F1 US Grand Prix Weekend: A Local's Playbook
Circuit of The Americas turns southeast Austin into a 400,000-person race town for three days every October. Whether you have a paddock pass or just want the parties, here is the weekend by the hour.
Turn 1 at the top of the hill is the iconic spot; general admission on the berms at Turn 12 is where locals actually watch.
Headliners play Saturday and Sunday night inside the track; stay for them and let the parking lots clear.
Official shuttles and park-and-ride lots beat surge pricing; rideshare drop-offs can be a two-mile walk.
Team pop-ups, watch parties, and the Red Bull and McLaren activations cluster on Rainey and along the river.
Brands stage driver Q&As Thursday; watch team socials for surprise stops at Tecovas and YETI.
Interstellar, Terry Black's, or Micklethwait for a pre-race lunch; Salt Lick if you are coming from the south.
Hotels near ABIA sell out a year out; South Austin and Kyle are the value plays with 20-minute track access.
COTA Karting on the property and K1 Speed in North Austin fill up with fans mid-week.
What's good in Austin this week, every Thursday.
Verified happy hours, new openings, and 5 of the best things to do this weekend. One email a week.