Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
One of my favorite brunch spots in town - the breakfast bahn mi is delicious! Only an 8 minute walk from the house!
425 locals recommend
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StOne of my favorite brunch spots in town - the breakfast bahn mi is delicious! Only an 8 minute walk from the house!
Classic Austin Barbecue spot. Also within walking distance from the house - it's a must for any visitor!
372 locals recommend
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdClassic Austin Barbecue spot. Also within walking distance from the house - it's a must for any visitor!
Restaurant + Coffee Shop + Ice Cream Shop + Cooking Classes all in one. The food is delicious - they are all organic and use local ingredients.
189 locals recommend
Thai Fresh
909 W Mary StRestaurant + Coffee Shop + Ice Cream Shop + Cooking Classes all in one. The food is delicious - they are all organic and use local ingredients.
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdThe margaritas here are awesome. Queso is great, too!
If you go for brunch, you have to have the Thai chicken and waffles. If you go for lunch or dinner, the Tom Kha and chicken wings are amazing.
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st StIf you go for brunch, you have to have the Thai chicken and waffles. If you go for lunch or dinner, the Tom Kha and chicken wings are amazing.
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StIt's an Austin institution. Serves delicious vegan food!
This is a great spot to get some Tex-Mex, a margarita and enjoy some live, local music on the patio.
398 locals recommend
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveThis is a great spot to get some Tex-Mex, a margarita and enjoy some live, local music on the patio.
Trendy coffee shop just an 8-10 minute walk away from the house!
78 locals recommend
Seventh Flag Coffee
1506 S 1st StTrendy coffee shop just an 8-10 minute walk away from the house!
Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs RdLocal Austin institution. Has live music shows on a regular basis.
The Tasty Spoon
1413 S 1st StDelicious gelato!
Best Breakfast Tacos in town, period. Nothing else compares. We suggest the Deli Belly, the Saturday menu special!
203 locals recommend
Tacodeli
1500 Spyglass DrBest Breakfast Tacos in town, period. Nothing else compares. We suggest the Deli Belly, the Saturday menu special!
Upscale eatery doling out locally sourced New American chow & drinks in a contemporary setting. Within walking distance to the house!
374 locals recommend
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdUpscale eatery doling out locally sourced New American chow & drinks in a contemporary setting. Within walking distance to the house!
Essentials
Whole Foods Headquarters - grab some food and head to the roof where you can enjoy your meal while enjoying views of the city.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdWhole Foods Headquarters - grab some food and head to the roof where you can enjoy your meal while enjoying views of the city.
David's Food
912 W Mary StLocal convenience store a few blocks away.
Brand new Trader Joe's in Austin! Located right across the S. Lamar footbridge.
289 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
211 Walter Seaholm DrBrand new Trader Joe's in Austin! Located right across the S. Lamar footbridge.
Sightseeing
One of our favorite spots in the city. Head up here on a clear day and you will have a gorgeous view of the Colorado River.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
One of our favorite spots in the city. Head up here on a clear day and you will have a gorgeous view of the Colorado River.
One of our favorite spots in Austin. This has a gorgeous view of downtown and Town Lake. Great spot to watch the sunset. Some local musicians sometimes come by to play music. Lovely place to take a stroll overall.
32 locals recommend
Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
222 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailOne of our favorite spots in Austin. This has a gorgeous view of downtown and Town Lake. Great spot to watch the sunset. Some local musicians sometimes come by to play music. Lovely place to take a stroll overall.
One of the things Austin is best known for...bats! From March to October (typically), 1.5 million bats emerge nightly from narrow but deep crevices in the underside of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. They usually start to emerge from the bridge around 20 minutes before sundown. It can get crowded to make sure to arrive a bit earlier to grab a seat and watch nature to her thing!
131 locals recommend
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress AveOne of the things Austin is best known for...bats! From March to October (typically), 1.5 million bats emerge nightly from narrow but deep crevices in the underside of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. They usually start to emerge from the bridge around 20 minutes before sundown. It can get crowded to make sure to arrive a bit earlier to grab a seat and watch nature to her thing!
Greetings from Austin Mural
1720 S 1st StAustin's most famous mural!
Entertainment & Activities
A must-do while in Austin. Natural springs, albeit chilly, but very unique. It's a great place to people watch, hang out in the sun and take a dip.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrA must-do while in Austin. Natural springs, albeit chilly, but very unique. It's a great place to people watch, hang out in the sun and take a dip.
Super cool library with public art exhibitions, gallery space and reading porches. An awesome restaurant is coming soon!
148 locals recommend
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StSuper cool library with public art exhibitions, gallery space and reading porches. An awesome restaurant is coming soon!
Hourly boat rentals, group events & lessons for kayaks, canoes & stand-up paddle boards.
148 locals recommend
Rowing Dock
2418 Stratford DrHourly boat rentals, group events & lessons for kayaks, canoes & stand-up paddle boards.
Farmer's Market + Live Music Show + Food Stalls in one!
81 locals recommend
SFC Farmers' Market Downtown
422 Guadalupe StFarmer's Market + Live Music Show + Food Stalls in one!
Drinks & Nightlife
Our go-to place to watch a big game! It's right across the tracks on the greenbelt.
181 locals recommend
Gibson Street Bar
1109 S Lamar BlvdOur go-to place to watch a big game! It's right across the tracks on the greenbelt.
The lounge in the hotel courtyard is one of our favorite places to relax and have a drink. Try their froze!
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveThe lounge in the hotel courtyard is one of our favorite places to relax and have a drink. Try their froze!
If you want a take a step back in time and have a truly Texan experience, check out the Driskill Hotel Bar. This place will make you feel like you are part of the Wild West.
60 locals recommend
The Driskill
217 Congress AveIf you want a take a step back in time and have a truly Texan experience, check out the Driskill Hotel Bar. This place will make you feel like you are part of the Wild West.
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveGreat place for local jazz music.
Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar BlvdOne of the best local music venues a bit off the beaten path.
Getting Around
Austin B-cycle Station
1400 Nash Hernandez Senior Rd1316 Bouldin/Elizabeth station
#5 CapMetro Bus line
Parks & Nature
Austin's green lungs in the center of the city - chock full of events throughout the year!
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdAustin's green lungs in the center of the city - chock full of events throughout the year!
Right across the street! You can get to the shops, restaurants, bars and movie theatre by crossing the railroad tracks to South Lamar boulevard, or hike down to Barton Springs Road to either continue onwards towards downtown or Zilker Park.
West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt
1200 S 6th StRight across the street! You can get to the shops, restaurants, bars and movie theatre by crossing the railroad tracks to South Lamar boulevard, or hike down to Barton Springs Road to either continue onwards towards downtown or Zilker Park.
One of the most beautiful green belts in the city. Gorgeous waterfall towards the 360 Loop. A must-see in Austin.
59 locals recommend
Bull Creek District Park
Bull Creek District Park: Pedestrian Walkway 2One of the most beautiful green belts in the city. Gorgeous waterfall towards the 360 Loop. A must-see in Austin.
If you are here during wildflower season (March thru May) this is an absolute must!
252 locals recommend
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveIf you are here during wildflower season (March thru May) this is an absolute must!