We had the best time visiting Austin for the first time in celebration of the hubs’ 30th birthday! Austin, the capital of Texas, is a great city for a bachelorette or birthday party, girlfriend getaway or fun weekend with your significant other. Home to the University of Texas, Austin is known for its live-music scene centered around country, blues and rock. There is so much to do, see and EAT. Which, by the way, we really learned that everything really is bigger in Texas, including the tacos, margaritas and BBQ. I hope you enjoy this first timers guide to visiting Austin, Texas!
View from Congress Bridge
Arrive
Plan to fly directly into Austin, you can either rent-a-car, use public transportation or grab a Uber or Lyft. If you are staying downtown, and not looking to roam too far outside of the city, there will be no reason to rent-a-car. There is so much to do in downtown Austin you will have a full agenda!
If you are planning to go to Austin for one of their festivals, just keep in mind that South by Southwest happens in Spring, and Austin City Limits in early fall. Both are held in the perfect time of year when the heat is not unbearable, and temperatures comfortable.
Stay
South Congress Hotel is a trendy, modern hotel that is very popular among visitors. It’s located on the famous South Congress Street where there are endless shops and restaurants to wander into and it’s located in a great walkable location.
Archer Hotel Austin is a eight-story boutique which features rustic-luxe guest rooms with five-star bedding, nightly turndown treats and offers a truly luxurious experiences.
The Fairmont Austin is the newest luxury hotel in Austin and features guest rooms and suites with picturesque views of Lady Bird Lake, the cityscape and the State Capitol. Guests will be able to indulge in five star dining, a pampering spa and state-of-the-art gym facilities. We enjoyed our stay at The Fairmont and it’s proximity to Rainey Street and 6th Street! It was also an easy walk to the bridge to see the bats!
Our room at the Fairmont Hotel
JW Marriott Austin located in downtown Austin, this hotel is situated perfectly to provide guests with easy walkable access to Austin’s top destinations. The luxe hotel even offers guests the opportunity to soak in the sun as they relax at Edge rooftop pool bar and deck.
For more Austin hotels check out this link.
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Eat
First, I must tell you – make reservations for any meal you plan to eat in Austin! They take reservations extremely seriously, so if you do not have a ressie, you might not have dinner!
Mattie’s
Set inside an old Victorian 19th-century home, this restaurant should definitely be on your Austin bucket list! We enjoyed sitting up at the bar for a cocktail as we waited for our outdoor table underneath the old growth trees. As soon as we sat down we caught a few glimpses of the peacocks roaming the grounds. The food here is also delicious! Definitely order the Fried Chicken Biscuit Benedict! SO good!
Brunch at Mattie’s
Café No Sé
Part of the South Congress Hotel, this place serves up one of the best brunches in Austin. You can start your day here with a mimosa and some of the best brunch entrees in the city!
Josephine House
Since this place is such a local’s favorite, it has a tendency to fill up fast. Just make sure to go and get there in time to grab a chair as you do not want to miss this place on your trip!
Olamaie
The gorgeous downtown restaurant from James Beard Award finalist Michael Fojtasek embraces everything Southern. The cozy space also has a sunny porch the ideal location to enjoy a craft cocktail.
Franklin Barbecue
Imagine people start lining up outside the door at five a.m. and waiting two to three hours for food. They say this is the BEST BBQ in the whole state of Texas.
Enjoy
Attend a University of Texas Football Game
We had the BEST time going to a University of Texas Football game, where they really take football seriously. In all honesty, make sure to go to a tailgate before the game. Some are open to the public like the Deep Eddy Vodka tailgate held on the LBJ Lawn which we went to. There they hosted a live band, walk-up bar and endless delicious cocktails! Nexttime you’re in Austin during the Fall, throw on some burnt orange clothes and head over to the stadium to cheer on the team with more than 100,000 fans!
Tailgating at the Deep Eddy Tent!
See Bats Fly
Every evening at sunset from March to October, more than 1.5 million bats emerge from underneath the South Congress Bridge in downtown Austin. Plan to arrive at the bridge thirty to forty minutes early for the best spot. It’s magical…and creepy at the same time…
Waiting for the bats to fly!
Visit Deep Eddy Distillery
If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend an afternoon, consider driving out to Deep Eddy Distillery in Dripping Springs. There you’ll be treated to live music, lawn games, and endless entertainment as you sip some of the locally made libations and craft cocktails. Consider packing a picnic and making a whole afternoon out of it! We did and had the best time!
Deep Eddy Tasting Room in Dripping Springs, Texas
Go Shopping on Congress Street
South Congress Street is famous for its shops, restaurants, lively crowd, and style. You’ll find tons of cute boutiques and fun shops to explore, including Allen’s Boots where everyone (even the famous!) go to buy boots.
Night out on Sixth Street
You cannot leave Austin without a night out on the famous Sixth Street where there are more than eighty bars that line the street. At night, there is no thru traffic as it gets closed off.
Each bar has a different personality, so plan accordingly, pace yourself and do a little pub crawl!
If you’re looking for something a bit more low key, consider visiting Rainey Street where all the bars look like old homes, and have their own personality. We enjoyed Rainey Street much more than Sixty Street because of the vibe.
I hope you enjoyed reading my first timers guide to visiting Austin, Texas! As always, I’d love to hear what you think and if you have any advice for the next time we visit Austin!
XO,
M
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