Welcome to Austin Vacay's Ultimate Austin Travel Guide!

Discover the vibrant heart of Texas with our comprehensive travel guide to Austin. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to explore deeper, we've got you covered. Our guide is meticulously curated and continuously updated to ensure you have the most current recommendations and insider tips at your fingertips.

Planning a quick getaway? Check out our 36-Hour Guide to Austin, perfect for a condensed but memorable experience. For those who have more time to explore or want to delve into all that Austin has to offer, scroll down for a more extensive list of activities, eateries, and hidden gems that will help you plan your stay to perfection.

Embrace the unique culture, music, and flavors of Austin with Austin Vacay as your guide!

What Things Should I Do In Austin?

Planning a bachelorette party, family vacation, or solo adventure? Visit Austin! Over 30 million people visit the Texas capitol city each year, so if you’ve booked your tickets, you’re not alone! So, you’ve found your Airbnb, picked your seat on the plane, and ordered a pair of cowboy boots. Now you’re wondering “what things should I do in Austin?” We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away, see the sights, or fill up your Instagram feed, keep reading. This guide will help you fill up your schedule and check something off of your whole party’s Austin bucket list.

Keep reading for:

Things To Do In Downtown Austin
Things to Do in South Austin
Things to Do In East Austin
Parks in Austin to Visit
Bars to Visit On 6th Street
Bars to Visit On Rainey Street
Where to Shop in Austin
Where To Get Breakfast Tacos
Tips for Planning Your Austin Trip

Things To Do In Downtown Austin

Morning: Stop By the Farmers Market

Visiting Austin on a Saturday? Stop by the SFC Farmers’ Market as you tour the downtown area. Everything at the market is local to Austin - from the live music to the tacos to the kombucha! The farmers market takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Republic Square. Once you’re full, you can:

Hop onto the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Take a photo with the Willie Nelson Statue outside ACL Live
Have brunch at P6 while overlooking the lake
Visit the rooftop at the beautiful Austin Central Library
Catch a movie at the Violet Crown Cinema

…or wander around the downtown area!

Top Spots:

SFC Farmers’ Market at Republic Square - 422 Guadalupe Street
Austin Central Library - 710 W Cesar Chavez Street
ACL Live - 310 W. Willie Nelson Boulevard
Violet Crown Cinema - 434 W 2nd Street

Afternoon: Scooter to Barton Springs

Use the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail to check out Barton Springs. Barton Springs is a three-acre pool fed by underground springs. Visiting in spring, summer, winter, or fall? You can still enjoy Barton Springs, as the pool is around 70 degrees year-round. (On a tight budget? While the pool is free, it connects to a pool where you can bring coolers, drinks, and dogs! If you’re lucky, you’ll catch live music and meet the people who keep Austin weird.)

Evening: Take a Stroll By the River

Just below Cesar Chavez Street is the Colorado River, a host to paddleboard islands and party barges galore. Even if you don’t want to take a dip or paddle on your trip to Austin, you can enjoy a stroll on the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Along the way, you may find:

The Stevie Ray Vaughan statue
Spots to rent bikes and scooters
Boat launches, boardwalks, and fishing piers
Beautiful spots for photos

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Things to Do in South Austin

Morning: Go Climbing (And Enjoy a Cocktail Afterward!)

Locally-owned Crux Climbing has two locations in Austin. They both feature bouldering walls for anyone who wants to keep their forearms pumped or prepare for outdoor routes on the Barton Creek Greenbelt or nearby Enchanted Rock. If you prefer rope climbing, check out Crux South - and grab a cocktail or a coffee at next-door Cosmic Coffee and Beer. The beer garden has food trucks, tons of outdoor space, and chickens. What more could you want in an Austin afternoon?

Top Spots:

Crux South - 121 Pickle Road
Barton Creek Greenbelt - 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy B
Enchanted Rock - 16710 Ranch Road 965 Fredericksburg, TX
Cosmic Coffee and Beer - 121 Pickle Road

Afternoon: Enjoy a Bar Crawl In The Yard

Can’t decide on beer, wine, sake, or whiskey? Have them all on the best bar crawl in South Austin! Just a 15-minute drive from downtown is The Yard, home of spots like:

Food trucks selling pizza, fried chicken, and sushi tacos will keep your stomach full as you sample some Austin favorites.

