Guidebook for Austin
Parks & Nature
Barton Springs is a natural spring fed swimming area. Just don't say we didn't say it was chilly but it feels great on a hot day.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdBarton Springs is a natural spring fed swimming area. Just don't say we didn't say it was chilly but it feels great on a hot day.
The Ann and Roy Butler hike and Bike trail is a combination of gravel paths and over water boardwalks that span a 10 mile loop. You never have to cross a road and can loop around in four different places across downtown. I personally use it as my 4.5 mile running loop from the house.
257 locals recommend
Ann And Roy Butler Hike And Bike Trail
The Ann and Roy Butler hike and Bike trail is a combination of gravel paths and over water boardwalks that span a 10 mile loop. You never have to cross a road and can loop around in four different places across downtown. I personally use it as my 4.5 mile running loop from the house.
Barton Springs Pool is fed by natural springs and has a rock bottom. The water is cold but fantastic on a hot Austin summer day.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBarton Springs Pool is fed by natural springs and has a rock bottom. The water is cold but fantastic on a hot Austin summer day.
An Austin original. Graffiti Park is a multi level terraced graffiti extravaganza. According to CultureMap it started as a "temporary SXSW installation from famed street artist Shepard Fairey (the artist behind the iconic Barack Obama "Hope" posters)" See it before it is moved out of Austin in 2019.
207 locals recommend
Graffiti Park at Castle Hill
1008 Baylor StAn Austin original. Graffiti Park is a multi level terraced graffiti extravaganza. According to CultureMap it started as a "temporary SXSW installation from famed street artist Shepard Fairey (the artist behind the iconic Barack Obama "Hope" posters)" See it before it is moved out of Austin in 2019.
Food Scene
Launderette
2115 Holly StAmazing palancha burger and incredible desserts.
Great small plates and fusion dishes. This place would be right at home on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach or SOHO in New York.
99 locals recommend
Juniper
2400 E Cesar Chavez StGreat small plates and fusion dishes. This place would be right at home on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach or SOHO in New York.
A wood fired pizza joint with communal seating. If you aren't there early it will be a thirty minute wait almost guaranteed.
180 locals recommend
Bufalina Pizza
2215 E Cesar Chavez StA wood fired pizza joint with communal seating. If you aren't there early it will be a thirty minute wait almost guaranteed.
Great local pizza joint with classic booth seating. They don't mind our two year old running around and causing havoc. Eat in or takeout with multiple beers on tap. Check out their garlic knots which are fantastic with the gorgonzolla dipping sauce.
71 locals recommend
Southside Flying Pizza
2206 S Congress AveGreat local pizza joint with classic booth seating. They don't mind our two year old running around and causing havoc. Eat in or takeout with multiple beers on tap. Check out their garlic knots which are fantastic with the gorgonzolla dipping sauce.
A local Austin favorite for fresh juice squeezed drinks. There usually is an opportunity so see native hipsters in the wild lined up too.
519 locals recommend
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdA local Austin favorite for fresh juice squeezed drinks. There usually is an opportunity so see native hipsters in the wild lined up too.
New Japanese whiskey bar that serves a unique Japanese Tex Mex small plate menu. The hotpockets are incredible.
151 locals recommend
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
2713 E 2nd StNew Japanese whiskey bar that serves a unique Japanese Tex Mex small plate menu. The hotpockets are incredible.
New micro brewery meets hangout zone. Outdoor tables, bar, and couches inside. Doubles as a coffee bar during the day and micro brewery in the evening.
227 locals recommend
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StNew micro brewery meets hangout zone. Outdoor tables, bar, and couches inside. Doubles as a coffee bar during the day and micro brewery in the evening.
A ranch to table restaurant with nice outdoor seating and a view of the Colorado River. Their burger is excellent and is always $10 at the bar versus $16 at a table.
197 locals recommend
Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile
3235 E Cesar Chavez StA ranch to table restaurant with nice outdoor seating and a view of the Colorado River. Their burger is excellent and is always $10 at the bar versus $16 at a table.
Pitchfork Pretty is a new addition to the neighborhood . They bill themselves as straight up hill country cuisine. They have interesting takes on many fun dishes and have a special barbecue night on Monday. The hightop communal table is also a fun way to meet people and have shared plates.
31 locals recommend
Pitchfork Pretty
2708 E Cesar Chavez StPitchfork Pretty is a new addition to the neighborhood . They bill themselves as straight up hill country cuisine. They have interesting takes on many fun dishes and have a special barbecue night on Monday. The hightop communal table is also a fun way to meet people and have shared plates.
La Barbecue is notable as the founder is related to the local icon of BBQ J. Mueller. Their BBQ is some of the best in Austin and they are now located inside the popular upscale corner grocery called Quickie Pickie. Plan on waiting in a line or pre-order online before your visit.
