Contents
Austin | Introduction
Austin, Texas, is a well-known city that serves as both the state capital and a hub for the tech industry. In recent years, more and more tech professionals have moved to this city, drawn by its relatively low cost of living and pleasant environment. However, when people ask, “What’s fun to do in Austin?” they often don’t get many specific answers. In fact, Austin is famous not only as the “Live Music Capital of the World” but also for its outdoor activities, delicious food, and rich culture. From the lively nightlife on 6th Street and the scenic green spaces of Zilker Park to authentic Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex cuisine, Austin’s charm is something you have to experience for yourself.
This article will share must-visit attractions and must-try food in Austin so you won’t miss out on this vibrant city the next time you visit Texas.
Weather Tip: Located in the southern U.S., Austin’s summers can be quite hot, making winter a more comfortable time to visit, with milder weather.
Austin | 2-Day Itinerary
Austin is a relatively small city, and you can cover the main attractions in one to two days. Most tourist spots are concentrated in the downtown area, including the Texas State Capitol, the museum district north of the Capitol, South Congress Avenue, the bar district near 6th Street, and Zilker Park. Here’s a detailed two-day itinerary:
- Day 1: In the morning, visit the Texas State Capitol and join a free tour. Then head north to the museum district and explore the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin. Originally, we planned to visit the LBJ Library but skipped it. After visiting the museums, walk south along Congress Ave in front of the Capitol and have lunch along the way. After lunch, continue south, cross the Congress Ave Bridge, and stroll around South Congress Ave. After shopping, walk back to the riverside Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk to enjoy the river view. Walk east, cross the bridge back to the north bank, and head to Rainey Street for dinner and drinks. After that, explore East 6th Street at night. This itinerary is quite packed since it involves walking the whole way. If you don’t have enough stamina, you can take a car or split the itinerary into two days.
- Day 2: In the morning, drive to Pennybacker Bridge to enjoy the city view. Then head to Zilker Park, where you can spend most of the day outdoors, walking along the riverside. In the evening, visit Rainey Street for some beer and then return downtown for dinner.
Austin is best experienced at a leisurely pace. Spending two days here allows you to enjoy the laid-back vibe, stroll along the Colorado River, and soak in the city’s live music, delicious restaurants, and cozy bars. Plus, Austin’s proximity to Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio makes it easy to include all these cities in a multi-day Texas trip. On our trip, our main destination was Big Bend National Park, and a two-day stop in Austin was the perfect addition.
Austin | Accommodations
Austin offers various accommodation options. If you want to experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere, downtown near 6th Street is a great choice. It’s convenient, with restaurants, bars, and live music venues all within walking distance, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the "Live Music Capital of the World”. For a more laid-back vibe, South Congress Avenue (known as SoCo) is another popular area. It’s home to boutique hotels, unique restaurants, and stylish shops, making it perfect for those who prefer a relaxed, artistic environment.
Book a stay in Austin?
Recommended Accommodations | Hyatt House Austin Downtown
We stayed at Hyatt House Austin Downtown and were very satisfied. The room was spacious and clean, and while not the closest to tourist spots, it was still within a reasonable distance. Plus, the Christmas holiday rate was only around $100. Our flight arrived at 6 a.m., and the hotel staff kindly allowed us to check in early, so we had a full day and a half to rest and explore. Overall, great value for money.
Book a stay at Hyatt House
Austin | Attractions
Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol is a landmark and one of Austin’s most popular tourist destinations. We entered from the south side, where there’s a visitor center with interesting exhibits on Texas history and culture. Texas is known for its hospitality, and you can even pick up free tourist guides in signature Texas-themed bags that say, "Don’t mess with Texas”.
Austin and its neighboring cities have quite a rich history. During the colonial era, Austin was part of Mexican territory. Later, Texas gained independence from Mexico and established the Republic of Texas, with Austin as its capital. Eventually, Texas joined the United States.
The Texas State Capitol is surrounded by large green spaces, where you can spend quite some time strolling around. The statues scattered throughout the grounds tell the story of Texas's history.
The building itself is quite grand and imposing, designed to resemble the United States Capitol. It is said to be slightly larger than the U.S. Capitol, fully showcasing Texans' love for everything big.
The current building was constructed in 1882. Before that, there was a smaller state capitol building. Texas later decided to build a more impressive one and held a nationwide design competition. Detroit architect Elijah E. Myers was selected to design the current Capitol. Myers was quite famous and could be considered a specialist in designing state capitols—besides the Texas State Capitol, he also designed the Michigan and Colorado State Capitols.
After a quick and easy security check, you can explore the interior, which offers free guided tours daily at 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. If you miss the tour, grab a free brochure for a self-guided tour filled with detailed information.
As soon as you enter from the south entrance, you will see two statues in front of the gate: the one on the left is called Stephen F. Austin, the father of Texas, after whom the city of Austin is named; the one on the right is Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas and the first governor of Texas, from whom another Texas city, Houston, takes its name.
