city of Austin Travel Guide
Austin travel guides are everywhere… Where to eat, where to sleep, what to see. We’re here to bring you the ultimate City of Austin Travel Guide based on your vacation personality type! Experience Austin from the adrenaline-pumping side, the fancy side and everything in between.
Who do you want to be in Austin, Texas?
The Nature-Lover
You’re in the right place. Austin is a thriving city, but it’s also the place for all things outdoors. Here’s the breakdown of how to explore Austin like a true nature-lover!
To Eat: For a quick bite or cozy lunch at a cafe, Flower Child is a lovely one-stop shop with colorful, healthy meals and the aesthetic to match. The cafe is vegan/vegetarian-friendly with gluten-free options, as well! For those searching for the best spots with a concentration on vegan/vegetarian dishes, locals love Bouldin Creek Cafe (still has many non-vegan, non-vegetarian options), and a personal fav, Beer Plant (an all-vegan gastropub with Buffalo Cauliflower “Wings” that you can’t miss!) Definitely grab an on-the-go bite at Arlo’s plant-based food truck (It’s glorious. I mean, they have a Mac n Cheese Burger with plant-based patties… ‘nuff said.) For your nice dinner out, Eden East is the farm-to-table spot of the night, and stop by Sweet Ritual for a vegan milkshake (I’m not vegan, and it’s the best milkshake I’ve ever had.)
To Do: Here’s where the real exploration begins. Austin is home to various natural pools and springs and great places to hike. A favorite among ATX hikers is the Barton Creek Greenbelt. This greenbelt contains about 13 miles of gorgeous trails with the main stretch spanning 7 miles. Not only is it a local hot spot, but it’s among the top trails in Texas. If you only get to hike once on your visit, we highly recommend this, or what is quite possibly the most Austin experience ever: a Yoga Hike. Yoga Hike is a local company founded by Yogi, Christopher Howell. Go on an excursion just outside of the city that allows you to mix the relaxing nature of yoga with the powerful scenery of nature. As for going for a swim in nature’s creations, do you really need convincing? Whether you visit the beautiful Hamilton Pool, McKinney Falls or the famous Jacob’s Well (or all 3), you can’t go wrong. If you’re just in Austin for a brief trip (or if you find some free time), head over to the Rowing Dock for kayaking rentals and lessons to row along the scenic Colorado River that runs right across downtown!
To Stay: If you don’t mind venturing out of the city to truly embrace nature, we have (in our opinion) the coolest stay for you. Right outside the city in Dripping Springs, Texas, Lucky Arrow Retreat provides beautiful cabins and cozy Yurts nestled in the woods. It’s a step away from camping, and the perfect getaway from city life when you need to truly escape into nature. If you’d rather stay in the city, Hotel San Jose provides some greenery among the city lights in their bungalow-style hotel located right on bustling South Congress. Who needs a car when you’re staying on the most lively street in the city, with restaurants and vintage shops as your friendly neighbors and downtown as your neighborhood stop, right around the block.
To Sweat: The best part about exploring nature is that it’s pretty easy to get your daily exercise in without even thinking about it. However, if you find yourself wanting a vacation workout, Austin is a great spot to get your sweat on and keep it zen. Black Swan Yoga is arguably our most popular yoga studio and a must-try! The wonderful instructors offer classes of all levels whether you’re in need of a challenging vinyasa flow or are looking to try yoga out for the first time. Let’s say you did the Yoga Hike and want to step outside of your comfort zone, but still get in a solid workout. Blue Lapis Light is a local aerial dance company, whose studio is located in South Austin tucked back in the woods with tons of natural light bouncing off of its clean, white walls. Stop by on a Sunday for a conditioning class in the silks (open to all levels, including first-timers) or an open studio session if you have some silks experience under your belt.
The Adventurer
Adventure in Austin goes hand-in-hand with nature. However, if you want to step it up a notch, this is the list for you, thrill-seekers.
