You know the text: “Hey, what should I do while I’m in Austin? I need recommendations.”
Next time that message rolls in, don’t sweat it — just send this list. It’s your go-to guide for showing off the best of the Capital City (and making any visitor an instant fan).
Food + drink
- Fuel your adventure with a fresh cup of joe from one of the city’s most beloved coffee shops.
- Treat your taste buds to award-winning food at a MICHELIN-starred restaurant.
- Get a taste of Texas at a local barbecue joint.
- Devour as many tacos as your heart desires — here are 30 to try.
- Immerse yourself in local history at one of Austin’s oldest restaurants.
- Make brunch a moment with Insta-worthy eats and aesthetic backdrops.
- Satisfy a late-night craving at these 16 eateries open after 10 p.m.
- Save a buck or two by grabbing lunch for $10 or less.
- Dine al fresco on one of Austin’s prettiest patios.
- Don’t sleep on Austin’s pizza scene — there are plenty of swoon-worthy slices around town.
- Keep your spirits high by enjoying cocktails at a local happy hour destination.
Sightseeing
- Stroll down South Congress Avenue and wander into eclectic boutiques, classic institutions like the Austin Motel and The Continental Club, and local favorites like Home Slice Pizza and Amy’s Ice Creams.
- Visit local landmarks — think the Pennybacker Bridge, Mount Bonnell, the Austin Central Library, and the Willie Nelson statue.
- Snap pictures at iconic photo ops like the “I Love You So Much” mural, or go hunting for lesser-known (and equally epic) murals around town.
- Spend your afternoon perusing art or learning something new at an Austin museum.
- Step inside the Texas State Capitol — and be sure to take a look at the statue that adorns the top of the building.
- Watch Austin’s bat colony, which is estimated to be the largest urban bat colony in the world, take flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge.
Outdoors
- Walk, run, or bike the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail as it winds around Lady Bird Lake, and keep an eye out for local wildlife along the way.
- Get out on the water with a paddleboard or kayak from one of the many vendors along the lake.
- Make it a boat day on Lake Austin, Lake Travis, or Lady Bird Lake and soak up the sun from the deck.
- Pack a picnic and set up in a local park — Auditorium Shores and Zilker Park both offer unbeatable skyline views.
- Take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring that’s been around for thousands of years, plus plenty of other swimming spots across ATX.
- Lace up your hiking shoes and discover hilltop views + shaded creek trails on one of these 15 hikes.
Nightlife
- Dust off your cowboy boots and perfect your two-step at honky-tonks like The Broken Spoke, The White Horse, and Donn’s Depot.
- Sixth Street is a classic for a reason — hit the historic strip for mechanical bull riding, bustling dance floors, and a party-all-night atmosphere.
Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater is famous for hosting large names on its small outdoor stage.
Photo via @thebackstagevoice.
- Catch a live music performance in the Live Music Capital of the World. From intimate listening rooms to legendary stages, there are plenty of venues to choose from.
- Find live DJs, drag shows, and high-energy dance floors at LGBT favorites like Coconut Club, Rain on 4th, Highland Lounge, Neon Grotto, and Oilcan Harry’s on 4th Street.
- Sip libations while soaking in skyline views at one of Austin’s rooftop bars.
It’s hard to beat the views of Lady Bird Lake from P6.
Photo by @p6_austin
- Head to East 6th Street for a little bit of everything: time-honored restaurants, cocktail lounges, lively dive bars, music venues, food truck parks, and expansive patios.
- Live like a local by tracking down the password to one of the city’s secluded speakeasies.
- See a show in the Red River Cultural District, a live music hub with dozens of bars, venues, restaurants, and hotels.
- Don’t worry, be hoppy. Try craft beers made in ATX at a local brewery.
What would you recommend adding to this list? Let us know if the comments below.
