I was lucky enough to spend a month in Austin, Texas from October to November 2021. I also had the opportunity to visit Amarillo, San Antonio, & Dallas.
I stayed about 10-15 minutes from downtown in North Austin and really enjoyed this city. It's very young and theres lots to do - and not to mention it even feels like summer in mid-November!
Another reason I adored Austin was the sunsets. It is truly so colorful and will make you stop whatever you're doing just to get a glimpse.
Below is exactly how I spent my time in Texas. The recommendations that begin with * are my top recommendations that you must see/do. I also highly recommend booking reservations in advance through the linked website or Open Table, as things fill up quickly.
AUSTIN:
Neighborhoods:
*Rainey street: A cute historic street full of restaurants and bars. We decided to bar hop after eating some local cuisine at the food trucks.
*The Domain: Described as "Austin's premier destination for fashion, luxury, dining and family fun with 100+ stores and restaurants." I would definitely agree with this. It is like a giant outdoor mall with many shops, restaurants, and even a little grass area full of people relaxing and enjoying live music. There are bars within the area for nightlife as well.
*South Congress Avenue: "Vibrant neighborhood south of Lady Bird Lake is a must-stroll for visitors and a popular hangout for locals."
Activities:
**Lady Bird Lake: A staple in Austin. We rented kayaks & paddle boards from Rowing Dock - which I highly recommend. It was pretty busy but no wait. We were on the lake for a few hours and it was such a fun time. Views of the city skyline included!
*Wonderspaces: “Wonderspaces partners with artists to present an evolving showcase of extraordinary art to new audiences.” This awesome exhibit has locations in multiple cities across the U.S. but not all contain the same artwork. I also learned that some of the artwork changes every 6 months. This was such an exciting art exhibit and super interactive - I spent a couple of hours there. A great date spot & includes a bar. I bought tickets on their website for about $20 each.
*Chicken shit bingo: Yes, you read that right. This is a popular & fun activity known in the South where you play a number and if the chicken shits on that number, then you win! Everyone is yelling, having a good time, and drinking - all while watching a chicken do its thing. We went to The Little Longhorn Saloon (home of the chicken shit bingo for 15+ years) where the event is hosted every Sunday from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Its a pretty small bar and the inside is very country - complete with some line dancing. Definitely a place to go if you want a taste of the Texas culture.
Bat Watching: Every evening, around sunset, there are thousands of bats that fly out from under Congress Bridge - and many come & watch. You can watch from the bridge, or one of the many surrounding buildings (like P6!). It's honestly amazing to watch, because it seems never-ending. WAY more bats than you expect and everyone is in awe.
*Bulls in the Ballpark: An Austin Rodeo that takes place in a baseball field. I definitely recommend going to a rodeo while you are in Texas, as it is a huge culture shock if you have never been exposed before. These teenage boys are extremely talented and make a living off of how well they ride the wild bulls. You also get to see Mutton Bustin', which is where children hang onto a sheep for dear life until they fall off. The energy of this event is great.
Blanton Museum of Art: Unfortunately this was closed while I visited but I have heard it is a great museum. Need to purchase tickets in advance.
*UT Austin Football Game: If you happen to be in Austin during football season, I absolutely recommend attending a UT Austin game. The energy is unmatched and the school is beautiful.
Blanton Creek Greenbelt: An easy “hike” that is essentially a quick 15-minute walk down to a peaceful creek. A nice little get away from the bustling city.
Austin’s Studio Art Tour: (Only open during specific times of the year) A free, self-guided citywide celebration art featuring over 530 Austin based artists and collaboratives. The website says, “ The Austin Studio Tour introduces the public to new ways of experiencing art and the creative practices of artists around our city.”
We walked around Broad Studios, having a relaxing weekend admiring each small business highlighted that weekend.
Texas State Capitol: Gorgeous building located near UT Austin.
Greeting from Austin sign: A famous mural painted off of South Congress Avenue, where people line up to get a photo.
ATX sign: A sign located near downtown. A great photo spot.
Shops:
Austin Rocks: A downtown shop that is comparable to Francesca’s Boutique in that it has some clothing and some random items. Also has a few items that are Austin branded.
