Your ultimate guide to uncovering the local favorites, hidden green spaces, and secret coffee spots that capture the true soul of Austin
Map
Sections
4
Outdoor Activities
Restaurants
Other Food & Drinks
Staycations
Outdoor Activities
Cutest little park for a picnic with friends or a walk to get out of the house for a bit
Pease District Park
Very upscale farmers market every sunday in Mueller
Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller
Incredible view of the lake at night
Pennybacker Bridge
Great place for views of the city and Lady Bird lake - you can walk, run, skate or bike
Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail
68 degrees year round and the best way to cool off in an Austin summer.
Barton Springs Pool
Short climb, insane sunset views over the lake. Our favorite free date spot.
Mt Bonnell
Watching a million bats take off at sunset never gets old. Such an Austin thing.
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bat Bridge
Peaceful, gorgeous, and perfect for photos. Great escape right in the city.
Zilker Botanical Garden
Shopping, boots, and the best people watching in Austin. Start at Allens Boots and just wander.
S Congress Ave
Kayak rentals right on the lake with skyline views. Our favorite way to show visitors the city.
Rowing Dock
Our favorite walk in the city, right on the water. Go at golden hour for the skyline views.
Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake
The Ellsworth Kelly building alone is worth the visit. Our rainy day culture fix on campus.
Blanton Museum of Art
Free tours, gorgeous grounds, and taller than the US Capitol. A must for first time visitors.
Texas State Capitol
Outdoor concerts right downtown with the skyline behind the stage. Summer nights here are elite.
Moody Amphitheater
Texas's biggest indie bookstore and our favorite way to kill an afternoon. Great coffee shop inside, too.
BookPeople
Trails, swimming holes, and climbing right in the city. Our weekend reset spot.
Barton Creek Greenbelt | Austin Parks and Recreation
Free roaming peacocks, lily ponds, and the prettiest gardens. A hidden gem most tourists miss.
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
A villa, sculpture gardens, and lake views in one place. Our favorite photo spot in Austin.
Laguna Gloria
BYOB mini golf that has been an Austin icon since forever. Cheap, silly, perfect date night.
Peter Pan Mini Golf
Our favorite movie theater on the planet. Dinner and drinks served at your seat, strict no talking rule, and the best event screenings.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
The granddaddy of Austin live music venues. Intimate room, great acts, and a real piece of Texas music history.
The Continental Club
Restaurants
Usually a line out the door for this place but I promise you it's well worth the wait. They have unique pizza like the pickle pizza - available by the slice or the whole pie
Allday Pizza: Hyde Park
Probably the best upscale Mexican restaurant in the city - located Downtown
ATX Cocina
Theeee BEST breakfast tacos in Austin - we usually get a migas taco and the traditional bacon, egg and cheese
Veracruz All Natural
Another great breakfast taco rec if you're in the area - we get the bacon (they use bacon bits), egg and cheese, add potato
Vecinos
East Austin michelin rated taco truck that serves the juiciest street tacos you'll ever have
Cuantos tacos
This place has a small town diner feel that's so nostalgic - couple that with their bacon, egg and cheese tacos and this has become one of our go to spots!
Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
The line is long but the brisket is life changing. Go early, thank us later.
Franklin Barbecue
Born in Austin and still elite. Get the Democrat, you will not regret it.
Torchy's Tacos
The SoCo staple for a late night slice. Always hits the spot.
Home Slice Pizza
The special occasion sushi spot. Book ahead, it is worth the hype.
Uchi Austin
Multi level decks with the best sunset view in Austin. Go for golden hour drinks.
The Oasis On Lake Travis
Brisket plus a live show in the backyard. The most Austin dinner plan we know.
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Our favorite BBQ when we have guests in town. The brisket is unreal and the line moves fast.
Terry Black's Barbecue
Other Food & Drinks
Some of the yummiest coffee in Austin - our favorite is the brown sugar espresso or matcha with oatmilk
Desnudo Coffee
Some of the best variety of ice cream flavors in the city
Amy's Ice Creams
This place has the best iced vanilla latte in Austin - just beware of visiting during peak hours, it gets busy with people working remotely during the week
Carpenter Coffee Bar
Coffee with a lake view and live music. The sunset shows here are unreal.
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
The most SoCo coffee shop there is. Get the Iced Turbo and sit on the patio for peak people watching.
Jo's Coffee – South Congress
Staycations
Feels like you left Austin and were transported to Vegas, without the casino of course. The rooftop pool and poolside bar is a highlight - get the pina colada
Fairmont Austin
Ideally located on South Congress (SoCo), this hotel feels like you left Austin and stepped foot into the jungles of Mexico - highly recommend grabbing breakfast from room service here
Hotel Magdalena
This hotel truly exceeded our expectations - the design choices were artfully chosen and conveniently has a Veracruz tacos within the hotel that also services the pool. Not to mention the hotel service was incredible
