A city famous for live music, bbq scene, comedy, tech, and that lake life – Austin is growing, now more than ever! There’s a reason why so many people are moving here. Austin is the Texas state capital and home to the University of Texas. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and if you check out the state capitol building you’ll realize that’s true (measuring 14 feet taller than the U.S State Capitol in Washington D.C.) There is always something to do, and here’s the ultimate travel guide!
Come visit this growing gem of Texas!
Planning a trip with friends? Or a long weekend getaway? Below is my go-to list of weekend activities and restaurants in Austin! You can’t go wrong with any of these food options between BBQ, Tex-Mex, Italian, or even a classic American cuisine everyone in your group is bound to love something! While visiting all of these restaurants you’ll get to experience the best pieces of Austin and see some of my favorite sights including Downtown Austin which is where you will experience 6th street and what makes Austin so vibrant!
Our Top 10 Austin Restaurants
1. Aba Restaurant | South Congress
2. Terry Blacks BBQ | South Austin
3. Comedor Modern Mexican | Downtown Austin
4. Sammie’s Italian | Downtown Austin – West 6th Street
5. Uchi Sushi + Japanese Cuisine | South Austin
6. Eberly | South Austin
7. Sway Thai | Bee Cave
8. Lutie’s Garden Restaurant | Central Austin
9. Red Ash Italia | Downtown Austin
10. Josephine House | Downtown Austin
Perfect Austin Weekend Itinerary
If you’re only able to getaway for a weekend here’s a perfect itinerary to make the most of it!
Thursday Morning | Coffee
Codependent Coffee | Downtown Austin
Mozart’s Coffee | Tarrytown
Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden | South Austin
Thursday Afternoon | Dinner
Aba Restaurant | South Congress
Terry Blacks BBQ | South Austin
Friday | City Sights
Lady Bird Lake Paddle Boarding | Downtown Austin
Zilker Park Walk | South Austin
Explore + Shop South Congress Street | Downtown Austin – South Congress
Live Music at Güeros Taco Bar | South Congress
Live Music at Continental Club | South Congress
Friday | Light Lunch
June’s All Day | South Congress
Café no sé | South Congress
Fresa’s Chicken | Downtown & South Austin
Swedish Hill House | Downtown Austin – West 6th Street
Better Half Bar | Downtown Austin
Saturday | Iconic Austin Activities
Austin River Float Excursion | San Marcos River
Retro Boat Rental on Lady Bird Lake | Downtown Austin
Austin Bat Boat Tour | Downtown Austin
Barton Springs Natural Pools Swimming | South Austin
Austin FC Soccer Game at Q2 Stadium | North Austin
Saturday | Upscale Austin Dinner Reservation
Comedor Modern Mexican | Downtown Austin
Uchi Sushi + Japanese Cuisine | South Austin
Eberly | South Austin
Sammie’s Italian | Downtown Austin – West 6th Street
Lutie’s Garden Restaurant | Central Austin
Red Ash Italia | Downtown Austin
Sunday | Brunch Like A Local
Tiny Boxwoods | Central Austin
Josephine House | Downtown Austin
Pinthouse Brewing for Yummy Bites & Watching Sports Games | South Austin x 2201 E Ben White Blvd
Austin Murals
Have you heard the phrase – “Keep Austin Weird”? Neon signs and retro murals are a big part of what makes Austin one of a kind! If you are looking for some fun murals for a self-guided exploration day and walking tour – below is a full list of favs!
- Greetings From Austin Mural | 1720 S 1st St
- I Love You So Much Mural | 1300 S. Congress Ave.
- Willie For President | 1415 S. Congress Ave.
Fun fact: did you know that before the vibrant city got the name “Austin” it was founded as the village of Waterloo in 1837. And in just 2 years later the town would receive the name Austin from Stephen F. Austin the “Father of Texas”.
South Congress Street Shopping
Located just a walk across the bridge from your Downtown Austin hotel, South Congress Street is a must see! With boutique shopping, local restaurants, and live music – you could make an entire day of exploring this street alone. South Congress, and to us locals known as the SoCo shopping district, is home to Austin’s must visit shops. Since Austin is ever changing there are always new shops popping up down this street, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the picture-perfect view of the Capitol building!
Allen’s Boots | Iconic Austin Boots Shop
Tecovas | Boots & More
Cove Boutique | Trendy Clothing for the Stylish Girl
Maufrais | Boutique Stylish Hat Shop
Ice Cream Spots
The best times to visit Austin are during the spring and fall, when it’s less humid and hot. But if you do decide to visit during the summer you might not want to skip this section. So what’s the best way to cool off in Austin? Some delicious ice cream flavors of course… Amy’s Ice Cream is a local favorite. Meanwhile, if you are shopping on South Congress I recommend popping by Jeni’s for a double scoop of the Yogurt Rainbow Sherbert in a freshly made waffle cone – so good! Here are a few additional favorites below:
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream | South Congress
Amy’s Ice Cream | South Congress
Lick Honest Ice Cream | South Austin
Bars & Cocktails Spots
What was once a sleepy residential area, is now a lively place with crowded sidewalks. The once traditional bungalow homes are now full of live music! Rainey Street is an infamous area of Austin known for attracting horny college students, which sometimes you need to see for yourself! During the daytime the famous street is full of friends, families & pets, relaxing on the restaurant porches and checking out the food trucks, while at night it’s where the bar-hoppers live it up! But once you get tired of the sticky floors and overcrowded rooms, below is a list of our favorite bars to sit an enjoy a yummy cocktail with good company.
Whistler’s | East 6th Street
P6 Bar | Downtown Austin
The Tipsy Alchemist | Rainey Street
Roosevelt Room | Downtown Austin
Garage Cocktail Bar | Downtown Austin
Best of Lake Travis
Austin’s largest lake located a 12 miles West of Downtown Austin, Lake Travis, is well known by all the locals and visitors. It is an iconic area where the wealthiest of Austin own their homes. And also a great getaway for a boat day whether it’s having a boat party with friends or traveling on a yacht for a bachelorette party- you are guaranteed a good time!
Wakeboard or Party Pontoon Boat Day | Rent a Boat for the day or Rent a Boat by the hour
Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures | Blow Up Waterpark
The Oasis | Lakefront Mexican Restaurant
Lady Bird Lake Activities
Weaving through the heart of Downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake is a wonderful place to kayak, paddle board, and you might even check out the jogging trail! This area of water that lines the city’s high rises has a more chill vibe than the larger, Lake Travis. Sometimes this lake is referred to as Lake Austin – no matter what you call it, it’s perfect for a water experience to escape the hot summer heat! Can you imagine a better activity than a yoga lesson on a stand up paddle board? This area also gives visitors a beautiful view of downtown Austin!
Paddle Boarding & Kayak Rental | Downtown Austin
Zilker Park Walk | South Austin
Retro Boat Rental on Lady Bird Lake | Downtown Austin
Austin Bat Boat Tour | Downtown Austin
Visiting Austin in the Fall?
Be sure to check out my Austin Fall Travel Guide!
