Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Austin for Austin City Limits Music Festival

Austin City Limits weekend is a tradition we’ve lived through for decades. After more than 20 years of calling Austin home, we’ve seen just about every ACL mistake you can imagine—from first-timers melting in the heat to people stranded at midnight with no way home. Don’t let that be you. Here’s our insider list of the five biggest mistakes visitors make at ACL (and how to avoid them).

1. Underestimating The Heat

Sure, it’s October, but “fall weather” in Austin is a myth. Zilker Park is wide open with little to no shade, and the festival is an all-day marathon, not a quick jog. We’ve seen people overheat, burn, and even leave before the headliner simply because they weren’t prepared.

Local Tip: Wear breathable clothes you can layer, pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, and don’t underestimate the dust—sneakers are smarter than sandals. Bring a hydration pack (empty when you arrive) or a refillable bottle. ACL has water stations throughout the park, and you’ll need them.

2. Thinking You Can Just Uber In & Out

Every year, we watch first-timers whip out their phones after the last act, only to realize they’re stuck in surge pricing with thousands of other people. Rideshare lines can last for hours, and by then you’ll be tired, dusty, and frustrated.

Local Tip: Skip the stress and plan ahead. The free ACL shuttle from Republic Square downtown is the easiest way in and out, and it drops you right at Zilker’s entrance. If you want more flexibility, CapMetro adds extra service during ACL weekends—bus routes 3, 30, and 803 will all get you close to the park for just $1.25, and the Red Line rail runs late on festival Sundays (last train downtown leaves at 12:30 a.m.). If biking is your style, CapMetro even sets up a bike-share valet on Toomey Road for a safe, close place to dock. Or, if you’re nearby, just walk—it’s often faster than sitting in traffic.

Our rule after 20+ years of ACL: if you’re banking on an Uber at the end of the night, you’re doing it wrong. View the CapMatro transit map HERE.

3. Trying to See Every Artist

We get it—the lineup is stacked, and you want to squeeze in everyone. But after 20+ ACLs, we promise you: trying to see it all is a recipe for burnout. The park is huge, and sprinting from stage to stage leaves no room for enjoying the atmosphere. Some of the best ACL memories come when you wander into a band you didn’t expect while grabbing a taco or sitting on the grass.

That said, a little planning goes a long way. To pick who to see at ACL Fest, start by reviewing the official lineup and creating a personalized plan with your group. It helps to listen to some of the lesser-known names before you arrive—you might find a new favorite.

Here’s how we break it down:

Before the Festival

1. Research the Lineup: Check the official ACL site for set times and stage assignments. View daily breakdown HERE.

2. Listen to New Artists: Sample unfamiliar acts ahead of time—you’ll thank yourself later.

3. Plan Collaboratively: Pick a few “must-sees” you all agree on.

4. Stay Flexible: Accept that you can’t see everyone, and don’t beat yourself up if schedules overlap.

At the Festival

1. Be Realistic About Movement: It takes time to move between stages, especially at peak hours—build in buffer time.

2. Set a Meeting Spot: Choose a clear landmark in case you get separated (cell service is notoriously spotty in Zilker).

3. Consider a Group Flag: It sounds silly, but in a sea of 75,000 people, a flag can save your night.

4. Stay Charged: Bring a portable charger—your phone will drain fast while videoing and trying to load messages.

5. Be Open to Surprises: Some of the most memorable sets are the ones you didn’t plan for.

4. Relying Only on Festival Food & Skipping the City Eats

We get it—when you’re at ACL, the food vendors inside the park are tempting and convenient. But if your culinary world for the weekend lives solely between the festival gates, you’re missing half the flavor of Austin. The city’s food is legendary—BBQ, tacos, fine dining, down-home joints—and those late-night, off-beat spots are part of the festival story too.

Here’s how we do it:

• Browse the Austin Food Map: Check Eater Austin’s “Best Austin Restaurants” and Eater 38 lists to scope out top spots by neighborhood. View list HERE.

• Pick Neighborhoods, Not Just Dishes: Decide maybe Day 1 you try East Austin tacos, Day 2 a BBQ joint in South Lamar, Day 3 brunch in SoCo.

• Reserve for the Big Nights: Some fancier or hyper-popular places (e.g. Uchi, Olamaie, Este) have limited space, especially during festival weekends.

During ACL Weekend

• Tacos Before, BBQ After: Start your day with an Austin staple (Veracruz All Natural, Nixta Taqueria) before heading to the gates. After ACL wraps, hit a barbecue or late-night taqueria.

• Explore Food Districts: South Congress (SoCo) is loaded with fun restaurants, food trucks, and local flavor. East Austin, Rainey Street, and South First are also packed with hidden gems.

• Don’t Be Afraid of Waits: Some places like Franklin Barbecue still draw lines (but for a reason). If you go early—or during off hours—you’ll get rewarded.

• Late-Night Fuel: When ACL ends, your body will demand tacos, pizza, or something hearty. Keep a list of 24-hour or late spots in your back pocket.

5. Forgetting Austin Is More Than ACL

ACL is the anchor, but Austin is the vibe. If you treat the festival as your only plan, you’ll miss so much of what makes this city magical after sundown. Especially if you only have a day pass (or skip a day), some of the best music you’ll see will not be in Zilker.

When the festival gates close, Austin’s live music scene turns up. Those big names you love often carry on with ACL Fest Nights — separately ticketed aftershows across the city. Acts like Modest Mouse at Stubb’s, Phantogram at Emo’s, MARINA at Moody Theater, and party sets by The Dare and Wet Leg are all on the docket during ACL weekends. These shows are your chance to see your favorite artists in more intimate venues or hit up something totally new.

So if your ACL day pass isn’t enough (or you skip a day), here’s how you make the most of those nights:

• Track ACL Fest Nights announcements early. These shows often drop ahead of time, but sometimes last minute. You can monitor them HERE.

• Use these shows as lifelines. If you have to skip a day of ACL (or your feet are toast), you’ve still got live music waiting for you.

What to Know Before You Go (The Rules & Logistics)

ACL has its own quirks, and knowing them ahead of time makes your weekend smoother:

• Bag Policy: Only clear bags 12" × 6" × 12" or smaller are allowed. You can bring a small clutch or fanny pack, but security is strict.

• Hydration Packs: Allowed—but they must be empty when you enter. Fill them once you’re inside.

• Transportation: Skip driving. Parking is scarce, and traffic near Zilker is brutal. Use the shuttle, bike, or walk.

• The ACL App: Download it. It’s your map, schedule, and lifeline for last-minute changes.

• Cash vs. Card: Vendors accept cards, but Wi-Fi can get overloaded. Carry a little cash as backup.

• Dust & Dirt: Zilker is grassy in parts and dusty in others. Bring a bandana or mask if you’re sensitive.

Final Word from Locals Who’ve Been Here 20+ Years

Austin City Limits is more than a festival—it’s a rite of passage. But the people who love it most aren’t just seeing headliners; they’re hydrating smart, pacing themselves, eating tacos at midnight, and exploring Austin beyond Zilker. We’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to.

Plan smarter, explore wider, and let Austin show you why ACL is one of the best weekends in music.

~Trigaci Stiles Group
Austin Luxury Real Estate Advisors
Compass ATX