To Eat: Highly-favored by locals is the delicious and picturesque Pool Burger located right next to Deep Eddy Pool. It’s your perfect post-adventure grab’n’go, or if you have 15 minutes to spare, grab a seat on a Tiki stool and hang for a bit. Worry not, here come the more “out-there” restaurant suggestions. Situated near downtown is a personal favorite, Holy Roller. If you’re a music lover, like myself or want to branch out with unique foods, this self-proclaimed “funky punk rock diner” is one of our top recommendations. Think comfort foods with a quirky Austin twist. Other sit-down restaurants that will satisfy your taste for adventure are Loro, where Asian smokehouse meets Texas BBQ and Banger’s, where the specialty is sausages of just about every variety imaginable (and even some unimaginable… Like, you probably weren’t thinking Rabbit & Mushroom Sausage, but yep, they have it.) Austin is famous for its food trucks, so we can’t leave you without recommending The Mighty Cone, a city staple that wraps crunchy chicken in a tortilla cone… just trust me on this one, it’s delicious and perfect for eating on-the-go. Aaaand probably the most adventurous suggestion yet, Love Balls food truck offers Japanese street food in the form of Takoyaki. For those who don’t know, that’s a hot pancake ball filled with octopus, scallions and pickled ginger and topped with brown sauce, kewpie mayo, bonito and seaweed flakes. So, just how adventurous are you?
To Do: What you really came for… Let’s dive right into the best adventure activities in/near ATX with Skydive Spaceland. Sure, you can skydive probably just about anywhere, but what better time to do it than on vacation? Just south of Austin in nearby San Marcos lives Skydive Spaceland, where first-time divers are welcome to jump with an experienced instructor from 14,000 ft. If you’d rather seek adventure from the ground (or water), I feel you and we’ve got you covered, too. Hit Austin’s beautiful Colorado River right downtown via Live Love Paddle and kayak your way under the famous Bat Bridge (Congress Bridge) as the bats make their way out for the night, or book yourself a Full Moon Music Paddle. When the sun is gone for the day, tour Austin in what is possibly the coolest way to tour a city - via Haunted ATX. It’s exactly what you think it is. A van (or your party’s own private hearse) will take you around the city to all of the haunted spots where you’ll be able to get out and explore the grounds… and possibly, see some paranormal activity. It’s quite literally a thrill ride. Last, but not least, you can’t have Austin adventures without a Texas Longhorns game or some classic Texas horseback riding. When in Austin, right?
To Stay: The place you lay your head at night can be an adventure, too. Native Hostel is a chic East Austin hostel & cafe that allows you to meet new people where you bunk. Even if you don’t decide to book your stay, it looks so cool that you at least have to stop in for a coffee or beer. If you’re looking for a standard hotel, but far from ordinary, The Line Hotel places you right between Town Lake and downtown. What’s better than stepping right outside your door to where both city and nature adventures await?
To Sweat: Let’s hope you’re not too tired from all of the adventuring to hit up some of Austin’s coolest workout spots. Low lighting and bangin’ beats will pull you into Austin’s #1 fitness kickboxing class, Knockout. Bring your own hand wraps or purchase some there for just $6. Gloves come free with your first class, so get ready to hit some bags and let the sweat drip. For those who enjoy mixing it up with crossfit style training, Outsiders ATX offers a different style workout each day in a concrete, graffiti-covered studio that will make you feel on top of the world. Seriously though, I feel like that environment would just make me feel 10x stronger, no?
The Executive
So, you have a little extra money to spend? It’s vacation after all, right? It’s the best time to live lavish, and sure, Austin keeps it weird, but we can keep it classy too.
To Eat: For your morning brunch or a quick stop at a cafe, Josephine House is your go-to. I recommend not missing this one. It’s cute, stylish, sophisticated, but still more casual than your dinner plans. I had what was probably the best waffle (and syrup) of my life here, so the food is simply unmissable. Your dinner recommendations come in all types of cuisines, but always elegant. Juniper offers Italian-inspired plates paired with amazing gin cocktails, while Uchi serves sushi plus creative hot & cold Japanese dishes from renowned chef Tyson Cole. Another top tier spot for Japanese fare is Otoko, an intimate space within a hotel that specializes in omakese tasking menus and craft cocktails. For Mediterranean cuisine, Lenoir meets vintage and chic with a touch of romance. It’s the perfect spot for a date night or a girl’s night out, where pictures will definitely be taken. If you’re looking for some uniquely Austin places, Arlo Grey provides dishes by Top Chef 10 winner Kristen Kish, all while you take in the beautiful view at this lakeside restaurant, and Odd Duck provides locally sourced New American plates in a contemporary, upscale eatery.
To Do: Get out on the water with your own private party through Lake Travis Yacht Rentals. Then, spend a recoup day pampering yourself with some retail therapy at Austin’s beautiful outdoor shopping center, The Domain. Continue with some R&R at the exquisite Milk and Honey Spa, or the #1 non-toxic nail care spa in the city, TenOverTen. Feeling like a day out? Take a swing at golf at Austin Golf Courses for a day, and end the night with a stroll down the lively South Congress.
