Your Quick Guide to Austin, Texas for a Great Trip

Austin, Texas is one of my happy places. To tell you the truth, the first time I went to Austin was on a whim. My friends and I were looking for a cheap spring break vacation and stumbled upon an inexpensive vacation package. We didn’t know much about Austin but we figured any place south would be better than March in Ohio. Little did I know, not only was I about to have a great trip but also an experience that, to this day, keeps bringing me back.

Austin is quirky and fun mixed with laid back Southern charm. The food is great, the beer is cold and entertainment will keep you coming back for more. Trust me when I say Austin is one of the best kept secrets in the United States. Between browsing the local shops, checking out the town artwork or relaxing in the surrounding parks there is really something for everyone here. Oh and did I mention it’s super dog friendly? Need I even say more?

Where to Stay

If you’re anything like me, you know that finding a hotel that fits your needs is key to a smooth vacation. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. I’ve tried my best to find you some great hotels to make your stay in Austin amazing!

• If you want to be close to the action:
  • Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown- University
    • Why you’ll love it: Hotel Indigo Austin is located within easy walking distance from all of the great restaurants and bars on Austin’s famous E 6th Street.
  • Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt
    • Why you’ll love it: Located right off of Rainey Street, you’ll have access to plenty of quirky bars, upscale restaurants and tasty food trucks. This hotel is also within easy walking distance to the South Congress Ave Bridge (aka bats!- more on this later)
• If you’re looking for a good deal:
  • Hyatt Place Austin Downtown
    • Why you’ll love it: Cheaper price doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality and comfort. This hotel is located in downtown Austin just a short walk away from South Congress Avenue.
• If you want a break from the city life:
  • Lakeway Resort and Spa
    • Why you’ll love it: Located on Lake Travis about 30-35 minutes outside of downtown Austin, this gorgeous resort has everything you need for a relaxing stay. Cool off in one of the three pools (and swim up bar!), relax in the hot tub or even take advantage of the activities on the beautiful Lake Travis.

Where To Eat

Maybe you’re one of those people that practices self control while on vacation- you go girl. I am not one of those people. Give me all the food. The following are some great options for dining while in Austin.

• Franklin Barbecue
  • Why you’ll love it: One of the most popular barbecue restaurants in the area (heck, maybe the country), this place doesn’t disappoint. Serving your typical barbecue fare (think brisket, ribs, pulled pork) with an upgraded barbecue taste. The downside is Franklin is only open for lunch and only until they run out. Lines normally start forming at 9 or 10 in the morning (opens at 11 am). You can preorder here but the catch is it needs to be ordered a week in advance and you must order at least 5 pounds of meat- trust me though, it’s totally worth it.
• True Food Kitchen
  • Why you’ll love it: If you’re looking for a great, health conscious option while on vaca, this one’s for you. True Food Kitchen offers fresh and seasonal menu items and is vegetarian and vegan friendly. It is also great for those looking to avoid certain allergens. Their menu features appetizers, pizzas, bowls and burgers. They also have a tasty looking desert menu and serve wine, beer and cocktails.
• Churro Co
  • Why you’ll love it: For those who don’t know, churros are a fried dough pastry traditionally covered in cinnamon sugar. How does it get more amazing than that you might ask? By adding some delicious toppings of course. While Churro Co does serve up tasty traditional churros, I suggest checking out one of their signature flavors. My recommendations? Try the Texas Comfort (tossed in cardamom sugar, topped with home-made apple pie, salted caramel, and whipped cream) or the Date Night (tossed in popcorn sugar, topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle and a dash of sea salt). For more food truck recommendations, check out this blog by So Much Life.

What To Do

You’ve slept, you’ve gotten something to eat…now what? Austin has so much to offer and it’s an easy city to explore.

• Texas State Capitol
  • Why you’ll love it: Let me first start off by saying it’s absolutely free to visit the Capitol. Yes, free as in no money. Not only is it free to enter and explore, they also offer a free guided tour which is a great way to hear the history of the massive structure. If guided tours aren’t your thing, make sure you at least pick up a self-guided tour pamphlet. When you’re done visiting the building, take a stroll around the 22 acre grounds complete with monuments, historical structures and perfectly manicured lawns.

• Austin Bats
  • Why you’ll love it: Definitely the most unique experience, if you’re in Austin from March to October definitely check out the bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge. At around dusk, well over a million bats emerge from underneath the bridge and fly off into the night. Summer is the best time- we last visited in mid-March, there were quite a few bats but no where near a million. It still was a pretty cool experience to see so many bats flying at one time.

• Zilker Botanical Garden
  • Why you’ll love it: If you think botanical gardens are only about the flowers you’re sadly mistaken. We decided to take a spur of the moment stop at the Zilker Botanical Garden and we had the best time. The Gardens are a nice little break from city life. You almost can forget you’re even in a city until a break in the trees gives you an amazing view of the Austin skyline. From the impressive Japanese Garden to the cute pioneer villiage, plan on spending an hour or two taking a break from the busy city atmosphere.
• Dirty Sixth
  • Why you’ll love it: If you’re looking for a good (and sometimes sloppy) time, check out some of the bars on Sixth Street. Dirty Sixth can be a little Bourbon St-esque, which depending on what you’re looking for in a night out might not be a bad thing. I suggest checking out the Midnight Cowboy, a intimate bar with a speakeasy vibe.
• Barton Springs Pool
  • Why you’ll love it: If you’re looking for an oasis, look no more. Barton Springs Pool is a natural swimming pool located in Zilker Park. The pool is suited for year round swimming as the water hovers around 70 degrees at all times. Important to note is the pool is closed most of the day on Thursdays to allow for cleaning.