Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
This is one of my go-to breakfast taco spots! Breakfast tacos all day, quick service & friendly staff.
302 locals recommend
El Chilito
2219 Manor RdThis is one of my go-to breakfast taco spots! Breakfast tacos all day, quick service & friendly staff.
An Austin staple! This family-friendly pizza joint serves up delicious New York style pizza. Check out More Home Slice next door for a late night bite.
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveAn Austin staple! This family-friendly pizza joint serves up delicious New York style pizza. Check out More Home Slice next door for a late night bite.
Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StDetroit-style pizza & in my opinion, the best pizza in town.
Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville Roada.maz.ing. tacos
AMAZING BBQ. One of Texas Monthly's 50 best barbecue joints. Worth the wait.
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StAMAZING BBQ. One of Texas Monthly's 50 best barbecue joints. Worth the wait.
Eden East - Farm to table restaurant located there. The market is open from 9am-1pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays for fresh produce. They have chickens on the farm and you can take a tour of the farm.
35 locals recommend
Springdale Farm
755 Springdale RoadEden East - Farm to table restaurant located there. The market is open from 9am-1pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays for fresh produce. They have chickens on the farm and you can take a tour of the farm.
The best damn sandwiches. Great patio out back, good beer & arcade games.
193 locals recommend
Gourmands
2316 Webberville RdThe best damn sandwiches. Great patio out back, good beer & arcade games.
Probably the best BBQ in Austin. Anthony Bourdain says so. President Obama says so. Texas Monthly says so. Worth the wait if you love BBQ and recognize love requires sacrifice. Get there before 9am ... 8:30 if you want to wait in the shade before the doors open at 11:00. Bring some folding chairs and some cards, or a newspaper, and some coffee. Treat it like a chill tailgate. Make friends with your neighbors.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StProbably the best BBQ in Austin. Anthony Bourdain says so. President Obama says so. Texas Monthly says so. Worth the wait if you love BBQ and recognize love requires sacrifice. Get there before 9am ... 8:30 if you want to wait in the shade before the doors open at 11:00. Bring some folding chairs and some cards, or a newspaper, and some coffee. Treat it like a chill tailgate. Make friends with your neighbors.
The Buzz Mill
1505 Town Creek DrLumberjack feel, good coffee, bar. Open 24 hours.
Really great university coffee house/cafe. Quirky, calm, inviting.
176 locals recommend
Spider House Ballroom
2906 Fruth StReally great university coffee house/cafe. Quirky, calm, inviting.
Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
1111 Chicon StAmazing coffee spot
Coffee in the AM, beer in the PM. Across the street from a B-Cycle station.
183 locals recommend
Wright Bros. Brew and Brew
500 San Marcos StCoffee in the AM, beer in the PM. Across the street from a B-Cycle station.
Traditional espresso beverages and pour over coffee, twelve taps - nine dedicated to craft beer, two provided for select wine and one reserved for Black & Blue, Cuvee's nitrogenated cold coffee.
160 locals recommend
Cuvee Coffee Bar
2000 E 6th StTraditional espresso beverages and pour over coffee, twelve taps - nine dedicated to craft beer, two provided for select wine and one reserved for Black & Blue, Cuvee's nitrogenated cold coffee.
Conde Nast Traveler named Uchi one of the world's best restaurants. Peter Jon Lindberg called it "one of the great Japanese restaurants in the country."
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdConde Nast Traveler named Uchi one of the world's best restaurants. Peter Jon Lindberg called it "one of the great Japanese restaurants in the country."
Torchy's Tacos
1311 South 1st StreetDrinks & Nightlife
Dive bar in East Austin. Great patio/yard, friendly bartenders, cheap drinks.
149 locals recommend
Shangri-La
1016 E 6th StDive bar in East Austin. Great patio/yard, friendly bartenders, cheap drinks.
Super-cool speakeasy in the heart of the chaos of 'Dirty 6th'. Recently reclaimed bordello, with tons of character and masterfully and artistically created drinks.
