Guidebook for Austin
Drinks & Nightlife
Great movies, food and beer while you watch. An Austin destination.
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Slaughter Lane
5701 W Slaughter LnGreat movies, food and beer while you watch. An Austin destination.
This is THE bar strip. It's more for the college-aged crowd with everything from dancing to live music to shot bars and tattoo parlors. Fun to walk through even if you don't stop in anywhere.
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West 6th Street
West 6th StreetThis is THE bar strip. It's more for the college-aged crowd with everything from dancing to live music to shot bars and tattoo parlors. Fun to walk through even if you don't stop in anywhere.
This has been a nightlife spot since before Austin was booming. Bars, coffeehouses, tapas (last time I checked--turnover can be kind of high in this town). A great spot to just wander and check out different places.
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West 6th Street
West 6th StreetThis has been a nightlife spot since before Austin was booming. Bars, coffeehouses, tapas (last time I checked--turnover can be kind of high in this town). A great spot to just wander and check out different places.
Bars and restaurants, breweries and food trucks. If you want it, chances are Rainey Street has it. This is one of the newer Austin scenes, and it's a great one to check out.
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Rainey Street
Rainey StreetBars and restaurants, breweries and food trucks. If you want it, chances are Rainey Street has it. This is one of the newer Austin scenes, and it's a great one to check out.
If you like jazz, you have to visit the Elephant Room. A basement spot on Congress, it just feels like a jazz club should feel.
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Elephant Room
315 Congress AveIf you like jazz, you have to visit the Elephant Room. A basement spot on Congress, it just feels like a jazz club should feel.
This is another iconic Austin spot, now surrounded by tall building, but never out of place. Go here for country music and dancing. You'll never meet nicer cowboys than you will in this spot.
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Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdThis is another iconic Austin spot, now surrounded by tall building, but never out of place. Go here for country music and dancing. You'll never meet nicer cowboys than you will in this spot.
This place is best described as an outdoor dive bar, pretty near the house. When you drive up to it, you'll say "Really? Recommended?" But when you get inside, you'll see. Comfy casual outdoor seating (some indoor too, but count on outdoor), friendly staff, and though I haven't tried it, I've heard from friends that the food is really, really good. Upscale bar food in a downscale setting. This isn't an Austin must-see, but if you're looking for something that's close by and has less crowds than downtown, this is a great spot to hang out/chill out.
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The Little Darlin'
6507 Circle S RdThis place is best described as an outdoor dive bar, pretty near the house. When you drive up to it, you'll say "Really? Recommended?" But when you get inside, you'll see. Comfy casual outdoor seating (some indoor too, but count on outdoor), friendly staff, and though I haven't tried it, I've heard from friends that the food is really, really good. Upscale bar food in a downscale setting. This isn't an Austin must-see, but if you're looking for something that's close by and has less crowds than downtown, this is a great spot to hang out/chill out.
Food Scene
Another destination spot. 24 hour cafe with breakfast all day and night (awesome gingerbread pancakes) a good mix of veg and non-veg menu offerings. A fun stop after a show late night or next morning.
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Kerbey Lane Cafe - Southwest
4301 W William Cannon DrAnother destination spot. 24 hour cafe with breakfast all day and night (awesome gingerbread pancakes) a good mix of veg and non-veg menu offerings. A fun stop after a show late night or next morning.
This place has great coffee, beer, food, but you're really going for the ambience. They often have bands and other events, so check before you head out. Great people watching, beautiful outdoor seating. Near UT Campus.
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Spider House Ballroom
2906 Fruth StThis place has great coffee, beer, food, but you're really going for the ambience. They often have bands and other events, so check before you head out. Great people watching, beautiful outdoor seating. Near UT Campus.
Another great little coffeehouse in South Austin. Beautiful outdoor seating and food trucks if you get the munchies.
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Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdAnother great little coffeehouse in South Austin. Beautiful outdoor seating and food trucks if you get the munchies.
Breakfast tacos as big as your head. If you go during a festival, go early or expect a line. Everyone seems to want a Juan in a Million breakfast taco!
