Guidebook for Austin
Essentials
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdOpen 24-Hours
Headquarters for Whole Foods Market. Great organic foods and just a nice place to hang out on the terrace and soak up the sun while eating a healthy lunch.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdHeadquarters for Whole Foods Market. Great organic foods and just a nice place to hang out on the terrace and soak up the sun while eating a healthy lunch.
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdSimilar to Whole Foods, but generally cheaper.
Unique neighborhood store. You can buy 1000s of flags, groceries, wine and a large variety of beers. They also allow you to buy mix-n-match six packs. Great for trying beers.
United States
4429 Duval StreetUnique neighborhood store. You can buy 1000s of flags, groceries, wine and a large variety of beers. They also allow you to buy mix-n-match six packs. Great for trying beers.
Everything Else
The Peddler Bicycle Shop - Hyde Park
5015 Duval StLocal bike shop
Headquarters for a lot of events in Austin, including SXSW.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdHeadquarters for a lot of events in Austin, including SXSW.
Best swimming hole in the country. Spring fed and a constant, chilly 68 degrees year-round.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBest swimming hole in the country. Spring fed and a constant, chilly 68 degrees year-round.
Another of our great parks in Austin. Off-leash dog park that hosts the largest free artist spotlight shows during SXSW.
246 locals recommend
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrAnother of our great parks in Austin. Off-leash dog park that hosts the largest free artist spotlight shows during SXSW.
Nelo's Cycles & Coffee
8108 Mesa DrLocal bike shop.
Rent your canoes and paddle boards here and have some fun floating on Town Lake.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdRent your canoes and paddle boards here and have some fun floating on Town Lake.
Greyhound: Bus Station
363 E Koenig LnThe only Greyhound station in Austin, only a short distance from our house.
The only Amtrak stop in Austin. From here, you can connect to San Antonio or Dallas and head almost anywhere.
9 locals recommend
Austin Station
250 N Lamar BlvdThe only Amtrak stop in Austin. From here, you can connect to San Antonio or Dallas and head almost anywhere.
The pool at Deep Eddy is one of two natural pools in Austin; the other being the more famous Barton Springs in Zilker Park.
25 locals recommend
Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park
401 Deep Eddy AveThe pool at Deep Eddy is one of two natural pools in Austin; the other being the more famous Barton Springs in Zilker Park.
A bike and rollerblades only track that's 16ft wide and runs only clockwise. Each loop is approx 3.5 mi or 5.6 km. Great place to ride without traffic.
6 locals recommend
Veloway
VelowayA bike and rollerblades only track that's 16ft wide and runs only clockwise. Each loop is approx 3.5 mi or 5.6 km. Great place to ride without traffic.
The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceHigh-end shops
Nice hiking, mountain biking and off-leash dog park within city limits.
108 locals recommend
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 N Lamar BlvdNice hiking, mountain biking and off-leash dog park within city limits.
The homestead of Thomas McKinney, one of the original Anglo settlers of Texas. Ruins still remain from the homestead and the park is within Austin and easily accessible.
376 locals recommend
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyThe homestead of Thomas McKinney, one of the original Anglo settlers of Texas. Ruins still remain from the homestead and the park is within Austin and easily accessible.
Spring-fed, but not natural bottom. This pool is warmer than Barton Springs and open year-round. It is even heated in the winter.
158 locals recommend
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak StSpring-fed, but not natural bottom. This pool is warmer than Barton Springs and open year-round. It is even heated in the winter.
More than you even want to know about Texas' (often over)-proud history.
593 locals recommend
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress AveMore than you even want to know about Texas' (often over)-proud history.
Among other exhibits, the library contains a 7/8 scale model of LBJ's Oval Office when he was President. Everything looks exactly as it did when he was in office.
240 locals recommend
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StAmong other exhibits, the library contains a 7/8 scale model of LBJ's Oval Office when he was President. Everything looks exactly as it did when he was in office.
Oldest operating hotel in Austin. Absolutely gorgeous architecture, and the desserts in the attached bakery are amazing.
104 locals recommend
The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt
604 Brazos StOldest operating hotel in Austin. Absolutely gorgeous architecture, and the desserts in the attached bakery are amazing.
A technical driving course that opens its gates on Thursday evenings from March to October for some of the best cycling criteriums around, possibly in the country.
7 locals recommend
Driveway Austin Motorsports
8400 Delwau LnA technical driving course that opens its gates on Thursday evenings from March to October for some of the best cycling criteriums around, possibly in the country.
Sightseeing
Often claimed to be the highest point in Austin, though it's not, it still has wonderful views of the hill country and the city.
36 locals recommend
Covert Park at Mount Bonnell
3800 Mt Bonnell RdOften claimed to be the highest point in Austin, though it's not, it still has wonderful views of the hill country and the city.
Where all the decisions, both the good and the terrible ones, happen.
1119 locals recommend
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveWhere all the decisions, both the good and the terrible ones, happen.
German artist, mainly sculpture, who spent half her life in Europe and half in Texas. She did works for heads of state in Europe and other prominent people. The castle at this location was her home.
