Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Delicious, cheap eats in a fun, boisterous environment. If you go for breakfast, their Mexican coffee is a must!
169 locals recommend
Tamale House East
1707 E 6th StDelicious, cheap eats in a fun, boisterous environment. If you go for breakfast, their Mexican coffee is a must!
Beer, coffee, and tacos. What more does one need? Highly recommend the chorizo breakfast taco or the carnitas taco for lunch/dinner.
227 locals recommend
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StBeer, coffee, and tacos. What more does one need? Highly recommend the chorizo breakfast taco or the carnitas taco for lunch/dinner.
Cute, hidden spot with good coffee, beer, wine, and snacks. Lovely outdoor patio - very conducive to reading, studying, writing, or catching up with a friend.
379 locals recommend
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez StCute, hidden spot with good coffee, beer, wine, and snacks. Lovely outdoor patio - very conducive to reading, studying, writing, or catching up with a friend.
One of Austin's iconic food trucks starring deep dish pizza - so delish.
372 locals recommend
Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StOne of Austin's iconic food trucks starring deep dish pizza - so delish.
Super tasty and well done TexMex (interesting spins on some classics, like the chile relleno) and the best tequila selection in town.
198 locals recommend
Licha's Cantina
1306 E 6th StSuper tasty and well done TexMex (interesting spins on some classics, like the chile relleno) and the best tequila selection in town.
Gelateria Gemelli
1009 E 6th StAuthentic Italian-grade gelato plus amaros for pairing.
Delicious Italian food in an outdoor setting - shares a hidden, fenced-in property with the Butterfly Bar and Vortex theater.
182 locals recommend
Patrizi's
2307 Manor RdDelicious Italian food in an outdoor setting - shares a hidden, fenced-in property with the Butterfly Bar and Vortex theater.
Austin's most famous (& supposedly the best) BBQ joint. Get in line at 6-7am (no joke) if you really want to try it. I recommend a mister, a hat, a camper chair, and a deck of cards to pass the time in line.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StAustin's most famous (& supposedly the best) BBQ joint. Get in line at 6-7am (no joke) if you really want to try it. I recommend a mister, a hat, a camper chair, and a deck of cards to pass the time in line.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best old fashioneds in town (& other delicious cocktails). Check out the mezcal tasting room upstairs and flamenco guitarist on a Friday/Saturday night. They also have a super yummy Thai food truck on property.
561 locals recommend
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StBest old fashioneds in town (& other delicious cocktails). Check out the mezcal tasting room upstairs and flamenco guitarist on a Friday/Saturday night. They also have a super yummy Thai food truck on property.
Hops & Grain Brewing
507 Calles Sthttp://www.hopsandgrain.com/
Blue Owl Brewing
2400 E Cesar Chavez StAmazing sour beers. Their tasting room deal is awesome.
If you like IPAs, try theirs. They make a variety of styles though.
http://www.zilkerbeer.com/
159 locals recommend
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th StIf you like IPAs, try theirs. They make a variety of styles though.
http://www.zilkerbeer.com/
Looks like a dive bar, drinks like a 5-star. Billy, the owner, makes a mean cocktail and won't overcharge you for it. You must try their pizza (I recommend the Dana special) - it's my favorite pizza in town!
89 locals recommend
King Bee Lounge
1906 E 12th StLooks like a dive bar, drinks like a 5-star. Billy, the owner, makes a mean cocktail and won't overcharge you for it. You must try their pizza (I recommend the Dana special) - it's my favorite pizza in town!
Austin is the "Live Music Capital" of the world, so I have to recommend this iconic jazz club. It's divey as hell, but the music is fantastic 7 nights a week in the heart of downtown.
224 locals recommend
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveAustin is the "Live Music Capital" of the world, so I have to recommend this iconic jazz club. It's divey as hell, but the music is fantastic 7 nights a week in the heart of downtown.
You're always in for a great and entertaining time at Pete's. The music is constant, the bachelor and bachelorette parties abound, and it's in the heart of "Dirty Sixth" street.
