Things To Do
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
An iconic taste of Austin. This is a public swimming pool that is a dammed creek and cool year round. On the bohemian side, you might see how weird Austin can get while swimming with turtles. Legend has it that both Robert Redford and Nate Shoemate learned how to swim here.
Zilker Metropolitan Park
A large public park on the south side of the river with a great view of the skyline. Stop in to the botanical gardens. Also, right next to Barton Springs.
JuiceLand
A local Austin staple...if you find yourself in the Zilker Park / Barton Springs area, treat yourself to a nutritious and delicious smoothie.
Lady Bird Lake
Our favorite aspect of Austin. Take a walk, enjoy the scenery, stop for food and drinks, watch the doggos...it's a great time.
Austin Rowing Club
Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and enjoy some time on the lake....it's the premier way to beat the heat and have a sublime afternoon.
South Congress Avenue
The whole strip just south of the river is home to live music, good food, fun shops, and a generally fun atmosphere. You won't regret an evening here.
The Continental Club
Always going to find an awesome live band jamming here with cheap drinks and guaranteed new friends.
Texas Capitol
In true Texas fashion, the same design as the US Capitol building but marginally larger. It's a beautiful building and property, and is right in the downtown.
Franklin Barbecue
Best brisket of your life.....'nuff said. Reservations long in advance are necessary.
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Our favorite concert venue in Austin.
The Roosevelt Room
Phenomenal cocktails. Best in Austin, and probably best for the larger region. Make a reservation.
Central Machine Works
A favorite brewery, located in an old WW2 plane manufacturing hangar. The place has great food, great beers, and an enjoyable and lively ambiance you could spend a whole day/evening in (which we may or may not have done from time to time).
University of Texas at Austin
As a student, Nate is partial, but it's a great and enormous campus with beautiful fountains and statues and buildings that are worth checking out...if you're in to that type of thing. Hook 'em.
Péché
We went here on our second night in Austin...Phenomenal French food, great absinthe selection, and the escargot and quail are a must.
Whisler's
Slip into a secret Mezcal bar located up a stairwell in this sprawling bar on the Eastside of Austin.
Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden
Epic place to grab a coffee, a drink, or a combination thereof. If you have time and it hasn't sold out check out Leroy & Lewis, one of the top rated BBQ spots in all of Texas.
Spyglass Trailhead at Barton Creek Greenbelt
This is our favorite trailhead for the wonderfully verdant Barton Greenbelt. Check out Tacodeli for food before or after a jaunt along the winding trail.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Learn how the west was won.
Bananarchy
There's always money in the banana stand.
Zilker Botanical Garden
The second best botanic garden in Austin...
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
While we would recommend Barton Spings Municipal Pool over Deep Eddy, the latter is ideal for the keen lap swimmer. Check out Pool Burger for a tasty treat after you crush some laps.
YETI
The official flagship store of YETI is pretty cool… get it? Check out the bar on the front porch of this store for an icy treat.
Tiki Tatsu-Ya
Rainforest Cafe for adults with refined palates. Check out one of the best tiki bars in the country!
Mount Bonnell
Check out Mount Bonnell for a sweeping view of Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. You can drive here and it is a ~3 minute walk up a flight of stairs to take in the view.