Austin 101 Guide
Food scene
Combining Texas BBQ with an Asian flair, enjoy a meal at Loro. Fun fact: Loro was started b James Beard Award winners, Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklins BBQ.
276 locals recommend
Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdCombining Texas BBQ with an Asian flair, enjoy a meal at Loro. Fun fact: Loro was started b James Beard Award winners, Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklins BBQ.
Family-friendly Tex-Mex spot that's been drawing crowds with enchiladas & margaritas since 1952. Undisputed best Tex-Mex in Austin.
304 locals recommend
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdFamily-friendly Tex-Mex spot that's been drawing crowds with enchiladas & margaritas since 1952. Undisputed best Tex-Mex in Austin.
Located in Austin, Texas, Easy Tiger features artisan bread, cured meats, a full bar, and craft beers.
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StLocated in Austin, Texas, Easy Tiger features artisan bread, cured meats, a full bar, and craft beers.
Upscale-casual seafood spot with an open kitchen, marble-topped bar, plus indoor & outdoor seating. The patio is great if the weather is nice.
246 locals recommend
Clark's Oyster Bar
1200 W 6th StUpscale-casual seafood spot with an open kitchen, marble-topped bar, plus indoor & outdoor seating. The patio is great if the weather is nice.
Relaxed Eastern Mediterranean eatery in the Austin Proper Hotel serving mezze & wood-grilled dishes. A bit pricy but well worth the experience.
36 locals recommend
The Peacock Mediterranean Grill
600 W 2nd StRelaxed Eastern Mediterranean eatery in the Austin Proper Hotel serving mezze & wood-grilled dishes. A bit pricy but well worth the experience.
Bright & airy cafe with juices & espresso drinks plus light fare like pastries, salads & sandwiches.
26 locals recommend
Two Hands
1011 South Congress AvenueBright & airy cafe with juices & espresso drinks plus light fare like pastries, salads & sandwiches.
Casual izakaya & bar serving meat-centric shareable plates with Japanese & Texan influences. Great atmosphere and decor.
151 locals recommend
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
2713 E 2nd StCasual izakaya & bar serving meat-centric shareable plates with Japanese & Texan influences. Great atmosphere and decor.
Open-air dining and drinks with sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake and the lush South Austin skyline.
29 locals recommend
P6
111 E Cesar Chavez StOpen-air dining and drinks with sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake and the lush South Austin skyline.
Joann's Fine Foods
1224 S Congress AveNeighborhoods
Shop, grab lunch, and people watch on South Congress Avenue. This neighborhood is very walkable and has dozens of shopping options from cowboy boots to jewelry. Make sure you get a picture in front of Jo's "I love you so much" mural
650 locals recommend
South Congress
Shop, grab lunch, and people watch on South Congress Avenue. This neighborhood is very walkable and has dozens of shopping options from cowboy boots to jewelry. Make sure you get a picture in front of Jo's "I love you so much" mural
Very walkable, Rainey Street is a collection of houses that have been converted into bars. Hop around the various bars, or grab a bite at the food truck park.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetVery walkable, Rainey Street is a collection of houses that have been converted into bars. Hop around the various bars, or grab a bite at the food truck park.
Colorful and bustling array of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, it’s a sure bet for experiencing local characters and the vibrancy of the city. Note: After 9pm, the street is closed off - available only to pedestrians.
137 locals recommend
Sixth Street Historic District
Colorful and bustling array of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, it’s a sure bet for experiencing local characters and the vibrancy of the city. Note: After 9pm, the street is closed off - available only to pedestrians.
UT Austin is a highly rated public university located in Austin, Texas. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 37,515 undergraduate students.
159 locals recommend
University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin is a highly rated public university located in Austin, Texas. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 37,515 undergraduate students.
Sightseeing
Zilker Park is home to the Austin City Limits music festival, and also the heartbeat of Austin, TX. Bring a blanket and a beverage of your choosing, and enjoy the ample greenspace
246 locals recommend
Zilker Park
Zilker Park is home to the Austin City Limits music festival, and also the heartbeat of Austin, TX. Bring a blanket and a beverage of your choosing, and enjoy the ample greenspace
Lady Bird Lake is the epitome of the Austin lifestyle. Every day of the week, the lake is filled with people taking advantage of this stretch of dammed-off Colorado River that offers endless recreation opportunities. Backdropped by the downtown Austin skyline on one side, Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores on the other, and featuring the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, this entire section of Austin represents the enthusiasm locals have for the outdoors.
