Sightseeing
* Make yourself a coffee at the house or grab a breakfast taco at Veracruz, then walk the lake trail (the trail is one of my favorite things...it never gets old. Definitely ideal to go early in the warmer months). Take Chicon street south and you'll run into it. It's a quarter mile walk.
* You can stay on this side of the lake and go all the way downtown/beyond. If you want to mix it up one day, cross at I-35 and walk east...it's a lovely boardwalk.
267 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake Trail
Lady Bird Lake Trail* Make yourself a coffee at the house or grab a breakfast taco at Veracruz, then walk the lake trail (the trail is one of my favorite things...it never gets old. Definitely ideal to go early in the warmer months). Take Chicon street south and you'll run into it. It's a quarter mile walk.
* You can stay on this side of the lake and go all the way downtown/beyond. If you want to mix it up one day, cross at I-35 and walk east...it's a lovely boardwalk.
* I have beach towels & a pool bag in the hall closet you can bring with you. It's truly an Austin experience to lounge on the grassy hillside and dip in the cool spring-fed pool. No food or drinks (technically) allowed...but if you're discrete, you can pull it off. Grab a margarita & some queso at (the original) Chuy's afterwards.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton Dr * I have beach towels & a pool bag in the hall closet you can bring with you. It's truly an Austin experience to lounge on the grassy hillside and dip in the cool spring-fed pool. No food or drinks (technically) allowed...but if you're discrete, you can pull it off. Grab a margarita & some queso at (the original) Chuy's afterwards.
Wander South Congress - There are lots of fun shops, restaurants and bars to check out. Great for a Sunday brunch n stroll.
447 locals recommend
South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueWander South Congress - There are lots of fun shops, restaurants and bars to check out. Great for a Sunday brunch n stroll.
Also, by the lake trail...* Grab a BCycle at the station by the lake (1400 Nash Hernandez Senior Road) & head to Barton Springs
* I have beach towels & a pool bag in the hall closet you can bring with you. It's truly an Austin experience to lounge on the grassy hillside and dip in the cool spring-fed pool. No food or drinks (technically) allowed...but if you're discrete, you can pull it off. Grab a margarita & some queso at (the original) Chuy's afterwards.
35 locals recommend
Austin B-cycle Station
1400 Nash Hernandez Senior RdAlso, by the lake trail...* Grab a BCycle at the station by the lake (1400 Nash Hernandez Senior Road) & head to Barton Springs
* I have beach towels & a pool bag in the hall closet you can bring with you. It's truly an Austin experience to lounge on the grassy hillside and dip in the cool spring-fed pool. No food or drinks (technically) allowed...but if you're discrete, you can pull it off. Grab a margarita & some queso at (the original) Chuy's afterwards.
An evening kayak with Live Love Paddle is a great way to see the bats! They have an entertaining and well informed guide (you'll learn some interesting facts about the City...and bats). You can bring a cooler if you'd like. Definitely grab the beach towels, you'll want them afterwards as you do get a little wet.
44 locals recommend
Live Love Paddle
1610 E Riverside DrAn evening kayak with Live Love Paddle is a great way to see the bats! They have an entertaining and well informed guide (you'll learn some interesting facts about the City...and bats). You can bring a cooler if you'd like. Definitely grab the beach towels, you'll want them afterwards as you do get a little wet.
There are some great little electric boats you can rent on town lake (you can take wine and snacks) to self-cruise around for sunset. They book up, so be sure to call weeks in advance.
http://www.capitalcruises.com/boat-rentals-on-lady-bird-lake/duffy-rentals/
http://www.capitalcruises.com/boat-rentals-on-lady-bird-lake/donut-boat-rentals/
41 locals recommend
Capital Cruises
208 Barton Springs RdThere are some great little electric boats you can rent on town lake (you can take wine and snacks) to self-cruise around for sunset. They book up, so be sure to call weeks in advance.
http://www.capitalcruises.com/boat-rentals-on-lady-bird-lake/duffy-rentals/
http://www.capitalcruises.com/boat-rentals-on-lady-bird-lake/donut-boat-rentals/
Food scene
My favorite pizza in town...and it's a 15 minute walk from the house. Woodfired goodness...with a minimalist aesthetic and great wine.
179 locals recommend
Bufalina Pizza
2215 E Cesar Chavez StMy favorite pizza in town...and it's a 15 minute walk from the house. Woodfired goodness...with a minimalist aesthetic and great wine.
is my favorite sushi place on the planet. They charge for it...but it's worth every penny. I'd definitely make a reservation if this is your jam. (They do a great happy hour from 5-6, but you have to get their early, or make a reservation to get a seat)
687 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar Blvdis my favorite sushi place on the planet. They charge for it...but it's worth every penny. I'd definitely make a reservation if this is your jam. (They do a great happy hour from 5-6, but you have to get their early, or make a reservation to get a seat)
This place is great anytime of day. They have a killer lobster roll and there's something special about their patio.
