Austin is the live music capital of the world and arguably the most fun host city on the F1 calendar. Fans flock to downtown Austin for incredible BBQ, rooftop bars on 6th Street, and massive post-race concerts at the circuit.
Downtown Austin ➔ COTA
Do not attempt to take Uber to the track—the traffic is a nightmare. Buy the official COTA downtown shuttle pass which uses dedicated lanes to bypass the gridlock.
The Perfect F1 City Weekend
Designed around official track sessions so you can explore the city without missing lights out.
Texas BBQ & South Congress
Join the queue for world-class BBQ (Terry Black's or Franklin) then spend the evening exploring the live music venues on South Congress Avenue.
Rainey Street Nightlife
Take the shuttle back downtown and head to Rainey Street—a row of historic houses converted into bustling indoor/outdoor bars.
COTA Superstage Concert
Stay at the track! COTA is famous for its Saturday night headline concerts (e.g., Queen, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift) right on the circuit infield.
6th Street (Dirty 6th)
After the race, downtown 6th Street is closed to cars and turns into a massive, loud, sprawling street party for F1 fans.
Breakfast Tacos & Lady Bird Lake
Grab proper Austin breakfast tacos (Veracruz All Natural) and walk the trails around Lady Bird Lake before flying out.
Staying an Extra Day?
Austin is surrounded by incredible nature and culture.
🏛️ Local Culture
- Texas State Capitol:Tour the massive, historic state capitol building in the centre of downtown.
🏁 Motorsport Fix
- K1 Speed Austin:Race your group at the premier indoor karting track just north of the city.
Best Areas to Stay in Austin
Ranked by atmosphere, evening dining, and morning transit convenience to Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Downtown / 6th Street
Transit Route: Walk to Waterloo Park ➔ Official COTA Shuttle
The undisputed best place to stay. You are walking distance to the official track shuttles, the best food, and all the nightlife.
Food, Pubs & F1 Atmosphere
Franklin Barbecue
Widely considered the best BBQ in the world. You must arrive by 8 AM and queue for hours—treat it as a tailgate party.
Official Fan Zones & Pub Screenings
Looking to soak up the atmosphere in the city without a track ticket?
Banger's Sausage House
Massive outdoor beer garden on Rainey Street with big screens. Brilliant atmosphere if you are skipping the track.
Top Sights (Non-Track Days)
Congress Avenue Bats
Stand on the Congress bridge at dusk to watch over a million bats fly out from underneath. A classic Austin experience.