A guide to Deep in the Heart of Austin
Music Venues
This place is rich with Austin music history and culture. It has been around since the 1950's and continues to be a staple of many Austin visits. Typically booked with Country, Blues, Rockabilly, Rock, Jazz, and any mashup of those genres.
There is an attached club called 'The Gallery' that is more of an intimate listening room. It is like having a band play in your living room if your living room was really big and had cool mood lighting.
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The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveThis place is rich with Austin music history and culture. It has been around since the 1950's and continues to be a staple of many Austin visits. Typically booked with Country, Blues, Rockabilly, Rock, Jazz, and any mashup of those genres.
There is an attached club called 'The Gallery' that is more of an intimate listening room. It is like having a band play in your living room if your living room was really big and had cool mood lighting.
Swanky '50's themed joint that regularly hosts Jimmie Vaughan (Stevie Ray's older brother) and many others. Blues, Rockabilly, Jazz, etc.
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C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveSwanky '50's themed joint that regularly hosts Jimmie Vaughan (Stevie Ray's older brother) and many others. Blues, Rockabilly, Jazz, etc.
Intimate listening room. Typically booked with rock, blues, country, and sometimes local music heroes like Willie Nelson.
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Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar BlvdIntimate listening room. Typically booked with rock, blues, country, and sometimes local music heroes like Willie Nelson.
Basement Jazz venue for artists that may play around the world in stadiums, but come home to play here.
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Elephant Room
315 Congress AveBasement Jazz venue for artists that may play around the world in stadiums, but come home to play here.
Clifford Antone opened this place in the 70's so he could see his aging blues heroes play live. He rekindled the blues world and gave rise to such acts as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gary Clark Jr. (who is now part owner). Clifford was a great guy and just loved the music and the musicians. His legacy lives on and you can still see many legendary blues and rock acts here.
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Antone's
305 E 5th StClifford Antone opened this place in the 70's so he could see his aging blues heroes play live. He rekindled the blues world and gave rise to such acts as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gary Clark Jr. (who is now part owner). Clifford was a great guy and just loved the music and the musicians. His legacy lives on and you can still see many legendary blues and rock acts here.
State of the art music venue and location where the Austin City Limits TV show is recorded. Check the ACL website for taping calendar. If you line up early they might even let you in after the ticket holders are all inside.
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ACL Live
310 W Willie Nelson BlvdState of the art music venue and location where the Austin City Limits TV show is recorded. Check the ACL website for taping calendar. If you line up early they might even let you in after the ticket holders are all inside.
Legendary country music venue. Check their website for bookings and country dancing lessons.
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Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdLegendary country music venue. Check their website for bookings and country dancing lessons.
Parker Jazz Club
117 W 4th StClassy jazz, yo.
Sagebrush
5500 South Congress AvenueCool West Texas themed country bar with spacious dance floor.
Food & Drink
Great coffee shop and beer garden in the neighborhood with an expansive outdoor seating area, food trucks, koi pond, waterfalls, chickens, and sometimes music. How can you go wrong with a place that has a totem pole with Willie Nelson at the top?
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Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden
121 Pickle RdGreat coffee shop and beer garden in the neighborhood with an expansive outdoor seating area, food trucks, koi pond, waterfalls, chickens, and sometimes music. How can you go wrong with a place that has a totem pole with Willie Nelson at the top?
Just up the street and features a nice patio, pizza, and other casual food items. I love the Brussels Sprout salad with beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts, balsamic reduction. A side of tater tots can't be wrong, right?
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Toss Pizzeria & Pub
2901 S 1st StJust up the street and features a nice patio, pizza, and other casual food items. I love the Brussels Sprout salad with beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts, balsamic reduction. A side of tater tots can't be wrong, right?
Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdHip restaurant that offers unique and modern takes on barbeque.
The best sushi in the city. Plan a month ahead with reservations or sit at the bar if there is room. This place is popular with locals, celebrities, and visitors.
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Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdThe best sushi in the city. Plan a month ahead with reservations or sit at the bar if there is room. This place is popular with locals, celebrities, and visitors.
Dive bar you can walk to. If you like your jukebox to include Roky Erickson's 13th floor elevators and King Diamond, this is your place. Pool tables, patio, food truck, tasty cocktails, heavy metal.
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Crow Bar
3116 S Congress AveDive bar you can walk to. If you like your jukebox to include Roky Erickson's 13th floor elevators and King Diamond, this is your place. Pool tables, patio, food truck, tasty cocktails, heavy metal.
Papalote Taco House
3632 S Congress AveGreat tacos just down the street.
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StAn Austin legend. Tacos with an attitude.
This is a Hill Country favorite. German-style barbeque with mustard based sauce. If traveling with friends or family, the Family Style is an all-you-can-eat symphony of meats and sides.
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Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826This is a Hill Country favorite. German-style barbeque with mustard based sauce. If traveling with friends or family, the Family Style is an all-you-can-eat symphony of meats and sides.
Iconic "I Love You So Much" mural on this SoCo staple coffee and sandwich shop. Check out the Sunday sinner's brunch 12:30 -3.
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Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveIconic "I Love You So Much" mural on this SoCo staple coffee and sandwich shop. Check out the Sunday sinner's brunch 12:30 -3.
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveLocal favorite diner.
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdGreat coffee shop and bar with patios
Kerbey Lane Cafe
3003 S Lamar BlvdAnother local favorite diner.
Still Austin Whiskey Co
440 E St Elmo RdNearby distillery of some really good whiskey.
Hill Country destination for spirits, food, and music set in the beauty of the Texas Hill Country.
