Lulu's Austin

This Is The Cutest New Bar In South Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 9, 2023

Have you been to Lulu’s yet? It opened in October 2022 from a mother/daughter team. It’s the newest addition to the string of bars lining Menchaca Road in far South Austin. The owners call it “the perfect blend of Mexico City and South Austin.” It’s surprisingly unique in a row of bars that all feel…

The Prettiest Restaurants In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 6, 2023

Sometimes you want incredible food, and sometimes you want a kid-friendly restaurant, and sometimes you just want to try whatever is new and notable….but every now and then, the main criterion in your restaurant search is: make it pretty. What are the prettiest restaurants in Austin?  We’re talking about unique architecture, vaulted ceilings, big windows,…

Fil N Viet Food Truck in Austin

20 Austin Food Trucks That Locals Love

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 6, 2023

If you’re in Austin, you probably want to try a food truck or two. Here’s the good news: there are some *actually amazing* food trucks in ATX. And while there are all sorts of lists out there of famous Austin food trucks with instagrammable food (lookin’ at you, Gourdough’s), this is a list Austin food…

favorite pizza | downtown Austin lunch restaurants

Downtown Austin Lunch Restaurants: 50 Ideas + A Map

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 1, 2023

Think of this as a brainstorming session to find a good downtown Austin lunch restaurant. These aren’t necessarily narrowed down to the best lunch restaurants in Austin. Rather, we’re providing a big, broad list + map of places you can eat lunch in downtown Austin so you can find a location near you and the…

Bar Peached | best casual restaurants in Austin

The Best Casual Restaurants In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 27, 2023

Here’s your guide to some of the best casual restaurants in Austin. When you’ve been working from home all day in sweatpants and a messy bun and you’re not in the mood to wear makeup or put on “real” clothes, use this list to find a casual Austin restaurant near you.  Because we’ve all been…

Austin Texas Queso

What Is Austin Texas Queso? 

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 27, 2023

First off, don’t be weird and call it “cheese dip.” Queso is a BIG thing in Austin, and there’s no quicker way to show you don’t belong than by saying “let’s go get some burritos and cheese dip!” This spectacular appetizer (and sometimes a full meal…come on, everyone’s done it at least once) is one…

Downtown Austin winter

Unbelievable Temperature Variations in Austin Texas Weather

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 27, 2023

It’s a running joke in Austin Texas that the weather can fluctuate on a dime. You’ll wake up in the morning and put on a pair of jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, and a coat, and by lunchtime, you’re wishing you were wearing a t-shirt and sandals and paddle boarding out on the lake…even in the…

Best Food At Q2 Stadium + Here’s What’s New For 2024!

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 22, 2023

We’ve talked about Q2 Stadium plenty over here at The Austin Things. It’s a GORGEOUS soccer stadium that was built in 2020 to provide a home base for Austin FC, Austin’s MLS team. There are plenty of reasons why Q2 Stadium is the ultimate destination for soccer fans, but, one of the big reasons why…

5 Reasons Why Q2 Is the Best Soccer Stadium In The Country

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 21, 2023

Austin FC’s third season is kicking off, and with that comes a lot of anticipation from the fan base about upcoming changes to Q2 Stadium in north Austin. After all, a big part of attending the games and cheering on Los Verdes is the match day experience. And it just so happens that Q2 stadium…

Twin Oaks Branch Library in Austin

The Coolest Public Libraries In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 21, 2023

Austin, Texas public library system isn’t the biggest in the country, but that just means the pressure’s on to make it really great! The Austin Public Library system has a lot of branches scattered throughout the city, and one absolutely phenomenal central library that’s been nationally recognized. Many of these Austin public libraries offer kids…

Mueller Lake Park

A Guide To Mueller Lake Park in Austin Texas

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 20, 2023

Mueller Lake Park is a beautiful project in northeast Austin positioned strategically in the heart of Mueller. This gorgeous lake and park cement Mueller as one of the most family-friendly and walkable neighborhoods in Austin. The goal of the project was to transform the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (the old Austin airport that used to…

Austin restaurants with playgrounds | Whole Foods

A Map Of All The Austin Restaurants With Playgrounds

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 19, 2023

Sometimes you want to dine at a kid-friendly Austin restaurant and ask the kids to sit still and eat with you…and sometimes you just want to eat out at literally any place that has a playground where the kids can run around while you have a moment to finish your dinner in peace. If you’re…

Group Tours in Austin

Unique Group Tours In Austin: 10 Best Options For 2024

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 13, 2023

Some people like to travel by themselves, especially when visiting touristy attractions in the city. But there’s nothing quite like the experience of having an expert tour guide (especially if it’s a local). They can help you learn about Austin’s history and gain access to sites you may not be able to visit on your…

SXSW live music | How To Do SXSW For FREE!

