Austin is one of America’s fastest growing cities, and a great place to visit. I had pictured Austin to be flat and dry, but it is actually hilly and full of lakes.
Here are some of my recommendations for visiting Austin.
Quick Links:
Where to Stay
Outdoors – Hikes, Parks, Lakes
Where to Eat
Nightlife
Places and Activities Unique to Austin
Where to Stay in Austin
Near South Congress Street or in Downtown south of the Capitol. I’ve always stayed in Oak Hill with my partner’s family. This is about 20 minutes outside downtown.
Things to do in Austin
Hamilton Pool*
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Kayaking Lady Bird Lake*
South Congress Street
Graffiti Park
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
Zilker Park
Bat Viewing
Armadillo Bazaar
Lake Travis
6th Street
Rainey Street
Explore the University*
*Have not done but recommended
Notes
-Austin is way greener than you might imagine
-Austin has tons of water in the form of lakes and springs
-BBQ is not the only food available, though it is damn good
-You can find vegetarian options easily
-The nightlife is lit
-Austin is not as flat as you might think, hill country exists
-The beer is SO cheap from the perspective of a Californian
Hikes, Parks and Lakes
Barton Creek Green Belt
The Barton Creek Green Belt is about 10 minutes outside of downtown Austin and is a natural area with hiking, swimming, biking, and more. There is parking on both the northern and southern ends of the greenbelt.
From the northern end it is a short hike from the trailhead to the river. From there you can keep following the trail for several miles, or jump in the water for a swim. For an extra fun time, bring a floatie and just keep an eye out for the small waterfalls.
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
The Barton Creek Municipal Pool is located within Zilker Park near downtown Austin. The water in the pool is from a natural spring, and although the edges of the pool are built out, the pool has a natural bottom.
A few things to know before going:
-There is an entrance fee ($5-$9 per person depending on residency)
-No food or drinks are allowed and none are sold. This was a big bummer for me because I love to snack!
-The water can be pretty cold, in the 60s, so it’s most ideal for a hot day.
-The diving board makes the visit worth it!
Zilker Park
Zilker Park is located just south of downtown Austin. It is home to botanical gardens, recreational activities such as volley ball courts, the pool, and open space.
Zilker Park is also where Austin City Limits (ACL) takes place.
Hamilton Pool
Hamilton Pool is a natural swimming hole about 30 minutes outside downtown Austin in Travis County. It has become so popular that you need to reserve a permit ahead of time, and there is an entrance fee. Swimming is not always allowed depending on pollutant levels.
The pool was created by a collapsed river and has a half cave like appearance with a waterfall flowing into it.
Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake is actually part of the Colorado River that has been converted into a reservoir. The lake sits right in downtown Austin. While swimming is not allowed, kayaking, stand up paddle, and boating is allowed.
Lake Travis
Lake Travis is just 30 minutes outside downtown Austin and offers boating, jet skiing, water sports, fishing, and more.
Where to Eat in Austin
Salt Lick – Popular BBQ, order family style
Guero’s – taco bar + iconic patio with frequent live music
Magnolia Cafe – Tex-Mex and breakfast foods. It is open 24/7 and serves breakfast foods during all hours!
Elizabeth Street Cafe – Vietnamese lunch and dinner with a French bakery.
Jack Allen’s – southern inspired menu.
Chuy’s – Tex-Mex
Odd Duck – New American
Home Slice Pizza – New York style pizza
Swedish Hill – Deli, cafe, and bakery
Cypress Grill – Louisiana style
Abel’s on the Lake – ‘ American’ food located right on Lake Austin
Oasis – Mix of ‘American’ and Tex-Mex with amazing views of Lake Travis
Amy’s Ice Creams
Nightlife in Austin
6th Street
6th street is known as the party place in Austin. The street is lined with bars, restaurants, music, street activity, and poppin rooftops.
What locals call ‘ Dirty Sixth’ is the part of 6th that is closed to traffic on weekends (from 6th/ Brazos to several streets east). This is a younger, more touristy crowd.
West Sixth is roughly west of Lavaca to West St., this has a slightly older but still party crowd.
A couple bars I’ve been to in West Sixth are Parlor and Yard (yard games!) and Kung Fu Saloon which is a barcade.
Rainey Street
Rainey Street is the ‘new’ party place that is now just as busy as 6th street, but I think the vibe is more mellow. There are countless bars to choose from along Rainey St., most with a cottage feel and outdoor space.
You can walk in to just about any bar on Rainey and have a great time. Stagger Lee Bar has an iconic swing out front and Augustine bar has a great back patio with games.
There is also a food truck lot with countless options.
Moontower Saloon
Moontower Saloon has a massive outdoor space under Oak trees with frequent live music, drinks, food trucks, and even volleyball. Dog friendly!
S Lamar Blvd
South Lamar Boulevard is lined with restaurants, many of which have bars, and can be a nice alternative to the wildness of 6th and Rainey.
The Continental Club
A rock & blues club that has been around for over 60 years. Located on S Congress and has hosted many big names over the years.
Other Unique Austin Destinations
See the Famous Austin Bats Take Flight
I did not know until more recently how big of a deal bats are in Austin. Mexican Free-tailed Bats migrate from Mexico to Austin every year and make the underside of Congress Bridge their home from March through November.
There are an estimated 1.5 million bats in this colony that feed just after sunset. People gather to watch thousands of bats take flight all at once. You can see the bats by standing under or on top of congress bridge, taking a boat tour, or grabbing a kayak or paddleboard.
Explore the Graffiti Park
The Graffiti Park in Austin was a big hit and was massive with so much neat art. I’ve read that it closed in 2019 and there is now a new site being selected.
Shop at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
If you find yourself in Austin around Christmas time, the Armadillo Bazaar is very cool. There are hundreds of art vendors, music, food, and drinks. It’s a great place to find Christmas gifts!
Tour the University of Texas Austin
Austin is home to the University of Texas which has about 50,000 students. You can wander around the campus and check the schedule for college football games.
