Since we live in the live music capital of the world, we luck out when it comes to ACL budgeting—we don’t have to spend extra on a flight or hotel. But that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to do Austin City Limits on the cheap. Below are our tips for making the most of the show without splurging.
- Don’t buy new shoes. Your feet will be in pain by the end of each day no matter what shoes you wear, so you might as well go with the most comfortable from the start. If you’re traveling to Austin, we also suggest bringing more than one pair in case you get blisters.
- Don’t bring aerosol sunscreen. Every year there is a big pile of confiscated spray sunscreen by the entrance so bring sunscreen lotion instead. Read the list of what is allowed or prohibited and know they do take it seriously!
- Bring water. You’re allowed to bring two one-liter sealed water bottles as well as an empty plastic or aluminum bottle. There are water stations throughout the park where you can fill empty bottles. (The lines get long later in the day, so fill them when it’s not crowded.)
- Bring a blanket or towel so you’re not stuck sitting on the ground, and sit near the edge for the larger concerts. You'll get out of the crowd faster and it will be easier to locate your group if you have to step away and use a bathroom.
- Have a game plan for finding friends. With an average of 70,000 attendees each day, cell phone service stinks at the park. Review your band selections with your group and have a game plan prior to going. It’s also hard to find people in the crowd, so carry a tall flag that your friends will recognize and can find more easily than the top of your head.
- Check out Austin’s food truck scene before getting to the park. Food trucks are great places to get a good deal on really good food. Each trailer typically specializes in just a few things, so they tend to get them right. Grab some food before heading to the park to avoid the long lines and increased prices on the fairgrounds. Some of our favorites:
- The Peached Tortilla sets up shop outside the BancVue offices during lunch every once in a while. They serve Asian-inspired tacos and sliders.
- The Jalopy serves gourmet rotisserie chicken sandwiches and veggie chips with a plethora of seasoning options. Best of all, they tweet and blog questions that you can answer in person for freebies.
- East Side King, known for its Asian fusion menu, has turned beet avoiders into beet lovers. Trust us and try their beet fries alongside a pork belly slider.
- Download the ACL smartphone app. It’s a great way to check the map, make a schedule and send group texts.
- Listen to the bands early. Review the lineup on the ACL site and listen to samples so you can plan your weekend. If you’re a Kasasa Tunes account holder, use your monthly downloads to get full versions of your favorites. (Not a Kasasa Tunes account holder? Check out our site to see if there is a Kasasa provider near you.)