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Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StBreakfast tacos as big as your head. If you go during a festival, go early or expect a line. Everyone seems to want a Juan in a Million breakfast taco!
This little spot in East Austin also boasts some great breakfast tacos. I think it's just so-so for afternoon and evening fair, but I'll go for breakfast any day.
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Mi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdThis little spot in East Austin also boasts some great breakfast tacos. I think it's just so-so for afternoon and evening fair, but I'll go for breakfast any day.
Polvos is a bit of a hole in the wall, but it has to-die-for Interior Mexican food. It can be really crowded for weekend breakfasts. I usually go for lunch/dinner because I think their post-breakfast food is the best. Splurge on the salsa bar. You'll be glad you did.
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Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
2004 South 1st StreetPolvos is a bit of a hole in the wall, but it has to-die-for Interior Mexican food. It can be really crowded for weekend breakfasts. I usually go for lunch/dinner because I think their post-breakfast food is the best. Splurge on the salsa bar. You'll be glad you did.
Another fun Austin restaurant - American food, amazing fries (I don't know how they do it, but they're awesome), wonderful breakfasts.
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Hyde Park Bar & Grill Westgate
4521 West Gate BlvdAnother fun Austin restaurant - American food, amazing fries (I don't know how they do it, but they're awesome), wonderful breakfasts.
This is a taco destination for breakfast or lunch (no dinner hours, and it closes early afternoon--2:00 last I checked). This location is near a greenbelt hiking entrance, so a popular spot for hikers to reward themselves for exercise well-done. There are others around the city, and they are always crowded.
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Tacodeli
1500 Spyglass DrThis is a taco destination for breakfast or lunch (no dinner hours, and it closes early afternoon--2:00 last I checked). This location is near a greenbelt hiking entrance, so a popular spot for hikers to reward themselves for exercise well-done. There are others around the city, and they are always crowded.
This is the best sushi you will ever eat, but be warned, it is expensive. If you're looking for a fine dining option, I can't recommend Uchi enough.
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Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdThis is the best sushi you will ever eat, but be warned, it is expensive. If you're looking for a fine dining option, I can't recommend Uchi enough.
Nanami is really a really good sushi spot right next door. If you're looking for sushi and don't want to deal with a drive, I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
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Nanami Sushi Bar & Grill
9001 Brodie LnNanami is really a really good sushi spot right next door. If you're looking for sushi and don't want to deal with a drive, I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
Excellent barbecue a little north of here. If you are planning a tour of the UT campus, it's just down the road.
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Black's Barbecue Austin
3110 Guadalupe StExcellent barbecue a little north of here. If you are planning a tour of the UT campus, it's just down the road.
This is an outdoor location--a food truck with plenty of seating. The barbecue is really excellent, but get there early. Like 11:00a.m. or even earlier. A line forms, and when they're sold out, they're sold out. Beef ribs that could tip a Flintstone's car.
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La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StThis is an outdoor location--a food truck with plenty of seating. The barbecue is really excellent, but get there early. Like 11:00a.m. or even earlier. A line forms, and when they're sold out, they're sold out. Beef ribs that could tip a Flintstone's car.
Excellent barbecue again, and like La Barbecue, a line forms early and they sell out. This barbecue is famous outside of Texas and foodies flock here, so if it's a festival weekend, you might want to skip it, but if you don't mind standing in line during a regular visit, this will be worth your while.
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Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StExcellent barbecue again, and like La Barbecue, a line forms early and they sell out. This barbecue is famous outside of Texas and foodies flock here, so if it's a festival weekend, you might want to skip it, but if you don't mind standing in line during a regular visit, this will be worth your while.
If you want barbecue close to the house, you can't beat Valentina's. It's really good, a South Austin favorite that used to be a food truck but was good enough to move up to a brick and mortar.
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Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
308 Menchaca RdIf you want barbecue close to the house, you can't beat Valentina's. It's really good, a South Austin favorite that used to be a food truck but was good enough to move up to a brick and mortar.
