Hey folks! So, I get messaged a lot on Instagram by people planning trips to Austin and wanting to know what I recommend for their stay. I figured it was about time I created a quick guide for my own city with some of my top recommendations for things to do, where to eat, where to stay, etc. I mean, what city do I know better than the one I’ve lived in my whole life? So without further ado, here’s my quick guide to Austin, Texas!
Table of Contents
What To Do in Austin
Watch the Bats Come Out at Sunset
Every year, over a million Mexican free-tailed bats migrate to Austin and live under the Congress Avenue Bridge from late March to early fall. And every night at sunset during that time of year, you can watch the bats come out to catch their dinners. The best places to watch the bats fly out are from the Congress Avenue Bridge itself, from along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, or from the water. To watch from the water, I recommend renting a kayak or a private boat to have the freedom to watch from wherever you want. You can also book a large boat tour, but I truly think being in a small boat right at water level is the most magical way to experience the bats.
Go Mural Hunting
Austin has lots of amazing street art, so you could probably spend a whole day running around downtown trying to find the best murals. Areas of town like East Austin, South Congress, The Drag, and South 1st Street are great places to start. I actually wrote a mural guide to Austin awhile back, so check that out if you want addresses and recs for specific murals around ATX!
SEE ALSO: The Most Instagrammable Murals in Austin
Take a Dip at Barton Springs Pool
You can swim in the famous Barton Springs Pool year-round, but it’s the best in the summer! The pool is always the same temperature, around 68-70 degrees, and is filled entirely with water from local natural springs. Barton Springs is the ultimate place to cool down when Austin gets super hot!
Catch a Concert in the Live Music Capital of the World
Austin is the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World”, so you really can’t come here without seeing some live music. See what’s on at local venues like Stubb’s, ACL Live, Emo’s, Antone’s, The Mohawk, The Parish, Historic Scoot Inn, or The Continental Club, just to name a few of MANY live music venues around Austin. Or, come during one of our major music festivals, like SXSW or Austin City Limits Festival!
Get cultured at the Blanton Museum of Art
If you want to spend the day at a museum, I recommend the Blanton Museum of Art! The permanent collection includes one of the most comprehensive galleries of Latin American art in the US as well as the famous Ellsworth Kelly: Austin, a stone “chapel” with rainbow windows that is always all over Instagram. And by the way, admission is always free on Thursdays!
Go Line Dancing at the Broken Spoke
This might be the most “Texas” thing to do in town. The Broken Spoke opened in 1964 and calls itself the “last of the true Texas dance halls”. It’s a true Austin icon, and if you want to see the more “country-western” side of the city and what line dancing is all about, this is the place to go.
Bar Hop Along Rainey Street
Forget the overcrowded 6th Street – head to Rainey instead! Rainey has all the charm that 6th Street lacks. The whole street is filled with tiny house bars, like Lustre Pearl, Bungalow, Clive Bar, Bungalow, and Lucille. Other fun stops on Rainey include Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden (fun fact: Justin Bieber once performed a secret set at Banger’s during SXSW), Container Bar, and Unbarlievable.
Where to Eat in Austin
It’s pretty hard to just pick a few favorite places to eat in Austin, since we are such a foodie town. Don’t even get me started on how good our food trucks are! But, I wanted to focus on places I like to take out-of-town visitors to, like my favorite Tex-Mex spots or BBQ – because that’s mainly what you’re going to want to eat while visiting Austin anyways.
Fresa’s
Fresa’s is coming in a #1 because honestly, it’s my favorite place to eat at right now. I only wish they had a north location closer to where I live! I usually get the chicken flautas with some queso while I’m here. Their South 1st location also has cute colorful tables and very photogenic margaritas, so not only is this place delicious, it’s also great for your ‘gram!
Amy’s Ice Creams
I’ve been going to Amy’s since I was a toddler – it’s my ride-or-die place to get ice cream. True story: I used to dream that I’d work there when I grew up. They always have fun new options on their menu, or go classic with the Mexican Vanilla. If you order with crush-ins, you might get lucky enough to see them do some tricks with your scoops too!
Franklin Barbecue
I’ve only actually eaten at Franklin’s once because it is such a hassle to eat their with their popularity. You basically have to go line up at 6am and be prepared to wait for your meats. But, am I even allowed to suggest places to eat in Austin without including Franklin’s? The true trick is to get your family involved and win the catering lottery, so you go pick up your feast of food enough to feed an army without having to wait in line. That’s what we did! If you’re not willing to wait, try other BBQ joints in town like La Barbecue, Black’s, Lamberts, Terry Black’s, Micklethwait Craft Meats… or make the drive out to Driftwood, TX for the famous Salt Lick BBQ. Truly, there are so many barbecue options in Austin that you just can’t go wrong!
Ramen Tatsu-ya
Ramen Tastu-ya is one of the most popular ramen spots in Austin, getting national praise and winning spots on top foodie lists. As their popularity rapidly grew, they were able to expand to 3 stories in Austin and 1 in Houston, and open other restaurant concepts, like Asian smokehouse Kemuri Tatsu-Ya and shabu-shabu restaurant DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya. Ramen Tatsu-ya’s opening in 2012 sent Austin into a full-out ramen craze, and that’s why they made this list. If you’re looking for noodles, this is the place to go.
Guero’s Taco Bar
Guero’s Taco Bar has been around almost as long as I’ve been alive, and I grew up going there. They are a true Tex-Mex establishment on South Congress. SoCo is already a major tourist hotspot, so while you’re spending your day shopping there and photographing the “I Love You So Much” mural at Jo’s Coffee, stop in for dinner and a margarita at Guero’s.
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Photo Guide to South Congress in Austin
Torchy’s Tacos
If you don’t take your out-of-towner friends to Torchy’s when they visit, you probably don’t like them very much. Their extreme popularity has allowed them to expand across 5 states (including Texas, of course), so while you can find them elsewhere nowadays, Austin is still the OG.
Veracruz All Natural
The last taco spot on this list! Like I said, if you’re looking for bites in Austin, the two most popular options are tacos and BBQ. Veracruz serves up authentic Mexican cuisine at 5 locations in the Austin area, a majority of them being food trucks. I recommend stopping by for breakfast, as they have plenty of amazing breakfast taco options (and believe me, breakfast tacos are a BIG DEAL in Austin). Try the Migas!
Where to Stay in Austin
Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt
There are several reasons why I love Hotel Van Zandt. For one, they’re pet friendly! If you can fit it in the door, you can bring it. So while you can technically bring your horse, I wouldn’t recommend it. Two, they’re located on Rainey Street, which is a really fun area if you’re looking to grab drinks or party and then be able to walk home after.
Book your stay at Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt here!
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort
If you’re looking for more of a resort atmosphere, Hyatt Lost Pines is located not far out of town in Bastrop, Texas. Here, you’ll find a large pool area including a lazy river, golf, spa, and more. It’s a great staycation option for locals needing a break (especially in the summer during peak heat), and also a great choice for those coming to town who don’t want to stay in the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin.
Book your stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines here!
Austin Motel
Austin Motel is not luxury, but it’s very hip and funky. It’s a bit expensive for what you get, but it is really the definition of “Keep Austin Weird”, so if you’re looking for that vibe, this is a good option.
In the summer, they throw great pool parties, and the hotel is conveniently located on South Congress, so it’s easy to get anywhere in downtown Austin from there.
Book your stay at Austin Motel here!
See what else is available in Austin below.
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