Formula 1’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas Travel Guide
Everything is bigger in the state of Texas and nothing is further than the truth when it comes to the United States Grand Prix. The Circuit of the Americas otherwise known as the COTA based in the city of Austin has drawn in massive crowds exceeding four hundred thousand motorsport enthusiasts on a yearly basis.
THERE IS ONLY ONE AUSTIN TEXAS
An extremely popular circuit where overtaking and action take place regularly is a perfect reflection of its host city. Austin is like no other city in Texas and is considered to be a cultural hub in the lone star state. Music, art, and comedy are deeply entrenched in this ever-growing city.
BOOK EARLY OR BE LEFT OUT
One thing is certain: you need to act fast when booking your Grand Prix experience because not only do tickets sell out quickly but so do hotels and everything else you can imagine you need during your weekend there. Book with us and we will give you a leg up against the other F1 fans all vying to join this great event at COTA.
PACKING YOUR BAGS
The United States Grand Prix in Austin has been taking place in the late fall months, usually in October. Autumn in Austin is like summer in many other countries, so be sure to pack light clothing because temperatures hover between twenty to twenty-five degrees.
Bringing a light jacket for the evenings just in case it gets cooler is a smart idea. Rain is also a possibility so be sure to pack some rain gear so you can enjoy the race comfortably in the grandstands.
AIRPORTS AND TRANSPORTATION
For most travelers heading to Austin, you will be arriving by plane and three international airports are at your disposal. The easiest place to land is at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport but the only catch is that it does not serve many international routes outside of the US. You are far more likely to land in the bigger cities of Houston and Dallas, which will require some extra travel time to reach Austin.
HOW TO GET TO AUSTIN
Houston is about three hours away by automobile or bus and if you take the train travel times are even longer, averaging well over four hours. You can cut your travel time from Houston by simply booking a domestic flight which is fairly inexpensive and only takes about an hour and forty minutes to arrive.
Landing in Dallas will leave you a little further away than landing in Houston, with travel times by car or bus to nearly three and a half hours. Taking a train will take you about five hours to arrive in downtown Austin. Once again, taking a small flight from Dallas to Austin is your best bet to avoid a long ride through the wild west.
GETTING TO COTA
Once in Austin, you can rent a car to get to COTA but expect some heavy traffic, especially on race day. COTA is about twenty-five minutes away from the downtown core of Austin so please plan accordingly if you want to drive.
An easier and less stressful way to get to the track is by shuttle buses organized by the city to help you reach the track, which only cost around $10 per day. At the very least, if you do get stuck in traffic you can argue with fellow fans if Lewis Hamilton is truly the GOAT of Formula 1.
WHERE TO STAY
Choosing where to book your hotel will have you tempted to find a room closer to COTA which sits near the outskirts of Austin. Although you will be closer to the track, you will need to drive into Austin to fully enjoy the colorful city. Skip the hassle of driving into Austin by staying in the downtown core of the city where all the best activities take place during the Grand Prix.
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
Public transportation in downtown Austin is not optimal, using Uber or taxis to get around is recommended. Your choices of hotels are vast and cover all budgets. You can easily find standard hotels but for those looking for something bolder you can also find bohemian style hostels, boutique hotels, and luxurious suites. We can help you sort through the huge number of hotels and find the accommodation that suits you best.
WHERE TO EAT
Get ready to loosen your pants because you’ll be eating some hearty meals in Austin. BBQ is king in all of Texas and luckily for you some of the best restaurants in the entire state call Austin home.
HERE COMES THE BEEF
BBQ-inspired restaurants are always a stone’s throw away so if you yearning for a nice rib eye or a huge rack of smoky ribs is always available. Austin cuisine is also influenced by Mexican cuisine, which means you can also find a multitude of taco joints serving up delicious grub.
FOOD TRUCK UTOPIA
Food trucks are also commonplace throughout Austin and you can find them lined up on the streets eager to serve. Food truck parks as they call them are found in the following areas: Rainey Street, Barton Springs, South Congress, Barnet, and Pangea Lounge.
PLENTY OF CHOICE PLENTY OF CALORIES
If you thought this was all the options, you can handle being prepared for more because Austin is also home to many restaurants showing off their mastery of foreign cuisines and you can expect many hybrid modern restaurants offering many dishes to indulge your palate.
