How To Plan The Perfect Bachelorette Party In Austin
You’ve picked a weekend, invited your bride squad, and found the perfect city (AUSTIN!) for your bachelorette party…now it’s time to plan all the details! Doing an Austin bachelorette party is an exceptional choice (slow clap for ya!) for many reasons: it’s warm (almost) year-round, has a ton of great bars and restaurants, and it’s the live music capital of the world. Entertainment for DAYSSS.
It's not quite as crazy as something like Miami, but it's also a great spot for dancing and all sorts of bach party shenanigans. You’re going to make the best memories with your girlfriends doing your bachelorette party in Austin!
But since it’s one of the most popular bachelorette party cities in the country, the bride-to-be might be overwhelmed with options. There are a million Austin bachelorette guides and weekend itineraries out there, and I get it…it can be a bit paralyzing to be faced with that many choices.
So I’ll keep things simple and offer a few incredible and popular bachelorette party ideas in each category, as well as a few backup options in case you’re the type of person who wants more ideas, not fewer ideas.
Choosing Austin as your bachelorette party destination is easy! Narrowing down your restaurant and activity options? That’s a bit harder… However, I'm going to share this incredibly simple and effective guide to how to plan a bachelorette party in Austin to keep things easy for you. Ok? Ok!
Note: you can’t possibly see everything there is to see in Austin in a single bachelorette weekend trip. (I mean, I’ve been here for more than 10 years and I still keep finding new things to do!) My advice is to choose just a few options that look great, soak up all the good times, and if you love this city plan another trip back soon!
About me…
I’m Kelsey! I’m a Texas native and I’ve been in Austin for more than a decade. I went to school at UT and I know this city inside and out.
I’m the creator of this Austin travel website you're reading, as well as my Austin lifestyle blog and a San Antonio travel site. I love scoping out cute hotels, charming cocktail bars, fun activities, and award-winning restaurants in my hometown of Austin, Texas!
I hope you find this guide thorough yet not too overwhelming. I had to find the balance between giving you all the details you need while also not spamming you with all the Austin info I keep inside my brain! If you want more ideas, you might want to check out my guides to the best music venues in Austin, where to eat in downtown Austin, great brunch spots in Austin, the best wine bars in Austin, and the best swimming holes in Austin.
How To Plan The Perfect Austin Bachelorette Party
Step 1: Where To Stay In Austin For Your Bachelorette Party
I’m going to make this really simple, because there are really only 3 parts of Austin you should consider for an epic bachelorette bash in ATX:
Option 1: South Congress/Travis Heights
South Congress (or “SOCO”) is a major shopping and entertainment destination just south of downtown. It’s where you’ll find those famous Austin bats, a bunch of well-known South Congress restaurants, and tons of shopping.
One of my favorite parts about SOCO is that it’s a street that’s surrounded by neighborhoods, so you can easily find a bachelorette vacation home rental nearby. I’d look close to SOCO or South First street for a house rental so you can walk to nearby coffee shops, taco trucks, wine bars, restaurants, and music venues.
The neighborhoods that you’ll be looking at for the areas near SOCO are called Travis Heights and Bouldin Creek. Aim to stay as close to downtown as you can afford. This airbnb is a great one for a bachelorette party - it has 9 beds and sleeps 16 people, and it's a short 5 minute Uber ride from downtown Austin.
Option 2: East Austin
East Austin is a whole VIBE! It's the "weird" in our "keep Austin weird" slogan. It's full of exceptional places to eat, so if you're a foodie, you very well might want to stay in east ATX. It's also home to some lovely hotels with pools, some cute east Austin coffee shops, and the very best BBQ in Austin. It's a short Uber ride or a long walk to downtown Austin.
East Austin is the part of town on the eastern side of Interstate 35. While east Austin is a pretty vague boundary, you should look for a home rental somewhere between Cesar Chavez (on the south border) and 11th Street (on the north border.) Again, the closer to downtown, the better.
Option 3: Downtown Austin
I recommend downtown Austin for your bachelorette party, but only with these caveats: you plan to stay in a hotel instead of a house rental, and you care more about location than about authentic Austin vibes.
