Eat brisket, throw a Hook ’em Horns, meet Bevo and experience one of college football’s great game-day atmospheres. A Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is the perfect excuse to spend a weekend exploring Austin, eating your way through Texas barbecue and breakfast tacos, and joining thousands of burnt-orange-clad fans in one of college football’s most spirited settings.
Whether you’re a lifelong Longhorn or a visiting fan experiencing Austin for the first time, this is a football weekend worth planning around.
The itinerary
Friday
Afternoon
Check into your hotel or rental, then head to the University of Texas campus, affectionately known as the Forty Acres. Start around the iconic UT Tower and stroll along the South Mall, where you’ll get a feel for the university’s history, architecture and burnt-orange pride.
If you have time, visit the Blanton Museum of Art or the Bullock Texas State History Museum. The latter is an excellent introduction to the state’s outsized history and identity. Be sure to check admission, exhibits and hours before visiting.
Evening
For dinner, make it a Texas food experience. If barbecue is high on your list, Franklin Barbecue is one of Austin’s signature destinations for smoked brisket. Check its hours and preorder options; it operates as a daytime barbecue stop rather than a late-night dinner spot.
For a sit-down dinner with a big group, try Matt’s El Rancho, a longtime Austin Tex-Mex institution. Order queso for the table, then explore the enchiladas, fajitas and margaritas.
Want to stay closer to campus? Grab tacos at Tacodeli or find a casual restaurant around West Campus. Austin’s East Sixth Street and Red River districts offer bars and live music for those ready to keep the evening going.
Saturday
Morning
Start with breakfast tacos. In Austin, they’re practically a food group. Look for classic combinations such as egg, potato, cheese, chorizo or migas, and don’t skip the salsa.
For a local favorite, try Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop or Veracruz All Natural. Both are associated with Austin’s breakfast-taco culture.
If you want to stretch your legs, take a morning walk along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake.
Afternoon
Saturday is all about football. Texas game day extends well beyond the stadium gates, with pregame entertainment, traditions, food and plenty of places to soak up the atmosphere.
The university’s five signature pregame destinations are Bevo Blvd, Longhorn City Limits, Smokey’s Midway, Hook ’Em Hangout and Big Bertha’s Bazaar. Each offers a different mix of entertainment, food, fan activities and traditions.
Give yourself several hours before kickoff to explore. Opening times and programming vary by game, so check the official Texas Longhorns football website before you go.
Getting to the stadium
Driving to the stadium, which seats over 100,000, is rarely the easiest option for a first-time visitor. Parking is limited, game-day restrictions affect surrounding streets and lots, and traffic can be heavy. The university publishes game-day parking information, including available public lots, garages and designated rideshare arrangements.
If you stay downtown or near campus, walking may be your best option. Otherwise, consider a rideshare to the designated drop-off area and allow extra time to walk to your gate. Austin’s bus and rail options may also help, depending on where you’re staying; verify current service and event-day schedules before relying on them.
Pregame
Make time for the Bevo Parade and the team entrance. Bevo, the university’s famous Texas Longhorn steer mascot, is one of the defining symbols of the program.
Explore the pregame destinations rather than trying to do everything at once. Longhorn City Limits is the place to look for live music, while Bevo Blvd is a central gathering spot for fan activities.
During the game
Inside DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, wear burnt orange if you have it, learn the Hook ’em Horns hand sign and get ready to join in. The atmosphere is a mix of school pride, big-game pageantry and generations of Longhorns traditions.
Listen for “Texas Fight,” the university’s fight song, and “The Eyes of Texas,” the school song. And watch for Smokey the Cannon and the Longhorn Band.
After the game
Give the crowd time to thin before ordering a rideshare or heading to your car. If you’re hungry, look for a nearby casual restaurant or head toward downtown for dinner and drinks.
East Sixth Street offers bars, restaurants and live music, while Rainey Street is another popular nightlife district.
For a quieter evening, take a walk downtown or settle into a neighborhood restaurant. Just remember, a game with over 100,000 fans can make transportation and restaurant waits considerably slower than usual.
Sunday
Start the day with a relaxed brunch or one last round of breakfast tacos. If you didn’t get your barbecue fix on Friday, head to Terry Black’s Barbecue for brisket, ribs and classic sides.
Then explore the rest of Austin:
- For music fans: Visit the Texas Music Museum or look for a live-music venue with a Sunday show.
- For history buffs: Tour the Texas State Capitol and explore the surrounding grounds.