77 locals recommend
Elisabet Ney Museum
304 E 44th StGerman artist, mainly sculpture, who spent half her life in Europe and half in Texas. She did works for heads of state in Europe and other prominent people. The castle at this location was her home.
A cave discovered when drilling core samples to test if the ground was solid enough to support the then-planned I-35. In the cave are fossilized remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.
129 locals recommend
Inner Space Cavern
4200 S I-35 Frontage RdA cave discovered when drilling core samples to test if the ground was solid enough to support the then-planned I-35. In the cave are fossilized remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.
Gather here at sunset/dusk in the spring and summer months when the world's largest urban bat colony takes flight each night. The south end of the bridge has a viewing area and there are cruises too.
100 S Congress Ave
100 South Congress AvenueGather here at sunset/dusk in the spring and summer months when the world's largest urban bat colony takes flight each night. The south end of the bridge has a viewing area and there are cruises too.
Butler Metro Park
1000 Barton Springs RdSome of the best views of downtown.
19 Redbud Trail
19 Redbud TrailQuite possibly the best view of the city.
Awesome views of Lake Austin, the hill country and some surreal homes out there. Also one of my favorite cycling routes.
2234 Scenic Dr
2234 Scenic DriveAwesome views of Lake Austin, the hill country and some surreal homes out there. Also one of my favorite cycling routes.
Arts & Culture
They have an original Gutenburg Bible and the original photograph, taken by Nicéphore Niépce in 1825. Generally free admission.
127 locals recommend
Harry Ransom Center
300 W 21st StThey have an original Gutenburg Bible and the original photograph, taken by Nicéphore Niépce in 1825. Generally free admission.
UT Football, sit on the southwest end to get a look at Bevo.
97 locals recommend
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
2139 San Jacinto BlvdUT Football, sit on the southwest end to get a look at Bevo.
UT Basketball and many other events and concerts are held here.
48 locals recommend
Frank C. Erwin, Jr., Special Events Center
1701 Red River StUT Basketball and many other events and concerts are held here.
UFCU Disch-Falk Field
1300 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdUT Baseball
Uniquely Austin movie experiences. This is probably the best location.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdUniquely Austin movie experiences. This is probably the best location.
Alamo Drafthouse Village
2700 W Anderson LnUniquely Austin movie experiences.
Texas Stars ice hockey plays here and they host concerts and other events. The arena only holds around 6000 people, so every seat is amazing.
61 locals recommend
H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
2100 Ave of the StarsTexas Stars ice hockey plays here and they host concerts and other events. The arena only holds around 6000 people, so every seat is amazing.
Food Scene
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StGreat tacos. Eat local.
The bike shop of bike shops in town right now. Fastest turn around on bike repairs. $1 shower if you're riding into downtown. They have a nice cafe and coffee bar inside too.
29 locals recommend
Mellow Johnny's
115 Nueces StThe bike shop of bike shops in town right now. Fastest turn around on bike repairs. $1 shower if you're riding into downtown. They have a nice cafe and coffee bar inside too.
Local coffee shop in the heart of the hip, local boutique-laden part of town, South Congress, or SoCo.
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveLocal coffee shop in the heart of the hip, local boutique-laden part of town, South Congress, or SoCo.
El Chile Cafe y Cantina
1900 Manor RdNice patio, best mole sauce I've had.
Hoover's Cooking
2002 Manor RdSouthern comfort food done right.
Mandola's Italian Kitchen
4700 W Guadalupe StGreat Italian.
Kooky and goofy. This is NOT Mexican food, but some really great Tex-Mex. The Big as Yo Face Burritos are amazing. This is the original.
412 locals recommend
Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdKooky and goofy. This is NOT Mexican food, but some really great Tex-Mex. The Big as Yo Face Burritos are amazing. This is the original.
Reminds me of a non-enclosed mall, but with some great restaurants (and some mediocre ones) and amazing views, especially sunset, over Lake Travis.
506 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailReminds me of a non-enclosed mall, but with some great restaurants (and some mediocre ones) and amazing views, especially sunset, over Lake Travis.
Artisan sausages and hot dog inspired foods. These guys are always trying new things with weekly specials and bacon-infused whiskeys and such. Highly recommended.
45 locals recommend
Frank
407 Colorado StArtisan sausages and hot dog inspired foods. These guys are always trying new things with weekly specials and bacon-infused whiskeys and such. Highly recommended.
Oddly high class for barbeque, and every bit as good as Franklin BBQ, without having to wait all morning in line. You must have the brisket here.
154 locals recommend
Lamberts
401 W 2nd StOddly high class for barbeque, and every bit as good as Franklin BBQ, without having to wait all morning in line. You must have the brisket here.
It's small and in an old house with little air conditioning, but the food is fantastic. Just watch out for the summer months when the heat is overwhelming in Austin.
25 locals recommend
Rio's Brazilian Cafe
408 N Pleasant Valley RdIt's small and in an old house with little air conditioning, but the food is fantastic. Just watch out for the summer months when the heat is overwhelming in Austin.