107 locals recommend
Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th StSuper-cool speakeasy in the heart of the chaos of 'Dirty 6th'. Recently reclaimed bordello, with tons of character and masterfully and artistically created drinks.
Live music most nights and daily happy hours. Try the Salute Your Jorts if you're a shandy fan.
207 locals recommend
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StLive music most nights and daily happy hours. Try the Salute Your Jorts if you're a shandy fan.
Austin's best hipster honky-tonk! Any night of the week will have a great country, rockabilly, swing, or tejano band. Order a Texas-Two-Step at the bar for a shot of whiskey and a cold Lone Star beer. You can twirl on the dance floor or just watch from the sidelines. Great taco truck out on the back patio.
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal StAustin's best hipster honky-tonk! Any night of the week will have a great country, rockabilly, swing, or tejano band. Order a Texas-Two-Step at the bar for a shot of whiskey and a cold Lone Star beer. You can twirl on the dance floor or just watch from the sidelines. Great taco truck out on the back patio.
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StGreat drinks & nice patio
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetNice bar -- East Side King food truck out back
Live music... funky eclectic vibe. Nobody judges your weirdness here... So, in keeping with the "Keep Austin Weird" mantra Cheer Up Charlies nails it!
153 locals recommend
Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River StLive music... funky eclectic vibe. Nobody judges your weirdness here... So, in keeping with the "Keep Austin Weird" mantra Cheer Up Charlies nails it!
They've got a nice selection of craft beer at great prices (usually $3.75-4 for a pint), an outdoor patio, and the famous Via 313 pizza truck.
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StThey've got a nice selection of craft beer at great prices (usually $3.75-4 for a pint), an outdoor patio, and the famous Via 313 pizza truck.
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetThe Bourbon Street of Austin
Parks & Nature
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrNatural swimming pool
Lost Creek at the Greenbelt -- sweet spot where you can swim, relax, party like you’re still in college or hike around the area. You'll have to look up directions on how to get there -- favorite spot for warm, sunny days.
Lost Creek Boulevard
Lost Creek BoulevardLost Creek at the Greenbelt -- sweet spot where you can swim, relax, party like you’re still in college or hike around the area. You'll have to look up directions on how to get there -- favorite spot for warm, sunny days.
Run, bike, or walk around the lake trail or boardwalk; rent SUP, kayaks, and canoes; visit the dog park at Auditorium Shores; witness the infamous Congress Bridge bats - so much to do here!
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailRun, bike, or walk around the lake trail or boardwalk; rent SUP, kayaks, and canoes; visit the dog park at Auditorium Shores; witness the infamous Congress Bridge bats - so much to do here!
10 miles of trails border Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin and serve as a social hub for runners, walkers and cyclists. A Memorial at Auditorium Shores honors the late bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan.
267 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake Trail
Lady Bird Lake Trail10 miles of trails border Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin and serve as a social hub for runners, walkers and cyclists. A Memorial at Auditorium Shores honors the late bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Best view of Austin anywhere. Head up the trail for 7 mins and look out over the water to the west hills, see the lovely Pennybacker bridge. Then, walk a few steps to see downtown
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Best view of Austin anywhere. Head up the trail for 7 mins and look out over the water to the west hills, see the lovely Pennybacker bridge. Then, walk a few steps to see downtown
McKinney Falls State Park is a state park located at the southeastern edge of Austin around the confluence of Onion and Williamson Creeks and offers hiking and biking trails. If there is water, there is a great place to swim and spend the day at the Upper Falls within the park.
376 locals recommend
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyMcKinney Falls State Park is a state park located at the southeastern edge of Austin around the confluence of Onion and Williamson Creeks and offers hiking and biking trails. If there is water, there is a great place to swim and spend the day at the Upper Falls within the park.
Not really a secret anymore....Sit in the river, let the dogs run, and enjoy a cold beer.
40 locals recommend
Secret Beach
Not really a secret anymore....Sit in the river, let the dogs run, and enjoy a cold beer.
Getting Around
Bike rental for when you're tired of walking or calling a ride-share!