World Market: A chain that has really cool items from various parts of the world. The food section is the best part & I recommend going if you’ve never been.
Love, Titos: Austin is the birth place of Tito's Vodka - so what better place for a memorabilia store?! This specialty store has unique items that are worth a look.
Allen’s Boots: A very popular cowboy boots & leather good store located on South Congress Avenue.
Farmers Markets/Flea Markets:
SFC Farmers Market: Saturdays from 9:00am -1:00pm year around. Located downtown, this is the perfect little place to grab fresh produce or the coolest handmade items from small businesses. I highly recommend these below:
Citrus Organic Smashed Drinks: Multiple flavors but we got strawberry/blueberry fresh lemonade & lemon/lime fresh lemonade. These come in a pretty big containers and they’re unbelievably refreshing.
Yapa Empanadas: So many unique flavors but we stuck to Margarita. Handmade, fresh, and delicious.
Barton Creek Farmers Market: Austin's original farmers market held from Saturday's 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and Sunday's 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Had a few of the same venders as the other farmers markets.
*Texas Farmers Market: This farmers market sold Teddy V's Cookies and these are a MUST. A very cute place to walk around and many small businesses selling their goods.
TFM at Lakeline - Saturdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
TFM at Mueller - Sundays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. (The one I attended)
Austin Country Flea Market: Probably not at the top of my recommendations but still really cool to see all it had to offer. I got fresh Mexican street corn & a cute pair of earrings. $2 cash-only parking.
Restaurants/Food:
Taverna Austin: An upscale Italian restaurant located in Downtown Austin. I searched high and low for an Italian restaurant that seemed to have unique and authentic dishes, with an overall nice ambiance - & this was it. There is both indoor & outdoor seating. We sat inside, which I recommend, however both are good! We really enjoyed this restaurant - especially the fact that the Cacio e Pepe was spun table side.
Chef’s Focaccia with prosciutto
Bucatini Alla Carbonara - pancetta, egg yolk, pecorino cheese, crushed black pepper
Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe - tossed in a 12 month pecorino cheese wheel, crushed black pepper
Aperol Mandarine Mule - aperol, absolute mandarine, lime, ginger beer, rosemary
*Revival Coffee: A coffee shop owned by the owner of Gabriella’s. They have so many unique drinks and the place is super pink, cute, & photo worthy. Below is the drink I got, twice. I am not a fan of matcha but I read good reviews, mainly about how its not too sweet or too matcha-y and I would agree.
Fruity pebbles latte: matcha, lavender, & oat milk.
Food truck lot on Rainey Street: Pretty busy. I got some tacos and I wasn’t very impressed. Cute concept though and open late for some post bar food.
In N’ Out: A West Coast staple. If you haven’t been, I recommend the animal fries - a secret sauce poured over their fresh french fries. The milkshakes are also awesome!
Oh K-Dog: We make a quick stop at a local eatery that serves, what seems to be, a mix of unique corndogs and giant mozzarella sticks. They ask if you want sugar on it, which we were weary about, so we got it on the side. They also have quite a few side sauces to put on your dog but I must say, the sugar was definitely the best part. Made to order.
Mozzarella dog with potatoes (no meat included)
Half Mozza & Half Hot Dog
Lupe Tortilla: A Mexican chain that was decent. The brunch was better than the dinner but overall a good meal.
Dinner:
Guacamole: Fresh avocados, tomatoes, onions & fresh squeezed lime.
Chicken Flautas: (4) Roasted chicken, corn tortillas, Jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream, chile con queso.
Tortilla Soup: Grilled chicken, tortilla strips, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, Jack cheese, poblano peppers & sliced avocado.
Berry Margarita: Tequila, berry liqueur, fresh berries, on the rocks.
Brunch:
Bacon Egg Tacos: (2) Bacon, scrambled eggs, queso, flour or corn tortillas.
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes: Seasonal but DELICIOUS
*Torchy’s Tacos: A popular quick Mexican chain restaurant that also serves drinks. The food is okay, but the queso is unreal. Went multiple times just for that. Thats the only thing I recommend from here - but it’s a must try because of it.