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StLa Barbecue is notable as the founder is related to the local icon of BBQ J. Mueller. Their BBQ is some of the best in Austin and they are now located inside the popular upscale corner grocery called Quickie Pickie. Plan on waiting in a line or pre-order online before your visit.
Intero is an Italian restaurant that has a daily dinner menu. The food is excellent and they have an assortment of small plates as well as entrees. Don't miss their chocolates and desserts.
They are also open in the morning for coffee.
48 locals recommend
Intero Restaurant
2612 E Cesar Chavez StIntero is an Italian restaurant that has a daily dinner menu. The food is excellent and they have an assortment of small plates as well as entrees. Don't miss their chocolates and desserts.
They are also open in the morning for coffee.
A new take on Mexican food with a great outdoor patio. Now that they are out of their initial opening growing pains they have been getting great reviews.
71 locals recommend
Grizzelda's
105 Tillery StA new take on Mexican food with a great outdoor patio. Now that they are out of their initial opening growing pains they have been getting great reviews.
A combination brewery and nice restaurant. They also have outdoor seating.
27 locals recommend
The Brewer's Table
4715 E 5th StA combination brewery and nice restaurant. They also have outdoor seating.
Vegan food that even I like. :)
Their nachos are tasty and they have a good happy hour.
139 locals recommend
Counter Culture
2908 E Cesar Chavez StVegan food that even I like. :)
Their nachos are tasty and they have a good happy hour.
The smoked buffalo wings are a must try. They also have a full menu and they smoke their own barbecue. The roof top deck is nice especially during cooler weather.
My favorite night is Tuesday when they have all day happy hour which includes their smoked buffalo wings.
48 locals recommend
EastSide Tavern
1510 E Cesar Chavez StThe smoked buffalo wings are a must try. They also have a full menu and they smoke their own barbecue. The roof top deck is nice especially during cooler weather.
My favorite night is Tuesday when they have all day happy hour which includes their smoked buffalo wings.
Drinks & Nightlife
Unmarked location so you have to look for it. Great classic cocktails, outdoor seating, and a co-located food truck.
178 locals recommend
Weather Up
1808 E Cesar Chavez StUnmarked location so you have to look for it. Great classic cocktails, outdoor seating, and a co-located food truck.
Blue Owl Brewing
2400 E Cesar Chavez StSpecializing in sour beers.
Neighborhood bar with live music. The play Criterion Edition movies in the background which is unique.
58 locals recommend
Hi Hat Public House
2121 E 6th StNeighborhood bar with live music. The play Criterion Edition movies in the background which is unique.
A Rainy Street classic relocated to East Austin. Multiple bars, hipster games, food, drinks, and great prices.
118 locals recommend
Lustre Pearl East
114 Linden StA Rainy Street classic relocated to East Austin. Multiple bars, hipster games, food, drinks, and great prices.
Drinks Lounge
2001 E Cesar Chavez StNice patio bar and pool tables inside.
Live music, outdoor patio, and the home of the Toaster food truck. Who knew that a grilled cheese with tomato soup on the inside would be so tasty.
207 locals recommend
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StLive music, outdoor patio, and the home of the Toaster food truck. Who knew that a grilled cheese with tomato soup on the inside would be so tasty.
Great brew pub located just off of 6th street and an easy walk. They have plentiful indoor and outdoor seating. Usually there is a food truck parked outdoors that does gourmet burgers too.
112 locals recommend
Hops & Grain Brewing
507 Calles StGreat brew pub located just off of 6th street and an easy walk. They have plentiful indoor and outdoor seating. Usually there is a food truck parked outdoors that does gourmet burgers too.
Whisler's
1816 E 6th Stcraft cocktails and plenty of beers on tap.
Local brewery located close to food trucks. Nice indoor taproom.
159 locals recommend
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th StLocal brewery located close to food trucks. Nice indoor taproom.
A mescal tequila bar. They also have cocktails, plenty of beers on tab, and wine. They also have two food trucks usually co-located.
50 locals recommend
La Holly
2500 E 6th StA mescal tequila bar. They also have cocktails, plenty of beers on tab, and wine. They also have two food trucks usually co-located.
Arts & Culture
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StThe LB Johnson Presidential Library on the UT Campus.
Essentials
Local Austin grocery store. Anything you need from craft beers to sunscreen and snacks.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdLocal Austin grocery store. Anything you need from craft beers to sunscreen and snacks.
Bread Basket
2228 E Cesar Chavez StNeighborhood convenience store.
Entertainment & Activities
Downtown theater that shows film festival and main run titles. They also have a full bar and menu.
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StDowntown theater that shows film festival and main run titles. They also have a full bar and menu.
An Austin favorite with full bar and food menu. Don't even think about using your mobile phone. They will kick you out in two seconds flat.
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StAn Austin favorite with full bar and food menu. Don't even think about using your mobile phone. They will kick you out in two seconds flat.