Nate & Giang
Things To Do
🛍️ Shop & Stroll
📍 South Congress Avenue (SoCo) Trendy shops, food, murals, and music! 📍 2nd Street District Boutiques, brunch spots, and a fun walk downtown. 📍 The Domain Upscale shopping with restaurants and bars — Austin’s second downtown! 📍 University of Texas at Austin #1 public university of Texas and top 50 global.
📸 Scenic Spots & Photo Ops
🌅 The Oasis on Lake Travis Unbeatable sunset views over the lake. Great for photos and cocktails! Fajitas are decent, but food/service can be hit-or-miss. Tip: Go an hour before sunset to snag a patio seat. 🌄 Mount Bonnell Quick hike + amazing views of the river and city — perfect for a quick scenic stop! 💧 Hamilton Pool Preserve Stunning grotto + waterfall, about 45 min from Austin. Reservation required. 💦 Swimming may be closed. Short rocky hike — wear good shoes! ☀️ Zilker Park & Barton Springs Relax, rent a paddle board, or take a dip in the natural spring pool. 🚶 Lady Bird Lake Trail Scenic 10-mile trail for walking, biking, or sunrise jogs. 🌉 Austin 360 Bridge Short hike to a cliffside view of the iconic bridge over Lake Austin. 📸 Great at sunrise or golden hour! 🌊 Jacob’s Well A stunning underwater cave and natural spring in Wimberley (~1 hr away). 📆 Reservation required to swim (seasonal) 💦 Water is crystal clear and chilly — fun day trip!
🖼️ Museums & Family-Friendly Spots
🖌️ Blanton Museum of Art Modern and classic collections. 🔬 Thinkery Interactive children’s museum. 📚 LBJ Presidential Library For the history lovers in your group!
Favorite Vietnamese Restaurant
🍲 Bếp Cô Thắm Authentic homestyle dishes, and the owner -Cô Thắm truly is the sweetest! 🍽️ Must-try: Bánh mì chảo, Nem nướng tray, Bột chiên, bún riêu. 🍜 Sài Gòn 512 Family-run and super cozy. Simple, delicious, and consistent. 🍽️ Our fav: Bún đậu mắm tôm, Bánh khọt, Bánh ướt, Bún chả Hà Nội, Hủ tiếu áp chảo. 🍹 1618 Asian Fusion Trendy Vietnamese fusion with modern cocktails and bold flavors. 🍽️ Favorites: Five samplers, Pineapple Fried rice, Filet Mignon Green Curry and Flaming Cheesecake with coconut ice cream. ✨Reservations recommended. Fancy vibe — great for dinner with friends or date night. 🥢 Phở Phong Lưu Hidden gem with the most authentic Phở in Austin. 🦀 Deckhand Oyster Bar & Seafood Casual spot with fresh oysters and spicy seafood favorites. Try the Cua rang muối (roasted crab with salt), Gỏi đu đủ ba khía (papaya salad with fermented crab), and of course, oysters.
🍜 Favorite Asian Restaurants
🥩 Gangnam Korean BBQ Best Korean BBQ in town — quality meats and fun grill-it-yourself experience. 🔥 KPOT Korean BBQ and hot pot all in one spot — perfect for group dining and variety lovers. 🍣 Kan Sushi Top-notch all-you-can-eat sushi with premium options and fresh selections. 🍖 Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Popular Japanese BBQ chain — great meats and authentic flavors for grilling at your table. 🥢 Bamboo House Famous for their crispy, juicy Peking duck — carved table-side and served with all the fixings. ✨ Reservations recommended or go early before it sells out! 🍮 Hui Lau Shan Hong Kong-style dessert shop known for mango everything, right next to Bamboo House. 🧧 QI Austin: Modern Asian Kitchen odern Chinese cuisine with bold flavors and beautiful plating. ✨ Great ambiance and cocktails — ideal for a nice dinner out. 🥟 Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum Elevated dim sum and Chinese dishes in a cozy, stylish setting. 🥢 Perfect for brunch or a slightly upscale dinner.
🌮 Eat Like a Local
🔥 Franklin Barbecue or Salt Lick World-famous brisket — arrive early! 🧁 Mozart’s Coffee Roasters Lakeside coffee shop with beautiful views of Lake Austin. Great for pastries, espresso, and a quiet moment by the water. 📸 Popular photo spot, especially around sunset or during their holiday light show (seasonal). 🍔 In-N-Out Burger West Coast fast food classic — quick, affordable, and consistent. 🍟 Tip: Try it "Animal Style" for extra flavor! 🥞 Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Bright, modern diner with creative twists on brunch classics. 🍳 We love the eggs Benedict with extra crispy hash browns. ☕ Usually busy — check wait times online or go early.
🍹 Bars & Nightlife
🏠 Rainey Street Chill bungalow bars + food trucks. 🎉 6th Street Lively (and loud!) — great for late-night fun. 🍸 The Roosevelt Room Craft cocktails in a chic downtown setting.