Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
View of Lake Austin, wooden tables, outdoor seating. Even though the desserts are way overpriced, the bottomless cup of strong coffee and great scene are worth it.
371 lokale anbefaler
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdView of Lake Austin, wooden tables, outdoor seating. Even though the desserts are way overpriced, the bottomless cup of strong coffee and great scene are worth it.
Their signature lattes are prepared with a top secret sweetened milk concoction. Amazing! Worth at least one visit. Get the half moon if you want to reduce the amount of sugar/sweetness.
176 lokale anbefaler
Summer Moon Coffee
3115 S 1st StTheir signature lattes are prepared with a top secret sweetened milk concoction. Amazing! Worth at least one visit. Get the half moon if you want to reduce the amount of sugar/sweetness.
James and Sarah run a great small coffee shop and beer pub in South Austin. Their motto,"Espresso, Craft Beer, Community", says it all. Friendly and easy atmosphere (reminds me of Heidelberg) with an amazing Cuvee latte.
25 lokale anbefaler
Stouthaus Coffee Pub
4715 S Lamar BlvdJames and Sarah run a great small coffee shop and beer pub in South Austin. Their motto,"Espresso, Craft Beer, Community", says it all. Friendly and easy atmosphere (reminds me of Heidelberg) with an amazing Cuvee latte.
If you’re looking for classic Tex Mex, then Chuy’s is your best bet. It’s probably on most tour guides for Austin and still a local favorite, so the wait there can be in the 1-2 hour range. Get the Creamy Jalepeno Salsa, also known as nectar of the gods. The Chuychanga or any of the enchiladas are classic dishes.
412 lokale anbefaler
Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdIf you’re looking for classic Tex Mex, then Chuy’s is your best bet. It’s probably on most tour guides for Austin and still a local favorite, so the wait there can be in the 1-2 hour range. Get the Creamy Jalepeno Salsa, also known as nectar of the gods. The Chuychanga or any of the enchiladas are classic dishes.
A mixture of Mexican and Polynesian food (yes, Polynesian). Well known and very busy but the chicken and guacamole tubular taco or the Huli Huli Luau platter are worth the long waits. The restaurant sits on Lake Austin giving you beautiful views while you wait.
270 lokale anbefaler
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdA mixture of Mexican and Polynesian food (yes, Polynesian). Well known and very busy but the chicken and guacamole tubular taco or the Huli Huli Luau platter are worth the long waits. The restaurant sits on Lake Austin giving you beautiful views while you wait.
A South Congress favorite. Prepare for long lines, especially Thur-Sun. But while in line you meander passed the bar area and can get a draft beer served to you while you wait to order. Or the vodka limeade is great after a hot day. They serve amazing burgers and crafty nutella and pretzel milkshakes. Sarah’s favorite is the spinach and arugula salad. (Full disclosure: that's all she ever gets!)
780 lokale anbefaler
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveA South Congress favorite. Prepare for long lines, especially Thur-Sun. But while in line you meander passed the bar area and can get a draft beer served to you while you wait to order. Or the vodka limeade is great after a hot day. They serve amazing burgers and crafty nutella and pretzel milkshakes. Sarah’s favorite is the spinach and arugula salad. (Full disclosure: that's all she ever gets!)
Although their food is quite good, we go mainly for 2 of their signature drinks, and the smoked salsa! The Jacked Sangria and the Terlingua are tops for us.
170 lokale anbefaler
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdAlthough their food is quite good, we go mainly for 2 of their signature drinks, and the smoked salsa! The Jacked Sangria and the Terlingua are tops for us.
Eclectic and great tasting burgers with Austin themes. The texture of the bun and sweet potato fries makes this a great consideration. All the locations pair up with an Amy's Ice Cream. Iconic Austin right there. Get Mexican Vanilla ice cream crushed with fresh strawberries for dessert. Or if you ever happen in when Amy-versary Cake is on the menu, you must get it!
43 lokale anbefaler
Phil's Icehouse
2901 S Lamar BlvdEclectic and great tasting burgers with Austin themes. The texture of the bun and sweet potato fries makes this a great consideration. All the locations pair up with an Amy's Ice Cream. Iconic Austin right there. Get Mexican Vanilla ice cream crushed with fresh strawberries for dessert. Or if you ever happen in when Amy-versary Cake is on the menu, you must get it!
Strong following among Austinites. Various locations throughout the city. Cheap, fast and good.
302 lokale anbefaler
P. Terry's Burger Stand
404 S Lamar BlvdStrong following among Austinites. Various locations throughout the city. Cheap, fast and good.
Surfers who converted to restaurant owners pull down high quality tacos and burritos. I recommend the steak tacos on tomatillo tortillas with grilled vegetables and chipolte crema. You also can't go wrong with their brisket. Very, very worth it!
20 lokale anbefaler
Cabo Bob's
2828 Rio Grande StSurfers who converted to restaurant owners pull down high quality tacos and burritos. I recommend the steak tacos on tomatillo tortillas with grilled vegetables and chipolte crema. You also can't go wrong with their brisket. Very, very worth it!
These $5 donuts like the “black out” with brownie bites or the “boss hog” with pulled pork and barbeque sauce have to be seen to be believed. Plus, a stop here will get you in on the trailer park food scene in Austin.
64 lokale anbefaler
Gourdough's Big. Fat. Donuts.
1503 S 1st StThese $5 donuts like the “black out” with brownie bites or the “boss hog” with pulled pork and barbeque sauce have to be seen to be believed. Plus, a stop here will get you in on the trailer park food scene in Austin.
Great street food tacos like the “Mr. Pink” with salmon or the “Republican” with barbacoa. Order with guacamole, chips and Shiner Bock beer. Great for breakfast tacos too.