- For outdoor lovers: Walk or cycle around Lady Bird Lake, or visit Zilker Metropolitan Park.
- For shoppers: Explore South Congress Avenue, known for independent shops, cafés, murals and souvenirs.
- For museum lovers: Visit the Blanton Museum of Art or Bullock Texas State History Museum.
- For a quintessential Austin experience: Find a food truck, browse a local market if one is running, or catch a final set of live music before heading home.
Austin is a city worth exploring beyond the stadium. Give yourself enough time to enjoy it rather than squeezing in every attraction before your flight or drive home.
Texas football traditions
- Bevo: The Longhorns’ live longhorn steer mascot is one of the most recognizable in college football. His appearance is a major part of the game-day experience.
- Hook ’em Horns: Raise your index and pinky fingers, tuck the middle two fingers beneath your thumb, and you’ve got the iconic Texas hand sign. You’ll see it everywhere.
- “Texas Fight”: Learn the fight song so you can join in when the band and crowd get going.
- “The Eyes of Texas”: The school song and a longstanding part of the football experience.
- Smokey the Cannon: The cannon adds a literal bang to game day, firing during designated moments.
- The Longhorn Band: The band is an essential part of the atmosphere, from pregame performances to music in the stands.
- Big Bertha: The university’s bass drum is another distinctive symbol of Longhorn pride.
- Burnt orange: Wear the color if you can. The sea of burnt orange is part of what makes a game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium so memorable.
Getting there and getting in
Tickets
Start with the official Texas Athletics website for tickets and game information. If a game is sold out, compare reputable resale marketplaces and check the final price, fees and transfer arrangements before purchasing.
Rivalry games, ranked matchups and other high-demand weekends can be expensive. Book early when possible, and coordinate your tickets with your accommodation plans.
Getting to the stadium
DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium is at 2139 San Jacinto Blvd., on the UT Austin campus.
- Walking: If you’re staying on or near campus, walking is often the simplest choice. Allow extra time for crowds and pedestrian restrictions.
- Rideshare: Use the designated game-day drop-off and pickup arrangements published by Texas Athletics. Expect congestion and possible surge pricing after the game.
- Driving: Public game-day parking is available in designated lots and garages for a fee, but availability and access vary. Buy a parking pass in advance when possible and follow the official game-day parking map.
- Public transportation: Check CapMetro bus and rail services and their schedules for your game time. Don’t assume every route runs on its normal weekend schedule.
- Campus parking: Do not assume a campus lot is available simply because it is empty. Game-day restrictions and towing rules are enforced.
The university publishes football parking information and a football fan guide each season. Check both before leaving your hotel.
Bags and stadium policies
Texas uses a clear-bag policy at football games. Under the published policy, approved options include:
- A clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches × 6 inches × 12 inches.
- A one-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bag.
- A small clutch, purse, or wallet no larger than 4.5 inches × 6.5 inches.
The stadium also has restrictions on outside food and drinks, coolers, umbrellas and other items. Concessions are cashless, so bring a payment card or mobile wallet. One sealed soft-plastic water bottle of up to one liter is permitted.
Best advice: Travel light. Before every game, confirm the latest rules in the official football fan guide, because policies can change.
Accessibility
Texas Athletics publishes accessibility information, including accessible parking, shuttle arrangements and stadium entry guidance. Accessible seating should be arranged through the official ticketing process, and guests should check the current parking and shuttle maps before game day.
Where to stay
The best neighborhood depends on whether you want to roll out of bed and walk to the stadium, explore Austin’s nightlife or spend the weekend sightseeing.
Neighborhoods
- West Campus/University District: Best for the full college football experience. You’ll be near campus, student-oriented restaurants and the stadium. Expect heavy foot traffic and potentially noisy weekends.
- Downtown Austin: Best for first-time visitors who want restaurants, bars, hotels and sightseeing in one place. You can explore downtown on foot and walk toward campus, although the distance depends on your hotel.
- East Austin: Best for food and nightlife. This area offers a wide range of restaurants, cocktail bars, food trucks and live-music venues. You’ll need to plan your transportation to the stadium.
- South Congress/South Austin: Best for a more leisurely weekend. Expect independent shops, cafés, restaurants and easy access to attractions such as Zilker Park, although getting to the stadium may require a rideshare or bus.
- North Austin: Worth considering for travelers prioritizing larger hotels, suburban convenience or a quieter base. Allow extra time to get to campus on game day.
Hotels
- AT&T Hotel and Conference Center: The practical choice for campus access. Located on campus, it is convenient for those who want to be close to university activities.