This is a bit of a hike, but well worth it. This is a huge barbecue restaurant with tons of seating for a reason. It's really popular. They have entrees and family style dining. It's cash only, so be prepared! And you will have to wait for a table. Beautiful location, outdoor music, real Texas country feel, and great food. They used to be BYOB, so check their website before heading out. If you want libations, you might need to bring your own. (I have a cooler you can borrow if needed.)
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Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826This is a bit of a hike, but well worth it. This is a huge barbecue restaurant with tons of seating for a reason. It's really popular. They have entrees and family style dining. It's cash only, so be prepared! And you will have to wait for a table. Beautiful location, outdoor music, real Texas country feel, and great food. They used to be BYOB, so check their website before heading out. If you want libations, you might need to bring your own. (I have a cooler you can borrow if needed.)
Great Thai food just down the street!
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Madam Mam's Thai Cuisine at Brodie
9911 Brodie LnGreat Thai food just down the street!
If you're near UT campus, get some really delicious fare from a well-respected local chef. There's a charcuterie attached, and they make delicious sausages, pates, etc. I don't quite know how to describe the food and drink other than locavore, a little upscale (but not too pricey considering), creative, and wonderful. Check their hours. Closed on Mondays last I checked. http://www.daidue.com/
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Dai Due
2406 Manor RdIf you're near UT campus, get some really delicious fare from a well-respected local chef. There's a charcuterie attached, and they make delicious sausages, pates, etc. I don't quite know how to describe the food and drink other than locavore, a little upscale (but not too pricey considering), creative, and wonderful. Check their hours. Closed on Mondays last I checked. http://www.daidue.com/
Everything Else
Started as a local organic and gourmet food market.
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Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdStarted as a local organic and gourmet food market.
Great selection of organic, local and gourmet foods. Go for the cheeses, get hooked by the coffee, never want to leave the bakery...
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdGreat selection of organic, local and gourmet foods. Go for the cheeses, get hooked by the coffee, never want to leave the bakery...
Music, eclectic local shopping, amazing restaurants. Another Austin destination.
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South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueMusic, eclectic local shopping, amazing restaurants. Another Austin destination.
Shopping
Beautiful nature center with a focus on local fauna and a series of hiking trails.
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I-Center ye-Wildflower ye-Lady Bird Johnson
4801 La Crosse AveBeautiful nature center with a focus on local fauna and a series of hiking trails.
This upscale shopping spot is fun to check out if you have the funds or don't mind just window shopping. Neiman Marcus and other high end brands. http://www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stores
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The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceThis upscale shopping spot is fun to check out if you have the funds or don't mind just window shopping. Neiman Marcus and other high end brands. http://www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stores
Great spot for restaurants and shopping. Lots of choices in one of the newer Austin shopping districts. http://www.2ndstreetdistrict.com/
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2nd Street District
211 Guadalupe StGreat spot for restaurants and shopping. Lots of choices in one of the newer Austin shopping districts. http://www.2ndstreetdistrict.com/
Parks & Nature
This Lake Travis overlook is a popular Austin tourist destination. Be ready for a big stair climb to the top. When you arrive, you'll have a beautiful view of Ladybird Lake and downtown as well as a view down the slopes to some beautiful lake homes that I will never be able to afford. ;)
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Mount Bonnell
This Lake Travis overlook is a popular Austin tourist destination. Be ready for a big stair climb to the top. When you arrive, you'll have a beautiful view of Ladybird Lake and downtown as well as a view down the slopes to some beautiful lake homes that I will never be able to afford. ;)
If you visit Mount Bonnell, stop down the road at Mayfield Park. The park itself isn't large, but it's pretty and it's chock full of peacocks. There are also some nature trails that will take you out into the rough.
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Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StIf you visit Mount Bonnell, stop down the road at Mayfield Park. The park itself isn't large, but it's pretty and it's chock full of peacocks. There are also some nature trails that will take you out into the rough.
The Greenbelt stretches from Zilker Park to the Bee Caves Neighborhood (Camp Craft Road). Its has swimming holes, limestone cliffs, really mean hill climbs (google "Hill of Life Greenbelt"). There are several trailheads, but my favorite is near Mopac and 360. Ask me how to get there or to another spot if you're interested in doing some hiking.
