Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at the Texas State Capitol while the grounds are quiet; allow about 1–1½ hours to see the rotunda, historic rooms, and oak-shaded grounds. Admission is free, but building hours vary by day—check the visitor schedule before you go. From downtown, it’s about a 20-minute walk or a short rideshare to the Blanton Museum of Art on the UT campus. Give its galleries 1½–2 hours, and check its January calendar for current hours and any special exhibitions.
Head downtown to Fareground for an easy, relaxed lunch. Its food stalls make it simple for everyone to choose something different; budget roughly $15–25 per person, and check the individual vendors’ hours. After lunch, walk or take a quick rideshare to the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail for about an hour by the water. January can be sunny or surprisingly chilly, so bring a light layer; if it’s wet or windy, shorten the walk rather than committing to the full loop.
From the trail, cross toward South Congress Avenue and spend an hour or so browsing the independent shops and people-watching—this stretch is especially pleasant on foot, though popular storefronts may close earlier than restaurants. Finish at Home Slice Pizza for a casual dinner; expect about $15–30 per person, and plan for a possible wait at peak dinner time. The South Congress location is lively, so arriving a little before the evening rush can make seating easier.
No packing list attached yet.