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailLady Bird Lake is the epitome of the Austin lifestyle. Every day of the week, the lake is filled with people taking advantage of this stretch of dammed-off Colorado River that offers endless recreation opportunities. Backdropped by the downtown Austin skyline on one side, Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores on the other, and featuring the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, this entire section of Austin represents the enthusiasm locals have for the outdoors.
A nice short hike at the highest point in Austin. Gorgeous for sunset. Easy parking and dog-friendly.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
A nice short hike at the highest point in Austin. Gorgeous for sunset. Easy parking and dog-friendly.
Located in south-central Austin, the Barton Creek Greenbelt contains 12.68 miles of gorgeous trails, with the main trail spanning about 7 miles. This particular greenbelt is considered one of the top hiking trails in Texas.
531 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayLocated in south-central Austin, the Barton Creek Greenbelt contains 12.68 miles of gorgeous trails, with the main trail spanning about 7 miles. This particular greenbelt is considered one of the top hiking trails in Texas.
Large lake located 25 minutes away from Downtown, ATX. Rent a boat or enjoy a sunset dinner at The Oasis
56 locals recommend
Lake Travis
Large lake located 25 minutes away from Downtown, ATX. Rent a boat or enjoy a sunset dinner at The Oasis
The pink-granite building is the centerpiece of downtown Austin, perched on a hill at 12th Street and Congress Avenue. Free guided tours are held daily, starting in the South Foyer, but brochures are also available on the first floor for self-guided tours. The Texas Legislature meets every two years, so you’ll have to check the schedule if you want to see an actual session in progress.
1119 locals recommend
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveThe pink-granite building is the centerpiece of downtown Austin, perched on a hill at 12th Street and Congress Avenue. Free guided tours are held daily, starting in the South Foyer, but brochures are also available on the first floor for self-guided tours. The Texas Legislature meets every two years, so you’ll have to check the schedule if you want to see an actual session in progress.
The El Arroyo Sign
501-531 Campbell StWorld-famous sign out front with witty messages. Great spot to grab a picture.
Activities
Beat the Texas heat at Barton Springs. The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBeat the Texas heat at Barton Springs. The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming.
Sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range & swanky lounge with drinks & games.
143 locals recommend
Topgolf
2700 Esperanza CrossingSprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range & swanky lounge with drinks & games.
Diverse community of local businesses with craft beer, good eats, and local shopping
14 locals recommend
The Yard
440 E St Elmo RdDiverse community of local businesses with craft beer, good eats, and local shopping
Coffee & Bakeries
Right on Lake Austin - enjoy coffee, frequent live music, and a large selection of baked goods.
371 locals recommend
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdRight on Lake Austin - enjoy coffee, frequent live music, and a large selection of baked goods.
Hip spot for coffee, beer & pastries in wood-paneled digs, plus tables & a taco truck out back.
435 locals recommend
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdHip spot for coffee, beer & pastries in wood-paneled digs, plus tables & a taco truck out back.
Walk-up coffee shop located on South Congress Avenue. Getting a picture infront of the "I love you so much" mural is a must.
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveWalk-up coffee shop located on South Congress Avenue. Getting a picture infront of the "I love you so much" mural is a must.
Lola's Donuts
2406 Manor RdSpecialty coffee, local beers, craft cocktails & live music plus food trucks in a garden setting.
205 locals recommend
Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden
121 Pickle RdSpecialty coffee, local beers, craft cocktails & live music plus food trucks in a garden setting.
City/town information
Austin is the state capital of Texas, an inland city bordering the Hill Country region. Home to the University of Texas flagship campus, Austin is known for its eclectic live-music scene centered around country, blues and rock. Its many parks and lakes are popular for hiking, biking, swimming and boating. South of the city, Formula One's Circuit of the Americas raceway has hosted the United States Grand Prix.
357 locals recommend
Austin
Austin is the state capital of Texas, an inland city bordering the Hill Country region. Home to the University of Texas flagship campus, Austin is known for its eclectic live-music scene centered around country, blues and rock. Its many parks and lakes are popular for hiking, biking, swimming and boating. South of the city, Formula One's Circuit of the Americas raceway has hosted the United States Grand Prix.