top of the unbeatable facilities and location, the Houstonian’s memorable hospitality had our voters eager for repeat visits."

In a press release, general manager Steve Fronterhouse said the entire Houstonian team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

"To be named the best resort in Texas by the discerning readers of Travel + Leisure is not just a reflection of our 27 acres and amenities; it’s recognition of the Southern hospitality and warmth our staff delivers every day," he said. "We are grateful to all of our guests who continue to make The Houstonian their home away from home.”

The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine

Best hotels in the U.S.
In addition to being ranked among the top 10 best hotels in the U.S., The Post Oak Hotel was also hailed as the No. 1 best hotel in Houston. The hotel succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its on-site restaurants and bars add to the overall opulence of the property's amenities.

"And naturally, there's a world-class spa on site and a Rolls‑Royce showroom in case you need to pick up a new ride," the report said.

Stay in style at The Post Oak Hotel. Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel

A T+L reader said The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel is "a destination in itself" and noted that guests could still have a memorable experience in Houston even if they never step foot off the 700,000-square-foot premises. But if guests did choose to explore everything the city has to offer, the hotel provides an over-the-top travel method.

"There is a rooftop helipad so that you don't even have to sit in Houston traffic if you don't want to," the reader said.

The full list of Houston winning hotels, in order, are:

No. 1 – The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
No. 2 – Hotel ZaZa
No. 3 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
No. 4 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
No. 5 – Hilton Americas-Housto

Other Texas awards
San Antonio's Hotel Emma and Fort Worth's Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection were the only two other Texas properties to earn acclaim in T+L's list of the "15 Best City Hotels in the U.S."

San Antonio was also deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World's Best Awards "reflect a travel landscape in motion."

"From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place," Gifford said. "We're thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences."

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