Image Credit: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team

Few Grands Prix take over their host city quite like Austin. Since 2012, the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas has grown into one of the biggest weekends on the calendar, with packed grandstands, headline concerts, and that steep climb up to Turn 1 glowing at sunset.

But the race is only half of it. For one week, downtown is filled with team fan zones, brand pop-ups and parties, many of them free, and the city’s food scene gives you every reason to arrive hungry. This year the weekend also grows to four days for the first time, with F1 ACADEMY opening the on-track action on Thursday ahead of the penultimate round of its season.

📍 Planning your race week? Together with Grid Girls Club, we’ve mapped every spot in this guide, from breakfast tacos to fan zones to shuttle pick up points for COTA, so you can find your way around Austin all week. Open the Austin Race Week map.

Austin, where Texas meets California

COTA sits on the rural edge of Austin and has been the permanent home of the United States Grand Prix since 2012. Its signature moment comes at the start of every lap: the climb from the grid to Turn 1 is one of the biggest elevation changes in Formula 1. It’s also where F1 ACADEMY first appeared on a Formula 1 weekend, back in 2023.

To show us around, we went back to Reilly Menchaca, founder of Grid Girls Club, who guided us through Zandvoort earlier this year. This time she’s on home turf. Born and raised in Austin, Reilly remembers COTA’s arrival as a huge deal for the city, and it was her dad who took her to her first Grand Prix there in 2022. She’s been hooked ever since. Today, Grid Girls Club has taken almost 100 women to Grands Prix across 16 trips.

“People are warm, friendly, and down-to-earth, with a pinch of southern hospitality, but we’re also fun and creative and artistic,” Reilly says. “Austin is like if Texas and California had a baby, culturally.”

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What’s happening at the 2026 United States Grand Prix?

The 2026 Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix runs from 22 to 25 October at COTA. It’s a standard weekend this year, with no Sprint, but it gets an extra day. Grand PrixView Thursday opens the circuit on 22 October with F1 ACADEMY practice, a pit lane walk and fan villages. Weekend and single-day tickets start from around $110 ($20 for Thursday only), and there are still some available. Porsche Carrera Cup North America also closes its season here.

F1 ACADEMY returns to Austin for the first time since 2023, when COTA hosted the series’ first race on a Formula 1 weekend and Marta García was crowned its inaugural champion. Three years on, Round 5 is the penultimate stop of the season, and a big one. After the Saudi Arabian round was cancelled, Austin became one of two rounds with three races instead of two, so there are more points on the table than usual.

Austin is also the first of two home rounds this season for the three Americans on the grid. Payton Westcott is PREMA’s Mercedes-supported rookie, and Ava Dobson races the American Express car run by Hitech. For Kaylee Countryman, the youngest full-time driver on the grid, supported by Haas, it will be her first F1 ACADEMY race on home soil.

Off track, every ticket includes free entry to the concerts, with Maroon 5 and Post Malone headlining across the weekend. And if you have extra time, COTALAND, the theme park next to the circuit, is open before, during and after race week.

Where to stay and what to explore

Reilly’s first piece of advice is reassuring: there are lots of good options. Downtown puts you in the middle of race week, close to most of the events and to the downtown shuttle pickup at Waterloo Park. East Austin is the trendy, creative side of the city, with plenty of bars and restaurants on your doorstep.

Her personal pick is further south. “I prefer South Austin neighborhoods like Zilker and Bouldin Creek because it’s centrally located and has a more relaxed vibe,” she says. Wherever you book, Austin is a relatively easy city to settle into. “Austin is a relatively safe big city, but keep your wits about you at night,” Reilly adds.

Reilly enjoying a swim at the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool,

Each area has its own highlights. In the south, spend an afternoon in Zilker Park and cool off in the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool, which closes for cleaning on Thursdays during the day. Then play a round at Peter Pan Mini Golf, a BYOB Austin classic, and thrift along South Lamar or try on cowgirl boots on South Congress at Allens Boots, Tecovas or Lucchese.

Downtown, BookPeople is Reilly’s favourite bookstore, with staff recommendations handwritten on index cards across hundreds of shelves. On the east side, Springdale Road is home to the Open Canopy art studio and Sa-Ten Japanese coffee, and North Loop is the place for vintage, with Blue Velvet her top pick. To end the day, head to Mount Bonnell.

“It’ll be packed, but the view from Mount Bonnell at sunset is unbeatable.”

Getting to the COTA circuit

COTA sits outside the city in a more rural area, and that shapes everything about getting there. The country roads around the circuit can’t absorb race weekend traffic, so priority goes to the shuttles. Reilly doesn’t hesitate. “I’ve tried a couple options and there is a clear winner: take the shuttle buses.”

