Austin holidays
When the official strapline of a city is ‘Keep Austin Weird’ you know you’re in for a good time. This liberal enclave has an infectious community vibe that’ll make you feel right at home. It’s also a self-proclaimed music capital that’s swimming in cool venues and hosts both Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. The Texan capital has a refreshingly unpretentious food scene, too, plus opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Where meat feasts meet music treats
Sample brunch at Launderette in the Holly ‘hood and see just why chef Rene Ortiz has been nominated for a James Beard Award four times over.
Shop for quirky threads in the trendy South Congress (SoCo) area and sample a speciality margarita at Guero’s Taco Bar while you’re there.
Live it up at the Continental Club whose stage has been graced by everyone, from the likes of Robert Plant to Link Wray.
Take a leisurely stroll around Zilker Park – the venue for Austin City Limits and the Zilker Kite Festival is a popular spot for volleyball, soccer or just simply lounging. There’s a miniature train that runs around it if you’re low on energy. Book your flights to Austin today to get a piece of the action.
Carefully selected Austin hotels
Best hotels in Austin for all types of traveller
We have a great selection of hotels in Austin. The towering Fairmont Austin sits in the Central Business District with rooms and suites overlooking the park-fringed Lady Bird Lake and the State Capitol. In Northwest Austin try the Hyatt Place Austin Arboretum whose rooms offer Cozy Corner sofa-sleepers and oversized workstations. The Hyatt Regency Austin on the shores of Lady Bird Lake is a Four Diamond hotel with a pool and a 24-hour gym. The Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, near bustling Sixth Street, offers a heated rooftop pool and pool bar, plus a 24-hour fitness centre. Finally, the Hilton Austin offers innovative dining at its Cannon and Belle restaurant with local cuisine and a bourbon bar, plus the Austin Taco Project, which combines tacos, tequila and games.
Austin holiday FAQs
- Texans don’t do things by halves, even when it comes to swimming pools. Barton Springs Pool is a whopping three acres. An underground spring keeps it to a balmy 20 degrees year-round, while early birds and evening swimmers can do their lengths for free.
- Barbecue is a serious business here – local pitmasters have even snagged James Beard awards and hungry patrons start queuing around 11:00. Some of the best barbecue joints include the Salt Lick, whose family recipes stretch back to the mid-1800s wagon trains, and Franklin, with brisket that prompts block-round queues. Meanwhile, Black's originated in the nearby town of Lockhart, known as the 'smoked meat capital of Texas'.
- Lady Bird Lake is a sparkling jewel in the middle of town. Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from one of the rental hubs that line the reservoir, get a fresh perspective on the city and look out for harmless water snakes. Swimming in the lake is outlawed though.
- Hike the 102 steps up Mount Bonnell at sunrise to take in a sublime view of downtown Austin when the city’s buildings shimmer in the rising sun. Mount Bonnell is one of Austin’s oldest attractions, drawing in visitors since the 1850s, and it’s also the tallest point within the city limits at 775 feet.
- Visit the Texas State Capitol. One of the country’s oldest surviving statehouses is an impressive structure inside and out. Stroll around the 22-acre grounds admiring the Renaissance Revival architecture before stepping inside to gaze at the intricately decorated rotunda. Free tours help bring it to life.
- Find out how Austin earned its rep as the Live Music Capital of the World and frequent some of the city’s 250 music joints, including the likes of Stubb’s, Emo’s, Antone’s and Parish, where you might discover the next big thing. At the weekend head over to Sixth Street and bar-hop in this raucous, music-filled pedestrians-only zone after 22:30.
- Barton Creek is a quiet, upmarket area in west Austin surrounded by nature. The district includes Zilker Park and the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve with over 4,000 acres of wilderness and 12 miles of trails to explore. There’s dining, shopping and nightlife around Barton Creek Square Mall.
- Downtown is a lively hub thronged with commerce, cocktails and cuisine. Shop on fashionable Second Street, catch a show at the Paramount Theater and discover a museum or gallery on virtually every corner in the area that’s also home to the State Capitol building.
- University of Texas at Austin’s vast campus is home to several leading museums including the LBJ Presidential Library, Harry Ransom Center and the Blanton Museum of Art. Catch a band at dive bar Hole in the Wall or the Ballroom at Spider House Cafe after devouring an old-school burger at Dirty Martin’s.
- The Arboretum is a fun, park-like outdoor shopping centre packed with over 40 outlets. Chow down on family-style dishes at Juliet Italian Kitchen before popping over to Amy’s Ice Creams for a cooling scoop. Stock up on fancy oils at Con’ Olio and sample authentic Mexican fare at Manuel’s.
Why choose British Airways Holidays?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We’re one of the UK’s largest holiday companies offering carefully chosen hotels, resorts and villas in the most amazing places, and car hire with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create holiday packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your holiday taken care of.
Low deposits
Secure your holiday with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments.
Baggage allowance
All of our holiday packages include a generous checked baggage allowance.
ATOL protected
You'll be ATOL protected from the moment you book a holiday package.
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Terms and conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply