South Congress Weekend!
Food scene
Quaint, delicious french vietnamese food! This is a local's favorite and a short 3 blocks walking distance from my house.
426 locals recommend
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StQuaint, delicious french vietnamese food! This is a local's favorite and a short 3 blocks walking distance from my house.
Delicious seafood and continental cuisine with a great patio for sightseeing. Walking distance from my house, just 3 blocks down congress avenue.
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveDelicious seafood and continental cuisine with a great patio for sightseeing. Walking distance from my house, just 3 blocks down congress avenue.
The original HopDoddy location famous for burgers and fries. 3 Blocks walk down congress avenue.
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveThe original HopDoddy location famous for burgers and fries. 3 Blocks walk down congress avenue.
An austin institution - Fun breakfast & brunch location! 3 blocks walk south on congress. Expect long wait times, and walk around while you wait.
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveAn austin institution - Fun breakfast & brunch location! 3 blocks walk south on congress. Expect long wait times, and walk around while you wait.
Best pizza in the city is right across the street! Get it by the slice at a to-go window, or dine in. They do NOT have gluten free pizza. If that is important to you, check out ABGB.
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveBest pizza in the city is right across the street! Get it by the slice at a to-go window, or dine in. They do NOT have gluten free pizza. If that is important to you, check out ABGB.
A short 3-5 minute drive away, gourmet pizza, microbrewery and live music, with big picnic tables. Great for groups! There are live bands with great dancing on Sundays 1-4.
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StA short 3-5 minute drive away, gourmet pizza, microbrewery and live music, with big picnic tables. Great for groups! There are live bands with great dancing on Sundays 1-4.
Beautiful, cozy modern Italian vibe, and delicious Italian food. It is 1 block away. The bar tables (first come first serve) are one of my favorites for great conversations in an ambient atmosphere, and you can order the full menu there.
29 locals recommend
Vespaio Restaurant
1610 S Congress AveBeautiful, cozy modern Italian vibe, and delicious Italian food. It is 1 block away. The bar tables (first come first serve) are one of my favorites for great conversations in an ambient atmosphere, and you can order the full menu there.
A 3 min drive away is an amazing Thai Restaurant in Austin. Lots of Gluten Free Options. Delicious Curries, and Coconut Soups. Currently only doing curbside, but this is great for pick up. Go to their website, and you'll be prompted to order online. You can also order through Uber Eats or Favor.
189 locals recommend
Thai Fresh
909 W Mary StA 3 min drive away is an amazing Thai Restaurant in Austin. Lots of Gluten Free Options. Delicious Curries, and Coconut Soups. Currently only doing curbside, but this is great for pick up. Go to their website, and you'll be prompted to order online. You can also order through Uber Eats or Favor.
Famous Vegetarian Vegan Restaurant in Austin. Currently only doing curbside pickup. Order online, and either drive or it's a short 7 minute walk away.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StFamous Vegetarian Vegan Restaurant in Austin. Currently only doing curbside pickup. Order online, and either drive or it's a short 7 minute walk away.
This, and their sister restaurant (Uchiko) have the best sushi in town. Reservations can be difficult. Expect long wait times.
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdThis, and their sister restaurant (Uchiko) have the best sushi in town. Reservations can be difficult. Expect long wait times.
Several juice bars are walk-able. This is one of our favorites. It is a 7 minute walk, or quick 2 minute drive. On South First. The closest juice bar is called The Soup Peddler (see more on them). And there are also two juice bars on South Congress.
519 locals recommend
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdSeveral juice bars are walk-able. This is one of our favorites. It is a 7 minute walk, or quick 2 minute drive. On South First. The closest juice bar is called The Soup Peddler (see more on them). And there are also two juice bars on South Congress.
2 blocks away on South First at Mary Street. Juices, Smoothies and Soups to go.
133 locals recommend
Soup Peddler Real Food & Juice Bar
501 W Mary St2 blocks away on South First at Mary Street. Juices, Smoothies and Soups to go.
Amazing one of a kind experience!
This is a true village with something for everyone. Gardens. Yoga and meditation classes all day. Hammocks. Outdoor seating with big picnic benches.
It IS macrobiotic food, so that may or may not be what you are seeking. But the experience is so worth it, especially if you are going to be over at Zilker Park or Barton Springs.
