Things To Do
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park
Commons Ford is our absolute favorite place in Austin! We go swimming here every weekend during the summer. It's located on Lake Austin, and it's free to the public. We recommend bringing water shoes, a floatie, and shade (like a tent or pop-up canopy). The best part: You can bring your own food and drinks! There are also lots of hiking trails throughout the park. To get to the lake from the parking area, there is a five-minute walk down the trail.
Barton Springs
Barton Springs is a great place to cool off near downtown on those hot Texas days.
Paddleboarding & Kayaking on Ladybird Lake
Paddleboarding or kayaking on Lady Bird is another fun activity on a hot day! There are several facilities that you can rent paddleboards and kayaks from. Texas Rowing Center is a great option!
Hike Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell is a 5-10 minute hike with a beautiful view of Lake Austin at the top.
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria is an outdoor sculpture museum located right on Lake Austin. It's near Mount Bonnell, which makes it really convenient if you want to visit both. Fun fact: Zoe used to intern here!
The Texas State Capitol Building
Self-guided and guided tours are offred in the Texas State Capitol Building. The architecture and grounds are beautiful!
Stroll, Shop, & Eat on South Congress
South Congress is a great place to walk around, shop, and eat! Some of our favorite restaurants and shops on South Congress are Aba, Pearla's, Home Slice, Vespaio, Amy's Ice Cream, Kendra Scott, and Jo's Coffee (where the "I love you so much" wall is). You can also hear live music at the Continental Club and Guero's!
Bat Watching at Sunset
From March to September, thousands of bats fly out from under the Congress Bridge at sunset every night. It's really cool to see in person! There is paid parking next to the bridge.
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
Mozarts is a great coffee shop that's right on Lake Austin! Their patio overlooks the lake, and they also have paddleboard rentals.
Kerbey Lane Cafe - Northwest
Kerbey Lane is a breakfast staple here in Austin! There are locations all over the city, but the one listed is the closest to the Hyatt Place Austin / Lake Travis / Four Points hotel.
Fresa's - 360 & Westlake Dr
Fresa's is our favorite restaurant in Austin! Their Yucatan Spice Chicken is amazing, and their drinks are delicious. We usually go to their location on South First, but there is also a location 15 minutes away from the Hyatt Place Austin / Lake Travis / Four Points hotel.
Aba Austin
Aba is another one of our favorite restaurants! It has an amazing patio and some of the best Mediterranean food in Austin. Their drinks are tasty, too! We definitely recommend getting reservations if possible or going during off-peak dining hours.
Terry Black's Barbecue
If you're looking for good Texas BBQ -- and don't want to wait in line at Franklin Barbecue for four hours, Terry Blacks is a great option!
la Barbecue
La Barbecue is another great barbecue place here in Austin. There tends to be a line, so be prepared to wait a bit if you come here!
Lamberts
Lamberts is an amazing upscale BBQ restaurant in the 2nd Street District. They also have live music upstairs! The 2nd Street District has lots of other great restaurants and shops and is a great place to walk around.
Zilker Brewing Company and Taproom
Zilker Brewing is a fun brewery in East Austin. There are lots of other bars and breweries on the east side that we love to visit, like Lazarus, Whisler's, Cosmic Saltillo, and Revelry.
Central Machine Works Brewery
Central Machine Works Brewery has good beer and tasty food. It's also great for bigger groups!
Meanwhile Brewing
Meanwhile Brewing is a cool spot that has lots of great beer, a few food trucks, and live music!