COTA’s official shuttles run from two pickup points: Waterloo Park downtown and the Travis County Expo Center in Northeast Austin. Passes need to be booked in advance through COTA’s shuttle page. The Expo Center has free parking on site. If you’re heading to Waterloo Park, Reilly recommends taking an Uber or Lyft instead of driving, because finding parking downtown during race week is a battle. And don’t be put off by the queues. “The lines may look long but they are constantly cycling through, so it moves extremely fast. I think it’s one of the most efficient shuttle systems I’ve seen at a track.”

Driving, on the other hand, is something Reilly learned to avoid the hard way. One year it took her three hours to get home, even though home was just half an hour from the circuit. The concerts are your other secret weapon here.

“Go to the concerts!! It’s so fun, you can make friends, and it makes getting out of the circuit much easier because the majority of the crowds have already left.”

DJ Tiësto during his performance at the 2023 Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix.

Accessibility at COTA

COTA is very hilly, and the walk from the shuttle drop-off to the track is long. Reilly notes there are golf carts that can take you; they’re free, though you’re welcome to tip the drivers. Accessibility services for the off-site shuttle pickup points are also available on request, so it’s worth contacting COTA ahead of your trip if you need support.

A culinary heaven: Where to eat and drink in Austin

Food is one of the main reasons to visit Austin, and it’s where Reilly had the most to say. Arrive hungry, and plan at least part of your days around what you’re going to eat.

Start with breakfast tacos. Mami’s Tacos is a food truck at a gas station, but “don’t underestimate it,” Reilly says, because it makes some of the best breakfast tacos in the city. Cuantos Tacos and Las Trancas are close behind. For a sit-down breakfast, Kerbey Lane Cafe does classic American dishes with a Tex Mex twist.

Barbecue is worth the queue. Franklin Barbecue is unbeatable, but the lines are long enough that you’ll need to plan your day around it. Interstellar and Leroy and Lewis are great alternatives, though Reilly is honest about what to expect: “no matter where you go, if the BBQ is good, you’ll need to wait.” If you have a car, The Salt Lick, just outside town, is worth the drive for its sauce. And for something different, Loro Asian Smokehouse is a collaboration between two local heroes, Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi.

Know your Tex Mex from your Mexican. They’re two different cuisines. Tex Mex uses yellow cheese, flour tortillas and spices like cumin and chilli powder, and it’s milder: think fajitas, nachos, burritos and chilli. Mexican food leans on corn tortillas, white cheeses like cotija or Oaxaca, fresh chilis and herbs, so it’s lighter and fresher: mole, birria, pozole, tacos al pastor, tamales and cochinita pibil. For Tex Mex, Matt’s El Rancho has unbeatable patio vibes, even if Reilly admits the food is mid. Go for the atmosphere, the Bob Armstrong dip and a Knockout cocktail, which is so strong the restaurant caps it at two per person. Fonda San Miguel has better food. Suerte and ATX Cocina serve upscale Mexican, and Curra’s Grill in South Austin has excellent salsa.

Beyond tacos and brisket. For sushi, Reilly swears by Neighborhood Sushi and anything from the Uchi family: Uchi, Uchiba or Uchiko. One of her favourite restaurants overall is Bouldin Creek Cafe, a long-running vegetarian spot in South Austin. Order the ube latte and the veggie burger. Austin is generally easy for vegetarians, vegans and anyone with dietary restrictions.

“I’m gluten-free, and I never have issues in Austin,” she says.

Downtown Austin, TX. Image credit: Canva.

For late-night burgers made with fresh ingredients at a fair price, head to P. Terry’s, which also serves Reilly’s favourite lemonade in Austin, “besides the one at COTA.” Phil’s Icehouse pairs burgers with Amy’s Ice Cream. For coffee, Mozart’s has the best lakeside patio in town and often has live music, and Radio Coffee and Beer in South Austin is another favourite.

One thing to get right before you order anything is tipping.

“You need to tip service workers 20% at least!! Whether you like tipping culture or not, waiters and bartenders are paid low wages because their employer assumes customers will tip 20%. That is the standard,” Reilly says.

If you’d rather skip it, go to no-tipping spots like Thai Fresh, or her favourite, Bouldin Creek Cafe.

Bars and nightlife

A night out downtown usually ends up on 6th Street, but there are three very different versions depending on how far east or west you go. East 6th is for a mid-20s and up crowd: Reilly’s favourites are Hotel Vegas, Shangri-La, Whisler’s, Latchkey, Lucky Duck and Mother’s Ruin. West 6th skews younger, early 20s, with Rustic Tap, Cat’s Pajamas and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. In between sits Dirty 6th, which is gritty and always memorable. “If you’re young and want a fun, messy night, I hesitantly recommend Dirty,” she says, with a clear warning: watch your phone, bag and wallet, watch the bartender make your drink, and always keep it covered. For a pregame downtown, her pick is Cockfight.