Don’t get me wrong - downtown Austin is a blast! And it’s home to plenty of authentic Austin venues and eateries (Stubb’s BBQ, ACL Live theater, Lady Bird Lake). But in the last few years, as high rises have been rising higher and more nationally-owned restaurants are opening, it feels a bit more corporate (maybe Dallas lite?) and less like the old Austin we all knew and loved.
However, it’s super close to 6th Street, Lady Bird Lake, tons of exceptional hotels, and a bunch of great places to eat and drink. It’s also a very short rideshare from pretty much anything you might want to do during your bachelorette party, so downtown Austin is very convenient!
Should You Stay In A Hotel Or House For Your Austin Bachelorette Party?
I mean, I always think houses are more fun for bachelorette parties. Everyone has a common living/kitchen space to gather in the morning over coffee, and you can decorate the place with banners and kitschy decor for the bride. It’s just easier than getting a bunch of separate hotel rooms.
However, Austin hotels have their perks! Many of them have gorgeous rooftop pools, and those create great gathering places for the squad. I personal love the South Congress Hotel for its incredible restaurants and rooftop pool, the swanky JW Marriott in downtown Austin, and the Austin Proper, a gorgeous high-rise that basically looks like an Anthropologie catalog. Swoon!
Also, some bachelorette parties prefer to have more privacy instead of being together 24/7 for the bachelorette weekend.
Sorry I can't help you more, but this one comes down to personal preference. I will say that Austin is a major bachelorette party destination, so you can easily find lots of rental properties with pools, hot tubs, bistro lights on the patio, and lots of beds to fit the entire party.
A (Quick) Glossary of Austin’s Main Areas
I’ve lived here a while, so it’s all second nature to me! But if you’re unfamiliar with Austin, here’s a local’s guide to the main parts of town you should know about before you start booking bachelorette party activities:
Dirty Sixth // the bar-studded area of 6th street in downtown Austin. It stretches from I35 and goes east all the way to the Driskill Hotel. On the weekends they shut it down to cars so it’s just a bunch of drunk, happy pedestrians!
Downtown Austin // downtown Austin is a very liveable place! It’s where you’ll find the original flagship Whole Foods Market, a bunch of cocktail bars and restaurants, and live music venues in the “Red River District.” It’s home to 6th Street (lovingly referred to as “dirty 6th” because it’s where you go to get drunk and college kids love it), Rainey Street (a popular bar street here in Austin), the historic Driskill Hotel, the Waterloo Amphitheater (the best outdoor music venue in Austin!)
East Austin // Now, “East Austin” obviously encompasses a huge area, but for this bachelorette guide to Austin, we’re using that term to include the part of East Austin that’s closest to I35. This is a cute, quirky area of boutique stores, murals, fun hotels, and a ton (I mean a TON!) of coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, and bars. East Austin is a very popular place to live and play in Austin.
Lady Bird Lake // lots of locals still call it Town Lake (because that was its old official name. Lady Bird Lake is technically part of the Colorado River, but it’s been dammed up to create a lake that’s directly south of downtown. (Some downtown hotels even overlook the water!) It has a walking/jogging trail around it with 1, 2, 5, and 10-mile loops, and you can go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding in the lake, too.
Lake Austin // Lake Austin isn’t the same thing as Lady Bird Lake! While they’re both sections of the Colorado River, Lady Bird Lake is adjacent to downtown, and Lake Austin is a long, winding portion to the west of downtown. You can’t go boating in Lady Bird Lake (just kayaking) but you can rent speed boats and pontoons in Lake Austin.
Rainey Street // technically it’s a part of downtown, but Rainey Street is on the border between downtown Austin and east Austin. About a decade ago it was a really cool street with a bunch of historic bungalows that had all been converted into unique bars. Investors keep coming in, tearing down the bungalows, and building high rises, so a lot of the character has been lost. Now it’s home to expensive drinks and big crowds, but if you want nightlife in Austin, there are lots of bars here!
South Congress (SOCO) // This street is a must-visit for your first time in Austin! It’s packed with shops, patio restaurants, hotel pools, murals, and bars. There are still a few of the unique Austin boutiques on SOCO, but there are also lots of mainstream and luxury shopping brands like Everlane, Lululemon, and Hermés.
