For new Austinites or people just wanting an Austin adventure, I share this list of really great places to check out.
The first step is to log onto this website and order a
travel guide:
You may consider following Austin360 on Twitter for things
happening the weekend you are here, as well as checking out the local calendars.
Pick up a Chronicle for
music guides. You may also want Tabbed Out, an app that allows you to
open a tab and check out at any time.
Three brilliant days in Austin
Day 1: Start off going to Kerbey Lane Café on Kerbey
Lane (a must eat, alternatives to all suggestions listed below). Although
this is up on 38th street and there are multiple Kerbey choices, it
is worth the trip for the atmosphere and to see the original location.
Order at least one pancake of the Gingerbread, seasonal special (pumpkin right
now), or the daily special. Get the Kerbey Queso. After you have
had those two things, then order anything you want ;-). The migas with
queso on top is fantastic, but I haven’t had anything bad there.
Head to South Congress to walk around from about Nellie
street to Annie (about 6 solid blocks). There will be odd shops,
eateries, food trucks, a craft market on the weekends, and lots of eye
candy. Stop by Jo’s for a coffee, Docs or Hopdaddy’s
for a beer and something fried (DO NOT leave Austin without trying fried
pickles – the Alamo Draft House has my favorite fried
pickles). Swing by the Continental Club for some live music and
good atmosphere.
For dinner, head out to Craft Pride on Rainey Street
and order some Via 313 Pizza from the food trailer in the back.
There are a dozen really good places on Rainey street, so you won’t go hungry
even if you aren’t feeling like a starch after some fantastic pancakes in the
morning.
Day 2: Walk (renting bikes would be better for this)
down to the Lady Bird hike and bike trial, follow it west, cross over the Lamar
bridge on the trail, continue west then cross over again at Barton
Springs. If you plug “Taco Deli Spyglass” into your iPhone maps, and ask
for walking directions, you can just follow that map. Just past mile marker 1
on the Greenbelt, you will head up a step-ish trail to find yourself across the
street from a fabulous breakfast taco place, Taco Deli. It’s BYOB,
so maybe pack beer and your swimsuit!
On your way back, you can stop by Barton Springs for
a cool dip in the spring fed water hole (68 degrees year-round). Austin’s
city codes also allow women to be topless where men can be, so don’t be
surprised to find real sunbathers among the kids running around. Keep
Austin Weird.
After you cool off, head up Guadalupe, past the main drag by
campus, to find a fabulous little craft brew bar that serves French-American
food, Hopfields. There
is also a decent wine selection.
In the evening, take a haunted Austin tour on Segway to hear all the dead stories,
including some really great ones at the Driskoll!
There will also be a stop for the Austin bats and The Capital
at night, which is gorgeous.
Round out your evening with Tex-Mex at Trudy’s. Get the Mexican Martini and
have someone else drive home. They will cut you off after two; they are
that strong.
Day 3: Get up super early to pick up some Torchy’s Tacos and Jo’s coffee
so you have some munchies to stand in line at Franklin’s BBQ. You will be
in line for about 5-6 hours, so plan accordingly. Rent chairs for $5 and
bring entertainment. Don’t go on Sunday since they won’t serve beer until
after noon. They start serving alcohol and drinks in line at 9, and open
at 11. By 9 am the line is long enough that you may or may not get food
(by 2 pm). For those of us living in the city, they allow preordering
(many months out) on the first of the month. Check out their website for more details.
If that didn’t tire you out, walk down to East 6th
Street. This is the cool part of 6th street. Check out
the jazz lounges, eateries, food trucks, and random fun stuff. Grab a
mixed cocktail at Whistlers or wine or beer at Hi-Hat. For
dinner, you can stay in that area and have Asian fusion at Qui, or head to another central part of
Austin, and grab some roasted bone marrow and other amazing delectables at Arro’s.
