Things To Do
Leona Botanical Cafe & Bar
A botanical garden, cafe, and bar with food from popular local spots like Dee Dee (Thai) and Veracruz All Natural (Mexican). It offers specialty coffees, cocktails, and food in a lush, garden-like setting with indoor/outdoor seating.
Phoebe's Diner - Shady Hollow
Classic diner vibes meet southern smokehouse flavors. Serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch daily from 7am - 3pm.
Kerbey Lane Cafe - South
Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe is a locally owned Austin restaurant serving a housemade menu since 1980. Guests visit for all day breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring pancakes, queso, hearty entrées, locally roasted coffee, fresh juices, and craft cocktails. This is one of our go-to restaurants! We highly recommend the kerbey queso, it is an Austin must!
Magnolia Cafe
An Austin classic that serves all day breakfast!
Mattie's
Mattie's is a renowned Southern restaurant in Austin, Texas, located on the historic Green Pastures estate, known for its elevated comfort food, farm-fresh ingredients, and charming atmosphere with roaming peacocks. It offers brunch, dinner, and dessert with a rustic yet upscale vibe!
Juliet Italian Kitchen- Barton Springs
Juliet Ristorante offers exquisite Italian dining, brunch, dinner, desserts, wine, and cocktails. Guests can enjoy a carefully crafted menu of over 265 scratch-made recipes, a beautiful patio with an outdoor bar, and a daily Happy Hour perfect for mingling. We recommend the chicken parm and Aperol spritz!
Chuy's
At Chuy's, enjoy bold Tex-Mex flavors and Texas-size plates that won't break the bank. Make sure to get the creamy jalepeño dip!
De Nada Cantina
De Nada Cantina is a popular Austin taco spot known for its handmade blue corn tortillas, creative tacos (like carnitas and sweet potato), and strong margaritas, with locations in East Austin and a newer one on South First Street. It offers a casual, vibrant atmosphere with a focus on shareable plates, a solid drink menu, and weekend brunch, making it a go-to for both quick bites and lively hangouts.
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
The Petescia family’s favorite BBQ spot!
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
An Austin staple! We highly recommend their brambleberry crisp ice cream!
Amy's Ice Creams
Our favorite ice cream shop!
South Congress
Experience what it's like to have to back your car into a diagonal parking spot and walk the shops on both sides of the street and enjoy the amazing restaurants! Pro-tip: get a picture at the I love you so much sign!
West 6th Street
The heart of Austin’s nightlife, ranging from dive bars to upscale rooftop bars! We recommend Barbarella, Roosevelt Room, Speakeasy, and Coconut Club.
Armadillo Den
Armadillo Den is a large, South Austin bar and entertainment venue on three acres, known for its spacious outdoor area with live music, yard games, and an off-leash dog park. It features a two-story bar with numerous draft beers and cocktails, a 13-foot LED TV wall for sports, and a rotating selection of food trucks. This is one of our favorite spots to hang out at, and bonus points if you drink an Austin Eastcider here!
Cidercade Austin
A large arcade bar with over 150 free-play games, including retro classics, modern titles, and rhythm games, for a flat $12 admission fee. It features a full bar with house-made hard cider, craft beer, and other drinks, plus a restaurant serving pizza, wings, and salads. We recommended relaxing on their patio that shows a view of the Austin skyline and ladybird lake. This is one of our favorite spots in Austin! Fun fact: Caitlyn held a top score on one of their old pinball machines!
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (ABGB) is a popular brewpub in Austin known for its craft beer, pizza, and live music, featuring a large indoor/outdoor space with picnic tables, a stage, and a dog-friendly, family-friendly atmosphere. It's a casual spot with a focus on in-house brewed beers, seasonal pizzas, and a lively, community-oriented vibe, making it a quintessential Austin experience
Barton Springs Pool
Outdoor pool with water fed from the nearby natural springs, plus it has a view of downtown Austin!
Zilker Botanical Garden
Zilker Botanical Garden is a 28-acre oasis that features themed gardens like the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and Rose Garden, connected by streams, waterfalls, and ponds, offering a tranquil escape with diverse plant life, including native species, succulents, and a butterfly garden.
Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail
The Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail, officially the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, is a popular 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, offering scenic paths for walking, running, and biking with views of the city skyline, parks, and wildlife. Key features include the Ann and Roy Butler Pedestrian Bridge, the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue at Auditorium Shores, and the Statesman Bat Observation Center near the Congress Avenue Bridge, with amenities like restrooms, water fountains, and boat rentals available.
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria is a 14-acre art-in-nature site on Lake Austin, featuring the historic 1916 Driscoll Villa, a sculpture park with works by international artists, an art school, and gardens with walking trails. Visitors can explore winding trails, enjoy lakeside views, and discover art integrated into the landscape.
Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell, located in Covert Park in Austin, Texas, is a popular scenic overlook on Lake Austin, known for its panoramic views of the lake, downtown, and the Hill Country, accessible via a short climb up stone stairs. It's a historic landmark, named for George W. Bonnell, and offers free access, parking, and is a great spot for sunsets, photos, and picnics. Plus, this is where Jaxon proposed to Caitlyn!
Texas Science & Natural History Museum
The Texas Science & Natural History Museum, located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, explores the natural history of Texas through its extensive collections, featuring exhibits on paleontology (like the Texas Pterosaur), geology, and biology, with a focus on the state's unique environment from prehistoric times to the present. General admission tickets cost $10.
Blanton Museum of Art
The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin is Central Texas's largest art museum, featuring over 22,000 works with strengths in modern and contemporary American and Latin American art, Old Master paintings, and prints and drawings. Key features include rotating exhibitions and immersive outdoor art experiences. General admission tickets cost $15.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas, is the state's official history museum, located near the State Capitol, and tells the "Story of Texas" through three floors of exhibits, an IMAX Theatre, and the Texas Spirit Theater. It features artifacts, films, and interactive displays covering Texas history from early encounters to the present, with highlights including the hull of the shipwreck La Belle. The museum offers educational experiences for all ages, with a cafe, store, and special exhibits. General admission tickets cost $17.
Texas Capitol
Admission is completely free, and you can explore the 22-acre grounds, historic chambers, and the impressive rotunda on your own or via a free guided tour.
LBJ Presidential Library
The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum in Austin, Texas, is a historical museum and research center on the University of Texas campus dedicated to the life and presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th U.S. President. It houses millions of historical documents, photos, and recordings, and features exhibits like a replica of the Oval Office, artifacts from the Johnson administration, and displays on major legislative achievements such as the Civil Rights Act and Medicare. General admission tickets cost $16.
Chili's Grill & Bar
Chili’s on 45th and Lamar is a classic Austin experience (if you know you know).
