Many of the art spaces are scattered throughout Austin, but two of the finest are tucked away in the developing West End. On day two, head toward the salmon-hued clapboard house that is the Wally Workman Gallery (1202 W. 6th St.; 512-472-7428). Here, trailblazer Workman—who has been in the hood for 26 years—cultivates the work of more than 40 artists, the majority of whom are local. Standouts include the self-taught Fatima Ronquillo, whose brushstrokes are reminiscent of Fernando Botero's. Grab a sandwich at the Sweetish Hill Bakery (our pick: the eggplant and Brie on a baguette) and shortbread cookies for a picnic at a later stop (1120 W. 6th St.; 512-472-2411; sandwiches, $5–$7). Then it's on to the Stephen L. Clark Gallery for its fine art photography. Spend time in the small front room, which displays a series of sepia-toned painterly prints from Bill Witliff's work on the miniseries The Lonesome Dove (1101 W. 6th St.; 512-477-0828).

Now it's time for some fresh air: Head northwest of the city to the Austin Museum of Art–Laguna Gloria, a 12-plus-acre estate overlooking Lake Austin. Outdoor sculptures punctuate the Mediterranean-style palm-shaded landscape; stake out a spot on the stairs by the fountain and enjoy that lunch you've been toting around (3809 W. 35th St.; 512-458-8191; amoa.org). Finish the day at the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin (200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; 512-471-7324), where you should head straight upstairs to the Susman Gallery, which houses works by contemporary notables such as Kehinde Wiley.

Where to Eat: What's a trip to Texas without some Mexican cuisine? Come 5 p.m., Guero's, an informal taqueria heralded for its potent margaritas, is packed (1412 S. Congress Ave.; 512-447-7688; entrées, $8–$14). In the trendy Warehouse district, Asian-inflected Imperia draws a stylish crowd thanks to its dramatic decor and the expertise of chef Joe Tellus, formerly of Tao in New York (310 Colorado St.; 512-472-6770; entrées, $19–$33). For gussied-up barbecue, Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, a high-ceilinged, pine-floored space, serves a sophisticated menu of wood-grilled steaks and oak-smoked short ribs (401 W. 2nd St.; 512-494-1500; entrées, $12–$32). For a nightcap, make your way to the palm-dotted patio of The Belmont, where there's live music Monday through Saturday (305 W. 6th St.; 512-457-0300). Come morning, get in line for a calorie--laden brunch at the South Congress Cafe, which does comfort food with a Southwestern flair (1600 S. Congress Ave.; 512-447-3905; entrées, $10–$28). Should you tire of queso and fajitas, Enoteca Vespaio has a superb selection of panini and hearty pastas (1610 S. Congress Ave.; 512-441-7672; entrées, $8–$15).

And Don't Miss: The bats. Yes, bats: Austin is home to the largest urban bat population in North America. More than one million Mexican free-tailed bats hold court underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge through October.

Nandita Khanna