Things To Do
Butler Pitch & Putt
Head out in the morning for a short 9 holes and the best fried chicken biscuit in town. Or a post lunch round with the self proclaimed coldest beer in Austin. Or both. Line can get long on a nice day but it's well worth it. I would set aside ~3 hours for this on nice day when it's busy but it can be done in less. A round is ~$10 and you can rent everything there from sticks, balls, cooler, etc... Shoes optional if you want to flip flop around or barefoot it like a true local. Fun for the whole fam and don't forget to hit the merch store!
Farmers' Market Downtown
Kayla and Kobe's favorite Saturday morning activity. Even if you don't buy any organic mushrooms or beet juice, there is a good spot for bagel breakfast sandwiches and coffee in the Republic Square park right there
Barton Springs
Historic swimming hole with cold water year around. Great spot to lay out, people watch, and do one of those cold plunges everyone keeps talking about. Gets busy on a nice and hot day but you can always find a spot to lay. Bring some towels from the hotel but no outside food and beverages allowed besides water bottles. I recommend the local South side hill of the springs which has it's own entry point at 1076 Azie Morton Rd. If you're lucky you may get asked to join a drum circle of old topless hippies
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Take a stroll or sweat out the night before on the biggest and best trail in town. The whole thing is about ~8 miles and wraps around all of downtown. Where you stay will depend on easiest access point but just search "Ann & Roy Hike and Bike Trail" on google maps and it should all come up. The "Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge" is a good central point and has the best view of downtown. You can't go wrong either direction but the Pedestrian Bridge to "MoPac" is a good loop. You can also rent bikes from "Mellow Johnny's" downtown if you want to cover more ground
Paddle Board / Kayak / Canoe
Test the waters with a paddle cruise or kayak up and down Town Lake(aka Lady Bird Lake). Best spot to rent is Texas Rowing Center due to the cleanest water and best views. They have everything from stand up paddle boards, kayaks, or canoes. Take a right off the dock heading West for hill country views or take a left heading East for Downtown Austin views and/or up Barton Creek. Bring a speaker and a cooler or just yourselves. Don't mind the instagram influencers doing yoga standing on their heads on their boards...
Zilker Park
Dog capital of Austin. Bring a speaker and a cooler or just yourself to lay out and people/dog watch
South Congress Avenue
Shop til you drop
2nd Street District
Shop til you drop. If you're staying at the JW, just take a right out of the hotel, cross Congress, and keep going down 2nd street
Terry Black's Barbecue
Just as good as Franklin's but you don't need to wake up at 6am and wait 4+ hours in line... This is the 2nd location of the legendary original in the BBQ capital of Texas - Lockhart. If there is a line, it shouldn't be longer than 15 min and you can order a beer while you wait. Fatty brisket all day(no lean) and the jalapeño cheese sausage. Great Sunday meal if you have a later flight and want to sleep on the plane.
Fareground Austin
One of those new trendy food courts. Right outside the JW Marriott. Great local eats with a full bar and big outdoor space to hang
Central Machine Works
Big indoor and outdoor brewery. They have a full bar, pizza, art, and sometimes live music. Good for rainy or sunny day suds. Fun for the whole family if your kids want to mingle with other brewery kids
Hold Out Brewing
Good brewery with big covered patio, TVs, and a great food menu. Get a Liquid Television Hazy IPA if you want to blend in and the smoke pork wings if they have them.
The Continental Club
Historic indoor live music venue on South Congress. Good option for Friday night if you don't already have plans. ~$10 cover at the door but they have an ATM
Elephant Room
Live Jazz underground. Right by the JW Marriott. Cover charge at the door but they have an ATM
Deep Eddy Cabaret
Local's favorite Dive Bar. Juke box loaded with gold, Ice cold glass mugs, shitty pool tables... it's perfect.