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Treaty Oak Distilling
16604 Fitzhugh RdHill Country destination for spirits, food, and music set in the beauty of the Texas Hill Country.
Habanero Cafe
501 W Oltorf StThe real deal Mexicana.
Shopping
Eclectic shopping, unique boutiques, food, and great people watching. Just north of Oltorf on S. Congress avenue.
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South Congress
Eclectic shopping, unique boutiques, food, and great people watching. Just north of Oltorf on S. Congress avenue.
Target
2300 W Ben White BlvdSometimes you just need to get stuff.
Barton Creek Square
2901 S Capital of Texas HwyIf you really need a mall, here is one.
Another mall. This one outdoors, kinda upscale fancy and a bit of a drive north of here.
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The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceAnother mall. This one outdoors, kinda upscale fancy and a bit of a drive north of here.
Need custom handmade western boots? What about a used pair that have been refurbished by a skilled bootmaker? My friend Noel will take care of you here.
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Texas Custom Boots
1601 S 1st StNeed custom handmade western boots? What about a used pair that have been refurbished by a skilled bootmaker? My friend Noel will take care of you here.
Allens Støvler
1522 S Congress AveIconic shop for new boots and western wear.
Outdoor Activities
Hike and bike trail that loops around the river downtown. See the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan, some great views of the city, or just relax by the water.
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Ladybird Lake & Bike Trail
2 Robert T Martinez Jr StHike and bike trail that loops around the river downtown. See the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan, some great views of the city, or just relax by the water.
Why is a bridge an attraction? Bats.
There are 1.5 million Mexican Freetail bats living in under this bridge. The sidewalks are extra wide and people gather at late dusk to watch the bats stream out in a unique experience for an urban setting. Best suited for late summer as the bats migrate south for winter and the younger bats of the colony born in the spring begin to venture out on their own.
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Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueWhy is a bridge an attraction? Bats.
There are 1.5 million Mexican Freetail bats living in under this bridge. The sidewalks are extra wide and people gather at late dusk to watch the bats stream out in a unique experience for an urban setting. Best suited for late summer as the bats migrate south for winter and the younger bats of the colony born in the spring begin to venture out on their own.
Barton Springs is a natural spring fed creek that has a few attractions including a fenced-in pool area with lifeguards and diving boards, a entry fee, a free area that people use as an off-leash dog park - some call it Barking Springs, and a kayak/canoe rental facility. Pool entry fees can be found here: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/pool-fees-rentals
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBarton Springs is a natural spring fed creek that has a few attractions including a fenced-in pool area with lifeguards and diving boards, a entry fee, a free area that people use as an off-leash dog park - some call it Barking Springs, and a kayak/canoe rental facility. Pool entry fees can be found here: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/pool-fees-rentals
Great place for hiking through the Austin hills. Reservations are usually requried.
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Wild Basin Preserve
805 N Capital of Texas HwyGreat place for hiking through the Austin hills. Reservations are usually requried.
Magical.
Waterfall and grotto hiking destination. Reservations are typically booked months in advance.
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Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdMagical.
Waterfall and grotto hiking destination. Reservations are typically booked months in advance.
Sculpture Falls
Barton Creek Greenbelt TrailHiking and swimming
Huge green space downtown that hosts ACL Festival, Zilker Kite Festival, Zilker Mooontower Christmas tree, and much more.
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Zilker Park
Huge green space downtown that hosts ACL Festival, Zilker Kite Festival, Zilker Mooontower Christmas tree, and much more.
Beautiful hilltop vista overlooking the river and lots of expensive mansions.
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Mount Bonnell
Beautiful hilltop vista overlooking the river and lots of expensive mansions.
Close to Mount Bonnell, this place has koi ponds, gardens, and lots of peacocks roaming around.
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Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StClose to Mount Bonnell, this place has koi ponds, gardens, and lots of peacocks roaming around.
Destinations
Races on the track, concerts at the amphitheater, and go-karts in the front.
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Circuit of The Americas
9201 Circuit of the Americas BlvdRaces on the track, concerts at the amphitheater, and go-karts in the front.
You've seen the selfies, now get your own in front of the Austin mural. There is another mural across the street that honor's Tom Petty's Wildflowers.
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Greetings from Austin Mural
1720 S 1st StYou've seen the selfies, now get your own in front of the Austin mural. There is another mural across the street that honor's Tom Petty's Wildflowers.
Beautiful cliffside overlooking the Lower Colorado River and Pennybacker bridge. There is a trail that you can hike down along the cliff ridge.
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Udsigt over Pennybacker Bridge
North Capital of Texas HighwayBeautiful cliffside overlooking the Lower Colorado River and Pennybacker bridge. There is a trail that you can hike down along the cliff ridge.
Over 50 patios terraced down the side of a cliff overlooking Lake Travis. Recommended for sunset viewing, but not so much the food. You're paying for the views not fine dining. After the sun sets, a bell is rung and the people cheer. Beauty is celebrated here.
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The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailOver 50 patios terraced down the side of a cliff overlooking Lake Travis. Recommended for sunset viewing, but not so much the food. You're paying for the views not fine dining. After the sun sets, a bell is rung and the people cheer. Beauty is celebrated here.
UT Tower
110 Inner Campus DriveYeah, that tower.
Art museum and outdoor sculpture gallery on the river. Pretty beautiful. Pair this with Mayfield park next door and Mount Bonnell down the street for a nice outdoor day.
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The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StArt museum and outdoor sculpture gallery on the river. Pretty beautiful. Pair this with Mayfield park next door and Mount Bonnell down the street for a nice outdoor day.
Crazy Austin stuff right here. A guy built a towering sculpture out of found items. It is in a dude's backyard. Give him a call and let him know you're coming.
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Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina DrCrazy Austin stuff right here. A guy built a towering sculpture out of found items. It is in a dude's backyard. Give him a call and let him know you're coming.