Zilker Park // Zilker Park is very famous in Austin because it’s the 351-acre park that holds the Austin City Limits Music Festival every October. Folks gather here to play frisbee, eat picnics, and let the dogs run around. Oh, and it’s also where you’ll find Barton Springs Pool. Zilker Park is a short Uber ride from downtown Austin.
Step 2: Getting from the Austin airport to your hotel/airbnb
You’re in luck here! Unlike other international airports that are an hour drive from the city, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is only about 7 miles from downtown Austin.
If you’re really pinching pennies you could take the CapMetro bus line, but I just recommend getting an Uber or a Lyft to your hotel or rental house.
Pro tip: if you’re waiting at the airport for a big group to arrive before you Uber together, go ahead and get a drink and a bite to eat! The Austin airport is famous for its local restaurants and local craft beer and wine. Here’s a guide to the best food at the Austin airport.
Step 3: Plan Things To Do In Austin For Your Bachelorette Party
Once you've selected a house rental or a hotel, this is the bulk of the planning...so you're nearly there! Most Austin activities are in a very small area where you can walk or uber easily (downtown, Rainey, SOCO, East Austin.) Of course, there are a few Austin activities that are a longer drive away (Mount Bonnell, visiting wineries in the Texas Hill Country, boating on Lake Travis) you could easily fill your bachelorette weekend in Austin with activities near your house. More efficient that way!
I recommend planning one big and one small activity each day and filling in the rest with food/relaxation.
Example 1: big activity (a day of boating) + with small activity (bachelorette yoga at your vacation rental) + food (BBQ, a cute coffee shop, breakfast tacos)
Example 2: big activity (a night of bar hopping) + small activity (Juiceland smoothies and kayaking on the lake in the morning) + food (nice dinner out, food truck for lunch)
See Live Music
You’re in the live music capital of the world, after all! Getting tickets to a live show in Austin is a great way to spend one of your bachelorette party nights.
There are some great concert venues in Austin, but here are a few cool venues worth checking out for your bachelorette party:
Mohawk // Located in Austin’s Red River District, Mohawk is a multi-level space so you can watch your favorite band from the ground level or up above the stage. It’s a pretty small space, making it a great venue to get loud and rowdy and have a great time with your bachelorette group. |WEBSITE| 912 Red River St, Austin TX 78701
Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Greenway // This new amphitheater in downtown Austin has a view of the Texas State Capitol building! It seats 5,000 people, so some pretty big names come through. Those grassy lawn seats are a great place to gather with your bachelorette party with a few glasses of wine under the ATX sky. |WEBSITE|1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701
Stubbs BBQ // a classic concert venue in downtown Austin, and the best part? You can pair a pre-concert bbq meal with your concert! The outdoor venue is so much fun. |WEBSITE| 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
The Continental Club // an iconic music club on SOCO and one of the most well-known venues in Austin. It’s a small, intimate venue and definitely a bucket list item in Austin. |WEBSITE| 1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
ACL Live at the Moody Theater // Not to be confused with the Moody Amphitheater previously mentioned, the Moody Theater is a 2750-seat indoor theater in downtown Austin at the base of the W Hotel. It’s where ACL Live is recorded, the longest-running music series on American television. But you can also catch other shows here. It’s close to tons of great restaurants for pre-show dinner or post-show drinks! |WEBSITE| 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Historic Scoot Inn // One of the coolest music venues in east Austin, Historic Scoot Inn is always a good time! Originally opened in 1857 and the home of Austin’s 4th-oldest liquor license, this outdoor music venue is a great place for some Austin beer and some good tunes. |WEBSITE| 1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702
Rent A Boat For A Day On The Water
There are soooo many boating companies in Austin that provide a boat, a driver, and a cooler. I’ve personally boated with Float On and I love them, but feel free to just do a google search and find the best one for you.
A note about boating in Austin: there are two options for boat rentals, and lots of boating companies offer both to you.
Option 1: Lake Austin // You can go boating in Lake Austin, which is a part of the Colorado River that snakes through west Austin. This is a fun option because you get to see all the waterfront mansions and go under the famous 360 Pennybacker Bridge, which makes for a great photo op.
