Austin
Your getaway to Austin
Begin with breakfast tacos at a food truck, because that is how Austin begins everything. Walk off breakfast along Lady Bird Lake, where joggers, turtles, and the downtown skyline share the same view. Late morning at the Capitol: free, grand, and impossible to miss, worth an hour of your time. Lunch is barbecue at a picnic table, brisket with bark, eaten outdoors with a cold drink. Spend the afternoon wandering South Congress, ducking into boot shops and watching the street musicians work. Cool off with a dip at Barton Springs, where the water is 68 degrees all year and wakes you completely up. As evening comes, find the Congress Bridge and watch the bats rise into the sunset; it never gets old. Dinner is whatever smells good on Rainey Street, followed by live music somewhere with a small stage. Nothing too intense, nothing missed: one great view, one great meal, one great song. That is Austin in a day, and it will make you want three more.
Places to love in Austin
Terry Black's Barbecue
A large, popular Austin barbecue restaurant serving traditional Texas smoked meats by the pound. Travelers visit for reliable, high-quality barbecue in a lively setting.
restaurant
Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine
An Austin restaurant specializing in spicy Chettinad-style South Indian cooking. A destination for authentic regional Indian flavors.
bar
Home Slice Pizza
A popular South Congress pizzeria serving New York-style slices and pies in a fun, bustling atmosphere. A go-to for casual pizza in a lively setting.
restaurant
Texas Capitol
The grand pink-granite state capitol building in downtown Austin, notable for being taller than the U.S. Capitol and surrounded by historic grounds. It is a top Austin landmark for history, architecture, and self-guided tours.
attraction
Matt's El Rancho
A longtime family-run Tex-Mex institution in Austin famous for its Bob Armstrong dip and margaritas. A classic spot for hearty Tex-Mex in a festive setting.
restaurant
Franklin Barbecue
A world-famous Austin barbecue joint renowned for its brisket, drawing long lines of devoted fans. Travelers come for what many consider the definitive Texas smoked meat.
restaurant
Güero's Taco Bar
A beloved South Congress Tex-Mex institution set in a historic building, famous for tacos, margaritas, and a lively patio. A popular stop for casual Mexican food and drinks.
restaurant
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge (Bat Watching)
The Congress Avenue Bridge shelters Austin's famous Mexican free-tailed bat colony. Travelers gather around dusk from spring through early fall to watch the bats emerge over Lady Bird Lake.
landmark
Kerbey Lane Cafe - University
A 24-hour Austin diner staple near the university serving all-day breakfast, pancakes, and comfort food. A favorite casual spot for students and locals at any hour.
cafe