Enjoy South Austin
Food Scene
Just some of the myriad of restaurant choices nearby!
This is secretly a Stubb's barbecue restaurant (renamed Metcalf due to legal stuff). Great outdoor space, huge portions of some of the most excellent barbecue in town. Three minutes away. We hit the place up about once a week or so, and never get tired of it. The grocery store itself is a convenience store with a cafe inside as well. Great outdoor space with live music and a place for kids to play.
8 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Graceland Grocery
8600 US-290This is secretly a Stubb's barbecue restaurant (renamed Metcalf due to legal stuff). Great outdoor space, huge portions of some of the most excellent barbecue in town. Three minutes away. We hit the place up about once a week or so, and never get tired of it. The grocery store itself is a convenience store with a cafe inside as well. Great outdoor space with live music and a place for kids to play.
Some of the best pizza and sandwiches this side of NYC. The place is always packed. Local craft beers and other goodies as well. A favorite of mine and many guests.
110 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Pieous
166 Hargraves DrSome of the best pizza and sandwiches this side of NYC. The place is always packed. Local craft beers and other goodies as well. A favorite of mine and many guests.
Cafe and bakery - great place for breakfast and lunch with a lot of variety. Excellent pastries.
127 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Rolling In Thyme & Dough
333 E Hwy 290Cafe and bakery - great place for breakfast and lunch with a lot of variety. Excellent pastries.
Everybody loves this place for lunch and dinner. Locally sourced Southwestern food, slightly upscale but not too pricey (about $12-$15 a plate). Great food. Lively atmosphere.
89 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Jack Allen's Kitchen Oak Hill
7720 State Hwy 71Everybody loves this place for lunch and dinner. Locally sourced Southwestern food, slightly upscale but not too pricey (about $12-$15 a plate). Great food. Lively atmosphere.
Very cool spot, a sprawling outdoor space with a tasting room with huge variety of craft beer as well as their own specialties. Stanley's farmhouse pizza is on the property too, with outstanding brick-oven pizza. Giant covered seating area, very rustic. You can even ride your horse up to it. Seriously. We've done it.
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Jester King
13187 Fitzhugh RdVery cool spot, a sprawling outdoor space with a tasting room with huge variety of craft beer as well as their own specialties. Stanley's farmhouse pizza is on the property too, with outstanding brick-oven pizza. Giant covered seating area, very rustic. You can even ride your horse up to it. Seriously. We've done it.
Outstanding pizza. Plus, they deliver. A favorite of many guests, and quite close by. Locally owned and very popular.
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Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StOutstanding pizza. Plus, they deliver. A favorite of many guests, and quite close by. Locally owned and very popular.
Run by former Franklin BBQ folks, this place has it. Great Korean-style barbecue and a wide variety of other delicious dishes, excellent cocktails and beer (don’t miss the adult slushies on a hot day). Loads of pleasant outdoor space and parking even!
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Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdRun by former Franklin BBQ folks, this place has it. Great Korean-style barbecue and a wide variety of other delicious dishes, excellent cocktails and beer (don’t miss the adult slushies on a hot day). Loads of pleasant outdoor space and parking even!
Drinks & Nightlife
I’ve been to nearly every major music spot in town, and the Saxon is the king. Always great live music, a lively and colorful crowd, amazing acoustics. Always a great time.
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Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar BlvdI’ve been to nearly every major music spot in town, and the Saxon is the king. Always great live music, a lively and colorful crowd, amazing acoustics. Always a great time.
The Spoke is the kind of honky tonk every other honky tonk aspires to be. Step in, grab a longneck, and bring your dancing boots, because you are going to hear some amazing country music and meet some cool, down-to-earth folks having a great time. Willy Nelson got his start there. If you see a guy with a camera around his neck with long white hair and a beard under a cowboy hat, that's Winker, a local photographer and fixture at the Spoke. Tell him I said hi!
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Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdThe Spoke is the kind of honky tonk every other honky tonk aspires to be. Step in, grab a longneck, and bring your dancing boots, because you are going to hear some amazing country music and meet some cool, down-to-earth folks having a great time. Willy Nelson got his start there. If you see a guy with a camera around his neck with long white hair and a beard under a cowboy hat, that's Winker, a local photographer and fixture at the Spoke. Tell him I said hi!