1076 lokale anbefaler
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StGreat street food tacos like the “Mr. Pink” with salmon or the “Republican” with barbacoa. Order with guacamole, chips and Shiner Bock beer. Great for breakfast tacos too.
Flavors like Dark Chocolate with Olive Oil & Sea Salt; Goat Cheese,Thyme & Honey, and Roasted Beets & Fresh Mint, make this shop a uniquely Austin experience. And the ice cream is just darn good.
270 lokale anbefaler
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdFlavors like Dark Chocolate with Olive Oil & Sea Salt; Goat Cheese,Thyme & Honey, and Roasted Beets & Fresh Mint, make this shop a uniquely Austin experience. And the ice cream is just darn good.
Drinks & Nightlife
Why would you go...? Why would you not? Peche has some of the most fantastic and eclectic cocktails we know of! Try the Royal Bees Knees.
93 lokale anbefaler
Péché
208 W 4th StWhy would you go...? Why would you not? Peche has some of the most fantastic and eclectic cocktails we know of! Try the Royal Bees Knees.
Sightseeing
Bats! Austin hosts the largest inner city bat colony. Near sunset, between April and October, the bats swarm out from under the Congress Avenue bridge. While the density can be variable, it is an iconic view of Austin. Grab a drink at Peche happy hour beforehand or get frozen yogurt afterwards. Be sure to Lime or Bird around while in the area.
286 lokale anbefaler
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueBats! Austin hosts the largest inner city bat colony. Near sunset, between April and October, the bats swarm out from under the Congress Avenue bridge. While the density can be variable, it is an iconic view of Austin. Grab a drink at Peche happy hour beforehand or get frozen yogurt afterwards. Be sure to Lime or Bird around while in the area.
Arts & Culture
What's not to love about this enormous celebration of Texas and Texas history. The museum shop has the best and inexpensive collection of souvenirs. The iMAX theater is a favorite spot for recent action or Marvel film releases.
593 lokale anbefaler
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress AveWhat's not to love about this enormous celebration of Texas and Texas history. The museum shop has the best and inexpensive collection of souvenirs. The iMAX theater is a favorite spot for recent action or Marvel film releases.
A thorough and riveting collection of naval history in the Pacific before, during and after WWII. Conversations with the docents, volunteer guides with likely deep connections to this aspect of the war, are worth the visit. Shop through Fredricksburg for and go home through Llano for Cooper's BBQ for an unforgettable day trip.
156 lokale anbefaler
National Museum of the Pacific War
311 E Austin StA thorough and riveting collection of naval history in the Pacific before, during and after WWII. Conversations with the docents, volunteer guides with likely deep connections to this aspect of the war, are worth the visit. Shop through Fredricksburg for and go home through Llano for Cooper's BBQ for an unforgettable day trip.
Essentials
Close by and a complete grocery store experience. Our adult children, who live outside of central Texas, bemoan the lack of HEBs.
183 lokale anbefaler
H-E-B
5800 W Slaughter LnClose by and a complete grocery store experience. Our adult children, who live outside of central Texas, bemoan the lack of HEBs.
Parks & Nature
My wife might call this just a large rock on the side of the road but it can be a worthwhile outing to scale this granite dome for a superb view of the Texas Hill Country. Plan to arrive early on a weekday to avoid crowds or worse, getting turned away because of a limit-per-day on park visitors.
234 lokale anbefaler
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Rd 965My wife might call this just a large rock on the side of the road but it can be a worthwhile outing to scale this granite dome for a superb view of the Texas Hill Country. Plan to arrive early on a weekday to avoid crowds or worse, getting turned away because of a limit-per-day on park visitors.
This gem is practically next door to our house. It is a beautiful walking trail of wildflowers and Texas fauna. There are peaceful getaways, benches to sit and watch butterflies or quietly read a book. Take the extra walk to the tree garden where dedications to loved ones are embossed on bences and tree swings.
252 lokale anbefaler
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveThis gem is practically next door to our house. It is a beautiful walking trail of wildflowers and Texas fauna. There are peaceful getaways, benches to sit and watch butterflies or quietly read a book. Take the extra walk to the tree garden where dedications to loved ones are embossed on bences and tree swings.
You can either peacefully stroll along the boardwalk (east of I-35 side) or join the hundreds jogging along this trail that meanders along Town Lake (Lady Bird to newbies). Great simple outing. Rent Stand Up Paddleboards for a classic downtown nature experience.
959 lokale anbefaler
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailYou can either peacefully stroll along the boardwalk (east of I-35 side) or join the hundreds jogging along this trail that meanders along Town Lake (Lady Bird to newbies). Great simple outing. Rent Stand Up Paddleboards for a classic downtown nature experience.
McKinney Falls is a gem just at the edge of town. You can feel like you are far removed from the hustle and bustle of Austin without the time to get out of town. There are a couple of great swimming holes, which is a great way to escape the heat, and wonderful hiking trails. You can take a picnic and spend the day.
376 lokale anbefaler
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyMcKinney Falls is a gem just at the edge of town. You can feel like you are far removed from the hustle and bustle of Austin without the time to get out of town. There are a couple of great swimming holes, which is a great way to escape the heat, and wonderful hiking trails. You can take a picnic and spend the day.
Shopping
Getting lost in Lucy in Disguise or finding a hand-crafted pair of earrings from a street vendor are worth the stroll along South Congress. Combine with Hopdoddy's for a comfort burger.
448 lokale anbefaler
South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueGetting lost in Lucy in Disguise or finding a hand-crafted pair of earrings from a street vendor are worth the stroll along South Congress. Combine with Hopdoddy's for a comfort burger.