There are also other places over there, that are more touristy, but super fun, and will have alcohol (casa de luz does not), so you may wish to just walk and check out some of those destinations nestled together on Barton Springs Road.
There is a place over there with good food, called Juliet. it is italian, and has lots of outdoor seating. Amazing wines. And good food.
163 locals recommend
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdAmazing one of a kind experience!
This is a true village with something for everyone. Gardens. Yoga and meditation classes all day. Hammocks. Outdoor seating with big picnic benches.
It IS macrobiotic food, so that may or may not be what you are seeking. But the experience is so worth it, especially if you are going to be over at Zilker Park or Barton Springs.
There are also other places over there, that are more touristy, but super fun, and will have alcohol (casa de luz does not), so you may wish to just walk and check out some of those destinations nestled together on Barton Springs Road.
There is a place over there with good food, called Juliet. it is italian, and has lots of outdoor seating. Amazing wines. And good food.
Tucked away on a back alley, this newer addition that is a gem has yet to be as discovered and the places right on south congress, many of which have 2+ hour waits. There is a lovely patio overlooking a courtyard. And a bar at the Hotel Magdalena right next door.
20 locals recommend
Summer House on Music Lane
1101 Music LnTucked away on a back alley, this newer addition that is a gem has yet to be as discovered and the places right on south congress, many of which have 2+ hour waits. There is a lovely patio overlooking a courtyard. And a bar at the Hotel Magdalena right next door.
Next level middle eastern food with a great vibe, just down congress in the new music lane development. However, reservations are booked months in advance on this one, and even then are tricky to get.
115 locals recommend
Aba
1011 S Congress AveNext level middle eastern food with a great vibe, just down congress in the new music lane development. However, reservations are booked months in advance on this one, and even then are tricky to get.
Sightseeing
Check out the lounge area of this hip austin hotel. Great bar, restaurants, place to grab coffee or tea. Or to co-work. Right across the street on Congress.
68 locals recommend
South Congress Hotel
1603 S Congress AveCheck out the lounge area of this hip austin hotel. Great bar, restaurants, place to grab coffee or tea. Or to co-work. Right across the street on Congress.
Great place to have afternoon cocktails, or hang on the patio. 3-4 blocks walk, down South Congress Ave.
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveGreat place to have afternoon cocktails, or hang on the patio. 3-4 blocks walk, down South Congress Ave.
If you are looking to see the best of Austins views with great people watching, or to go on a stroll or run, this is your spot! It's a quick 5 minute drive down South First street, and you'll see the lake right in front of you. Parking can be a bit tricky around here, depending on time of day. You can drive around in the parking lot at Riverside and South Congress.
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailIf you are looking to see the best of Austins views with great people watching, or to go on a stroll or run, this is your spot! It's a quick 5 minute drive down South First street, and you'll see the lake right in front of you. Parking can be a bit tricky around here, depending on time of day. You can drive around in the parking lot at Riverside and South Congress.
Neighborhoods
You are steps away from the most vibrant destination in Austin. Stroll down South Congress for days of fun. Great boutiques and restaurants, and weather permitting, live music and performance on the streets.
447 locals recommend
South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueYou are steps away from the most vibrant destination in Austin. Stroll down South Congress for days of fun. Great boutiques and restaurants, and weather permitting, live music and performance on the streets.
Walk 2 blocks away from South Congress and you are on South 1st Street. This is also walk-eable with lots of great restaurants, and some shops. Definitely check out Elizabeth Street Cafe on South First at Monroe!
20 locals recommend
South 1st Street
South 1st StreetWalk 2 blocks away from South Congress and you are on South 1st Street. This is also walk-eable with lots of great restaurants, and some shops. Definitely check out Elizabeth Street Cafe on South First at Monroe!
Food Trucks, Restaurants and Bars.....This is a great night-time destination. A short 5-10 min Uber Ride away.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetFood Trucks, Restaurants and Bars.....This is a great night-time destination. A short 5-10 min Uber Ride away.
Shopping
lululemon
1009 South Congress Avenue5-6 blocks away down South Congress Ave.
Local jewelry designers flagship store, with her jewelry, champagne and an Austin experience. Right across the street as soon as you step onto South Congress.
