Kim’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Great for picnics, throwing frisbee around, enjoying a view of the city
246 locals recommend
Zilker Park
Great for picnics, throwing frisbee around, enjoying a view of the city
Try paddle boarding or kayaking! On the weekend, you can check out party cove, which is where many paddle boarders gather
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailTry paddle boarding or kayaking! On the weekend, you can check out party cove, which is where many paddle boarders gather
Lake Austin
Go boating on Lake Austin or checkout 360 bridge
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead
Barton Creek Greenbelt TrailGo for a hike
Go for a swim or lay out at Barton Springs! One of my favorite things to do in the summer. Note that there is a free side and a paid side, and they are right next to each other. The paid side is nicer with grassy lawns and a pool-like feel. The free side is more like a regular stream/river. The paid side does not allow coolers, drinks (except water), or food - they are very strict about this. The free side is a free for all, so you can bring anything you'd like. Just be sure to clean up your trash.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrGo for a swim or lay out at Barton Springs! One of my favorite things to do in the summer. Note that there is a free side and a paid side, and they are right next to each other. The paid side is nicer with grassy lawns and a pool-like feel. The free side is more like a regular stream/river. The paid side does not allow coolers, drinks (except water), or food - they are very strict about this. The free side is a free for all, so you can bring anything you'd like. Just be sure to clean up your trash.
Go for a jog or walk! Really nice when the weather is good
8 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk
Lady Bird Lake BoardwalkGo for a jog or walk! Really nice when the weather is good
The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardSmall but great art museum. On UT campus
Neighborhoods
Great for shopping and eating. I recommend eating at Two Hands, Homeslice, Vespaio, Aba, Jeni's Ice Creams, and Perla's.
650 locals recommend
South Congress
Great for shopping and eating. I recommend eating at Two Hands, Homeslice, Vespaio, Aba, Jeni's Ice Creams, and Perla's.
Great laid back neighborhood with tons of cool bars and restaurants. Some of my fav spots are La Holly, Whisler's, Spicy Boys, Ah Sing Den, Liberty Bar, Central Machine Works, De Nada Cantina, and Volstead.
395 locals recommend
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetGreat laid back neighborhood with tons of cool bars and restaurants. Some of my fav spots are La Holly, Whisler's, Spicy Boys, Ah Sing Den, Liberty Bar, Central Machine Works, De Nada Cantina, and Volstead.
Going out
Go for a night out or day drinking. The vibes here are chill during the day and lively at night with a young/young professional crowd. Some of my fav spots are Lucille's, Icenhaur's, and Reina.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetGo for a night out or day drinking. The vibes here are chill during the day and lively at night with a young/young professional crowd. Some of my fav spots are Lucille's, Icenhaur's, and Reina.
Go for a night out or casual drinks. There are tons of great bars in this area. The vibes are more laid back and great for all ages. Some of my fav spots are Whisler's, Easy Tiger, Liberty, Volstead, and Lucky Duck
395 locals recommend
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetGo for a night out or casual drinks. There are tons of great bars in this area. The vibes are more laid back and great for all ages. Some of my fav spots are Whisler's, Easy Tiger, Liberty, Volstead, and Lucky Duck
The vibes here are rowdier and cater more towards a younger/college crowd. Some of my fav spots are Cat's Pajamas, Bees Knees, and Green Light Social
334 locals recommend
West 6th Street
West 6th StreetThe vibes here are rowdier and cater more towards a younger/college crowd. Some of my fav spots are Cat's Pajamas, Bees Knees, and Green Light Social
My fav place to get nice cocktails. You usually need a reservation
101 locals recommend
The Roosevelt Room
307 W 5th StMy fav place to get nice cocktails. You usually need a reservation
A really cool speakeasy downtown. You need to download an app and reserve to get in.
27 locals recommend
Here Nor There
612 Brazos StA really cool speakeasy downtown. You need to download an app and reserve to get in.
Big indoor and outdoor place to get drinks. Sometimes they have live bands playing. I like their pizza too!
