Boats, BBQ & Football: The Ultimate Austin Guys Trip
Whether you’re planning a bachelor party, celebrating a birthday, reuniting with college buddies, or just looking for an excuse to get the guys together, Austin, Texas, understood the assignment for an unforgettable Austin Guys Trip.
We’re talking legendary Texas BBQ, college football, cold drinks, live music, and, of course, a day on the lake.
And here’s the best part: You don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy it all. Fall in Austin brings cooler mornings, plenty of sunny afternoons, and a whole lot of reasons to get outside.
If you’re planning an Austin guys trip, here’s how to spend an unforgettable weekend in the Live Music Capital of the World.
Friday: Arrive, Grab Some BBQ & Hit the Town
First Things First: Texas BBQ
You can’t come to Austin and skip the BBQ. Well, technically you can, but we’re going to question your decision-making.
Start the weekend with some legendary Texas brisket, ribs, and all the sides your heart desires.
A few Austin favorites worth adding to your list:
- Terry Black’s BBQ: A classic Austin stop for brisket, ribs, and generous portions.
- Franklin Barbecue: Famous for its brisket and equally famous for the line. Plan ahead!
- La Barbecue: Another Austin favorite serving up delicious Central Texas-style BBQ.
Nobody’s counting calories this weekend.
Friday Night: Explore Austin’s Nightlife
Once everyone has arrived and the BBQ has settled, it’s time to see what Austin is all about.
Head downtown for live music, bars, and a little friendly chaos.
Check out West Sixth Street for lively bars, East Austin for a more laid-back atmosphere, or the Red River Cultural District for live music.
Here are some of our personal favorite spots:
Want something a little more Texas? Find a honky-tonk, order a cold beer, and try your hand at two-stepping.
Just don’t stay out too late. You’ve got a boat to catch tomorrow.
Saturday: Boats, Sunshine & Football
Start the Day on Lake Austin
This is where your weekend goes from good to legendary.
There’s nothing quite like getting your favorite people together, hopping aboard a boat, turning up the music, and cruising around Lake Austin.
And with Float On Boat Rentals, planning the lake portion of your weekend couldn’t be easier.
Book a captained boat rental, bring your favorite drinks and snacks, and let someone else handle the driving while you enjoy the views.
Cruise beneath the iconic 360 Bridge, check out the incredible waterfront homes, soak up the Texas sunshine, and enjoy a few hours away from the usual weekend routine.
Feeling adventurous? Take things up a notch with a wakesurfing experience. Whether your group includes experienced riders or complete beginners, it’s a great way to add a little friendly competition to the day.
Not interested in getting wet? No problem. A scenic cruise with your crew, your favorite playlist, and a cold drink is a pretty solid afternoon, too.
Float On makes lake days easy with:
- Captained boat rental options on Lake Austin and Lake Travis
- Bluetooth sound systems for your perfectly curated playlist
- YETI coolers
- Comfortable seating and plenty of room to hang out
- Wakesurfing experiences for groups looking for an adventure
- Slide Party Boats for larger groups
And because it’s Austin, there’s a good chance the weather will cooperate well beyond the traditional summer boating season.
Pro tip: When planning your Austin guys trip, book your boat early and build the rest of your Saturday around it. Trust us, this is the part of the weekend everyone will still be talking about on Monday.
Make a Waterfront Lunch Stop
What’s better than lunch with the guys? Lunch with the guys when you arrive by boat.
Whether you’re cruising Lake Austin or spending the day on Lake Travis, there are plenty of waterfront spots where you can grab a bite, order a cold drink, and keep the good times rolling.
On Lake Austin:
Ski Shores Cafe is a longtime Austin favorite with a laid-back atmosphere, burgers, and cold drinks. It’s the kind of place where you can show up straight from the boat and stay awhile.
Hula Hut brings Tex-Mex flavors and tropical vibes right to the water. Margaritas, chips and queso, and lake views? That’s a solid lunch plan.
Quince Lakehouse offers a stylish waterfront setting if your crew is looking for something a little different. Great views, a lively atmosphere, and the perfect excuse to extend your afternoon on the lake.
On Lake Travis:
The Oasis on Lake Travis is famous for its incredible sunset views. It’s an iconic Austin-area destination for drinks, food, and taking in the scenery from high above the lake.