Evening: Check Out the Bat Bridge

The Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world. Over 1 million bats fly out from under the bridge to forage for food, making the Congress Avenue Bridge one of the most sought-after sights in Austin. Visitors have a few options for getting a good view if the weather and timing are right. (Heat and drought will increase your chances of seeing the bats!)

Want to see the bats? The Austin Bat Refuge offers daily updates on whether the bats will fly and when to get to the Congress Avenue Bridge. You may not see the bats every night, and they are most likely to fly during the months of March and November.

Where to go: If you want a quick, free option, grab a spot on the Congress Avenue Bridge. It fills up early but is a short walk from downtown if you have other plans. You can also reserve a spot on a bat-watching tour through Capital Cruises, Lone Star Riverboats, or Live Love Paddle. For dinner and a show, book a sunset dinner at P6 at the Line Hotel, where you can view the lake and the bridge from your seat.

What To Know: Don’t expect to show up with a drone and noisemakers to greet the bats. To make the experience enjoyable for everyone, drones, white lights, and loud noises are discouraged. Handling a bat is also discouraged, and resources have protocols for getting hurt or sick bats to safety. Austinbats.org offers further details on how to enjoy the best bat-watching experience in Austin.

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Things to Do In East Austin

Morning: Brunch It Up

Nothing cures a hangover like brunch! Austin’s trendiest neighborhood is home to some of the best brunch spots. Many of the buildings offer historical significance. Hillside Farmacy gives a nod to its past life as a pharmacy owned by Texas’ first Black pharmacist. Launderette hosts brunch in a former laundromat and gas station. Suerte boasts its use of traditional Mexican cooking and homemade masa. While many of East Austin’s best brunch spots take reservations, some require a little luck and patience. Fortunately, there is plenty of shopping around East Austin to keep you busy while you wait for your table to be ready!

Top Spots:

Hillside Farmacy - 1209 E. 11th Street
Launderette - 2115 Holly Street
Suerte - 1800 E. 6th Street

Afternoon: Learn Austin’s History

There is no better place to learn the history of Austin and Texas than in East Austin. Some tours are seasonal, but all offer unique insights into how Austin has transformed from a quiet Texas capitol to a haven for weirdos to one of the country’s trendiest cities. Book your spot on any of the following tours through East Austin and beyond:

Evening: DIY Bar and Live Music Crawl

Ready for even more Austin fun? You can find some of the best spots for live music and great drinks in East Austin. Map out your stops ahead of time or stroll down E. 6th Street and see what’s happening. Drink cheap beer and rock out at Hotel Vegas. Put on your dancing shoes and head to Outer Heaven (for disco beats) or The White Horse (for two-step lessons.) Or, lounge by the pool at Kitty Cohen’s. You’ll be surprised at how many options you have for live music and good vibes any day of the week!

Top Spots:

Hotel Vegas - 1502 E. 6th Street
Outer Heaven Disco Club - 1808 E. 12th Street
The White Horse - 500 E. Comal Street
Kitty Cohen’s - 2211 Webberville Rd #3548

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Parks in Austin to Visit

Pease Park (1100 Kingsbury Street)

Austin’s first public park offers shaded trails, playgrounds, and a central location near the University of Texas at Austin. If you visit in April, be sure to check out Eeyore’s Birthday Party. (Yes, that Eeyore.) The event brings Austin’s weirdest and greatest to one spot for dancing, costume-wearing, and raising money for charity.

Zilker Park (2207 Lou Neff Rd)

Zilker Park is best known for hosting the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October. It is also home to Blues on the Green, Trail of Lights, and plenty of birthday parties and picnics year-round! Grab a blanket, a volleyball, or a DIY cheese board for a relaxing day of sunshine. If it gets too hot, hop into Barton Springs Pool - it’s just across the street!

Mayfield Park (3505 W 35th Street)

Peacocks at the park? Talk about Keeping Austin Weird! Mayfield Park offers walking trails, lookouts, and interactions with free-roaming peacocks. Continue your walk through the area by visiting The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria, a sculpture garden right off of the trail.

