best coffee shops in Buda

The Best Local Coffee Shops in Buda

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 3, 2024

Buda just keeps getting better and better! This little town that’s just south of Austin has a small geographic area on the map but a BIG impact on the south Austin community. In fact, lots of south Austinites will drive down to Buda just to visit some of the best restaurants in Buda. But what…

St Elmo Carl

10 Must-Visit Breweries In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 31, 2024

You’re in Austin for the weekend, you know that we’re kind of famous for our craft breweries here, and you’re wondering what the top must-visit breweries in Austin are. Great! I’ll help! If this massive guide to ALL the award-winning breweries in the Austin area is a bit too overwhelming for you and you want…

Maie Day steak

15 Best Keto Restaurants In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 29, 2024

Wondering where the hell you’re going to eat in Austin while you’re on the Keto diet!? I got you! Dining out can definitely still happen, even if you’re trying to stick to the keto lifestyle. I know it can be hard to follow your Keto meal plan when you want to socialize and enjoy some nice dinners…

Pecan Square Cafe

New Austin Restaurants: The Archives

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 29, 2024

You might have stumbled upon the guide to The Best New Restaurants in Austin. It’s updated monthly and contains a few of the must-visit new hot spots in ATX. But once those restaurants reach 2 years old, they’re moved over here: The Archives. This is where you can scroll through and dozens of great restaurants…

Crown and Anchor Pub

Where To Eat Near University of Texas (Splurge $$$ and Save $)

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 28, 2024

I remember being a student at UT back in the day, and there were about…5 good places to eat near the University of Texas. Ha. Fortunately, as Austin grows and more and more fantastic restaurants come into this city, the food options for students are also growing! If you’re looking for some of the best…

Best Restaurants At The Domain

25 Best Restaurants At The Domain

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 27, 2024

There’s no denying that the Domain and the Domain NORTHSIDE are awesome places to spend your day in Austin. This massive district in north Austin is home to some of the best shopping in our city (Louis Vuitton! Nordstrom! Anthropologie!) and also some of the best restaurants. And I’m not sure about you, but after…

Sazan Cocktail Bar

A Map Of The Best Cocktail Bars In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 18, 2024

The next time you’re in the mood for a fun night out of cocktails with your friends, or you’re looking for a swanky cocktail bar in Austin for pre-dinner drinks, check out one of these fun spots. Rather than an exhaustive list of all the places in town to get cocktails, this is a roundup…

Bluebonnets in Austin

Where To Take Bluebonnet Pictures In Austin: 10 Best Spots (With A Map)

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 7, 2024

Bluebonnet season is early March – late April in Texas, and Austin and the surrounding Hill Country makes the perfect backdrop to capture those precious bluebonnet pictures in Austin. Finding bluebonnets isn’t hard – you can actually see millions of these gorgeous purple/blue flowers just while driving around on the highway. I was looking out…

Violet Crown Wine Bar and Coffee Shop in Austin

The Violet Crown Wine Bar and Coffee Shop Is Exceptional

By Kelsey Kennedy | December 12, 2023

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelsey Kennedy is a native Texan and a local Austin author, photographer, and blogger with a serious obsession for all things Austin. As the creator of four Texas-focused travel websites, her work has reached over 12 million readers in 38 countries, all searching for the coolest things to do in the hottest…

Bureau do Poste

Bureau de Poste French Restaurant in Austin Is Excellent

By Kelsey Kennedy | December 7, 2023

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelsey Kennedy is a native Texan and a local Austin author, photographer, and blogger with a serious obsession for all things Austin. As the creator of four Texas-focused travel websites, her work has reached over 12 million readers in 38 countries, all searching for the coolest things to do in the hottest…

First Light Books in Austin

This Independent Austin Bookstore and Cafe Is In An Old Post Office

By Kelsey Kennedy | December 6, 2023

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelsey Kennedy is a native Texan and a local Austin author, photographer, and blogger with a serious obsession for all things Austin. As the creator of four Texas-focused travel websites, her work has reached over 12 million readers in 38 countries, all searching for the coolest things to do in the hottest…

