There are budget-friendly things to do all over Austin, and we've pulled a list of some visitor favorites. Stretch your travel dollars with this three-day itinerary of budget-friendly eats, sips and sees. Looking for more? Check out these 50 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Austin.

DAY 1

Kick off your trip with a sugar rush from Gourdough's Big Fat Donuts. This airstream food truck features specialty, massive donuts with unique flavor combinations like the Funky Monkey with grilled bananas, or the Black Out topped with brownie batter and chocolate drizzle. 

Head over to the Brush Square Museums, two free museums in the East Sixth Street National Register Historic District. Explore the Susanna Dickinson Museum, the stone home of the only Anglo-adult survivor of the Battle of the Alamo. Then, stop at the O. Henry Museum to see the Victorian-style former residence of the famed short story writer.

Grab lunch at The Picnic Food Truck Park, home to Black Bear Burgers, where the house specialties include loaded and juicy burgers, chicken sandwiches and lobster rolls.

Sunrise aerial view of the Texas State Capitol grounds.Texas State Capitol Building. Credit David Aguilar. 

Start your exploration of the Texas State Capitol Complex at the Texas Capitol Visitors Center. Housed in the renovated 1857 General Land Office Building that was originally used to store state land records, the Center features fascinating exhibits on the history of Texas and offers free guided tours of the Texas State Capitol.

Head a few blocks south to The Contemporary Austin at the Jones Center to view modern art in a renovated historic building. Insider tip: the admission fee includes entry to The Contemporary Austin-Laguna Gloria, nestled on the Lake Austin waterfront. Formerly a private estate, the Mediterranean-style villa features rotating art exhibits and an outdoor sculpture park.

In the evening, do some two-stepping at Broken Spoke, an old-fashioned honky-tonk that’s been known as one of the best dance halls in Texas since 1964. Willie Nelson has performed here, along with other country legends like Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. Dig into the popular chicken-fried steak during a free dinner show with live bands Tuesday through Saturday from 6-8 p.m.

Different groups of people, some with dogs, scattered around green Zilker Park, with downtown skyline in the background.Zilker Park. Courtesy Visit Austin.

DAY 2

Fuel up for the day at Bird Bird Biscuit, known for over-the-top breakfast biscuit sandwiches, like the spicy Queen Beak topped with cayenne-black pepper honey and bacon-infused chipotle mayo.

Take a jog on the leafy 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, which winds along shimmering waters and has picturesque views of Austin’s skyline. Or amble over to Zilker Park, a 360-acre oasis in the heart of downtown that’s the site of popular festivals and free music at the Hillside Theater, plus it’s home to Zilker Botanical Garden, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool, a popular swimming spot.

Grab lunch nearby at the roadside Sandy’s Hamburgers, open since 1946. Of course, burgers are the specialty (try the double cheeseburger with fries) but don’t miss out on the frozen custard and frosty root beer.

Or head over to East Austin, a hot destination for great restaurants and sexy lounges. Cool off with a craft cocktail at The Hightower, which offers a daily happy hour. In the West Sixth area, toast the man in black at the divey Mean Eyed Cat, a Johnny Cash-themed bar that has a happy hour Monday through Friday.

Once the sun begins to set, line up on the Congress Avenue Bridge to witness a staggering 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats fly into the night sky from beneath the bridge, which takes place nightly from spring through fall.

Afterward, try tacos with handmade tortillas and hand-shaken margaritas at Güero’s Taco Bar on South Congress, where its Oak Garden features live music Wednesday through Sunday nights.

DAY 3

Wake up with a migas breakfast taco wrapped in a homemade tortilla at Veracruz All Natural food truck, named one of the "Top 5 Tacos in America" by the Food Network.

Work off those tacos with a shopping stroll along South Congress Avenue, known for its funky stores and chic boutiques. Check out the kicks at Allens Boots, affordable jewelry by local artists at Paper Work or indulge in candy heaven at Big Top Candy Shop.

Keep caffeinated with an iced Turbo from Jo's Coffee and snap a souvenir selfie at the “i love you so much” mural painted on the coffee bar’s wall. Then grab a slice-to-go at Home Slice Pizza, specializing in New York-style pies with creative toppings. Once you're fueled back up, make a few more mural stops along the strip, including the "Love From Austin" mural, hidden in the charming alleyway between Bird's Barbershop and Prima Dora (a great spot for unique souvenirs).

Continue your shopping spree in the trendy West Sixth District, where you can wander the bookshelves or listen to an author reading at BookPeople. Discover hard-to-find vinyl and see an in-store music performance at Waterloo Records. And be sure to stop in at the Whole Foods Market flagship store and sip a glass of wine in the bar.

Image of the patio at Banger's with a band playing on stage in the background.Courtesy of Banger's.

Have dinner and drinks on Rainey Street, a charming block of residential bungalows transformed into hip eateries and bars. You’ll be sure to make new friends at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, where the tables are communal, 100+ craft beers are served and the menu consists of sausages (ranging from wild game to veggie) cooked on a sizzling grill.

Fist time visiting? For more tips and must-see spots, check out our First Timer's Guide to Austin.