Butler Park and Auditorium Shores (900 W. Riverside Drive)

Walking around the Hike and Bike Trail? Stop by Auditorium Shores for a quick rest. The park connects to the start of the Hike and Bike Trail and is often home to live music, festivals, and other family-friendly activities. With easy access to the Congress Avenue Bridge, the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, and the First Street Jefferson Davis Bridge, it’s a great place for a DIY morning workout before meeting your group downtown.

Mueller Lake Park (4550 Mueller Boulevard)

Staying up north? Mueller Lake Park is a great place to spend an afternoon in Austin. Recline in comfort while enjoying dinner and a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse or catch a sports game at B.D. Riley’s. If you have little ones, take them to The Thinkery for a day of wonder. On a budget? Just walk around the park! Enjoy 30 acres of walking trails surrounding a gorgeous lake.

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Best Bars to Visit On 6th Street

Sixth Street is divided into three parts: West, Dirty, and East. West Sixth is a great spot for young professionals in the tech and entrepreneurial scene. Dirty Sixth, the most well-known part of Sixth Street, is blocked off on weekends for easy access to the dozens of bars in just a few blocks. East Sixth is the trendiest area, with live music and plenty of outdoor spaces for mingling. Although Red River Street crosses with Sixth Street, we included it because it’s got great spots for live music, dancing, and counterculture clientele.

Below are some of the highlights of Austin’s most famous bar street.

West 6th

Green Light Social - 720 W. 6th Street - Original location
Little Woodrow’s - 520 W. 6th Street - Original location
The Dogwood - 715 W. 6th Street
Kung Fu Saloon - 716 W. 6th Street - Original location (roughly)

“Dirty 6th”

Blind Pig - 317 E. 6th Street
Shakespeare’s - 314 E. 6th Street
Midnight Cowboy - 313 E. 6th Street - Awesome speakeasy, make reservations in advance

East 6th

Hotel Vegas - 1502 E. 6th Street
Shangri-La - 1016 E. 6th Street
Lucky Duck - 1300 E. 6th Street
Whisler’s - 1816 E. 6th Street

Red River Street

Barbarella - 611 Red River Street - Great for dancing
Cheer Up Charlie’s - 900 Red River Street
Elysium - 705 Red River Street

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Best Bars to Visit On Rainey Street

Located just a quick walk from downtown, Rainey Street is another walkable street filled with unique Austin bars. Once a residential road, most of the houses that stood on Rainey Street have been converted into bars. You can have a great time dancing, eating, and drinking at any of the spots on Rainey Street, but here are three favorites:

Parlor Room - 88 Rainey Street
Lustre Pearl - 94 Rainey Street
Lucille - 77 Rainey Street

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Where to Shop in Austin

The Domain

Located in North Austin, The Domain isn’t just a shopping center. Within the 100+ shops and restaurants, you can find something for everyone in your group to enjoy. Take selfies at The Museum of Ice Cream or karaoke at Punch Bowl Social. Shop at Louis Vuitton or laugh at the Capitol City Comedy Club. There are so many things to do at The Domain, you could spend a whole day there!

Top Spots:

The Museum of Ice Cream - 11506 Century Oaks Terrace #128
Punch Bowl Social - 11310 Domain Drive
Capitol City Comedy Club - Bldg B, 11506 Century Oaks Terrace Unit 100

South Congress

Have the “I love you so much” mural on your Austin list? Make sure you stop by South Congress. Start walking South from the Congress Avenue Bridge and you’ll find shops, restaurants, and murals for over a mile. You won’t miss the “I love you so much” mural at Jo’s Coffee, nor will you miss the recently-opened Hermès store, Allens Boots, or Homeslice Pizza. Want to see live music? Choose between The Continental Club or C-Boy’s Heart and Soul - you’ll be blown away by the acts at either spot. This is another spot where you can spend a whole day exploring and enjoying what Austin has to offer.

Top Spots:

Jo’s Coffee - 1300 S. Congress Avenue
Allens Boots - 1522 S. Congress Avenue
Homeslice Pizza - 1415 S. Congress Avenue
The Continental Club - 1315 S. Congress Avenue
C-Boy’s Heart and Soul - 2008 S. Congress Avenue

Breweries

You might just find your new favorite t-shirt or accessory at one of Austin’s beautiful breweries! Most breweries and beer gardens offer a collection of trendy shirts, outerwear, and accessories that commemorate your trip. Check out the Instagram feeds for Nomadic Beerworks, or Blue Owl Brewery. Check “shopping” and “drinking” off your list at the same place!

