The Ultimate Austin Texas Checklist

Austin Texas is my home base. Out of all the places in the world, it is where I chose to live. Some places are fun to visit for a short time, some places for a long time, but there are very few spots I would chose to live my day in and day out life. I love Austin for so many reasons. It has access to so much nature and swimming holes right in the city limits. It’s constantly evolving in it’s restaurant and coffee spaces which are incredible. It has a great art and music scene, it’s a starting point for many epic road trips, and has a sophisticated hippie cowboy culture. I decided to put together a list of must-do activities, my favorite restaurants, and local gems.

Have fun exploring :)

For Texas Culture:

  • Mechanical Bull Riding and drinks at Bull and Bowl

  • Hipster Two Stepping at The White Horse. If you don’t know how to 2-step there are tip based lessons that make the Texas Two-Step simple and fun: 7pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

  • Authentic Texas two stepping at The Broken Spoke. This is not only an historic Texas Hall, but you can get some serious 2 stepping tips Wednesday-Sat. No experience required, beginners welcome. $10 plus cover charge. This was also Queer Eye (season 6 if you want to watch!)

  • Shooting range at The Range. This place is great because they are set up for newbies to walk in a try their hand at shooting a gun.

  • BBQ. This deserves its own section, keep reading.

  • Grab Tacos. A trip to Austin wouldn't be complete without Tacos. This deserves its own section too, taco shops listed below.


For Austin Culture:

  • Barton Springs. This is the iconic swimming hole in the city center. Fun fact is you can even do a night swim. $5 for locals $9 for out-of-towners. Free at the beginning and end of each day (5am-8am and 8pm-10pm).

  • Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail.

  • Bat Bridge on Congress. You can see multiple ways. You can watch from the bridge, watch from the grassy knoll beside the bridge, or my favorite, you can paddle board (or kayak) to the bridge and have the most incredible city and sunset views. I highly recommend: https://www.boatsandbats.com/

  • Visit the Capitol. Walk inside, it’s your right!

  • Mt. Bonnell. A short hike to an amazing viewpoint in Austin, Make sure to walk the entire trail (it’s short) to both viewpoints. See the city in the distance

  • Mayfield Park. A home that was donated to the city. When you get there you will understand why. It’s a beautiful place with peacocks roaming around. Best time to visit is April-July as the peacocks have their full feathers and strutting their stuff during mating season.

  • Zilker Park. A great place for a picnic, to take your dog, to run barefoot, and see the Austin skyline. Will be closed during ACL weekends and during Trail of Lights during the winter holidays.

  • The Greenbelt. With countless miles of trail and 7+ access points it’s great for secret swimming holes, hiking, biking, running, and rock climbing.

  • Ski-Shores. A Tradition on Lake Austin Since 1954. Great scenery on Lake Austin, good food, good drinks, and good vibes.

  • Shop on South Congress. You can find cowboy hats and boots, really nice Austin souvenirs, boutique clothing, and unique shops, plus amazing hotels and restaurants. This is the best shopping experience Austin has to offer. Plus is where you can snag a pic at the ‘I Love You So Much’ mural.


Best Brunch/Breakfast: 

  • Paperboy (East Side)

  • Dai Due (East Side)

  • Proud Mary’s

  • Two Hands (South Congress)

  • Launderette (East Side)

  • Cafe No Se (South Congress)

  • Junes (South Congress)

  • Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

  • Sour Duck Market (East Side)

  • Bird Bird Biscuit (East Side)

  • Foreign and Domestic. Weekend only (North of UT Campus)

  • Launderette (East Side)

  • Taco Deli (Multiple Locations)



Best Lunch:

  • Launderette

  • Joanne’s Fine Foods

  • Elizabeth Street Cafe

  • Dai Due

  • Ski Shores

  • Ramen Tatsu-Ya

  • De Nada Cantina

  • Taco Deli

  • Swedish Hill


Best Dinner:

  • Este

  • Foreign and Domestic

  • Maie Day

  • Intero

  • Joanne’s Fine Foods

  • Canje

  • Ski Shores Cafe

  • Grizzeldas

  • Launderette

  • Elizabeth Street Cafe

  • Perlas

  • Dai Due

  • Emmer and Rye

  • Ramen Tatsu-Ya

  • Ezov

  • June's All Day

  • Comodor’s

  • Salt and Time

  • Carpenters Hall

  • De Nada Cantina


Best BBQ:

  • Franlkins

  • La Barbeque

  • Valentinas

  • Interstellar

  • Terry Blacks

  • Lamberts

  • KG BBQ: barbecue fused with Egyptian and Middle East flavors

  • Salt Lick: Not in Austin but worth the 30min-ish drive to visit a 100 year old BBQ Pit. Not the best BBQ, but it’s by far the best ambience. 


Best Tacos:

  • Taco Deli

  • Veracruz All Natural

  • Nixta Taqueria


Best Ice Cream:

  • Zeds

  • Merry Monarch

  • Dolce Neve


Best Coffee:

  • Sour Duck Market

  • Bennu

  • Greater Goods

  • Civil Goat

  • Thunderbird

  • Two Hands


Best Texas Two-Step:

  • Hipster Two Stepping at The White Horse. If you don’t know how to 2-step there are tip based lessons that make the Texas Two-Step simple and fun: 7pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

  • Authentic Texas two stepping at The Broken Spoke. This is not only an historic Texas Hall, but you can get some serious 2 stepping tips Thursday-Sun. No experience required, beginners welcome.


Best View Points:

  • Mt. Bonnell

  • 360 Bridge Overlook

  • Walk on the boardwalk (park near The Oracle Building on the side of the street)


Best Swimming Holes:

  • Barton Springs

  • Barton Springs Run-Off (free)

  • Sculpture Falls (requires a longer hike)


Famous Instagram Spots:

  • I Love You So Much

  • You’re My Better Half

  • You Don’t Need No Teeth to Eat My Beef

  • Welcome to Austin

  • Mt. Bonnell


Fun day or weekend trips:









Natalie Picchetti-Moos