In the age of Google My Business a “hidden gem restaurant” doesn’t really exist anymore…but sometimes I still like to bring attention to some lesser-known Austin gems. While most people visit Austin and get the same 8-10 recommendations (MICHELIN-rated, the 30 all-time best restaurants in Austin, and then tourist-y spots like Salt Lick and Torchy’s),…
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.
Tucked into the heart of downtown Austin is an unassuming park of dirt mounds and hills. You might drive by it a few times without noticing it (especially if it’s empty), but if you head to 9th Street and North Lamar on a weekend, dozens of BMX bikers of all ages and skill levels will…
Sandwiches in Austin (unfairly) don’t have the same hype that they get in a lot of other cities. I mean, it’s not like we have the same claim to fame as NYC deli markets or the New Orleans po’boy scene. (Granted, we totally own the market on tacos and barbecue.) But I’m on a mission to showcase…
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…
Austin is known for its food scene, but those restaurant tabs can add up pretty quickly The solution? Austin happy hours! You can often try the same amazing menu items at a fraction of the cost. Plus, happy hour is just…happy. PS: weekend-specific happy hours in Austin are here. powered by Proxi About me: I’m Kelsey,…
Sure, downtown Austin and east Austin are probably where you’ll find the biggest clusters of award-winning Austin restaurants. But the sprawling area of west Austin (from Westlake to Lakeway to Bee Caves, and even closer to the city like Tarrytown and Rollingwood) has lots of residents. So where are all the west Austin restaurants?? Actually,…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
There are plenty of things to do in Austin with babies! But just keep in mind…looking for things to do in Austin with a toddler and things to do in Austin with a baby can be totally different activities. After all, toddlers can, well…toddle, and babies mostly just sit there (and look adorable.) So for…
Searching for some of the best country dance floors in Austin? Well, there are still a few adorable, historic, family-owned honky tonks in ATX that make for a great date night, a memorable bachelorette party activity, or just a fun evening out with friends. Country dancing is a great excuse to dress up, have fun,…
Ask anyone who lives in Georgetown, Texas, and they’ll tell you: GTX is WHERE IT’S AT, y’all! This historic Texas town might has experienced its recent boom due to its 30 mile proximity to Austin, but now the same people who moved to Georgetown as a commuter city are very happy to call it home.…
New to Austin? Here’s what locals actually love to do. No tourist traps, promise.
With record-breaking weather and more triple digits temps in the future, Austin is officially scorching. If you want to make it through the summer (and have fun doing it), plan on visiting one of these awesome hotel pools in Austin. Whether you’re visiting and looking for the best Austin hotels with pools, or you’re a…
I kind of have to cringe any time I use the word “Austin” and “speakeasy” in the same sentence. There are so many speakeasy cocktail bars, and let’s be honest: they’re not secret. (There’s lots of cocktail bar competition! Everyone wants business!) But this new taco speakeasy in Austin, while not super secret, actually is a…
There’s just nothing like a staycation at a swanky hotel in your own city! I feel very called to share these amazing experiences for hotel staycations in Austin with you because 1) everyone Austinite should do a staycation every now and then, and 2) HOLY MOLY there are some fun hotels in Austin right now! …
It’s SUMMER!! I’m ready for the most epic summer yet with my kids, and I’ve made a massive Austin summer bucket list of all the fun things we’re going to do this year. In my typical type-A fashion, I scheduled out the entire summer with detailed plans, lists, and spreadsheets so I can make sure…
The amazing swimming holes in Austin are what make summers bearable here! Although this is a landlocked city, there are some really fun places to explore on the hottest days of the year. One of the best parts about these swimming holes is that lots of them are spring-fed, so they stay ice-cold all summer…
You’re planning a trip to Austin, and you’re thinking about all the free time in your schedule at the beginning of August. It’s just before everyone goes back to school and a new semester begins, and it just so happens to be a great time to squeeze in one more trip at the end of…
Wondering where you should plan your next date night? Good news: I’m sharing my favorite date night restaurants in Austin with you! (Be sure to use the map below to find one near you.) After more than a decade of going out on dates in Austin, my husband and I have ventured to pretty much…
One of the most luxurious treats in life is settling into an adorable coffee shop with a beautifully-made latte and an absolutely perfect pastry to start your day. This trio (coffee shop, excellent coffee, beautiful pastry) feels like a little “treat yoself” moment no matter if you do it once a year or 5 days…
I’ve now eaten at Maie Day multiple times, and each time I ask myself, “why isn’t everyone screaming from the rooftops that this is the best steakhouse in Austin??” Maybe it’s because when diners ask for good steakhouse recommendations, they’re looking for classic white tablecloth/baked potato/red wine places. But I vote that if you’re in Austin…
You really never have to worry about running out of things to do with kids in Austin because as soon as you’ve exhausted this list, you can just drive over to the next small Texas town! Sure, our state is MASSIVE and you can’t drive to a different state in a single afternoon (like our…
Ahhhh…that first sip of hot coffee in the morning… Except you pick up your coffee mug and realize the coffee has gone cold in the time it took you to get the toddlers up and dressed, change the baby’s diaper, and make everyone’s breakfast. Sound familiar? Same. Here’s my solution: find one of these amazing…