This little highly walkable area by Ladybird lake has an amazing collection of funky bars, clubs and restaurants. something for everyone here. Less touristy than 6th street, and very Austin eclectic without being too hip for itself. Try the Blackheart for drinks and music, the No Va for upscale authentic Mexican, and Craft Pride for an insane selection of craft beer - heck, try everything. Pop into the lobby at theVan Zandt hotel for a look around at the very cool decor and take a breather in one of a dozen types of comfy chairs.
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Rainey Street Historic District
This little highly walkable area by Ladybird lake has an amazing collection of funky bars, clubs and restaurants. something for everyone here. Less touristy than 6th street, and very Austin eclectic without being too hip for itself. Try the Blackheart for drinks and music, the No Va for upscale authentic Mexican, and Craft Pride for an insane selection of craft beer - heck, try everything. Pop into the lobby at theVan Zandt hotel for a look around at the very cool decor and take a breather in one of a dozen types of comfy chairs.
Technically, it's a restaurant. But it has a fantastic speak-easy vibe going and some of the best cocktails in town. Open the door, brush the heavy velvet curtain aside and behold the amazing prohibition-era type bar. A bit fancy, but worth it. Great place for couples and groups of friends. If there isn't a cool combo playing, just chill and watch the Buster Keaton silent movies they have running on a screen in the main seating area and enjoy the skilled bartenders doing their chemistry experiments.
288 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th StTechnically, it's a restaurant. But it has a fantastic speak-easy vibe going and some of the best cocktails in town. Open the door, brush the heavy velvet curtain aside and behold the amazing prohibition-era type bar. A bit fancy, but worth it. Great place for couples and groups of friends. If there isn't a cool combo playing, just chill and watch the Buster Keaton silent movies they have running on a screen in the main seating area and enjoy the skilled bartenders doing their chemistry experiments.
This is a hidden bar, a speakeasy-type joint, dimly lit, private and cool. It's on the web, but you'd never know it's there from the address. Best to make a reservation on their site. Look for the "Vacancy" sign outside, and push the button near the door that says "Harry Craddock." You'll pay 10-12 bucks for a cocktail, but it will be fabulous.
107 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th StThis is a hidden bar, a speakeasy-type joint, dimly lit, private and cool. It's on the web, but you'd never know it's there from the address. Best to make a reservation on their site. Look for the "Vacancy" sign outside, and push the button near the door that says "Harry Craddock." You'll pay 10-12 bucks for a cocktail, but it will be fabulous.
A secret bar - you have to know how to get in. Located in the same building as a youth hostel. When you enter, look for the little library nook. You'll see a large bookshelf there. Slide it aside to open the door to this great local hangout. Very friendly and knowledgable bartenders, and good eats as well. The meatballs are out of this world.
81 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Firehouse Lounge
605 Brazos StA secret bar - you have to know how to get in. Located in the same building as a youth hostel. When you enter, look for the little library nook. You'll see a large bookshelf there. Slide it aside to open the door to this great local hangout. Very friendly and knowledgable bartenders, and good eats as well. The meatballs are out of this world.
Deep Eddy Vodka has taken the nation by storm, and this is where it all starts. Great tasting room and a fun vibe. Check the hours, though, as they are limited.
This is the biggest of more than a dozen distillers, brewers and wineries along Hwy 290, Fitzhugh Road and other close by spots. I advise you head down the road and do some exploring!
150 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Bilik Perasaan Vodka Deep Eddy
2250 US-290Deep Eddy Vodka has taken the nation by storm, and this is where it all starts. Great tasting room and a fun vibe. Check the hours, though, as they are limited.
This is the biggest of more than a dozen distillers, brewers and wineries along Hwy 290, Fitzhugh Road and other close by spots. I advise you head down the road and do some exploring!
Treaty Oak Distilling
16604 Fitzhugh RdA terrific and fairly new family brewery with a great outdoor space for kids and families to enjoy. These folks know their stuff, and brew great beer. Tasty food available too.
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Fitzhugh Brewing
15435 Fitzhugh RdA terrific and fairly new family brewery with a great outdoor space for kids and families to enjoy. These folks know their stuff, and brew great beer. Tasty food available too.
Parks & Nature
Zilker park is great for walking around, but seriously, go rent a canoe or kayak and paddle out to Ladybird Lake (really the Colorado River) to see the best views of downtown. The water's pleasant, you don't have to fight a current, and you'll glide past downtown Austin on one side, and mostly greenery on the other. Look for the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue down by the water on the south side. A 2-hour rental will more than cover you, and you can still have a pleasant unhurried experience in just one. Very affordable, too.