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Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayThe Greenbelt stretches from Zilker Park to the Bee Caves Neighborhood (Camp Craft Road). Its has swimming holes, limestone cliffs, really mean hill climbs (google "Hill of Life Greenbelt"). There are several trailheads, but my favorite is near Mopac and 360. Ask me how to get there or to another spot if you're interested in doing some hiking.
Cute neighborhood park with hike and bike trails and lots of sculptures made from found materials by local folks. This isn't a destination spot, but if you just need a quick bit of exercise, this park is about 5 minutes drive from the house. Look for the hiking trails behind the baseball fields.
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Longview Neighborhood Park
7609 Longview RdCute neighborhood park with hike and bike trails and lots of sculptures made from found materials by local folks. This isn't a destination spot, but if you just need a quick bit of exercise, this park is about 5 minutes drive from the house. Look for the hiking trails behind the baseball fields.
This is an iconic Austin swimming hole. Spring-fed and freezing cold. People come from all over to hang out on the hillside and enjoy a dip in the pool. Especially good for cooling off after a hot summer day. This is right inside of Zilker Park, which is our largest public park.
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThis is an iconic Austin swimming hole. Spring-fed and freezing cold. People come from all over to hang out on the hillside and enjoy a dip in the pool. Especially good for cooling off after a hot summer day. This is right inside of Zilker Park, which is our largest public park.
Our largest local park, Zilker is a starting point for the Greenbelt hiking trails, has a lovely Botanical and Dinosaur garden (great for kids and adults alike), Barton Springs Pool (see below), and the Zilker Hillside theater. Check out their website for upcoming events: https://do512.com/venues/zilker-park
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Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdOur largest local park, Zilker is a starting point for the Greenbelt hiking trails, has a lovely Botanical and Dinosaur garden (great for kids and adults alike), Barton Springs Pool (see below), and the Zilker Hillside theater. Check out their website for upcoming events: https://do512.com/venues/zilker-park
Essentials
The HEB grocery store is close to the house and has everything. It can be pretty crowded, but if you need it, chances are you'll find it here.
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HEB Slaughter/Manchaca station
The HEB grocery store is close to the house and has everything. It can be pretty crowded, but if you need it, chances are you'll find it here.
If you get sick and want to get a doctor's appointment fast, ARC is nearby, has evening appointments, and lots of different specialists as well as GPs.
Austin Regional Clinic: ARC Southwest
1807 W Slaughter LnIf you get sick and want to get a doctor's appointment fast, ARC is nearby, has evening appointments, and lots of different specialists as well as GPs.
Smaller and less hectic than HEB, this little health food chain has a good selection, better prices than Whole Foods, and is a good spot to stop if you just want to pick up some grocery item quickly. They don't have as much selection as the other stores, but chances are if you just need a basic item, they'll have it.
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Sprouts Farmers Market
4006 S Lamar BlvdSmaller and less hectic than HEB, this little health food chain has a good selection, better prices than Whole Foods, and is a good spot to stop if you just want to pick up some grocery item quickly. They don't have as much selection as the other stores, but chances are if you just need a basic item, they'll have it.
Arts & Culture
This is no dry, dull history museum. The Texas State History Museum always manages to have interesting displays. Right across from UT campus and the art museum. The also have an IMAX theater. https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
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Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress AveThis is no dry, dull history museum. The Texas State History Museum always manages to have interesting displays. Right across from UT campus and the art museum. The also have an IMAX theater. https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
One of our larger art museums, the Blanton is right on the edge of the UT campus and right across from the Bullock Museum. https://blantonmuseum.org/
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I-Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardOne of our larger art museums, the Blanton is right on the edge of the UT campus and right across from the Bullock Museum. https://blantonmuseum.org/
Cultural museum dedicated to Mexican and Latin American art and culture. http://www.mexic-artemuseum.org/
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I-Mexic-Arte Museum
419 Congress AvenueCultural museum dedicated to Mexican and Latin American art and culture. http://www.mexic-artemuseum.org/