Austin, TX

Here is a quick summary of things that will help to make your experience enjoyable:

1. Dress cool. (Light colors, cool fabrics, comfy shoes, hat, sunglasses, lightweight backpack)
2. Pack Light. (2 bandaids, Sunscreen, Chapstick, Your ticket!, small towel, wet wipes)
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Grab mini-schedule. You’ll find these just inside the gate. I like to grab two in case I lose one or it gets too grubby and falls apart.
5. Have a great time! ACL Fest is basically a 3-day party!
6. Don’t phone. Text! Cellphone usage is spotty and sometimes non-existent at ACL. Text messaging is usually more reliable.
7. Decide on a meeting place. If you’re with a group have a predefined meeting place for the end of the day or lunch or whatever.

The gates open early and if you’re a die-hard you’ll be there early, too. I’ll say this again because it bears repeating, Please be sure to drink lots of water. It’s very easy to get dehydrated. If you do get overheated there are a few air conditioned tents and there are the Misting areas. Find either and cool down. Starting your day off with a decent breakfast is a good idea and there are several places close enough that you could walk to them. Places like Austin Java will feed and caffeinate you if you’re like me and not much of a morning person. Avoid food lines and walk back that way at lunch if you find yourself with some free time.

Create and print your schedule ahead of time. This will help you to familiarize yourself with the bands and their stage locations. I like to transfer that information to the mini schedule later because the printout can be bulky but it’s still worth doing.

Hold off, or at least go easy, on the alcohol until late afternoon. It could dehydrate you or make you sick. Sweet Leaf Tea is a real winner for me. It’s not too pricey, it’s refreshing and it really hits the spot on a hot day. Surprisingly, ice cream does not. A gut full of dairy that melts too quickly in the sun is not so refreshing.

I hope this guide has been helpful and I would love to hear some feedback after the Festival.

ACL Survivor Guide: Part 1 - What to Wear
ACL Survivor Guide: Part 2 - What to Take
ACL Survivor Guide: Part 3 - Getting There

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