Option 2: Lake Travis // And then there’s Lake Travis, a larger dammed-up portion of the Colorado River that’s about 35 minutes west of Austin. It’s a more traditional lake feel, but it’s also a longer Uber drive.
>> For a bachelorette party in Austin, I recommend boating in Lake Austin. <<
Go Bar Hopping in Austin
Any Austin bachelorette weekend needs a night out on the town! The bar scene in Austin is pretty simple. Here’s a quick guide to the best bars for bachelorette parties in Austin.
The Best Bars For Bachelorette Parties in Austin
Dirty Sixth
You’ll hear every tourist mention this, because it’s the most famous bar scene in Austin. Note that most famous does NOT equate to the “best” bar scene! But it’s pretty famous.
Every UT student has been out on Dirty Sixth at least once. And if you and your bachelorette party decide to venture out, expect to see between 10-15 other bachelor and bachelorette parties out, too.
The bars are a bit grungy and there are employees in the front of the bars trying to get groups of girls to come in (better for their business!) so they’ll probably offer you a free drink if you’re willing to stop by. There are a few worthwhile spots on Dirty Sixth (Midnight Cowboy is a legendary reservations-only speakeasy with exceptional cocktails made tableside, Wanderlust Wine Co is a fun serve-yourself wine bar, Maggie Mae’s, a classic bar with a rooftop area, and The Backspace is one of the best pizza spots in Austin). But in general, Dirty Sixth is pretty grungy and it’s the type of place you go out for a WILD night to make a bunch of memories you may or may not actually remember…
East Sixth
This is the part of Sixth Street that’s on the east side of I35. In general, it’s a little bit more tasteful than Dirty Sixth and has a bit more of a “grown up” feel (versus the college feel of Dirty Sixth.)
There are some great bars in this area, including Uptown Sports Club, a New Oreleans-inspired eatery and cocktail bar from Franklin BBQ’s Aaron Franklin, Whisler's, a popular cocktail bar with a speakeasy mezcaleria upstairs and a food truck in the backyard, and LoLo, a natural wine bar with an unpretentious feel and a big back patio. Of course, you can’t go wrong with Violet Crown Social Club, a famous bar and lounge on East Sixth.
Rainey Street
One of the most talked-about bar regions in Austin is Rainey Street! Locals hate it because it “used to be cool” and visitors love it because it’s a really dense area where you can literally walk from bar to bar. I'm on the fence...sometimes I get annoyed with Rainey, and sometimes I fall in love with it all over again. Either way, I wrote this guide to the best places to eat and drink on Rainey Street to help visitors out.
While lots of the original bungalow houses that were bars have been torn down to make space for high rises, there are still a few legit places to check out on Rainey. Bangers Sausage House and Beer Garden has 200+ beers on tap, 20+ housemade sausages, and two separate bars. Clive Bar is a cute and casual spot that often has live music. And if you want something swanky, Tipsy Alchemist is a rooftop bar with the most inventive cocktails you’ve ever seen!
Note that drinks on Rainey Street are hella expensive. Like, even a vodka soda is going to be overpriced. You’re going here for the experience!
West Sixth
This is where it gets confusing, because if “East Sixth” is the part of Sixth Street on the east side of I35, you might think that “West Sixth” is on the west side. Well, directly west of I35 is “Dirty Sixth”, and if you want to go to the bar district of West Sixth you have to go all the way west of Guadalupe.
This area definitely has a party vibe, but it’s not quite as grungy as Dirty Sixth. It’s a great option for a bachelorette party!
Devil May Care is a moody lounge with live jazz music, and Star Bar is a really good “classic bar” with some great food trucks parked outside. Little Woodrow's has more of a sports bar feel, and it’s also home to a OneTaco truck, some of the best tacos in the city! And there are plenty of other bars in the area that you can easily reach on foot.
Lounge At An Austin Swimming Hole
There are some fantastic swimming holes in and around Austin, but by far the most famous one is Barton Springs Pool. It's a 3-acre pool that's fed from an underground spring and remains 68-70 degrees year-round! And since it's located at Zilker Park, it's easy to reach.
