Things To Do
Texas Capitol
Classic destination with plenty of history, a pretty lawn, and tours of the building. Also a great Pokemon Go spot. Our Memory: When Pokemon Go came out, we went running around the state capitol at midnight to on our quest to catch 'em all!
Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Driskill
An old school hotel in the heart of downtown Austin with a good cafe and a bar that would make any Texas oil tycoon jealous. Our Memory: We've been going to the Driskill for brunch and photos around Christmas time for the past few years. Marianna loves their lox bagel!
Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail
A popular trail for walking dogs, running, and biking that takes you along the lakes of Austin. The trail winds through downtown with access points and parking all along the route, making it easy to choose your distance, detours, and side trips, all in view of the Austin skyline. Our Memory: The trail connects various parking lots to Zilker Park, where the Austin City Limits music festival takes place each year. We always park further out and enjoy the trail each morning on our way to the festival grounds, and then complain about how far the car is on our way back each night after a long day of great live music.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
A beautiful wildflower based botanical garden right near Zilker. A lovely place to visit in the spring and fall to spend some time immersed in nature. Our Memory: The Fairy Walks!
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
A great place to cool off, if you don't mind cold spring-fed water. With an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, this public pool is on every Austin must-do checklist. Our Memory: None. Marianna believes that the water is too cold, so they've never gone together. Maybe one day... (not likely)
Peter Pan Mini-Golf
Another must for any visit to Austin, the giant Peter Pan in front of the entrance is hard to miss. This place is the perfect embodiment of what keeps Austin weird. Our Memory: Surprisingly we haven't made it out here either! Maybe we could go with a group after the wedding?
Congress Bridge Bats
Roll the dice and see if you can experience the largest urban bat colony in the world! 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats live under the Congress Bridge, and some nights they come out in clouds around sunset to stretch their wings and catch bugs. Our Memory:
Wonderspaces Austin
Wonderspaces is a new type of museum with immersive and interactive art shows that have regular changes to the artwork lineup. If you're into drinks, they also have a full bar! Our Memory: TBD. We haven't been able to make it out (even though it's been open for like 5 years), but it's always been on the list of things that we want to do! We'll update this if we visit before the wedding.
The Domain
If shopping is your thing, this is the place! An outdoor mall with lots of shops, restaurants, and places to hang out. Bonus, they have 5 parking garages scattered all over the place, so you can always find covered parking! Our Memories: Lots of shopping, cute coffee shops, sushi and sake bombs, christmas photos. Also Marianna's office is here!
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum exhibits the work of Charles Umlauf and other visual and performing artists in a museum and a garden setting. The UMLAUF provides educational and cultural experiences that encourage the understanding and appreciation of the intersection of nature, sculpture, and the arts. Our Memory: Family photos and wandering down paths.
Jester King -- Brewery, Kitchen, Farm & Event Hall
A place to drink good beer, eat good food, and otherwise just chill out. Plus its just down the road from the wedding venue! Our Memory: We visited many times with both friends and family.
The Original Pinballz Arcade
An arcade packed with classic style arcade games and as the name implies, lots of different pinball machines! Our Memory: Marianna has thrown many of her birthday parties here over the years. The original location is BYOB, perfect for cheap college students.