What To Wear To SXSW

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 13, 2023

South by Southwest Conference and Festival is just around the corner, and in addition to packing stuff and updating your business cards and creating the perfect schedule of panels to attend and booking hotels and finding ways to do SXSW for free, you’re probably always wondering…what does one wear to this festival? After all, it’s…

19 Best Boutique Hotels In Austin

19 Best Boutique Hotels In Austin (+ Map and Prices)

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 9, 2023

Looking for the perfect Austin escape? When visiting the city, make sure to choose a hotel that truly represents the unique character of the vibrant destination. From funky decor to rooftop pools with awe-inspiring views of the city and cozy beds, there’s no shortage of boutique hotels in Austin offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience. I’ve…

Where To Find Cozy Food In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 20, 2025
best cozy food in Austin

Cold front in Austin? Cue all the cozy foods! There aren’t many snow storms or cold, blustery days here in Austin, but when they hit us, they hit us HARD. Those freezing wind chills and ice-cold temps are brutal (no thanks to the fact that none of us own a proper winter wardrobe…), but you…

The Prettiest Bars In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 20, 2025
prettiest bars in Austin

I am not a world-renowned mixologist or sommelier, but I know my way around a cocktail menu. A decade of food writing and city blogging has given me a front seat at some of the hottest cocktail bars in Austin and beyond. But do you know what I keep discovering, over and over again? It’s…

Best Food at the Austin Airport: Quick Guide

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 19, 2025
Parkside at Austin Airport

The Austin Airport is unique in the fact that we have a huge amount of local Austin restaurants located at the airport.  You won’t find a McDonald’s or a Subway at this airport, but you will find local breakfast tacos and famous Austin barbecue at the main terminal at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Here’s the…

The Best Bars and Restaurants On Rainey Street (According To An Austin Local)

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 18, 2025
best bars on Rainey

You love, you hate it, but there’s no denying that you’re aware of Rainey Street in Austin. It’s one of our biggest nightlife districts! Here are the best bars and restaurants on Rainey.

Play For All Abilities Park Is One  Of The Best Parks In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 18, 2025

If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, Play For All Park in Round Rock is truly one of the best parks in the greater Austin area. This MASSIVE, state-of-the-art park covers a vast area and was thoughtfully designed with inclusivity in mind to make sure that every child-regardless of their abilities-has the opportunity…

The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary For Your Weekend Trip To Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 16, 2025
Weekend Itinerary in Austin

Sure, there are plenty of “best of” lists floating around the Web. But what are the “perfect” things to do to fill your first weekend in Austin? Austin Texas: one of the top travel destinations in the United States. It’s perfect for bachelorette parties, family trips, girls’ weekend getaways, and romantic vacations with your significant…

Best Restaurant Bars In Austin For Solo Dining

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 13, 2025
EZOV

If you have the urge to go out and enjoy a fabulous meal at an Austin restaurant but you don’t have someone who’s available to join you…go anyway! Dining solo is amazing! And there are so many great Austin bars for dining solo.  For starters, it’s totally normal to dine solo and you shouldn’t be…

The Best Bars and Breweries Near Q2 Stadium

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 13, 2025
bars near Q2 stadium

Q2 Stadium is the gorgeous home of Austin’s major professional league soccer team, Austin FC. It’s pretty far north in Austin (located in the North Burnet section of North Austin), and it’s one of the newest sports facilities in the country, consisting of 20,500 seats. During those fun soccer game days, this stadium is crowded…

The Best Playgrounds In Austin (With Parking Info!)

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 13, 2025
Walnut Creek Playground in Austin

The city of Austin has recently invested in some significant remodels on the playgrounds in Austin. Luckily, it’s warm nearly year-round in ATX, so you can enjoy these magnificent public parks during any month. This roundup includes parks all over the Austin area, from Round Rock all the way down to Circle C.  When you…

Where To Eat In Austin During SXSW 2025

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 13, 2025
Austin patio

Alright y’all, it’s just about time for SXSW 2025! *Cue the trumpets.* Thousands of people are coming to town for this festival, and in addition to seeing amazing bands and panels and interactive events, everyone is asking, “but where should I eat in Austin during SXSW???” Hi! I’m here to help. I’m a long-time Austin…

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

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 12, 2025
South Austin Beer Garden

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.

13 Epic Spring Break Ideas In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 12, 2025
spring break ideas in Austin

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…

15 Most Instagrammable Spots In East Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 12, 2025
Mercado Sin Nombre

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…

10 Best South Austin Restaurants

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 11, 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…

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