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 local attractions also includes extensive theaters, museums and outdoor spaces like parks, lakes and waterways.
Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively inexpensive flights between Washington and Austin. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind.
(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.)
Cheapest Austin flights
Currently, the cheapest flights between Washington and Austin are if you leave on April 30 and return from Texas on May 4. Frontier Airlines currently has tickets for $97, roundtrip.
There are also deals to be had earlier in April. If you fly out of Washington on April 2 and return from Austin on April 6, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $103 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.)
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.
The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center (1900 University Ave.)
There's also the 4.8-star rated The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, which has rooms for $129/night.
The Hotel Ella (1900 Rio Grande)
A pricier alternative is The Hotel Ella. The 4.8-star hotel has rooms for $199/night.
Top picks for dining and drinking
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.)
One of Austin's most popular restaurants is Uchi, which has an average of 4.9 stars out of 104 reviews on Skyscanner.
"Amazing sushi! It's up there against anything you'll have in San Francisco or New York City," wrote visitor Katie.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave.)
Another popular dining destination is Hopdoddy Burger Bar, with 4.7 stars from 127 reviews.
"This place is popular so there may be a line, but it moves pretty fast and is totally worth it," wrote reviewer Wendy.
Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress Ave.)
Finally, there's Home Slice Pizza, with 4.7 stars from 122 reviews.
"Whether you're into spinach pizza or traditional cheese, this place is funky and fun," wrote Tiffany.
Top Austin attractions
To round out your trip, Austin offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are a few top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.
Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Road)
First up is Barton Springs Pool. It checks in with 4.8 stars from 342 reviews.
The grassy hillsides and moss-covered rocks are perfect for sunbathing. Diving boards, concession stands and restroom facilities are also available.
"A must-visit in Austin, especially in the summer," wrote visitor Nici.
Zilker Metropolitan Park (2100 Barton Springs Road)
Then, there's the Zilker Metropolitan Park. It has 4.8 stars from 269 reviews on Skyscanner.
You can check out the hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, canoe rentals, soccer fields and more.
Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail (Lady Bird Lake)
Finally, consider visiting the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail, with 4.9 stars from 183 reviews.
"One of the best things in Austin! The trail is a seven-mile loop that gives you a great view of the city from different sides. It's a beautiful place for a walk or run. You can rent bikes. Great for those who love the outdoors," wrote visitor Jenna.
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.