246 locals recommend
Clark's Oyster Bar
1200 W 6th StThis place is great anytime of day. They have a killer lobster roll and there's something special about their patio.
2 blocks away - You can always walk in, but I'd recommend a reservation if you're leaning this direction. It's a great close by option for a sleepy Sunday morning.
397 locals recommend
Launderette
2115 Holly St2 blocks away - You can always walk in, but I'd recommend a reservation if you're leaning this direction. It's a great close by option for a sleepy Sunday morning.
Quality, quality brunch. Get the biscuits to start...game changer. Follow it up with some poolside frose at Hotel San Jose.
36 locals recommend
Joann's Fine Foods
1224 S Congress AveQuality, quality brunch. Get the biscuits to start...game changer. Follow it up with some poolside frose at Hotel San Jose.
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdIf you want some TexMex, this is the place.
This place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
20 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 East Cesar Chavez StreetThis place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
Walkable from the house
It doesn't look like much...in fact it looks like a sketchy school bus. But the migas breakfast taco will blow your mind. It's award winning. There can be a long line, so I'd suggest going early. Easy walk from the house.
313 locals recommend
Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadIt doesn't look like much...in fact it looks like a sketchy school bus. But the migas breakfast taco will blow your mind. It's award winning. There can be a long line, so I'd suggest going early. Easy walk from the house.
Lou’s
1900 E Cesar Chavez StSuper close walk...good breakfast tacos and lattes.
This place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
20 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 East Cesar Chavez StreetThis place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
This place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
397 locals recommend
Launderette
2115 Holly StThis place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
This place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
179 locals recommend
Bufalina Pizza
2215 E Cesar Chavez StThis place has a cult following...and a line out the door everyday. If you want to try some good texas barbeque, walk over (it's just up the street).
This is a great dive bar for late night. It's walkable back to the house and totally Austin. They usually have pretty decent bands as well.
207 locals recommend
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StThis is a great dive bar for late night. It's walkable back to the house and totally Austin. They usually have pretty decent bands as well.
Juice/Smoothies
Juiceland is a local star and my favorite juice shop/stand. They have a location on East Ceasar Chavez that's near the house.
519 locals recommend
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdJuiceland is a local star and my favorite juice shop/stand. They have a location on East Ceasar Chavez that's near the house.
Drinks
AVOID 6th STREET downtown. It's like Bourbon Street...you've been warned.
Not to be confused with West 6th (west of Congress Ave) or East 6th (East of I-35) where there are some good bars.
Day drinking favorite - Their frose is super yum...and the setting is groovy. It's usually happening, but not annoyingly busy. Put your feet in the pool and sip away. I love doing brunch on South Congress and following up with a frose session here.
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveDay drinking favorite - Their frose is super yum...and the setting is groovy. It's usually happening, but not annoyingly busy. Put your feet in the pool and sip away. I love doing brunch on South Congress and following up with a frose session here.
An East Side alternative for frose + feet in the pool is Kitty Cohen's. It's 1 mile north and has a fun retro thing going on.
153 locals recommend
Kitty Cohen's
2211 Webberville RdAn East Side alternative for frose + feet in the pool is Kitty Cohen's. It's 1 mile north and has a fun retro thing going on.
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StChill grotto bar with craft cocktails.
Chill - Bohemian, french garden. Great for cocktails...and their food is also on point.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StChill - Bohemian, french garden. Great for cocktails...and their food is also on point.
Vibey east side bar - Craft cocktails, Music & Late night food - East side (4th & I-35)
72 locals recommend
The Cafe at Native Hostels
807 E 4th StVibey east side bar - Craft cocktails, Music & Late night food - East side (4th & I-35)
This is a great dive bar for late night. It's walkable back to the house and totally Austin. They usually have pretty decent bands as well.
207 locals recommend
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StThis is a great dive bar for late night. It's walkable back to the house and totally Austin. They usually have pretty decent bands as well.
Rainey Street is a mile east from the house. This is super popular for folks wanting a scene...with an Austin twist. Lots of bungalows turned bars.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetRainey Street is a mile east from the house. This is super popular for folks wanting a scene...with an Austin twist. Lots of bungalows turned bars.
Music!
If you get a chance, there are some incredible venues in town. Check to see what's playing:
(Disregard the food photo)
Their outdoor venue is my favorite. Right in town and a cool intimate venue.
281 locals recommend
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
801 Red River St(Disregard the food photo)
Their outdoor venue is my favorite. Right in town and a cool intimate venue.
Antone's
305 E 5th StHistoric Scoot Inn
1308 E 4th StTexas 2 Stepping
If you want to do some Texas two-stepping, check out Broken Spoke - an old-fashioned honky-tonk that’s been around since 1964 and has hosted Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. Dance lessons are offered Wednesday through Saturday nights.
478 locals recommend
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdIf you want to do some Texas two-stepping, check out Broken Spoke - an old-fashioned honky-tonk that’s been around since 1964 and has hosted Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. Dance lessons are offered Wednesday through Saturday nights.
The White Horse
500 Comal StA very popular alternative and super close to the house.