The best place to stay in Austin for race weekend
Experience the thrill of race weekend up close during a memorable stay in Austin.
By Shayla Martin | September 4, 2025
Shayla Martin
Shayla Martin is an award-winning travel and culture journalist based in Washington, D.C. Find her work in outlets including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Coastal Living, Hemispheres, Veranda Magazine, and many more. She specializes in content about Black history and culture, luxury travel, historic preservation, wellness, interior design, and personal narrative topics. She is also the founder of The Road We Trod, a bi-weekly newsletter that explores travel destinations through the Black gaze.
Traveling to Circuit of the Americas to see our partners, McLaren F1 Team, on track? Looking for unrivalled access to the best of downtown Austin? Discover the hotel that makes it easy to enjoy the best of both worlds during the race weekend.
A winning location
When it comes to experiencing the adrenaline-pumping energy of the Austin Grand Prix, location is everything, and Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown delivers. Just 15 minutes from the Circuit of The Americas and a block from 6th Street’s legendary entertainment district, the hotel puts you in the heart of Austin’s most exciting attractions. After the race, you and your 21+ crew can barhop from the aptly named Friends Bar to live-music mainstay Maggie Mae’s. If you’re traveling with little ones, the hotel’s proximity to kid-friendly attractions like the Thinkery science museum and Zilker Park helps keep boredom at bay. Whether you’re enjoying all that Austin has to offer or making the most of your time at the race, Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown is the perfect home base for high-octane fun.
Dine and unwind
After an action-packed day at the track, you can unwind at your hotel without missing a beat. Well-appointed rooms are designed with both rest and functionality in mind, and travelers with friends or family will appreciate the option for Confirmed Connecting Rooms, which are ideal for groups who want to stay close while maintaining space. A well-equipped fitness center helps you stick to your routines between laps of adventure, and a refreshing outdoor pool offers a perfect place to lounge under Austin’s milder October sun. Although you won’t want to miss the chance to explore Austin’s iconic BBQ scene, the hotel restaurant, Eighteenth Over Austin, serves up American favorites with a Texas twist so you don’t have to go far for a great meal before heading out for an early qualifying session or late-night celebration.
The highlights:
- Best time to visit Austin: Fall
- Race weekend: October 17 – 19, 2025
- Don’t miss: Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Franklin Barbecue, Lady Bird Lake, McKinney Falls State Park, Blanton Museum of Art
- Where to stay: Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown
Behind the scenes: A wellness stay with Lando Norris
Sleep sounds, sun-soaked wellness, gym sessions, and a few granola mishaps. Join Lando Norris and Max Fewtrell for a behind-the-scenes look at their Hilton stay in Portugal. From tapping glasses in an ASMR session to talking recovery routines in the gym, Lando and Max take you through a day filled with calming sounds and unexpected laughs. Whether lounging by the pool in bathrobes, sipping coffee between takes, or perfecting their sleep setup with extra pillows and ideal room temps, this video shows how Hilton supports every kind of traveler, especially those who take wellness (and teriyaki wraps) seriously.
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