Top Spots:

Meanwhile Brewery - 3901 Promontory Point Drive
Nomadic Beerworks - 3804 Woodbury Drive Suite A
Blue Owl Brewery - 2400 E Cesar Chavez Street #300
Slacker's Brewery - 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N #204

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Where To Get Breakfast Tacos in Austin

Are you ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey through Austin's vibrant breakfast taco scene? In a city that's renowned for its eclectic and thriving culinary landscape, breakfast tacos hold a special place in the hearts of food lovers. These scrumptious, Tex-Mex delights have evolved from a simple morning staple to a beloved culinary art form that locals and visitors alike can't get enough of. Discover the perfect combination of flavors, textures, and ingredients to satisfy your cravings and kick-start your day. So, grab your appetite and join us as we explore the top contenders in this mouthwatering Austin tradition.

If you want an even deeper dive into Austin's breakfast tacos, click here to see some of our staff's favorite picks.

Torchy’s Tacos

You can find Torchy’s in over a dozen states, but it all started in Austin. What’s the best way to do Torchy’s? Start your day at the location on South Congress. You’ll have fuel to walk all the way downtown…with stops for shopping, of course! Torchy’s Tacos offers options for vegetarians, vegans, queso-lovers, and queso-avoiders. Want to do Austin like Former President Obama? Order a Democrat, a Republican, and an Independent taco at Torchy’s!

Locations:

South Congress - 1822 S. Congress Avenue
Downtown - 110 San Antonio Street #120
West Campus - 2801 Guadalupe Street #5-B
Mueller - 1801 E 51st Street Bldg D

Veracruz

Sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez bought a food trailer in 2008, and the rest is Austin history. Veracruz is a taco food truck with some of the most popular breakfast tacos in Austin. Although you can easily pick up tacos on your stroll downtown, Veracruz goes best with a coffee. Grab a spot at Radio Coffee and Beer in South Austin or Littlefield’s in the idyllic Tarrytown neighborhood. Your Instagram feed will thank you.

Locations:

South Austin (Radio Coffee and Beer) - 4208 Manchaca Rd
Downtown (Line Hotel) - 111 E Cesar Chavez
Tarrytown (Littlefield’s) - 2401 Winsted Lane
East Austin - 2505 Webberville Rd
Mueller - 4209 Airport Blvd

Juan in a Million

Think you’re hungry for more than just breakfast tacos? Juan has you covered. Juan in a Million is an Austin staple. Juan and Myrna Meza opened the spot in 1980 and the business has stayed in the family ever since. (Juan will be at the door to greet you with a handshake!) It’s a great spot if you’re on a budget, have a hearty appetite, or you’re looking for breakfast all day. Make a plan to stash your leftovers in your hotel or Airbnb - you’ll definitely need a box!

Location:

2300 E Cesar Chavez Street

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Tips for Planning Your Austin Trip

Plan Your Scooter Routes Ahead of Time

Rideshares and car rentals are available throughout Austin, but scooters offer an easier, cheaper alternative for getting around town. Before you start your trip, download the Bird, Lime, and B-Cycle apps and familiarize yourself with the rules of scootering. Pack a helmet, too!

Put Austin’s Biggest Music Festivals on Your Calendar

Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World year-round, but October and March are the biggest times for live music in the city. For two weekends in October, Zilker Park hosts the Austin City Limits Music Festival. The three-day event showcases headliners from George Strait to Robyn, as well as local Austin acts like Mama Duke.

In March, downtown Austin transforms into a playground of tech conferences, live music, and film screenings. SXSW attracts business leaders and bands from all over the world. While many events require a badge to enter, free shows, talks, and films are available throughout the city at venues like Cheer Up Charlie’s or the Alamo Drafthouse.

Plan With Eater Austin

Making reservations now? Find Austin’s best restaurants with Eater Austin. The website offers listicles and blog posts for every type of eating in Austin, as well as news about openings and a map for easy browsing. Popular restaurants like Aba, Paperboy, and Uchi fill up with reservations quickly. Plan your meals now!

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Austin Travel Guides