To sum it up, Austin is a foodie’s dream and you might put on a couple of extra pounds.
Listed below are some of the best restaurants you need to try in Austin, Texas.
| BARLEY SWINE | PEACHED TORTILLA | OLD THOUSAND | JUSTINE’S BRASSERIE |
| LA BARBECUE | FRANKLIN BARBECUE | LENOIR | 40 NORTH |
| SALT AND TIME | GUERO’S TACO BAR | UCHI | GERALDINE’S |
NIGHTLIFE
Austin is the city that keeps on giving and when it comes to the nightlife you are in store for some wild nights. Austin is the musical center of Texas drawing in amazing bands and performers all year round.
FEEL THE MUSIC
Just like the ease of finding a BBQ restaurant, you can just as easily find live music venues littered across the city. Legends like Stevie Ray Vaughn have called Austin home and there is never a shortage of blues music in the city either.
If blues isn’t your cup of tea you need not worry because rock and roll, hip hop, and Latino music is also widely available adding even more options. During the GP weekend, you can expect stages to be set up and large public performances to take place, for example in 2022 Ed Sheeran and Green Day are slated to perform.
BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS
Nightclubs and bars come alive at night and there is never a shortage of amazing cocktails or locally brewed beer. It is very easy to get carried away in Austin so try to remember you’re here to watch the Grand Prix and not sleep through it. Austin’s main party areas are the West Sixth, Dirty Sixth, East Sixth, and Rainey Street districts. In any of these districts, you can find plenty of action day or night.
Here’s the list of some of the best bars and nightclubs in Austin.
BARS IN AUSTIN
| HIGHER GROUND | NICKEL CITY | FIREHOUSE LOUNGE | WHISLERS |
| THE WELL | ROOSEVELT ROOM | SMALL VICTORY | MILONGA ROOM |
| MIDNIGHT COWBOY | SEVEN GRAND | GARAGE | THE WHITE HORSE |
NIGHTCLUBS IN AUSTIN
| BARBARELLA | THE ROSE ROOM | WET DECK |
| SUMMIT ROOFTOP LOUNGE | VOODOO ROOM | VULCAN GAS COMPANY |
| SKYLARK LOUNGE | RED DRAGON |
LIVE VENUES IN AUSTIN
| ELEPHANT ROOM | MOODY THEATER | CHEER UP CHARLIES |
| THE HOLE IN THE WALL | STUBBS BBQ | MOHAWK |
| CONTINENTAL CLUB | ANTONE’S | EMPIRE CONTROL ROOM |
SIGHTSEEING
Away from the track and after you have eaten some amazing food while listening to great music you can also enjoy some of Austin’s iconic landmarks and learn more about the city. Within walking distance, you can see the largest university campus in the United States and the home of the Longhorns at the University of Texas.
This huge campus isn’t just for students because tourists can enjoy the many historical buildings while enjoying some amazing parks at the same time. During your visit, you need to head up the UT Tower where you can enjoy impeccable views from above the city of Austin.
LANDMARKS AND PARKS
Visiting the State Capitol is unavoidable and like Texas, it is big, in fact,it is one of the biggest in the country. To appreciate the history of Texas heading to the Bullock Texas State History Museum will immerse you in exhibits reflecting key moments in the state and Austin’s development.
To dive deeper into Mexican culture, you can also visit the Mexic-Arte Museum where paintings, sculptures and photography are commonplace. Zilker Park is a great spot to visit especially if you want to unwind and enjoy some serene nature. Zilker Park is located in the south of Austin and is home to a botanical garden and Barton Springs where you can take a nice refreshing dip after the race.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
- US dollars (USD) are used and credit cards are widely accepted.
- Austin time zone is -5hours GMT
- English is the main language used but don’t be surprised to hear plenty of Spanish too.
- Type A and B power sockets are used, so bring a power converter if you are traveling from Europe
- Get some medical/travelers’ insurance. Health care will cost you an arm and a leg if an accident occurs
- Revise Covid-19 rules for entry into the county before your departure. They are changing constantly so stay up to date!
