Denver/ Fun & Entertainment
Published on February 21, 2019
Top budget travel picks: Denver to AustinPhoto: iStock

Looking for a trending new city to explore? Consider Austin, Texas, one of the fastest growing large cities in the country and U.S. News & World Report's #1 place to live in the U.S. for the past two years running.

The self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World" is home to many students, artists and musicians, along with a booming tech industry, and a classic Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex food scene. Despite its growth, Austin seeks to maintain its eccentric local vibe, with plenty of independent businesses and a strong commitment to the local environment.

Austin hosts numerous festivals throughout the year and boasts more music venues per capita than any other city in the U.S. The list of l ocal attractions also includes extensive theaters, museums and outdoor spaces like parks, lakes and waterways.

Whether you’re trying to escape ASAP or you’re looking to plan your trip around the cheapest fares, take a look at these forthcoming flights between Denver and Austin, which we pulled from travel site Skyscanner.

We've also included top-rated hotels, restaurants and attractions in Austin to get you started on planning your ideal get-away.

(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Flight deals to Austin

The cheapest flights between Denver and Austin are if you leave on March 2 and return from Texas on March 4. Spirit Airlines currently has tickets for $65, roundtrip.

There are also deals to be had in May. If you fly out of Denver on May 1 and return from Austin on May 4, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $67 roundtrip.

Top Austin hotels

To plan your accommodations, here are some of Austin’s top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction.

The Driskill - in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt (604 Brazos St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Driskill - in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $129.

A landmark in downtown Austin, this legendary hotel was built in 1886 as the showplace for cattle baron Jesse Lincoln Driskill and has since become synonymous with traditional Texas hospitality. 

The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center (1900 University Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

There's also the 4.8-star rated The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, which has rooms for $129/night.

Located on the south side of the University of Texas campus, the AT&T Education and Conference Center offers luxury hotel amenities and full conference center facilities, including intimate meeting rooms with arena seating smart classroom technology. 

The Hotel Ella (1900 Rio Grande)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

A pricer alternative is The Hotel Ella. The 4.8-star hotel has rooms for $199/night.

Featured Austin restaurants

Don't miss Austin's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.

Uchi (801 S. Lamar Blvd.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

One of Austin's most popular restaurants is Uchi, which has an average of 4.9 stars out of 104 reviews on Skyscanner.

The restaurant combines local seasonal ingre­di­ents with an infinite spec­trum of seafood from around the globe. Uchi invites diners to explore their gastro­nomic bound­aries by pairing tradi­tional Japanese offer­ings with new and refreshing flavors and textures.

"Amazing sushi," wrote visitor Katie. "It's up there against anything you'll have in San Francisco, New York City or elsewhere."

Franklin Barbecue (900 E. 11th)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Another popular dining destination is Franklin Barbecue, with 4.9 stars from 99 reviews.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Also worth considering is Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

"This place is popular so there may be a line, but it moves pretty fast and is totally worth it," wrote Wendy. 

What to see and do in Austin

Not sure what to do in Austin, besides eat and drink? Here are a couple of recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.

Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Road)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is Barton Springs Pool.

As one of Austin's finest attractions, Barton Springs Pool is the perfect outing for those hot Texas days—, or even the cool ones. Maintaining a comfortable 68 degrees Fahrenheit year round, you will enjoy a 100 percent natural swimming experience with no chlorine. 

Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail (Lady Bird Lake)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Lastly, spend some time at Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail.

"A wonderful body of water in the center of the city," wrote visitor Nici. "Paddleboarding and canoeing are popular around Lady Bird Lake and I do suggest trying them at least once."


This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.