- The Otis Hotel Austin: A boutique-style option near campus with a music-inspired identity. A good fit for visitors who want a hotel with a distinct Austin personality.
- Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District: A central option for visitors who want access to the university and downtown, with restaurants and sightseeing nearby.
Booking tip: Home-game weekends can push up room rates and reduce availability, especially for rivalry games and major matchups. Compare cancellation policies, parking charges and the walking distance to campus before booking.
Vacation rentals
Traveling with a group? A house rental or multi-bedroom apartment can make it easier to gather before the game, share meals and split costs.
Look in West Campus, central Austin and East Austin, depending on your priorities. Read the listing carefully for parking, occupancy limits, noise rules and cancellation terms. Confirm that the rental is legally offered and that its location works for game-day transportation.
For a large group, don’t assume that a property advertised as close to campus will have enough parking for everyone. Agree on a transportation plan before arriving.
Austin’s best bites
Austin’s food culture deserves a section of its own. You could easily spend the entire weekend eating your way through barbecue joints, taco counters and Tex-Mex restaurants.
In addition to Franklin Barbecue, Matt’s El Rancho, Tacodeli, Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, Veracruz All Natural and Terry Black’s Barbecue, here are other local favorites:
- Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que: A convenient downtown option for a meat-focused Texas barbecue meal. The counter-service setup works well for a casual lunch or dinner while exploring Congress Avenue.
- La Barbecue: A popular East Austin barbecue spot for brisket, house-made sausage, and classic smoked-meat sides. It’s a casual option for fans looking to sample another of Austin’s renowned barbecue joints.
- Juan in a Million: This East Austin Mexican restaurant is known for its hearty Tex-Mex breakfast tacos, classic Mexican comfort food and famous Don Juan breakfast taco, packed with eggs, potatoes, bacon and cheese.
- Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar: This South Lamar restaurant combines Texas barbecue with Southeast Asian flavors in a relaxed, group-friendly setting, making it a great choice when everyone’s craving something different.
- Suerte: This East Austin restaurant serves modern Mexican cuisine featuring house-made masa, creative tacos and seasonal ingredients. It’s a lively option for a memorable dinner before exploring East Sixth Street.
- Acre 41: Located at The Otis Hotel near the University of Texas, this upscale American restaurant serves steakhouse favorites and elevated American classics in a stylish setting, making it a convenient choice for a celebratory dinner close to campus.
For more choices, browse Visit Austin’s official food and drink guide. It’s also worth exploring the city’s food trucks, which make it easy for groups to sample different cuisines.
What to pack
Football season in Austin can mean hot afternoons, strong sun and an occasional cool front. Your packing list should reflect the forecast for the specific weekend:
- Comfortable walking shoes for campus, tailgating and downtown.
- Burnt-orange clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and a refillable bottle for use before entering the stadium.
- A small clear bag that meets the stadium’s size requirements, or no bag at all.
- A portable phone charger, with your mobile ticket downloaded and ready.
- A payment card or mobile wallet for cashless stadium concessions.
- A light layer for cooler evenings and a rain jacket if the forecast calls for rain.
- Required medication and essentials, packed in accordance with the stadium’s policies.
Austin can stay hot well into the fall, so check the forecast rather than assuming football season means cold weather.
Rookie moves
Avoid these common mistakes to make the weekend smoother:
- Underestimating the heat. Early-season games can be hot and sunny. Hydrate before entering and dress for the forecast.
- Driving straight to the stadium without a plan. Parking is limited, traffic is heavy, and some roads and lots are restricted.
- Arriving just before kickoff. Pregame activities are part of the experience and long lines at the gates can eat into your schedule.
- Assuming every tailgate is open to the public. Some tailgates are private or invitation-only. Check event details and respect hosts’ arrangements.
- Missing the pregame traditions. Build in time for Bevo, the band and the official gameday destinations.
- Bringing the wrong bag. Read the official stadium policy before leaving your hotel.
- Booking a hotel based only on price. A cheaper room far from campus may mean expensive rideshares and long travel times.
- Leaving restaurant plans until the last minute. Popular barbecue spots can have long lines or run out of reservations, and game-day dining rooms fill quickly.
- Trying to see all of Austin in one weekend. Choose a few highlights and enjoy them rather than racing between attractions.
One last thing …
The game-day details will change, but the formula for a great Longhorns weekend stays the same: Explore the Forty Acres, eat your fill of Texas barbecue and breakfast tacos, learn the traditions and give yourself plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere.
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Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.