Outtakes:
Explore Austin’s hill country. Take a drive up to Mount
Bonnell and look over the Colorado River/Town Lake. This is a
fantastic view at sunset, and romantic spot at night, but note that the park
does close, so if you are up there, don’t leave your car in the parking lot as
a red flag J. On the way back
down the mountain, you can stop at the arthouse, Laguna Gloria. It
costs $5 to walk around, but they currently have a Pet Sounds art exhibit that
is fun. It’s also a nice little hike around an inlet of the Colorado
River. For lunch, stop by Hula Hut and sit out on the deck
overlooking the Colorado River/Town Lake. Grab a coffee next door at Mozart’s.
They have beer there, but it’s time after this adventure to get back to real
craft brews.
Or make up your own adventure. You can find many must-east-see-do’s, if you don't believe me, see the overwhelming list of the things I could think of off the top of my head!
BBQ
Rudy’s
Snow’s
Franklin’s - https://franklinbarbecue.com/preorders/
Salt Lick
Kruetz’s
County Line (great homemade bread and a location near the
lake, but their BBQ isn’t my favorite)
TexMex
Trudy’s – order the Mexican Martini (get the top shelf
liquor). This puppy is so strong that they only let you order two.
Period.
Kerbey Lane
Magnolia Café
Pappasitos
Chuy’s
Hula Hut
Good food finds – a really nice dinner, reservations
recommended ($$$-$$$$)
Salty Sow - http://saltysow.com/
Justine’s
Arro
Qui
Uchiko
Barley Swine
Dai Due - http://www.daidue.com/supper-club-menu/
Must Eats/Other food finds
Kerbey Lane (go to the one on Kerbey Lane)
Taco Deli
Torchy’s Tacos
Salt and Time
Easy Tiger - http://www.easytigeraustin.com/
G’raj Mahal - http://www.grajmahalaustin.com/
Explore Austin
Mt. Bonnell - http://www.austinparks.org/our-parks.html?parkid=287
AMAO – Arthouse – it costs $5 to walk around, but they
currently have a Pet Sounds art exhibit that is fun. It’s also a nice
little hike around an inlet of the Colorado River. http://theartschool.amoa.org/
Congress Avenue Mexican Bat Colony - http://batcon.org/index.php/get-involved/visit-a-bat-location/congress-avenue-bridge/subcategory/51.html
Check out a tap room at a local brewery - http://bitchbeer.org/2012/08/14/your-guide-to-austin-area-brewery-tours-and-tastings/.
I’ve been up to this taproom, and it was fun, but a little north and maybe
nothing super special to get a car for: http://austinbeerworks.com/
South Lamar shopping – including Book People as a must-see,
and the original Whole Foods.
South Congress shopping – weird and awesome finds.
Hard to park; grab a cab or pedicab (or walk!)
Lake Travis – nothing like 11 miles of dammed lake to goggle
at. Best sunset view (but not best food) is at Oasis.
Bars - Craft Beer
Draught House – this is my Monday night haunt (tell
Constance I sent you/we work together)
Hi-Hat – Great beers, but also has a really nice dry
rose. The Cuban sandwich and pretzels are good eats! (tell Habeab I sent
you)
Craft Pride - craftprideaustin.com
Hopfields
ABGB
Vino, Wines, and fermented grapes
Uncorked
Vino Vino
Max’s Wine and Dive bar
Mixed cocktails
Whistler’s
Fried Chicken
Lucky J’s - http://www.luckyjs.com/menu/
Lucy’s - http://lucysfriedchicken.com/
Tasting rooms
Jester King - http://jesterkingbrewery.com/tasting-room/
-
This tasting room has specials you can only buy
at the taproom. They are known for their sours and farmhouse ale specialties.
Hops and Grain
Austin Beer works
Independence Brewing Co.
Mountain Biking
Swimming Holes
Lake Travis
Hamilton Pools
Barton Springs
Schliterbahn
Getting around
Car2Go
City Bike
Pedicabs
Taxi
Bus
Light Rail
Best Mac and Cheese in Austin - http://www.thrillist.com/eat/austin/utwest-campus/best-mac-and-cheeses-in-austin-macaroni-and-cheese-restaurants-thrillist-atx
Good places to gather more details (especially if you don’t
trust my recommendations ;-)):