The central rotunda is the highlight, with a dome towering 280 feet above. Be prepared—it might make you a little dizzy when you look straight up! The walls are adorned with portraits of every Texas governor, arranged in chronological order, with the most recent ones on the ground floor.
The marble floor features six rings representing the six nations that have governed Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States, and the United States. If you’ve heard of Six Flags amusement parks, the name actually refers to these six flags.
Due to the growing number of legislators, additional office space was needed over time. An underground extension was built with skylights to create a more open feel, and you can see this impressive addition from the north side of the Capitol.
The northern side of the Capitol allows you to see this part from the outside, and it is equally impressive.
Across 11th Street to the south, you'll find the Texas Governor’s Mansion, which looks like a miniature White House.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Texas has a fascinating history. If you want to learn more, visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum near the Capitol. At the entrance, you’ll find the eye-catching Lone Star of Texas. Known as the "Lone Star State," Texas uses the star as a symbol, which you’ll see everywhere.
Blanton Museum of Art
The Blanton Museum of Art, located at the University of Texas, Austin, is best known for Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin, often called the “Rainbow Chapel.” Although it’s not actually a chapel, its architecture resembles one. From inside, you can admire the colorful light filtering through three windowed walls, making it a popular spot for photos.
The museum itself is not very large and takes about one to two hours to explore, but it's well worth a visit. If you come on a Thursday, admission is free!
Congress Ave
Congress Ave, or Congress Avenue, is a boulevard that runs north-south from the Texas State Capitol. Walking south from the Capitol, you’ll eventually reach the lively South Congress Ave, perfect for shopping. The entire avenue is quite long, but at least walking a portion of it is recommended to enjoy the artistic vibe and atmosphere, which is quite different from the bustling crowds of South Congress Ave.
Along the way, you’ll find numerous restaurants and shops, making it a great spot for lunch after visiting the Capitol. You might also check out the Mexic-Arte Museum, located along the avenue.
Congress Ave Bridge
Continuing south, you’ll arrive at Congress Ave Bridge, famous for housing around 1.5 million bats underneath. Every summer at dusk, they emerge en masse to hunt for food—an incredible sight to behold. If you're visiting between March and October, this is a must-see experience. However, during winter, the bats migrate south to Mexico, so you can only enjoy the scenic views from the bridge during that time.
South Congress Ave
South Congress Ave is another great spot for dining and shopping, filled with quirky, artistic shops. Even though we visited on a weekday during the off-season, it was still quite crowded.
Some notable shops include Allen’s Boots, known for its cowboy boots and hats. The store is large, offering various styles and lengths of boots.
Another must-see is Jo’s Coffee, famous for the "I love you so much" mural on its exterior wall, which attracts many visitors for photos.
The avenue is home to many unique restaurants and shops, often accompanied by street performers, making the shopping experience even more enjoyable with live music playing in the background.
Colorado river
The riverside trail along the Colorado River is essentially a waterfront park. A quick look at the map shows that the river runs through Austin, with trails and parks lining both banks, offering a scenic and leisurely walk.
During our two days in Austin, we spent quite a bit of time near the river. Although there are many well-known spots along the river, traveling between them can take time. If your stay in Austin is short, it's best to choose a park near the sights you plan to visit and enjoy a walk along the river.
Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk
The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk is located east of Congress Ave. If you're visiting Congress Ave or Rainey Street, it's the perfect place to take a stroll.
There are free parking spots under the park bridge on the north bank, which is convenient if you plan to walk to Rainey Street afterward. Even in December, Austin's trees still looked like autumn, creating beautiful scenery. Along the riverbank, you can sometimes spot turtles basking in the sun.
Zilker Park
On our last day, we visited Zilker Park and the Barton Springs Municipal Pool area, then walked along the Lady Bird Trail. Zilker Park is a large green space along the Colorado River and serves as a venue for many outdoor events. If you want to explore further, renting a bike is a great option since there are bike paths on both sides of the river. Overall, it’s a perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities.
We walked all the way to Lou Neff Point, where the tributaries converge. Many people were kayaking and enjoying the outdoors—perhaps this is the Austin lifestyle.
Several bridges along the river offer crossings to the opposite bank. On the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, we came across a live music performance, so we stopped for a while to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. The river views on a sunny day are stunning.
Pennybacker Bridge
Also located on the Colorado River, this large bridge is northwest of downtown Austin and requires a car to reach. It offers a great overlook for panoramic views of the city.
Finding the overlook can be a bit tricky since there are no clear signs. After crossing the bridge, look to the left where you'll see cars parked along the roadside. Follow their lead, park your car, and hike up a steep trail to the viewpoint. The trail is quite steep, so it may not be suitable for seniors or young children.
6th St
6th Street is Austin’s famous nightlife district, lined with bars—perfect for an evening drink. Live music fills the air as you walk past numerous bars, and the nightlife truly comes alive after dark.