138 locals recommend
Central Machine Works
4824 E Cesar Chavez StBig indoor and outdoor place to get drinks. Sometimes they have live bands playing. I like their pizza too!
My fav lgbtq-friendly club. Huge club with three different sections. Drinks are very reasonably priced
16 locals recommend
Coconut Club
310B Colorado StMy fav lgbtq-friendly club. Huge club with three different sections. Drinks are very reasonably priced
Food scene
Great place to get some coffee or a drink. Really great food trucks
435 locals recommend
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdGreat place to get some coffee or a drink. Really great food trucks
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdFav place to get sushi of all time. Pretty pricey, so go for happy hour
Super Thai Cuisine
2024 South Lamar BoulevardMy fav Thai spot in Austin
Really cute place to get awesome margaritas and tacos. There's usually a wait, so if you don't have a reservation you can put your name down then go across the street to Central Machineworks for a drink while you wait
39 locals recommend
De Nada Cantina
4715 East Cesar Chavez StreetReally cute place to get awesome margaritas and tacos. There's usually a wait, so if you don't have a reservation you can put your name down then go across the street to Central Machineworks for a drink while you wait
Llama Kid - Peruvian Food
4620 East Cesar Chavez StreetTasty Peruvian food
Bouldin Acres
2027 S Lamar BlvdGreat place to hang out, play pickle ball, cornhole, etc.
I'm not a BBQ snob or anything, but this is my personal fav spot to get BBQ. The BBQ is delicious and they usually don't sell out of items, which can be an issue at other BBQ places.
372 locals recommend
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdI'm not a BBQ snob or anything, but this is my personal fav spot to get BBQ. The BBQ is delicious and they usually don't sell out of items, which can be an issue at other BBQ places.
My other fav BBQ spot. The mac and cheese is amazing. A little further out, but worth it.
16 locals recommend
Interstellar BBQ
12233 Ranch Rd 620 NMy other fav BBQ spot. The mac and cheese is amazing. A little further out, but worth it.
Great little taco spot with cheap, delicious tacos. Try the barbacoa!
51 locals recommend
El Tacorrido
2316 S 1st StGreat little taco spot with cheap, delicious tacos. Try the barbacoa!
Amazing tacos! A little on the pricier side, but worth it
314 locals recommend
Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadAmazing tacos! A little on the pricier side, but worth it
Another great taco place with great salsas. This location is next to one of the Greenbelt entrances, so you can get tacos then go for a hike!
203 locals recommend
Tacodeli
1500 Spyglass DrAnother great taco place with great salsas. This location is next to one of the Greenbelt entrances, so you can get tacos then go for a hike!
Very beautifully decorated restaurant/cocktail bar serving tasty food and creative drinks. Get the mussels! You'll most likely need a reservation.
288 locals recommend
Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th StVery beautifully decorated restaurant/cocktail bar serving tasty food and creative drinks. Get the mussels! You'll most likely need a reservation.
Cute restaurant that serves small plates family style. The food is delicious and interesting. They change the menu monthly
374 locals recommend
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdCute restaurant that serves small plates family style. The food is delicious and interesting. They change the menu monthly
City/town information
You can take a day trip to drive down to visit the wineries in Fredericksburg. A very cute town.
463 locals recommend
Fredericksburg
You can take a day trip to drive down to visit the wineries in Fredericksburg. A very cute town.
You could take a day trip down to San Marcos and float the river. Fun activity for the summer
83 locals recommend
San Marcos
You could take a day trip down to San Marcos and float the river. Fun activity for the summer
Traveler advice
Getting around
Best way to get around is by car.
The easiest way to get around is by car or ride share. Austin is also bike friendly if you want to rent bikes and ride around.
Don't miss
Bat watching
From March to September at sunset you can go to the Congress Avenue bridge to watch the bats fly out to go hunting. It's mind boggling how many bats live under the bridge.
Book before you go
Restaurants
In general, you'll need a reservation for most restaurants, especially cute/upscale/popular places.