30 locals recommend
Kendra Scott Flagship
1701 S Congress AveLocal jewelry designers flagship store, with her jewelry, champagne and an Austin experience. Right across the street as soon as you step onto South Congress.
Definitely a legendary spot! Boots, hats and just 1 block down South Congress.
136 locals recommend
Allens Boots
1522 S Congress AveDefinitely a legendary spot! Boots, hats and just 1 block down South Congress.
Gift Shop filled with fun, quirky one of a kind gifts, largely from Local Austin artists. They also have a high volume of gift cards. This is right next to Magnolia Cafe, and is open early on the weekends, so you can shop while you wait for your table.
8 locals recommend
Prima Dora
1912 S Congress AveGift Shop filled with fun, quirky one of a kind gifts, largely from Local Austin artists. They also have a high volume of gift cards. This is right next to Magnolia Cafe, and is open early on the weekends, so you can shop while you wait for your table.
Based on the West Texas meets modern vibe, this is a unique men's shopping experience with clothing, beard kits, and fun gifts. Right next to Home Slice Pizza.
67 locals recommend
STAG Provisions For Men
1423 S Congress AveBased on the West Texas meets modern vibe, this is a unique men's shopping experience with clothing, beard kits, and fun gifts. Right next to Home Slice Pizza.
Super quirky little hobbit house in the neighborhood, just 2 blocks over. They have teas, tinctures, supplements, aromatherapy, crystals, books and unique gifts.
38 locals recommend
The Herb Bar
200 W Mary StSuper quirky little hobbit house in the neighborhood, just 2 blocks over. They have teas, tinctures, supplements, aromatherapy, crystals, books and unique gifts.
Live Music
Legendary Continental Club! Local Austin blues and rock. Just a 3-4 blocks walk down congress, across from Perlas.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveLegendary Continental Club! Local Austin blues and rock. Just a 3-4 blocks walk down congress, across from Perlas.
Guero's Oak Garden is an amazing spot to hang with friends and to people watch, while listening to live music, shaded under giant oak tree's. Check the schedule to find out who is playing when, or stop by, as you stroll through. It is usually free, and a great place to refresh, take in music, and the Austin Vibe. Also great family spot. My son lived there for his early years, playing his eukelele next to the bands.
Guero's Oak Garden
1416 South Congress AvenueGuero's Oak Garden is an amazing spot to hang with friends and to people watch, while listening to live music, shaded under giant oak tree's. Check the schedule to find out who is playing when, or stop by, as you stroll through. It is usually free, and a great place to refresh, take in music, and the Austin Vibe. Also great family spot. My son lived there for his early years, playing his eukelele next to the bands.
Experiences
MUST visit! This is just a short 5-7 minute drive away. Spring Fed Pool that is part of what makes Austin so special. Hang on the hill with a good book, or spend hours people watching.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrMUST visit! This is just a short 5-7 minute drive away. Spring Fed Pool that is part of what makes Austin so special. Hang on the hill with a good book, or spend hours people watching.
Each night at sunset, see thousands of bats take flight, from under the bridge. Hang on the South Congress bridge to watch this spectacular natural phenomena.
63 locals recommend
Bats Across Texas
900 Congress AveEach night at sunset, see thousands of bats take flight, from under the bridge. Hang on the South Congress bridge to watch this spectacular natural phenomena.
Workouts
Great place if you are looking for a workout. It is just a 10 minute walk. Head North on South Congress.
Equinox Austin Showroom
1007 S Congress AveGreat place if you are looking for a workout. It is just a 10 minute walk. Head North on South Congress.
Far and away my favorite yoga studio in town. It is a 10 minute drive. Check out Mark or Erinn's classes. They are the studio owners. Great flow yoga and also meditation classes. Next door is their own coffee shop with home made gluten free paleo treats. Those go quickly, so get there early.
18 locals recommend
Sukha Yoga Austin
2324 S Lamar BlvdFar and away my favorite yoga studio in town. It is a 10 minute drive. Check out Mark or Erinn's classes. They are the studio owners. Great flow yoga and also meditation classes. Next door is their own coffee shop with home made gluten free paleo treats. Those go quickly, so get there early.