Are you one of those parents who gets excited about taking your kids with you to ACL Fest — eager to introduce them to some amazing live music? Or would you prefer to steer clear of the entire Zilker Park vicinity and those huge crowds?

There are families who love Austin City Limits Music Festival and those who love to avoid it. Thankfully, our friends at HomeAway understand both perspectives. And they have both types of families covered — with convenient vacation homes for rent in town and a huge selection of nearby rentals for those who’d prefer to flee Austin during festival weekends (October 6-8 & October 13-15).

For ACL Lovers:

For those of you ready to fest, let’s face it… getting to and from the festival is kind of a headache. Booking a close-in spot where you could enjoy a festival weekend stay-cation would be pretty amazing! Or if you have out-of-town guests coming in, below are a couple of HomeAway inspirations to consider…

— This downtown home is within biking distance to the park! With three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and updated kitchen and expansive outdoor lawn, it’s perfect for families and small groups.

— Just 10 minutes from downtown, this stunning Lake Austin getaway provides guests with kayaks, paddleboards and a boat slip at this three bedroom, family-friendly home.

— This 3 bedroom home near downtown is perfect for families. It features a comfy family room with cinema-style projector screen and an enclosed backyard for cookouts. It’s also just a short walk to Austin favorites like Dai Sue, Salty Sow, Eastside Café, and more.

Festival fans, take note that HomeAway has some pretty great photo op stations planned for both weekends of ACL Fest. Snap your pics in their upside down house just on the north side of Rock Island or with the kids in the Austin Kiddie Limits area. Post your photos on social with #HomeAway for a chance to win special access to the backstage area behind the HomeAway stage where you can chill in the shade with a cool beverage, get free snacks and tons of HomeAway swag. And for tips for taking the kids to ACL, check out our Ultimate Guide to Taking the Kids to ACL.


For Austin Escapees:
For those who hear “ACL Fest” and immediately start throwing provisions in the car for a quick escape, plenty of options are just a short drive away…

— This New Braunfels home is so popular it can be hard to book during summer vacation, but fall is a great time to book this beautiful 3 bedroom condo overlooking the Comal River.

— Want to take the kids to check out all that San Antonio has to offer? From the Riverwalk to the Zoo, museums, Pearl District and more — there’s plenty to see on your visit. You can stay in this charming home near Alamo Heights that sleeps 6.

— Want to stay in Wimberley hideaway near Blue Hole Regional Park? Here you’ll enjoy creek views from your window, and you can walk to the Wimberley square along the woodland trail, hike or bike throughout the park, and swim in that gorgeous water.

— Maybe your family would prefer a lakeside retreat? Connect with family, friends and nature in this 2-story spacious home on Lake Palestine (about 4 hours from Austin). Enjoy views of the lake from two porches, let the kids play in the shaded lawn, or go swim, float, fish, or boating on the lake. Sleeps 10.

No matter where you want to escape, HomeAway has SO many awesome listings for the perfect family getaway OR stay-cation. You can visit HomeAway.com and search over a million listings by location and travel dates. Family adventure awaits!