Gabriela’s Downtown: A fun Mexican restaurant (owned by the same owner of Revival Coffee) known for it's photogenic brunch and cocktails, along with its bright & colorful aesthetic.
Guacamole: Fresh avocado hand- mashed with a hint of lime, topped with tomato and cilantro; served with totopos.
Poppers Combo: Three bacon-wrapped jumbo shrimp stuffed with cheese along- side three bacon-wrapped jalapeños topped with cream cheese.
Mexican Street Corn: Grilled corn off the cob tossed in a mixture of mayo, cream, cojita cheese, and chile spices.
Gorditas de Costilla de Puerco: Two made to order corn gorditas, filled with slow cooked pork ribs off the bone topped with green salsa and queso fresco. Served with seasoned potatoes and charro beans.
Cucumber Bloody Mary: Made with Stoli Cucumber vodka
Caprichosa Margarita Flight: Gabby’s / Mangonada / Strawberry / Paloma (Mangonada was the best one so I recommend just ordering that).
Buc-ees: A gas station. Literally a gas station but any local will tell you that it's a must see. They have merch, Buc-ees famous food, and over 50 gas pumps. The place is massive and I swear it's a hangout & field trip spot. I can't even begin to tell you how crowded it was. It's truly a sight to see. Oh - and you will see advertisements for this place all over.
Fly-Rite Chicken: A fast food place comparable to Chik-fil-a. It was standard. Just got a chicken sandwich with bacon, and tater tots.
*Feng Cha Teahouse: Rated Austin's top boba tea - I decided that I needed to try, and I am so glad that I did.
Dirty Boba with (75% sweetness): A creamy treat filled with brown sugar boba, topped with cheese milk foam and cocoa powder, and drenched with brown sugar around the cup. This tasty beverage is non-caffeinated but can have tea added to balance the sweetness.
*Picole Pop: A family-owned artisan ice cream shop that focuses on making handcrafted fruity, creamy, filled, & alcohol Infused ice pops.
Banana Nutella with dark chocolate drizzle
Strawberry cheesecake with oreo crumbles
*The Oasis at Lake Travis: A beautiful restaurant that overlooks Lake Travis. The view and the sunsets are absolutely magical - definitely a must-see. Very busy, especially on weekends, so you will most likely have to put your name in but it is very worth it. While you wait, you can visit the gift shops.
Tropical Depression: A frozen blend of Bacardi Pineapple Rum, mango puree and apple juice and a floater of Midori. Served in a hurricane glass for you to keep.
Happy Chicks: Another chicken place but this place was significantly better. Just got chicken tenders, french fries, mac & cheese, and creamed corn.
Alfreds Coffee: A popular coffee chain located in LA & Austin. It was located at The Line in Downtown Austin. The line was pretty long but for good reason - the iced chai was delicious.
**Vera Cruz All Natural Tacos: Alright. Without a doubt the best breakfast tacos I’ve ever had - and even maybe the best tacos. The line was pretty long and it took us about an hour from the time we got in line, to the time we got our food - but it was SO worth it. I absolutely recommend this place, the long line is there for a reason. This is located in the same building as Alfred’s Coffee & P6. Below are the tacos & smoothie we got.
Milas Originales: egg, tortilla chips, monterey jack cheese, cilantro, tomato, onion, avocado
Migas Poblanas: egg, tortilla chips, poblano peppers, red onion, queso fresco, black beans, avocado
El Tradicional: egg, bacon, refried beans, potato, cheese
Pink Panther Smoothie: Orange juice, strawberry, banana, mango.
*The Fairground: Austin’s food hall located downtown. There are many food options and it’s beautiful both inside & out. Outside has some fake grass and fun lawn games (giant connect four, giant jenga, & cornhole). We played the games & laid in the grass as a quick break before exploring more of the city. Overall, a great spot!
**Juliet’s Italian Kitchen: Without a doubt my favorite restaurant in Austin. We sat outside at the Barton Springs location. I will be thinking about this place until I return.
Spicy bloody mary: (can also get it not spicy) this bloody mary was probably the best I’ve ever had - I got 2.
Brunch carbonara: some of the best carnonara. Super creamy & came with two poached eggs on top
Chicken parm: pan fried chicken park with a thick spaghetti and delicious red sauce.