You could also check out Deep Eddy Pool, another pool that's spring-fed and closer to downtown. It's not quite as iconic as Barton Springs, but it's just as cool and refreshing 68 degrees, has a paved cement floor (instead of a dirt/plant floor like Barton Springs) and offers a beach-entrance instead of a rocky entrance (less likely for slips and falls!).
Or Lounge At An Austin Hotel Pool
Even if you're not staying at a hotel, many Austin rooftop pools offer full- or half-day passes. There are some beautiful hotel pools in Austin! Some of my favorites are the South Congress Hotel Pool (it's small and cute and offers an overhead view of South Congress, plus the food is amazing), the Thompson Hotel Pool (it's adjacent to their rooftop restaurant so you can order food + booze with a view of downtown), and the LINE Hotel pool (it's an infinity pool overlooking Lady Bird Lake, and there's a Veracruz All Natural taco walk-up window by the pool.) Or you can check out my guide to some of the best rooftop pools in Austin.
Wander The YARD At St Elmo
Psst: this is an under-the-radar Bachelorette party idea in Austin...not enough people know about this! While everyone else is partying on Rainey or Sixth St, you can go where the locals go and hang out at The YARD.
It's a mixed-use development that's about 4 miles south of South Congress. The YARD is home to two breweries, a winery, a sake bar, the first whiskey distillery in Austin City Limits since prohibition, a coffee shop, a cocktail manufacturer, and a bunch of great food trucks. You could easily spend a half day just wandering up and down and visiting the different bars!
Psst: make reservations for a tour at Still Austin Distillery, and make sure you get one of those fried chicken sandwiches at Spicy Boys Food Truck, parked at St Elmo Brewery.
Do All The Bachelorette Things!
From renting a tour bus to go on a Hill Country Winery to hiring those handsome Cocktail Cowboys to mix drinks for you and wait hand-and-foot on the bride-to-be, there are plenty of classic bach party things to do in Austin.
Be sure to get your matching hats and a sash for the bride, plan plenty of themed decor and straws and banners to have in your house rental, and get ready for lots of pictures!
Step 4: Where To Eat In Austin For Your Bachelorette Party
It goes without saying that there are two types of food you can’t miss: bbq and tacos. I recommend choosing one really good BBQ spot from this list during the weekend and one really good Tex Mex restaurant (try Polvos!), and then filling in the rest of the weekend with some coffee shops, bars, food trucks, a big Sunday morning brunch, and maybe some healthy stuff, because Austin actually has a lot of deliciously healthy restaurants.
BBQ In Austin For Your Bachelorette Party
Terry Blacks BBQ // My top pick for BBQ at your bachelorette party because it's located on Barton Springs Rd so you can eat here after you go swimming at Barton Springs Pool! The twin brothers who opened this popular smokehouse are from the famous Blacks Barbecue family . |WEBSITE| 1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Franklin BBQ // From James Beard Award-winning chef Aaron Franklin, Franklin BBQ is synonymous with Texas barbecue culture. The line is ALWAYS wrapped around the building and they always sell out, so if you want to stand in line here it will be a half-day event. (Bring chairs and coolers and make a day out of it!) Alternatively, you can order up to 42 days in advance for a minimum of 5 pounds of meat and then just bring it back to your vacation rental so the whole party can eat BBQ poolside! |WEBSITE| 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Micklethwait Craft Meats // Another Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joint, Micklethwait is one of the most popular BBQ spots in Austin. This trailer is parked outside Saddle Up, an adorable beer garden in East Austin. |WEBSITE| 1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
La Barbecue // This one is right up there in popularity with Franklin BBQ, but the line is typically a bit shorter. The brisket is melt-in-your-mouth perfection, and honestly, the sides here are way better than at Franklin. |WEBSITE| 2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Tex Mex In Austin For Your Bachelorette Party
Polvos // Home of the best flour tortillas in Austin, epic pitchers of margaritas, and a pretty casual vibe, Polvos is a very popular spot for bachelorette parties in Austin to get their spicy margs and beef fajita fix. Psst: my very top pick for a delicious Tex Mex breakfast!! |WEBSITE| 2004 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
La Condesa // This James Beard-nominated Mexican restaurant and bar in downtown Austin has a more upscale feel than Polvos, and it leans more "Mex" than "Tex." The craft cocktails are phenomenal, and I have dreams about their carnitas tacos… |WEBSITE| 400 W 2nd St A, Austin, TX 78701
Grizzeldas // Amazing food with feminine/pink energy, Grizzelda's in East Austin is my go-to for spicy margs, queso fundido, and sizzling fajitas with girlfriends. Oh, and their happy hour is excellent if you're able to eat early on a Friday night. $6 cocktails anyone? |WEBSITE| 105 Tillery St, Austin, TX 78702
Taquero Mucho // Essentially THE bachelorette party in Austin (because the entire thing is pink!!), Taquero Mucho has pink margaritas, pink decor, and pink (!!!) tacos. Yup! It's conveniently located in west downtown and you could easily bar hop on West 6th after eating here for dinner. |WEBSITE| 508 West Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Best Brunch In Austin For Your Bachelorette Party
Psst: you can also use this map of the best brunch spots in Austin to help you find more great brunch options in Austin!
