Things To Do
Bat Bridge
Located closest to the SOCO Hotel is the infamous Austin Bat Bridge. This is one of the first things Chase and Sophie discovered during their first trip together to Austin. Needless to say, Chase is a huge fan of the bat bridge and will try to take you to the bridge any time you come to visit. The bat bridge hosts the largest urban bat colony in the world, estimated at 1.5 million bats. It is a maternity colony, and female Mexican free-tailed bats raise an estimated 750,000 pups each year at the bridge. If you're interested in watching them fly, be sure to make your way over before dusk to catch a glimpse at a beautiful event.
Food and Drink
In order from closest to furthest Away from South Congress Hotel BBQ: Terry Black's (most famous), Cooper's Old Time Pit, Green Mesquite BBQ - Barton Springs. American: June's All Day, Joann's Fine Foods (Sophie and Chase's favorite), Summer House on Music Lane, Lou's - Barton Springs, Jewboy Burgers. Mexican: Vespaio Ristorante, Chapulin Cantina, Guero's, Torchy's, Matt's El Rancho. Pizza: Home Slice, Southside Flying Pizza, Via 313, Pinthouse Pizza, Aviator Pizza. Cafes/Brunch: Jo's Hot Coffee Good Food, Magnolia Cafe, Freddo ATX, Two Hands, Swedish Hill, Cosmic, Radio Coffee & Beer, Proud Mary Coffee, Bouldin Creek, Snooze Eatery. Breweries: Hold Out Brewing, Meanwhile Brewing, Central Machine Works, Lazarus Brewing Company. More Expensive Dining: Aba, Perla's, North Italia, Taverna, Oseyo, Intero.
Barton Springs Pool
Bring your swimsuit with you and come take a dip in one of Sophie and Chase's favorite spots to hang out. The pool is fed by underground springs so you'll find the pool a crisp 68-70 degrees year round.
Kayaking - Town Lake
With multiple entry points and rental companies, you can go kayaking around Town Lake as much or as little as you'd like! Please be cautious swimming in the actual lake as it is fed by runoff from the town, so can be unsanitary at times, especially during times with heavier rain.
Town Lake Trail - Walk, Bike, Run
Spanning over 10 miles of walking, biking and running trails, you'll be able to enjoy the outdoors while also taking in the city.
Deep Eddy Pool
If you've ever heard of Deep Eddy Vodka, then you'll be thrilled to check out the historic pool that this vodka name stemmed from. This man made pool is the oldest swimming pool in Texas. The pool gets it's name from an eddy formed by a large boulder in a popular swimming area on the river. Cold springs rose from the river banks next to this popular swimming area and the water from these springs continue to fill the pool today. After taking a dip, be sure to check out Pool Burger for some pricy but popular burgies!
Texas State Capital
The Texas State Capitol is the capitol and seat of government of the American state of Texas. Located in downtown Austin, Texas on the same street as South Congress, the structure houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and of the Governor of Texas.
Blanton Museum of Art
The Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest university art museums in the U.S. with 189,340 square feet devoted to temporary exhibitions, permanent collection galleries, storage, administrative offices, classrooms, a print study room, an auditorium, shop, and cafe.
Zilker Botanical Gardens
The Zilker Botanical Garden is a botanical garden of varied topography located on the south bank of the Colorado River.