124 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Zilker Park Boat Rentals
2101 Andrew Zilker RdZilker park is great for walking around, but seriously, go rent a canoe or kayak and paddle out to Ladybird Lake (really the Colorado River) to see the best views of downtown. The water's pleasant, you don't have to fight a current, and you'll glide past downtown Austin on one side, and mostly greenery on the other. Look for the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue down by the water on the south side. A 2-hour rental will more than cover you, and you can still have a pleasant unhurried experience in just one. Very affordable, too.
Not a real mountain. But the best view of Austin anywhere. Head up the trail for 7 mins and look out over the water to the west hills, see the lovely Pennybacker bridge. Then, walk a few steps to see downtown laid out under your feet. You didn't know it was this green around here til you go to Mt. Bonnell. Uphill trail there but not a real climb. I've taken several seniors and they did just fine.
1082 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Mount Bonnell
Not a real mountain. But the best view of Austin anywhere. Head up the trail for 7 mins and look out over the water to the west hills, see the lovely Pennybacker bridge. Then, walk a few steps to see downtown laid out under your feet. You didn't know it was this green around here til you go to Mt. Bonnell. Uphill trail there but not a real climb. I've taken several seniors and they did just fine.
Sightseeing
Every city has one - the famous old landmark hotel. The Driskill is a hub of Austin social life, and a very historic place. LBJ cut a lot of deals and kept himself entertained there. Go grab a drink in the bar and take in the deep-Texas elegant vibe. The flight of whiskeys is highly recommended.
104 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt
604 Brazos StEvery city has one - the famous old landmark hotel. The Driskill is a hub of Austin social life, and a very historic place. LBJ cut a lot of deals and kept himself entertained there. Go grab a drink in the bar and take in the deep-Texas elegant vibe. The flight of whiskeys is highly recommended.
It's the biggest state capitol there is (of course). Full of interesting history and Texas politicians when it's in session. A genuine Texas Ranger will be on hand to keep an eye on things for you. It's free, and fascinating. All that Texas pride stuff emanates from this place. Find out what that's all about. On the grounds, walk around and wonder about whether those Confederate memorials will go somewhere else some day. Also a good place to see cannons.
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Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveIt's the biggest state capitol there is (of course). Full of interesting history and Texas politicians when it's in session. A genuine Texas Ranger will be on hand to keep an eye on things for you. It's free, and fascinating. All that Texas pride stuff emanates from this place. Find out what that's all about. On the grounds, walk around and wonder about whether those Confederate memorials will go somewhere else some day. Also a good place to see cannons.
Entertainment & Activities
You will not have a better movie-going experience. Tasty food and drink (including adult beverages) brought to your seat in the theater, before and even during the show. Get the fried pickles. And you won't have to just sit and watch ads before the movie. The Alamo always has an odd and funny bunch of clips from things related to the show you are coming to see instead. Several locations around town. Seriously, the only way to see a movie, in my opinion.
107 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Slaughter Lane
5701 W Slaughter LnYou will not have a better movie-going experience. Tasty food and drink (including adult beverages) brought to your seat in the theater, before and even during the show. Get the fried pickles. And you won't have to just sit and watch ads before the movie. The Alamo always has an odd and funny bunch of clips from things related to the show you are coming to see instead. Several locations around town. Seriously, the only way to see a movie, in my opinion.
Shopping
There is everything interesting about Austin around the South Congress area (SoCo). If you only have a short time to just soak in an Austin vibe, this part of town is your best choice. Lots of different types of shops and restaurants, from upscale and hip to funky and affordable. Within 4 blocks you can grab some tex-mex, rent a cool costume, peruse vintage stuff, buy books, pick up some local artwork, stop at an old-fashioned candy store, grab a drink and a burger, tip a street performer, and top it off with a cupcake at a food trailer.
650 penduduk tempatan mengesyorkan
South Congress
There is everything interesting about Austin around the South Congress area (SoCo). If you only have a short time to just soak in an Austin vibe, this part of town is your best choice. Lots of different types of shops and restaurants, from upscale and hip to funky and affordable. Within 4 blocks you can grab some tex-mex, rent a cool costume, peruse vintage stuff, buy books, pick up some local artwork, stop at an old-fashioned candy store, grab a drink and a burger, tip a street performer, and top it off with a cupcake at a food trailer.