Fiesta Gardens is a historic public park in East Austin, on the shore of Lady Bird Lake just east of downtown. It is a beautiful place to spend a Saturday, and it is not a place with much parking. Plan ahead and the day gets a lot smoother.
Leave the car
The single best decision you can make is to not drive. Rideshare drop-off is the fastest way in and out, the festival is a short ride from downtown, and you will never have to think about your car at last call. Biking is a great option too, with racks near the entrance.
If you do drive, arrive early. On-site parking is very limited and fills well before gates, and nearby lots and street parking are tight. The Designated Driver ticket, at $15 with free soft drinks, is the responsible way to bring the whole group and still get everyone home.
Pace the day
Pours are 4 oz for a reason. Drink water between beers, eat from the food trucks, and remember that 200 beers is a menu, not a checklist. The point is to taste the best of Texas, talk to the people who brewed it, and make it home to do it again next year.