33 locals recommend
Pete's Dueling Piano Bar
421 E 6th StYou're always in for a great and entertaining time at Pete's. The music is constant, the bachelor and bachelorette parties abound, and it's in the heart of "Dirty Sixth" street.
This is my favorite bar on Rainey Street. Their drinks are good, the vibe is nice and lowkey, and generally you can still hear each other speak!
35 locals recommend
Half Step
75 1/2 Rainey StThis is my favorite bar on Rainey Street. Their drinks are good, the vibe is nice and lowkey, and generally you can still hear each other speak!
Great place to learn to country dance. They have intro classes starting at 7pm every Saturday night.
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal StGreat place to learn to country dance. They have intro classes starting at 7pm every Saturday night.
Getting Around
Metro rail to downtown departs here. Download the "Capital Metro" app to purchase tickets virtually (it's $3.50 each way). Check out the schedule here: https://www.capmetro.org/schedmap/?svc=2&f1=550&s=0&d=N
53 locals recommend
Plaza Saltillo Station
Metro rail to downtown departs here. Download the "Capital Metro" app to purchase tickets virtually (it's $3.50 each way). Check out the schedule here: https://www.capmetro.org/schedmap/?svc=2&f1=550&s=0&d=N
$12 for 24 hours or $15 for 3 days. For more info, visit: https://austin.bcycle.com/sign-up-login
35 locals recommend
Austin B-cycle Station
1400 Nash Hernandez Senior Rd$12 for 24 hours or $15 for 3 days. For more info, visit: https://austin.bcycle.com/sign-up-login
Sightseeing
Made of solid Texas pink granite and taller than it's D.C. look-a-like. Take a tour - it's actually pretty interesting - or walk around inside for the history & A/C.
1119 locals recommend
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveMade of solid Texas pink granite and taller than it's D.C. look-a-like. Take a tour - it's actually pretty interesting - or walk around inside for the history & A/C.
Check out the flagship Whole Foods store - this thing is massive! Most people don't realize Whole Food started here in Austin, TX. Ooh and ahh and grab an organic smoothie to go.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdCheck out the flagship Whole Foods store - this thing is massive! Most people don't realize Whole Food started here in Austin, TX. Ooh and ahh and grab an organic smoothie to go.
Austin's iconic graffiti wall. A constantly morphing, alive work of art. Makes for a great photo op too.
207 locals recommend
Graffiti Park at Castle Hill
1008 Baylor StAustin's iconic graffiti wall. A constantly morphing, alive work of art. Makes for a great photo op too.
Famous, classic hotel that looks like it's out of the 1800s. It's beautifully decorated and fun to walk around. Stop by the second floor bar to see the gilded ceiling and hear some live music.
60 locals recommend
The Driskill
217 Congress AveFamous, classic hotel that looks like it's out of the 1800s. It's beautifully decorated and fun to walk around. Stop by the second floor bar to see the gilded ceiling and hear some live music.
Arts & Culture
Definitely worth checking out to learn about one of the most controversial presidents of the United States.
240 locals recommend
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StDefinitely worth checking out to learn about one of the most controversial presidents of the United States.
Great place to catch a play or a concert - check out their schedule online to see what shows are in town.
30 locals recommend
Bass Concert Hall
510 E 23rd StGreat place to catch a play or a concert - check out their schedule online to see what shows are in town.
Parks & Nature
Great swimming area for those extra hot summer days!
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrGreat swimming area for those extra hot summer days!
One of Austin's most famous and massive parks. Great way to spend a day picnicking or playing frisbee.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdOne of Austin's most famous and massive parks. Great way to spend a day picnicking or playing frisbee.
A beautiful spot to go for a walk (Texans would call it a hike) surrounded by trees, vegetation, and some pretty awesome waterfalls.
376 locals recommend
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyA beautiful spot to go for a walk (Texans would call it a hike) surrounded by trees, vegetation, and some pretty awesome waterfalls.
Entertainment & Activities
Fun movie theater with lounge chairs and full-service food and beverage during the show! Book in advance online to select good seats.
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StFun movie theater with lounge chairs and full-service food and beverage during the show! Book in advance online to select good seats.