*Salt & Time: Chris went here and loved it. He said the burger melted in his mouth & he would definitely recommend. Below is what he ordered -
The Butchers Burger: * 1⁄2 Lb Beef Patty of Daily Steak Trimmings with Mayo* and Sour Pickles on Brioche Bun, served with Beef Fat French Fries.
🍪 MILK CHOCOLATE CHIP
A warm cookie with milk chocolate chips.
🍭 CLASSIC SUGAR
Our classic sugar cookie base topped with a perfect pink swirl of almond-flavored frosting.
🍫 DOUBLE FUDGE BROWNIE (NEW)
A warm brownie cookie topped with real brownie bites and drizzled with a creamy chocolate ganache.
🎉 FUNFETTI
A warm rainbow vanilla sugar cookie filled and topped with rainbow sprinkles
🎃 PUMPKIN CAKE
A soft pumpkin spice cookie layered with rich cream cheese frosting and garnished with mini chocolate chips.
💙 AGGIE BLUE MINT (NEW)
A chilled buttery cookies & cream cookie topped with a swirl of minty Aggie Blue buttercream.
👻 MONSTER (NEW)
A warm peanut butter oatmeal cookie with M&M’s®, creamy peanut butter chips, and rich semi-sweet chunks.
🐛 DIRT CAKE
A warm chocolate cookie coated in cookies & cream crumbs, topped with a rich fudge chocolate frosting, crunchy chocolate streusel, and a gummy worm.
🎪 SUGAR FT. MOTHER’S® HALLOWEEN CIRCUS ANIMAL™ (NEW)
A sugar cookie freckled with Halloween sprinkles, topped with a layer of creamy melted white chips and finished with a Halloween @motherscookiesus Original Circus Animal™ Cookie.
🎃 PUMPKIN ROLL
A perfectly spiced pumpkin cookie topped with a thin layer of sweet cinnamon streusel and a swirl of cream cheese frosting.
🥜 PEANUT BUTTER FT. MUDDY BUDDIES™
Our signature peanut butter cookie topped with a melty pool of milk chocolate, Muddy Buddies™ pieces, and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
⏰ MIDNIGHT MINT
A crumbly chocolate cookie filled with a refreshing mix of melty semi-sweet chocolate and mint chips.
🌾 OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFIN (NEW)
A warm spiced oaty muffin cookie packed with rich semi sweet chips.
🥧 KEY LIME PIE
A slightly tart key lime pie filling encased in chilled, graham cracker cookie and topped with whipped cream, graham cracker crumbs, and garnished with a fresh lime.
🥮 DULCE DE LECHE
A spiced cinnamon cookie covered with a pool of melted dulce de leche and topped with a dollop of dulce de leche cream cheese frosting.
🥧 PECAN PIE (NEW)
A buttery warm sugar cookie with brown sugar and toasted pecan pie filling.
🍫 CHOCOLATE COOKIES & CREAM (NEW)
A dense chocolate cookie filled with chunks of chocolate cookies & cream pieces and studded with creamy white chips.
🥜 PEANUT BUTTER FT. REESE'S PIECES®
Our signature peanut butter cookie perfectly packed with Reese's Pieces® candies.
🥕 CARROT CAKE
A spiced carrot cake cookie layered with rich cream cheese frosting and garnished with a pecan crumble.
🍫 DARK DREAM
A decadent chocolate cookie packed and topped with loads of melty, gooey, semi-sweet chocolate chips.
⛺ S’MORES
A graham cracker cookie stuffed with milk chocolate chips and topped with a melty marshmallow creme and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs.
🍏 APPLE PIE (NEW)
A warm oat cookie filled with a spiced apple pie filling and topped with oaty cookie crumbs.
Cocktail Bars:
The Tipsy Alchemist: A very cool bar at the end of the street.
The Edison: (served in a light bulb) Bacardi superior rum, lime juice, nitrogen mint, simple syrup, mint bouquet
Pina Sour
P6: A scenic rooftop bar that overlooks Ladybird Lake & is super instagrammable (especially during sunset). The drinks were good but the view was better.
Summer Sandia: gin, watermelon, mint, & citrus. (But I subbed tequila for gin).
