Austin event guide
Austin Grand Prix Weekend
Three days built around the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas, with brisket, bats and Rainey Street in between. Pick your home first and the plan works around it.
By Cameron HergetEvent dates checked against the official source
- Pick your race
- Groups of up to 16
- Oct 2026 & 2027
Where to stay for race weekend
All Austin staysSuggested plan, day by day
These are suggestions, not a package. AvantStay doesn’t book, sell, or arrange any of these activities. Check hours, tickets, and reservations directly with each place.
Day 1 · Fri: Brisket, bats & Rainey Street
Settle in, eat well, save your legs for the track.
Restaurant · Lunch
Classic Central Texas brisket without lining up at dawn.
Photo: Grant Hutchins, CC BY-SA 2.0
Landmark · Sunset
About a million bats leave the bridge at dusk, through October.
Photo: AlliClarke, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nightlife · Evening
Bungalow bars and food trucks. Keep it early, qualifying is tomorrow.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Day 2 · Sat: Qualifying at the circuit
Breakfast tacos, then a full day at COTA.
Restaurant · Breakfast
Migas tacos from the trailer, a local favorite.
Event · All day
Support races, qualifying and the fan zone. Climb the observation tower for the view of Turn 1.
Nightlife · Evening
Live music most nights. Dirty Sixth if you want it loud, East Sixth if you don't.
Day 3 · Sun: Race day
A slow morning, then the Grand Prix.
Outdoors · Morning
A spring-fed swim at 68°F, a good cure for a late Saturday.
Neighborhood · Late morning
Brunch and a stroll before the drive out.
Event · Afternoon
Lights out. Race-day traffic builds from mid-morning, so leave early.
Good to know
Getting in
Fly into Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), on the same side of town as the circuit. Arrive Thursday to miss the Friday rush.
Getting to the track
COTA usually runs race-weekend shuttles from downtown. Book early. Rideshare lines run long after the race.
Same weekend
Texas Longhorns often play at home on race weekend, so expect central Austin to be busy Saturday.
Optional extras
Through AvantStay concierge you can add fridge stocking or a private chef for after the race, booked and paid separately.
Frequently asked questions
East Austin and South Austin put you closest to the circuit while keeping downtown nights easy. All three picks above are among the closest group stays AvantStay has to COTA.
About 25 minutes outside race traffic. On race day, allow considerably longer.
October 22–25, 2026, and October 22–24, 2027, per COTA.
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