South Austin Beer Garden

A List Of All The Bars on Menchaca Road (Ranked)

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 12, 2025

Let’s be honest…there are too many people on Rainey Street and Downtown Austin on any Saturday night. Those two popular spots for nightlife in Austin are typically packed, so we’re always searching for more venues for drinks and live music. Austinites love to go out and have a good time, and we need more venues…

How To Plan The Perfect Bachelorette Party In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 12, 2025

All the best hotspots you need to book ASAP + every detail you need for planning the ultimate bachelorette weekend in Austin.

spring break ideas in Austin

13 Epic Spring Break Ideas In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 12, 2025

SPRING BREAK!! If those two words in all caps don’t make you want to jump in a swimming pool and open a can of ice-cold beer, not sure anything will… 😉 Austin Texas is one of the premier destinations for spring break travelers around the country. Why? Sun, tacos, music, swimming. Do you really need…

Mercado Sin Nombre

15 Most Instagrammable Spots In East Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 12, 2025

If you’ve spent any time in east Austin, you know that it’s adorable. It has that “Austin-y” feel, with weird murals and old buildings and lots of local restaurants and shops. And of course, there are a bunch of cool spots to visit in this part of Austin, like amazing east Austin restaurants you need…

Jester King goat farm

Jester King Brewing: Austin’s Best Kid-Friendly Brewery

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 8, 2025

I’ve visited Jester King Brewery more times than I can count, and most of those times were before I became a parent. But since bringing two little boys into the world, I can confidently call Jester King austin best kid-friendly brewery for a full afternoon of fun.  If you’re looking for something fun to do…

St Elmo Springdale

The Best Austin Breweries With Playgrounds

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 8, 2025

Craft breweries in Austin are a family event. Here are some of the best breweries with playgrounds.

Carpenter hotel coffee

23 Coolest South Austin Coffee Shops

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 8, 2025

I normally wouldn’t say that coffee shops are “cool.” I’d call them serene, calming, or excellent places to work or start your day. But in this case, these South Austin coffee shops are cool. And that’s not just because South Austin, in general, is just a cool little area of ATX… It’s also because the…

Better Half Bar beens and greens

Better Half Bar Is Still The Best Lunch In Downtown Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 7, 2025

It’s not new, and it’s not a trendy, but Better Half Bar in downtown Austin is still the best place to get lunch in downtown Austin.  Better Half Bar is an all-day coffee shop, restaurant, and bar. They have a robust coffee program that opens early in the morning, an all-day menu featuring breakfast, lunch,…

Evan LeRoy (James Beard Nominee) Launched A Special Menu, And It’s Insane

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 6, 2025

There are only two Austin nominees in the James Beard Award – Best Chef Texas category, and Evan LeRoy is one of them. And if you haven’t been to the new LeRoy and Lewis brick-and-mortar restaurant in South Austin, seriously, what’s wrong with you? 🙂 I’ve been geeking out about LeRoy and Lewis being one…

Violet Crown Trail

Lace Up Your Hiking Boots: Here Are The 15 Best Hiking Trails in Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 6, 2025

Austin is a very outdoorsy city with lots of great hiking trails. Ask anyone who lives here and they’ll tell you that the terrain of Austin, with the limestone cliffs and numerous creek beds, lends itself to lots of great, easy hiking. So if you’re looking for a fun weekend adventure, here are 15 of…

hiking at Walnut Creek Park

FREE In Austin: Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park (And It’s A Gem!)

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 6, 2025

I love scoping out free things to do in Austin, because sometimes it seems like the cost of simply walking out your door is $400 these days! (Does anyone else feel this way?) There are loads of free things to do in Austin, but one of my very favorites is finding incredible public parks and…

SXSW live music | How To Do SXSW For FREE!

How Does SXSW Work + How To Do SXSW For Free 2025

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 5, 2025

South By Southwest Festival (also known as SXSW, SX, or “South By”) is a massive festival that happens in Austin Texas every spring. Although it started in the 1980s as a small-ish festival of 700 people, it has expanded and it’s now one of the biggest international stages to showcase the best and brightest in…

Top Notch

20 Classic Austin Restaurants For Your Bucket List

By Kelsey Kennedy | January 15, 2025

Austin has a rich history of restaurants; some have even been around since way back in the mid-1800s!  If these classic Austin restaurants have managed to stick around that long (amidst all the trendy, modern-day restaurants that are opening nearly every week), we all want to know why. And so, after running around the city…

Mexta Restaurant Review: I Wouldn’t Recommend It

By Kelsey Kennedy | January 13, 2025

Well, I already shared my TL;DR in the title, so I’ll go ahead and cut right to the chase about the new Mexico City-inspired restaurant in downtown Austin: Mexta isn’t going to be on my Best Restaurants in Austin list, at least for now. Here’s my review of Mexta where I’ll share both the (very)…

Uchiba Austin patio

Uchiba Is My Favorite Of The Uchi Restaurant Empire

By Kelsey Kennedy | January 10, 2025

I recently went on a double date to Uchiba and felt compelled to say why this restaurant is my very favorite among the Uchi restaurant empire.

