Austin, Texas

Tex-Mex, Texas football traditions, and one historically painful Ohio State game.

September 10–13, 2026

THE WEEKEND

This was not a points-and-miles trip.

My husband, Sean, and I built the weekend around four things: Tex-Mex, Texas barbecue, a University of Texas game day, and watching Ohio State play.

THURSDAY

Tex-Mex first.

We walked from our Airbnb to Pelóns for Tex-Mex and margaritas, passing the Texas State Capitol on the way. Then we bar-hopped from Rainey Street to Sixth Street and ended the night at Buford's, which turned out to be a Buckeye bar with a taco truck inside. Fitting for an Ohio State weekend in Texas.

FRIDAY

A lot of Austin. A lot of walking. About 100°F.

We walked from our Airbnb to Zilker Metropolitan Park and Barton Springs, then El Alma, then through Butler Metro Park, where we found a climbing wall and a giant net structure we'd never have spotted from a car. Later, Sean got his Texas barbecue with one of his friends.

Coming from Ohio, the heat was brutal. My compression socks kept my feet from swelling, which helped prevent blisters.

Planning the experience is only half of it. I also have to figure out what helps my body handle it.

SATURDAY

The trip was about more than kickoff.

I love Ohio State football, but when we travel for a game, I want more than a seat in another stadium. We walked the University of Texas campus, then took in everything Texas builds around a football Saturday: Bevo Boulevard, Big Bertha's Bazaar, Smokey's Midway, and the College GameDay set. Before kickoff, we watched Bevo and the Texas team arrive.

Then the game.

We sat in roughly 100-degree heat, and for most of the game, things went very well. Ohio State led 23–3, and ESPN gave the Buckeyes a 98.3% chance to win late in the third quarter. Then Texas scored 21 unanswered points and won 24–23.

Ohio State lost in historic fashion.

309–0 → 309–1

Ohio State when leading by 17+ at halftime.

197–0 → 197–1

AP No. 1 teams with a 20-point lead in the 4th quarter, since 2004.

It was also reported as the largest lead blown by an AP No. 1 team since 1995.

Game-history source: Sports Illustrated · September 13, 2026

The aftermath

So we didn't just travel to Austin to watch Ohio State lose. We got to witness history. Unfortunately.

Austin celebrated all night: cheering, honking, and parties across the city. So, Texas: you're welcome.

Sean’s reel

Sean's Instagram reel captures game day and the aftermath better than a list of stops can.

Not every trip needs to be optimized. Some just need to be worth taking.

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