Miracle on 5th Street Austin

21 Fun and Festive Holiday Bars In Austin for 2023

By Kelsey Kennedy | December 1, 2023

‘Tis the season for ugly sweaters, over-the-top holiday decor, hot toddies, and HOLIDAY BARS IN AUSTIN! These 21 pop-up bars all feature a bit of whimsy and playfulness, making them the perfect spot to stop by, indulge, and soak up the holiday cheer. A few things about pop-up bars in Austin: Some of them have…

best restaurants with a view in Austin

17 Best Restaurants With A View In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | October 25, 2023

Searching for a restaurant with a view in Austin is pretty common because – let’s face it – Austin has a lot of beautiful bodies of water for a landlocked city! From the downtown Lady Bird Lake to the trickling Colorado River in east Austin to sprawling Lake Travis on the west side of the…

Best Haunted Houses in Austin

7 Spooky Haunted Houses In Austin To Visit This Year

By Kelsey Kennedy | October 24, 2023

Do you love a good scare fest? Haunted houses are one of the most popular activities this month, but you have to have a high tolerance for fright (or a strong hand to hold while you’re in the haunted house!) if you’re going to take on the challenge! Along with some of our other favorite…

Things To Do In Austin With Kids

Top 10 Tips For ACL Festival 2024

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 12, 2023

ACL Fest is quickly approaching, and there are lots of things you should know about it before you attend. Knowing what’s allowed at the festival, your transportation options (those pedi cabs are AWESOME), the best hotels to stay at during ACL Fest, picking your cute festival outfit, etc. are just as crucial as knowing the…

How Many Days Do You Need in Austin With Kids? (My Perfect 4-Day Itinerary)

By Kelsey Kennedy | October 2, 2025
Austin with kids

I live in Austin and have tried pretty much all of the “kid-friendly things to do in Austin.” If you’re planning a family vacation here, you might be wondering: how many days in Austin do you really need with kids? Long story short: 4 days (a long weekend) is the perfect amount of time. Here’s…

Best Pumpkin Patches In Austin (2025)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 27, 2025
Dripping Springs Pumpkin Fest

A quick guide + map to the best pumpkin patches in Austin this year.

Kid-Friendly Halloween Events Near Austin (2025 Edition)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 25, 2025
Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas

Fall is back, the air is crisping up (kinda…), and Austin is full of festive events perfect for kids and families. Not gonna lie – Halloween and fall events in Austin have gotten EXPENSIVE! If you’re going with a family of 4, expect to spend $100 on admission alone. Here are a few of my personal…

Easy Family Hikes Near Austin (Kid-Tested Trails!)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 23, 2025
hiking at Walnut Creek Park

Looking for an easy family hike near Austin? I get it! I love being outdoors with my kids, but I don’t always want to commit to a long trek with steep climbs, tons of stairs, or rocky terrain. The good news is there are plenty of kid-friendly hikes near Austin that I’ve explored with my…

Where To Eat Near ACL Fest 2025

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 22, 2025
Sandy's Hamburgers

From pre-fest coffee to post-fest drinks + carbs, here’s where to eat close to ACL Festival.

27 Fun Things To Do With Kids In Austin (That Locals Actually Love)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 22, 2025
Goat Farm at Jester King Austin

Whether you’re a local or you’re visiting with kids, here are some of my favorite really fun things to do in Austin with kids.

Do You Need A Car When You Visit Austin? A Mom’s Honest Take

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 19, 2025
Downtown Austin skyline at night

Wondering if you need a car when you visit Austin? Ok, hi! Sure! I’ll answer that. As a local Austin resident and someone who is constantly hopping around ATX to eat and explore, I have a feel for where to stay when you visit Austin and how you should plan to get around. ABOUT THE…

21 Cool Hotels Near Austin City Limits Festival

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 18, 2025
21 Best Hotels Near Austin City Limits Music Festival

Because why stay somewhere boring when you could stay somewhere awesome? Here are the best hotels near ACL Fest.

The Thinkery In Austin: Is The Children’s Museum Worth It?

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 18, 2025
The Thinkery

The Thinkery is our awesome little kids museum here in Austin. It’s located in the family-friendly east Austin neighborhood of Mueller, and it’s on pretty much every “best things to do in Austin” guide. If you’re wondering if it’s worth it to visit, I’ll go ahead cut to the chase: YES! I’ve been to this…

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

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 17, 2025
Origin Hotel in Austin

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 of dollars into places like Pease Park, Walnut Creek, and Circle C Park. We’re talking bigger play structures, more shaded areas, and safer play spots in…

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…

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