Things To Do
Cosmic Pickle
Great spot for coffee & craft cocktails as well as some fun food trucks. The ambiance is outdoors and very casual. Parking can be limited depending on when you go. You may find some live music here.
Meanwhile Brewing
This is a great spot to bring the whole family! Kids have a play structure and small soccer field to play on, while the adults can relax anywhere in the extensive outdoor areas, as well as indoors. Enjoy a fine selection of beers on tap! You may get lucky and find a band playing on the stage! We live really close to this place and we are frequent visitors. It's usually pretty crowded on weekends though, but still worth checking out.
Zilker Botanical Garden
If you want a lovely walk in a Texas garden, Zilker Botanical gardens is the place. Great for the whole family!
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
This is another great garden to walk through featuring more of Texas' native plants. We have walked the trail and I have taken many photos of beautiful flowers.
Holey Moley Golf Club Austin
This is a new fun and trendy place to hang out. This indoor miniature golf place features 3 different courses! Add a hand crafted cocktail while you play! Kids can come too! Apparently they also have karaoke. Danny and I have played all 3 courses and all are great, but there could be a little bit of a line wait at the holes at prime time. That's ok though, because you will be sipping on one of their awesome cocktails.
West 6th Street
This stretch of road is found west of Congress Ave. and covers several blocks. This is a general place to find fun bars, live music, and dancing. Our local college students frequent this area.
East 6th Street
East Sixth coveres blocks of two areas, one of which is known as "Dirty Sixth" which is several blocks between Congress Ave. and I-35. Dirty Sixth is more of the historic section of downtown and has lots of bars, dancing, and live music. There are a few places here we would recommend: The Blind Pig, Friends Bar, for great live music, and around the corner on Red River Street is Barbarella, our favorite place to go dancing. The other section of Sixth Street mentioned stretches from I-35 and eastward, just known as "East Sixth". Covering several blocks are new hip bars, restaurants, and some dancing and live music. Danny and I hang out in this area often.
South Lamar Boulevard
Another great hot spot for restaurants and bars is on South Lamar. Here, you can find Gibson Bar, Soto Sushi, Uchi, HighBall, and others.
Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room
This is Texas' flavored vodkas tasting room. Check it out if you can!
Terry Black's Barbecue
Texas BBQ
Franklin Barbecue
Texas BBQ
The Salt Lick BBQ
This is a well visited spot known for its great ambiance and BYOB policy.
South Congress
Also known as SoCo, is found over several blocks just before you cross the bridge over the river into downtown and is a iconic Austin spot to visit, specially for visiting guests. It features great restaurants, shopping and a few bars and live music. If you find yourself there in the evening, check out the historic Continental Club for some awesome live music.