Where should every Austinite visit at least once? A reader-suggested guide to ATX

What’s better than a recommendation? A recommendation from your neighbor.

We asked our readers to share their Austin experiences with us in the form of a Mad Lib, and boy, did they deliver. Let’s take a look into what they said.

These Austin locales come most-recommended:

• Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd.
• The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail
• Barton Springs Pool, 2131 William Barton Dr.
• Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, 121 Pickle Rd.
• Mount Bonnell, 3800 Mt Bonnell Rd.

Photo by @ginna_smith

Austin locales most likely go un-visited by our readers:

• Hamilton Pool, 24300 Hamilton Rd.
• Barton Springs Pool, 2131 William Barton Dr.
• Q2 Stadium, 10414 McKalla Place

Photo via @jason_kautz

But with a visitor in town, you’re taking them to these places:

• South Congress Avenue
• South Lamar Boulevard
• The Oasis on Lake Travis, 6550 Comanche Trail
• The Driskill, 604 Brazos St.
• The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave.

Readers think visiting these places should be mandatory:

• The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge during bat season
• The Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave.
• The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave.
• The Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar Blvd.

Readers think Austin does these things better than anywhere else:

• Food, specifically tacos
• Live music
• People

One thing is for sure — traffic is enemy No. 1 for Austinites, followed by heat and affordability.

Without further ado, we’re sharing some of your Mad Libs, listed in order of how long y’all have been in ATX.

Stephanie B. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for five years, and I live on East Riverside. I’ve never been to Franklin Barbecue but I would recommend Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better small town feel in a big city than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to Bill’s Oyster. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be to preserve it, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit Matt’s El Rancho at least once.

Trish R. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for eight years, and I live in Bouldin Creek. I’ve never been to Barton Springs but I would recommend Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike trail to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better music than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to the Driskill Hotel. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be better public transportation, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit the Saxon Pub at least once.

Jose S. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 12 years, and I live in Cedar Park. I’ve never been to Barton Springs Pool but I would recommend The Domain to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better quality of life than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to South Congress. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be the traffic, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum at least once.

Nick V. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 20 years, and I live in Quail Creek. I’ve never been to Threadgill’s but I would recommend Loro to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better access to live music than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to Barton Springs. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be the heat, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge during bat season at least once.

Zuleyka C. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 23 years, and I live in Lakeshore. I’ve never been to Q2 Stadium but I would recommend the Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better pets than anywhere else. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be traffic and affordability, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit SXSW at least once.

Travis S. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 26 years, and I live in Mesa Park. I’ve never been to The Broken Spoke but I would recommend Donn’s Depot to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better tacos than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to Mount Bonnell. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be the traffic, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit Butler Pitch & Putt at least once.

Robin B. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 30+ years and I live in 78748. I would recommend Zilker Park and Barton Springs to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better people than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to Lake Travis. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be the traffic, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit Lake Travis and Lake Austin at least once.

Lilliana G. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 31 years, and I live in Barton Creek. I’ve never been to Lala’s Little Nugget but I would recommend touring the Texas State Capitol to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better laid back life than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to The Oasis to see the sunset. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be the traffic, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit Mount Bonnell at least once.

Ron B. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 38 years, and I live in Lake Austin Estates. I’ve never been to Hamilton Pool but I would recommend the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better food than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center or Mount Bonnell. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be the heat, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit the Texas State Capitol at least once.

Megan W. says...
I’ve lived in Austin for 46 years, and I live in Northwood. I’ve never been to Hamilton Pool but I would recommend Commons Ford to anyone. In my opinion, Austin has better Mexican food than anywhere else. If I had a visitor in town, I would take them to South Congress. If I could change one thing about Austin, it would be the extreme heat, but if it were up to me, all Austinites would have to visit The Broken Spoke at least once.