This district also has historical significance. One landmark is The Driskill, a hotel built in 1886 and one of the oldest buildings in Texas. Colonel Driskill built the hotel to showcase Austin’s wealth, and its grand marble hall still exudes elegance. Every Texas governor holds their inaugural ball here. Inside, the Driskill Bar is one of 6th Street’s most popular bars.
Rainy street
Rainey Street is another bar district, but compared to 6th Street, its bars are mostly converted houses, creating a more relaxed atmosphere. Originally a residential area, these houses have been transformed into unique bars, each with its own character. There are also numerous food trucks nearby.
After nightfall, the bars quickly fill up, with lines forming outside. Live music is everywhere, creating a vibrant but laid-back vibe that attracts many young people looking to unwind with friends.
Austin | Dining
Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
When in Texas, you can’t miss BBQ! We originally planned to try Stubb’s BBQ, but it was closed that day, so we opted for Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ instead. Located on Congress Ave, it’s quite convenient and within walking distance of the Capitol.
Upon entering, there’s a bar where you can order drinks. Further inside, you can choose your meat, and we couldn’t resist ordering a bit of everything: fatty brisket, sirloin, short ribs, and beef ribs. When ordering brisket, you can choose fatty or lean cuts—the fattier ones are usually tastier. We also ordered grilled corn and potato salad as side dishes. After ordering, you can grab free sauce and beans from the side counter.
If you want alcohol, head to the bar. The bartender was incredibly friendly, chatting with us and recommending several other bars. We tried Austin Amber and Snowman Stout—both were excellent.
The restaurant had a great atmosphere, and since we arrived early, it wasn’t too crowded. Overall, the pork was better than the beef, with the brisket being the standout dish. It’s their signature item, and after trying BBQ at other places in Texas, we still think Cooper’s brisket is the best.
Terry Black's BBQ
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
Terry Black’s BBQ has three locations in Texas, with its original location in Lockhart. The Austin location is near Zilker Park. The restaurant is large, but the parking lot is small, so finding a spot can be tricky. The line can be long, but you can order a drink at the bar near the entrance while you wait. We had Shiner’s Black Lager and a Margarita and passed the time browsing the gift shop, so the wait didn’t feel too long.
Here, you order side dishes first, followed by the meat. Be careful not to order too many sides if you're hungry—some customers were ordering side dishes by the quart (32 oz), which comes in a big bucket! We ordered the smallest 5 oz portions. For meat, we got brisket, short ribs, beef ribs, and sausage. We intended to order less this time, but the server accidentally dropped a big piece of meat onto our tray and gave it to us for free—so we still ended up with too much food! We couldn’t finish it all and had to take some home.
Overall, I preferred Terry Black’s to Cooper’s, especially their beef ribs, which were incredibly flavorful.
Jo's coffee
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
Jo’s Coffee is famous for its "I love you so much" mural on South Congress Ave. While we only took photos there, we tried their coffee at the downtown location. They use Stumptown coffee beans, which we already love. The café also offers a variety of simple meals, making it a popular breakfast spot.
On our way back at the airport, we stopped by Jo’s Coffee again for their famous breakfast tacos and cold brew. My friend loved the cold brew, while I devoured the breakfast taco in no time!
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$$$
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is housed in a historic building, with higher prices but excellent service. I recommend coming during Happy Hour (4-6 p.m.) for drinks and appetizers.
We sat outside on the patio, enjoying the comfortable atmosphere. Their cocktails were great—I especially loved the Frozen Bourbon Slush and almost ordered a second one. For food, my favorite was the Corn Dog Shrimp appetizer. We also tried Deviled Eggs, Grilled Romaine, and Chicken Fried Steak. Surprisingly, the Grilled Romaine was quite tasty, though the other dishes were just average.
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
Banger's Sausage House & Beer GardenThis bar on Rainy Street is known for its great selection of beers and is a great place for beer tasting. We were dumbfounded by the selection of beers on the wall, so we had to ask the bartender for a list to get our bearings, and you can get four beers per serving, but if you're having trouble choosing, they do offer some combinations, so you can find one that suits your preferred type of beer.
You can choose four beers for a tasting flight, but if you have trouble deciding, they offer pre-selected combinations based on different preferences. We chose: Zilker Icy Boys: A light, smooth white beer. Zilker Coffee Milk Stout: Surprisingly smooth with a rich coffee flavor. Live Oak Big Bark Amber: A light amber beer that became our favorite. 512 Pecan Porter: A thick, dark porter with less bitterness than expected.
Gus's Fried Chicken
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $
Gus’s Fried Chicken is said to be the best fried chicken in Austin, though it's actually a chain that originated in Memphis and now has locations in many states. After eating so much BBQ, we decided to try some Southern-style fried chicken.
The seasoning was excellent, and the thighs were especially tender and juicy. However, the chicken breast and wings we tried were a bit dry, suggesting some inconsistency in quality. Still, if you love fried chicken, it’s worth a try!
Further reading
- Check out more posts about Texas
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