Hill Country Gold: bourbon, peach, honeysuckle, ginger, citrus
*The Edge Rooftop: A really awesome rooftop bar on top of the JW Marriott Hotel. A beautiful rooftop (with a pool) that overlooks Downtown Austin and Ladybird Lake. I absolutely loved everything about this cocktail bar and will definitely be back. Maybe even to stay at the Marriott.
On the Edge: Ford’s gin, nonino amaro, aperol, strawberry, basil, lemon juice
The Green Belt: Still high rye whiskey, peach, lemon, mint
*Midnight Cowboy: A really fun speak easy that is reservation only. You go up to an abandoned looking door and press a specific door bell (you are given the key once you make the reservation). Once in, theres only a few booths with a very small old-time feel. Originally a brothel, converted to a massage parlor, and now a speakeasy - overall it has a lot of history. Some cocktails are even made table side.
Chai Bella - chai tea infused bacardi ocho rum, blackstrap rum, apricot, orange, lactic acid, flaming lime, sugar, spice, and everything nice. Topped with fire.
Szechuan plum shiso sour - reyka vodka, baijiu, szachuan, plum, shiso, yuzu soda, shiso fetch.
*Roosevelt Room: An Austin staple that is highly recommended - and for good reason. Another place that you MUST make a reservation. Very cool and sophisticated vibe and a great variety of drinks. The first drink below is honestly one of the best cocktails I have ever had.
Too Little, Too Late: Arette blanco tequila, red grape, thai basil, coconut, honey, jasmine water, lychee juice, verjus.
Florodora: citadelle gin, raspberry syrup, ginger syrup, lime, soda water, raspberry powder.
Nightlife:
*Unbarlievable: A cool circus-themed bar with a giant giraffe statue, wooden lawn chairs, a massive TV, and a basketball arcade game out front. Inside is a typical bar or you can take a slide down to get to the back, where theres a DJ & another bar. I highly recommend going to the outside bar and ordering the freeze pop shot. Only $5 & so delicious. We even went back specifically for this cool treat.
Parlor Room: A low key bar that has nice seating out front perfect for sitting back & enjoying the nightlife Rainy Street.
*Container Bar: A super cool industrial bar that is built from shipyard containers. An overall great vibe with a DJ & dance floor included. Had a long line but went pretty quickly.
*Wonder bar: An awesome bar located in The Domain. They have a photo room that changes themes each month and the entire bar is colorful. Theres a wheel that costs $10 at the bar, and you can get prizes and punishments. I got a free shirt & drink!
Living my Best Life is the drink I recommend - comes in an awesome glass too.
SAN ANTONIO:
Mi Tierra: A 24-hour restaurant in the heart of San Antonio. A really cool area and this large, but busy, restaurant also includes a popular bakery. I really enjoyed my enchiladas.
Chicken Quesadilla
Enchiladas Verdes de Pollo: [2] Chicken Enchiladas topped with Green Tomatillo Sauce, Monterrey Jack Cheese and Sour Cream. Served with Guacamole, Spanish Rice and Refried Beans
*Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises: A 30-minute narrated river cruise down the famous San Antonio River Walk. I really enjoyed this as it was very informative but also entertaining and relaxing. This was cash only while we visited (or you can book in advance online) - $15 a person.
Cafe Ole: A Mexican place on the San Antonio Riverwalk. I wouldn’t recommend the food but this place is famous for it's 60 oz margaritas.
*River Walk: The #1 attraction in Texas and full of dining, shopping, and cultural experiences. Be careful though - many people accidentally fall into the river (it's only a few feet deep but can definitely ruin your day).
The Alamo: "A global cultural icon. Stand in awe at the Shrine of Texas Liberty and explore the 1836 battlefield where heroes fell." I was told this is a must see but "do not expect much." I would agree with that. This was pretty small but still very cool. We did not go in because the line was a few hours long; therefore, I recommend booking ahead online.
DALLAS:
Ten50BBQ: A true Texas BBQ staple.
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Chicken Leg - SO good
Mac & cheese
Corn Bread - also very tasty.
Next Time:
Places I didn’t get to explore, but plan on once I return.
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