For a taste of old Austin, the Broken Spoke on South Lamar is a classic honky tonk where you can learn the Texas Two-Step. Donn’s Depot, which is Christmas-themed all year round, Little Longhorn Saloon and Deep Eddy are local institutions too. Gibson Street Bar is the place for a chatty night, and it has the best Halloween decorations in the city, which is perfect timing for an October race.

If you want club vibes, try The Betty, Guesthouse, Mayfair or Powder Room. Reilly says Mayfair is teaming up with LIV, the Miami and Las Vegas club, for sunset DJ sets from Bryce Alakai, Ian Asher and Joe Kay. For EDM, Concourse Project is her favourite venue.

Reilly and friends enjoying a night out in the city.

Austin race week fan activations

Along with the food, Austin’s race week fan activations are what make this Grand Prix stand out, spilling across the whole city. Teams, brands and creators set up fan zones, pop-ups and parties all over town, and many are free, so you can soak up the F1 atmosphere without a ticket for COTA. Our highlights: the Pink Paddock Club with Aston Martin, and the Female Quotient Lounge with F1 ACADEMY, both putting women in motorsport front and centre.

Here’s what’s on, in date order:

Atlassian Williams F1 Team Fan Zone: free, with team merch, Austin-inspired collections and interactive experiences. 800 Congress Ave. 19 to 24 October (Mon to Wed 11 am to 7 pm, Thu to Sat 10 am to 7 pm).
Road to the Race Festival: 100+ hypercars and supercars, F1 display cars, simulators, a military flyover and live music. Ticketed. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. Wednesday 21 October, 5 to 9:30 pm.
Pink Paddock Club x Aston Martin: a women-focused evening with a live podcast recording, crafting and swag bags. Entry is free but spots are limited, and 50 people who sign up in advance will win VIP access. Bungalow, 83 Rainey Street. Wednesday 21 October, 7 to 11 pm.
Lando’s Original Service Dept.: Lando Norris’s ’70s-inspired garage workshop pop up, in partnership with Google Gemini, with exclusive merch and activations. 1500 San Jacinto Blvd. 21 to 25 October (Wed 12 to 7 pm, Thu to Sun 9 am to 7 pm).
Esses Bazaar ATX: tattoos, live music (including Liam Lawson’s set!), western wear, glam stations and local food, plus the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls showcar. Inn Cahoots. Thursday 22 October, from 3 pm.
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Fan Hub: free, with a real pit stop challenge, simulators, merch and swag. 400 Congress Avenue. 22 to 25 October.
Red Bull Austin Race Nights: free, with a pit stop challenge, simulators, a garage-inspired display and possible driver appearances. All ages until 8 pm, 18+ after. Rivière Austin (Big Texas), 1501 E. 7th Street. 22 to 25 October, 4 to 10 pm.
Enchanté x Ford Racing: Daniel Ricciardo’s fashion label meets Ford Racing in a lifestyle pop up. Distribution Hall, 1500 East 4th Street. 22 to 25 October.
Female Quotient Lounge x F1 ACADEMY: a morning of networking and talks on how women are shaping the business of motorsport. Registration required. Arriba Abajo, 506 San Jacinto Boulevard. Friday 23 October, 10 am to 1:30 pm.

Is the United States Grand Prix for me?

Austin is one of those Grand Prix that you pick it when you want Formula 1 with everything else thrown in: live music on a patio, a brisket queue you’ll still be talking about weeks later, a swim in spring water between sessions, and a city that clearly loves having you there.

If it wasn’t on your list this year, it’s worth a second look. Few races give you this much beyond the track, and with tickets still available from around $110, it’s one of the more accessible ways to experience F1 in the US. It’s also a chance to see F1 ACADEMY at a decisive moment of its season, with home crowds behind three American drivers.

If you’ve already booked, you won’t run out of things to do. Arrive a day early if you can, leave a few gaps in your plans, and let the city surprise you. After three trips to COTA, Reilly knows what to expect: “the city comes alive every year.”

Before you go, remember to save our Austin Race Week map, with every restaurant, bar, fan activation and shuttle stop from this guide in one place.

Reilly’s Grid Girls Club hosts girls’ trips to F1 races across North America, Europe and Asia, perfect if you want the GP experience without planning it solo. Readers of It’s Race Week! get $100 off when they mention us on the sign-up form. Check out upcoming trips on their website or TikTok.

Destination Guide for the 2026 United States…