Josephine House // This darling bungalow on the western edge of downtown Austin has some of the fluffiest pancakes, best brunch cocktails, and cutest brunch vibes around. It's absolutely darling and the food is always phenomenal. |WEBSITE| 1601 Waterston Ave, Austin, TX 78703
Launderette // An old laundromat might not sound all that charming, but Launderette is just that and the renovation is pretty shocking! Try to get one of the outdoor patio tables if the weather is nice, and don't skimp on the pastries and desserts here - their pastry program is next level! |WEBSITE| 2115 Holly St, Austin, TX 78702
Hillside Farmacy // There's a theme in Austin with renovating old buildings into brunch spots...and Hillside Farmacy is no exception! This historic pharmacy in East Austin is now one of the most popular brunch destinations in Austin for locally sourced food and brunch cocktails. Their buttermilk pancakes with Mexican Vanilla are so good! |WEBSITE| 1209 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Joann's Fine Foods // If you want a retro/Tex-Mex feel for brunch, you can't beat Joann's on South Congress. It's from the same restaurant group as Josephine House, and the food is just as dependable and perfect. Their chilaquiles and fresh-squeezed juice are amazing. |WEBSITE| 1224 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Gabriella's Downtown // From the same restaurant group as Taquero Mucho (that all PINK restaurant!), Gabriella's has the same authentic Mexican cuisine, giant cocktails, and fun vibes. Their brunch is very popular and they don't take reservations, so you might want to try to get there early. Also, they have a south location down on Slaughter Lane and it's a much bigger restaurant. If you're set on this place, you could try that location, too. |WEBSITE| 900 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
Best Coffee Shops In Austin For Your Bachelorette Party
Revival Coffee // Your favorite pink coffee shop in Austin, with fun drinks like a Honey Lavender Latte and an iced Matcha Fruity Pebbles. |WEBSITE| 1405 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
Houndstooth Coffee // If you're a coffee aficionado, Houndstooth is one of the most well-respected coffee roasters and shops in Austin. They have multiple locations. |WEBSITE| 401 Congress Ave. #100c, Austin, TX 78701
Jo's Coffee // You can't wander South Congress and not stop at Jo's! It's home to the famous "I Love You So Much" mural where you'll definitely want to get a picture with your bachelorette party. For drinks, people loved Jo's Iced Turbo, which is a jolt of lots of caffeine and lots of sweets! |WEBSITE| 1300 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails // Better Half is not only one of the best coffee shops in Austin, but it's also one of the best breakfast spots. They make phenomenal pastries and desserts, but they also have some healthier breakfast stuff like a granola bowl made with local Greek yogurt. |WEBSITE| 406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
Must-Try Austin Restaurants For Your Bachelorette Party
Of course, go ahead and reference the BBQ and Tex-Mex options above. I really do recommend choosing one from each of those when you're planning your weekend! But if you end up doing those for lunches, or you have an extra long weekend in Austin planned, here are a few other exceptional restaurants in Austin for you to consider:
Veracruz All Natural // their migas taco was featured on Food Network as one of the best tacos in America, and this mini-chain now has locations all over Austin. The walk-up window near the Congress Bridge and the food truck at Radio Coffee & Beer Garden are my two favorites. |WEBSITE| 2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
Suerte // Nationally-renowned Mexican restaurant with (no joke) some of the best corn tortillas you're ever going to try in your life. They go through the painstaking process of nixtamalization to get that soft texture and vibrant flavor. The tequila/mezcal selection here is amazing and all the plates are made for sharing, so it's a fun spot for a group. |WEBSITE|1800 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Maie Day // Located in the South Congress Hotel, this Austin chop house is from the same people behind James Beard Award-winning restaurant Olamaie. The steaks are locally sourced, the sides are phenomenal, and the energy is bright and fun! Psst: they might have the best chocolate cake in the entire city of Austin. |WEBSITE| 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 7870