Shack 512 delivers a laid-back lake atmosphere, waterfront views, and casual dining. It’s a great spot to kick back and enjoy the afternoon with your crew.
Beachside Billy’s at Volente Beach offers a fun, casual setting with food, drinks, and lake views.
Pro tip: Lake Austin and Lake Travis are separate boating destinations, so plan your restaurant stops around the lake you’re renting on. Check docking availability and restaurant access before heading out. Some iconic waterfront restaurants, including The Oasis, are better suited for a scenic stop by car rather than arriving by boat.
After all, no guys’ weekend is complete without good food, great views, and at least one person saying, “We should do this every year.”
Saturday Afternoon: It’s Football Time
If you’re visiting Austin during football season, you already know what comes next.
Texas football is practically a holiday around here.
Whether you’ve got tickets to see the Longhorns at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium or you’re watching from a local sports bar, the atmosphere is hard to beat.
Find a patio, order some drinks, and settle in for an afternoon of football.
A few ideas:
- Catch a University of Texas home game if the schedule lines up.
- Find a sports bar with plenty of TVs and outdoor seating.
- Head to a local brewery to watch the games and hang out.
- Make your own friendly competition with predictions for the weekend’s biggest matchups.
Not visiting during football season? Swap the game for a round of golf, a brewery visit, or another afternoon adventure.
Saturday Night: Keep the Good Times Going
After a full day on the lake and an afternoon of football, you’ve earned a good dinner.
Austin has no shortage of great steakhouses, Tex-Mex restaurants, and lively dinner spots.
Afterward, head out for live music or a night downtown.
Whether your group prefers a low-key cocktail bar or dancing until closing time, Austin has you covered.
Just remember: Sunday brunch is waiting.
Sunday: Brunch, One Last Adventure & Goodbyes
Recover With a Proper Austin Brunch
After two days of boats, BBQ, and football, there’s only one reasonable way to start Sunday: breakfast tacos.
Grab coffee and tacos at a local favorite like Veracruz All Natural, or find a brunch patio where everyone can recap the weekend.
This is usually when the best stories come out.
One More Austin Adventure
If you’ve got a few hours before everyone heads home, don’t waste them sitting around waiting for a flight.
Depending on your group’s energy level, you could:
- Walk South Congress and check out the shops, murals, and local coffee spots.
- Play a round of golf at one of Austin’s public courses.
- Explore Zilker Park and enjoy the downtown views.
- Head to a brewery for one final round of conversation.
- Take a scenic drive through the Texas Hill Country.
Or, if the group is feeling particularly ambitious, start planning the next trip before anyone leaves.
We all know how long it took to organize this one.
Why Fall Is Perfect for an Austin Guys Trip
Summer gets plenty of attention in Austin, but fall deserves some serious credit.
The temperatures generally become more comfortable, football season brings extra excitement to the city, and sunny afternoons can still be perfect for getting out on the water.
It’s the kind of weather where you can enjoy coffee in a hoodie in the morning, spend the afternoon cruising Lake Austin, and finish the evening watching football on a patio.
And unlike destinations where fall means packing away your summer activities, Austin keeps the outdoor fun going.
A boat rental isn’t just a summer activity around here. It’s a great way to experience Austin throughout much of the year, weather permitting.
So whether your weekend falls in September, October, November, or beyond, don’t overlook the lake when planning your itinerary.
Make Your Austin Weekend One to Remember
The best weekends aren’t necessarily the ones with every minute planned. They’re the ones where everyone shows up, nobody’s checking their work email, and the group chat finally has something worth talking about.
Austin makes that pretty easy.
Great food? Check.
Football? Check.
Live music and nightlife? Absolutely.
A boat full of your favorite people cruising Lake Austin? Now we’re talking.
Whether it’s a bachelor party, birthday celebration, reunion, or just a long-overdue weekend with friends, an Austin guys trip is the perfect excuse to get everyone together.
At Float On Boat Rentals, we’re here to help make the lake portion of your weekend the easiest (and possibly the most memorable) part.
Bring the guys. Bring the playlist. We’ll bring the boat.
Book your Lake Austin boat rental with Float On and make some memories worth keeping.
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