Austin, Texas◆October 10–12, 2026
Three days, one pumpkin patch, two kickoffs that matter, and a 6:15 reservation nobody is missing.
The weekend starts in
Dinner reservation: Saturday, 6:15 PM at Kemuri Tatsu-ya
Arrival & chill
The lay of the land
Tap a door to walk in. Everything runs on Central time, the plans stay loose, and the 6:15 is the one thing set in stone.
SaturdayOct 10
Arrival, an optional brewery run, Kemuri Tatsu-ya at 6:15, and drinks at Whisler’s.
Walk inSundayOct 11
Breakfast at the house, the pumpkin patch at Sweet Berry Farm, Frontyard Brewing, and a quiet night in.
Walk inMondayOct 12
One more good breakfast in a South Austin garden, then hugs and the road home.
Walk inDay one · Saturday, October 10
The Walstons roll in, the afternoon stays loose, and the evening belongs to East Austin: yakitori at 6:15, cocktails after, and two SEC kickoffs we will pretend not to check.
Bags down, shoes off, porch on. Nothing is on the books until dinner, so take the afternoon at whatever speed the kids allow.
Driftwood, Texas · about 40 minutes southwest
A working farm and brewery out in the Hill Country, with room for the kids to roam, food grown on the property, and a view that earns the drive. Fully optional. If the couch wins, the couch wins.
Kickoff: LSU at Kentucky
2713 E 2nd St · Holly, East Austin
The Ramen Tatsu-ya crew’s izakaya, built inside an old barbecue joint with the smoke still on the walls. Japanese bar food raised in Texas: yakitori off the grill, chili cheese takoyaki, sticky rice tamales, and a yuzu pecan pie that settles the dessert question.
Kickoff: Alabama vs. Georgia
1816 E 6th St · about five minutes up the road
One of the best cocktail bars on the east side: a moody old building, a big patio, and Mezcalería Tobalá upstairs for the mezcal crowd. The Old Fashioned is the move. Second-half scores will be announced whether anyone asks or not.
One more round, then home. Tomorrow has pumpkins in it.
Saturday night
Robert rolls with the Tide, AB rides with the Tigers, and both kickoffs land within fifteen minutes of our 6:15. Score checks at the table are allowed. Play-by-play is not.
Robert’s game
6:30 PM
ABC · Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
AB’s game
6:00 PM
ESPN · Kroger Field, Lexington
Dead even. First to the end of the rope gets the remote.
Day two · Sunday, October 11
Breakfast at the house, an hour west to the best pumpkin patch around, a brewery built for families on the way home, and then a quiet night in.
Sunday’s drive
Scroll the map and watch the loop draw itself. Roughly two and a quarter hours in the car all day, split three ways.
A big, wholesome breakfast around the table before the road trip. Coffee is on early and seconds are encouraged.
About an hour west into the Hill Country. Snacks are packed, and every “are we there yet” will get an honest answer.
1801 FM 1980 · Marble Falls
Sweet Berry’s fall season is in full swing: hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkin painting, goat races, the barrel train, scarecrow stuffing, and a whole field of pumpkins to pick from. Pick a big one. Somebody has to carry it.
4514 Bob Wire Rd · Spicewood · on the way home
A big green lawn where the kids can run, Hill Country views, sixteen taps, food trucks, wine from 5 Soul Wine Co. on the same property, and six pickleball courts. Food, beer, wine, and pickleball in one place, which is about as efficient as a Sunday gets.
Movie upstairs for the kiddos, football downstairs, a good home-cooked supper, and the house bar open for Austin pours.
For the kiddos (and competitive grown-ups)
Tap a square when you have done it at Sweet Berry Farm. Three in a row earns a victory lap around the patch. Your card saves on this phone.
Fresh card. Nine squares, one farm.
Day three · Monday, October 12
One more good meal before the road. Leona is a garden café in South Austin that feels like a long weekend all by itself.
6405 Brodie Ln · Sunset Valley, South Austin
Five acres of gardens, water features, and walking paths from the people behind Dee Dee and Veracruz All Natural. Veracruz tacos, Proud Mary coffee, pastries from some of Austin’s best bakeries, and a play area that lets the parents finish a cup of coffee while it’s still hot.
Last coffees, one more round of hugs, and the Walstons head out. Safe travels, y’all. The guest room stays made.
Before you load the car
0 of 7 packed
Good to know
Mid-October in Austin usually means afternoons around 80 and evenings near 60. Bring a layer for the patios and the drive home from Whisler’s.
| Vista Brewing | Sat from 11 AM |
| Kemuri Tatsu-ya | Sat, table at 6:15 PM |
| Sweet Berry Farm | Sun 10 AM–7 PM |
| Frontyard Brewing | Sun 11 AM–9 PM |
| Leona | Mon from 7:30 AM |
| Texas vs. Oklahoma | Sat 2:30 PM · ABC |
| LSU at Kentucky | Sat 6:00 PM · ESPN |
| Alabama vs. Georgia | Sat 6:30 PM · ABC |
| Ravens at Falcons | Sun 7:20 PM · NBC |
All times Central. Hours and kickoffs as posted the week of October 5. Worth a quick glance before heading out.