To Stay: Our top hotel recommendation for a perfect blend of Austin vibes and elegant decor is the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt. HVZ is one of Austin’s newest downtown hotels and its focus on the city’s live music scene (featuring various music-themed rooms) will make you feel like you’re truly staying in Austin, with all of the luxuries of a 4-star hotel. Interested in staying in a place that means something, is rich in history and possesses picturesque architecture? The Driskill Hotel is a grand building located downtown that dates back to 1886. With all of the modern accommodations you love, you can experience historic Austin. Last, but not least, they’re everywhere, but always a solid choice. The Four Seasons Hotel provides a reliable stay pretty much anywhere you go, and Austin is no exception. Enjoy the familiarity of a well-known and renowned hotel, with views that you can only get in ATX.
To Sweat: Vacation means you can skip the workout routine if you want to. But sometimes, experiencing a class in a new city is the best way to do it. Reform Pilates offers both public and private Pilates sessions in a light-filled studio. You can also squeeze in a Pilates session or dance class at the prestigious Ballet Austin. Ballet Austin is the largest combined training facility associated with a professional ballet company in the United States, and all levels are welcome to try drop-in classes. Missing your preferred regimen or personal trainer while you’re on vacay? Hire a PT for your stay!
The Influencer
No shame in the game. For those looking for the most Insta-worthy locations that inspire picture-perfect moments, we’ve got the cutest spots in Austin that are quality, too!
To Eat: There are few places to grab a bite in Austin that aren’t photo worthy, but Elizabeth St. Cafe’s pink door and lights against their teal walls add a whole other layer of Instagram-worthy. However, its adorable decor isn’t the most interesting thing about this cafe. The kitchen serves up French bites for breakfast and Vietnamese plates for lunch & dinner, making it one of the most unique (and delicious) cafes around. We told ya, we’re bringing you quality behind the cuteness. For sit-down restuarants, Suerte and Grizzelda’s bring you top-notch Mexican food in style. Equipped with cute lights and chic patio seating, Eberly offers contemporary American cuisine complete with a rooftop bar. Continue your night out at Las Perlas Mezcaleria, a craft cocktail bar with an eclectic jukebox. For your final night in the city or a special occasion, Green Pastures Events is a 19th century lush green property with a restaurant inside by the name of Mattie’s. Peacocks roam the grounds (yeah, real ones) and the property has a space for weddings, so you know its beauty is exceptional. When your sweet tooth comes around, Taco Sweets has ice cream tacos with tortilla cones (plus, cereal as a topping!) and Fluff Meringues & More has unique, tasty treats in a modern (and gorgeous) patisserie.
To Do: Grab a day pass to the boutique Hotel Ella’s beautiful pool. Your pass purchase also includes access to the courtyard, a towel and valet parking. Go for a swim, and take plenty of photos by the leaf-covered walls and white chairs with aqua blue pillows. Post-swim, get your nails done at Cute Nail Studio. That’s actually the salon’s name and it 100% lives up to it. This magic rainbow-colored East Austin gem is LGBTQIA+ safe, adorably pink inside, and it offers some of the best nail art around + much more (like tooth gems!) Be sure not to miss this one - you and your Instagram will be better for it. Austin is all about keeping it weird and fun, right? Coco Coquette knows this as well as we do, and they have the themed wig parties to prove it. Try on various wigs and do makeup with friends (private parties are available for booking, as well.) They once had a Victorian-era theme night… How cool is that? As the night comes to a close, grab a cocktail at Upstairs Circus or make a day-trip out of it to attend one of their Project Socials, where patrons can participate in a variety of DIY projects (like leather working and jewelry making.)
To Stay: Hotel Saint Cecilia is probably the cutest hotel in the city. Yeah, we went there. Have your pick of stylish poolside bungalows, chic and cozy studios and intricately themed suites. The pool and lobby are Instagram-worthy themselves, with the pool sporting a pink neon glow sign that reads “Soul.” Lower on the price range, but just as cute is East Austin Hotel which hosts colorful poolside rooms and affordable cabins.
To Sweat: Who said you can’t sweat in style? Barre3 is an exercise studio that offers various barre and fitness classes. With tons of natural light flowing in and uniform orange exercise balls, the class is a perfect place to snap a pic before or after your session. Want to try something new? Take an aerial yoga class at SUKHA Yoga & Wellness as the sun sets. The dim purple studio lighting against the white silks is definitely cause for you to phone a friend to grab a photo of you while you stretch it out upside down.