Emmer & Rye // Farm-to-table, nose-to-tale, root-to-tip, with an emphasis on ancient heirloom grains...to say that a lot of thought goes into their food sourcing and menu production is an understatement. And that's probably why Emmer & Rye has racked up so many awards, including Bon Appetit's best new restaurants in America right when they opened. If you want one really nice, upscale dinner out, you simply can't beat Emmer & Rye. |WEBSITE| SkyHouse, 51 Rainey St UNIT 110, Austin, TX 78701
Homeslice Pizza // Of course, sometimes you just want something easy and casual, and Homeslice on South Congress is perfect for that. These NY-style pies and subs are, quite frankly, delicious. Local tip: everyone gets the pizzas, which are delicious, but have you tried their Italian Sub? That warm, chewy, homemade bread might just change your life... |WEBSITE| 1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Bouldin Creek Cafe // If you want the most "Austin-y" vibes around, go to the vegetarian restaurant Bouldin Creek Cafe. No frills, just a classic restaurant that's been around forever and is beloved by locals. Their omelet with chipotle pecan pesto is incredible. |WEBSITE| 1900 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Step 5: Add Some Outdoor Activities and Exercise For Your Bachelorette Party
Late-night drinking and carb-heavy brunches are fun, but eventually, your body starts to crave some movement and a smoothie or something. Here are the best ways to incorporate outdoor activities into your Austin bachelorette weekend!
Austin Bachelorette Yoga // This company will come to your vacation rental! You just pay per mat, so anyone who wants to join the class can do so. They even have a cute "bride" towel as part of their package. | WEBSITE |
Walk around Lady Bird Lake // No reservations are required! Enjoy the Austin energy and get in your steps with a walk on the Hike & Bike Trail. I love to get a smoothie at Juiceland on Lake Austin Boulevard before starting my walk.
Paddle Board or kayak // There are plenty of kayak rental companies around the perimeter of Lady Bird Lake, so just find the one closest to you for a 1- or 2-hour rental out on the water. (I've used The Rowing Dock recently and liked them, but there are lots of options.)
Eat at Picnik Austin // Not an activity per se, but it's something healthy to fit into your weekend! Picnik is 100% gluten-free and peans-free and inclusive of all lifestyles (vegan, paleo, GF, etc.) Their food is vibrant, healthy and delicious and it's a great way to hit "reset" after a night out of drinking in Austin. The South First Street location is GORGEOUS!!!
Things you need to remember to pack for your Austin bachelorette party
I'm sure you're set on packing the normal bachelorette party things, but here are a few extra recommendations for throwing a bachelorette party in Austin:
LAYERS // Austin is pretty warm year-round, but in the winter we occasionally get really cold mornings/nights followed by warm afternoons. I love the cute dress + jean jacket look for those days, but if you're visiting in the winter just be sure to pack a coat.
COMFY SHOES // Certain parts of Austin are very walkable! For instance, if you're wandering SOCO in the afternoon, you'll probably log a few miles. Bring some cute sneaks or comfy sandals.
HATS AND SUNSCREEN // It goes without saying that Austin is hella hot in the summer. So unless you're superhuman and can withstand 105 degrees without shade and sunscreen, plan accordingly. Oh, and try to do Barton Springs or outdoor stuff first thing in the morning and then stay indoors in the afternoon.
I hope this guide was helpful! And if you're looking for all of The Austin Things, just click around on this site. You'll find dozens of helpful articles all written by Austin locals to help you find amazing hotels, activities, and food in ATX. Cheers!
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