21 locals recommend
Austin B-cycle Station
2498 E 6th StBike rental for when you're tired of walking or calling a ride-share!
Convenient access to the Eastside. Visit the Yellow Jacket Social Club, Rio Rita, Cisco's, Liberty, Takoba, Eastside Showroom, and more!
53 locals recommend
Plaza Saltillo Station
Convenient access to the Eastside. Visit the Yellow Jacket Social Club, Rio Rita, Cisco's, Liberty, Takoba, Eastside Showroom, and more!
Capital MetroRail offers comfortable, friendly and reliable service Monday through Friday between Leander and downtown Austin, and from Lakeline to downtown on Saturday.
15 locals recommend
Downtown
209 E 4th StCapital MetroRail offers comfortable, friendly and reliable service Monday through Friday between Leander and downtown Austin, and from Lakeline to downtown on Saturday.
Sightseeing
The most well-known party-street in Austin is still 6th Street, but in recent years Rainey Street has given it a run for its money. Tons of older homes that have been turned into bars, and most of them have great outdoor patios. There are also several really great dining options in the neighborhood as well, including Garaj Ma'hal, a local Austin favorite.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetThe most well-known party-street in Austin is still 6th Street, but in recent years Rainey Street has given it a run for its money. Tons of older homes that have been turned into bars, and most of them have great outdoor patios. There are also several really great dining options in the neighborhood as well, including Garaj Ma'hal, a local Austin favorite.
Austin is home to the largest colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in North America. During certain times of the year, you can go at sunset and watch the millions of bats fly out from under the bridge.
131 locals recommend
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress AveAustin is home to the largest colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in North America. During certain times of the year, you can go at sunset and watch the millions of bats fly out from under the bridge.
Condé Nast Traveler has named South Congress Avenue the best travel destination in Texas. Great music, shopping, eating, people watching.
447 locals recommend
South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueCondé Nast Traveler has named South Congress Avenue the best travel destination in Texas. Great music, shopping, eating, people watching.
Short hike up the limestone cliff for a great photo op! If you have a car and are exploring pull over, and park on the side of the road on NW side of 360 and enjoy the view of Lake Austin.
54 locals recommend
Pennybacker Bridge
5300 N Capital of Texas HwyShort hike up the limestone cliff for a great photo op! If you have a car and are exploring pull over, and park on the side of the road on NW side of 360 and enjoy the view of Lake Austin.
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina DrAustin Visitor Center
602 E 4th StA statue of musician Stevie Ray Vaughan along Auditorium Shores Park and the hike and bike trail. It is a popular location to take photos of the Austin skyline.
56 locals recommend
Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue
210 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail A statue of musician Stevie Ray Vaughan along Auditorium Shores Park and the hike and bike trail. It is a popular location to take photos of the Austin skyline.
The Texas State Capitol, completed in 1888 in Downtown Austin, contains the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Office of the Governor. Designed in 1881 by architect Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed from 1882 to 1888 under the direction of civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker.
1119 locals recommend
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveThe Texas State Capitol, completed in 1888 in Downtown Austin, contains the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Office of the Governor. Designed in 1881 by architect Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed from 1882 to 1888 under the direction of civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker.
HOPE Outdoor Gallery
741 Dalton LaneGraffiti park!
Arts & Culture
Features American and contemporary art, Latin art, European paintings, prints, and drawings. Includes a calendar of events, programs, and memberships.
644 locals recommend
The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardFeatures American and contemporary art, Latin art, European paintings, prints, and drawings. Includes a calendar of events, programs, and memberships.
Essentials
Quickie Pickie
2027 E Cesar Chavez StConvenience store, restaurant, bar and neighborhood hangout.
H-E-B plus!
2508 E Riverside DrWalgreens
2501 S Lamar BlvdNeed to get your hair cut while in Austin? This fun institution is old-school and will give you a free Shiner Bock while you get clipped. Takes walk-ins, cheap cuts.
53 locals recommend
Birds Barbershop
2110 S Lamar BlvdNeed to get your hair cut while in Austin? This fun institution is old-school and will give you a free Shiner Bock while you get clipped. Takes walk-ins, cheap cuts.