10 Fun and Kid-Friendly Hotels in Austin for Your Next Trip

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 17, 2025
The Line

When you’re visiting a city, the most important thing to do first is book your hotel! Once that’s taken care of, everything else-restaurants, museums, concerts, and other fun activities-falls into place. I’ve written before about the best places to stay in Austin with kids, and I still stand by what I said: a vacation rental…

12 Best Playgrounds In Austin (Ranked By My Kids)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 17, 2025
Skyline Park

Austin has some of the best playgrounds in Texas, and lately the city has been busy giving a few of them major upgrades. The Parks Department has poured millions into places like Pease Park, Walnut Creek, and Circle C, making play structures bigger and better, adding shaded areas, and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for…

What To Wear To Austin City Limits Music Festival

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 17, 2025
What To Wear To ACL Festival

There’s a formula to this! Hot tip: no rompers because PORTA-POTTIES.

The Best Breakfast Spots In Austin With Kids

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 15, 2025
breakfast in Austin with kids

You know where Austin really shines? Casual breakfast spots! My kids love going out on Saturday mornings for a big stack of pancakes, and luckily, Austin has plenty of options. If you’re looking for where to eat breakfast in Austin with kids, here are a few of our favorite spots – personally approved by my…

Where To Stay In Austin With Kids

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 11, 2025
where to stay in Austin with kids

When a friend tells me she’s visiting Austin with her little ones and wants to know where to stay in Austin with kids, this is exactly what I tell her: An awesome airbnb, centrally located. And yes, plan on renting a car! Texas doesn’t have reliable public transportation. I’ve lived in Austin forever and I’m…

10 Best Restaurants on South Congress (From a Local Who Eats Here Weekly)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 5, 2025
Jo's Coffee

I know it’s a bit of an unpopular opinion, but as a local, I think South Congress is still incredible. Sure, it’s not the hippie mecca it used to be, and yes, a few big corporate stores have moved in-but the vibe is alive, the streets are fun, and the food? Absolutely worth it. Here…

The Best Coffee Shops In Austin With Playgrounds

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 5, 2025
Doxa Coffee and playground

I can’t count how many play dates I’ve done at coffee shops in Austin! They’re great spots to meet up with a fellow mom friend, let the toddlers play, and enjoy a caffeinated catch-up session. Here are a few of my favorite Austin coffee shops with play areas.  Full disclosure: I’m a coffee snob. I…

The Best Austin Restaurants With Playgrounds, According to a Local Mom

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 4, 2025
Austin restaurants with playgrounds | Whole Foods

As a mom of two young boys, I’ve learned that the easiest way to enjoy a family meal in Austin is to choose a restaurant with a playground. When the kids have a place to run and play, my husband and I actually get to relax and enjoy dinner. Luckily, Austin has no shortage of…

Cool Indoor Play Places In Austin For Toddlers + Big Kids

By Kelsey Kennedy | June 6, 2025
Indigo Play

When it’s way too hot or way too rainy or you just want a new indoor play place to explore, here are some good ones.

These Are The Best New Restaurants in Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | June 5, 2025
JABS burger in Austin

It’s hard to keep up with all the new restaurants opening in Austin! Use this guide + map to find something new to try near you.

The Perfect Day In Austin, *SUMMER* Edition! 

By Kelsey Kennedy | June 5, 2025
Barton springs Pool

When I get asked what it’s like to live in Austin, I always start with the truth: it’s HOT.  And not like, hot sauce and BBQ and spicy tacos hot…I mean sweaty, sunny, I-need-to-jump-in-a-pool hot.  So if you’re visiting Austin this summer and you need a full day of fun stuff to do, this guide…

The Ultimate Patio Guide To Austin, TX

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 16, 2025
Central Machine Works

When the weather is absolutely freaking gorgeous, everyone in Austin is going to want to drink or dine on a beautiful outdoor patio. Honestly, it’s almost easier to list places without patios than with, because nearly every restaurant and bar in Austin has outdoor seating. But where are the best patios in Austin? Use the…

10 Best South Austin Restaurants

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 16, 2025
Elizabeth Street Cafe

South Austin restaurants have never been better. Just when you think you’ve hit up all of the great places to eat and drink in south Austin, another great restaurant opens.  And this restaurant scene is quite different from the new restaurants that are opening in downtown Austin, which are often multi-million dollar build outs at…

20 Best Tacos In Austin That I Always Recommend To My Friends

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 15, 2025
Cuantos Taco

There’s a wide variety in this city, so here are the 20 best tacos in Austin, including everything from cheap street tacos to James Beard Award-Winning fancy tacos.

The Best Brunch Spots In Austin Texas

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 15, 2025
Elementary brunch

Austin is a brunch city, and here’s a map of all the best brunch spots you need to check out.

The Austin Things

Where To Eat In Austin

Visitor Tips For Austin

Best Austin Activites