Local Guide

A longtime Riverside favorite for Mexico City-style tacos, especially al pastor shaved from the trompo. Casual, lively, and built for a quick stop or a late meal.

Aaron Franklin's nationally known East Austin smokehouse, celebrated for deeply barked brisket, ribs, sausage, and the patient ritual of lining up before service.

Austin flagship of this acclaimed urban spa brand. Offering signature facials, deep-tissue massage, and curated wellness rituals in a serene, beautifully appointed space.

Austin historic landmark since 1886. This Renaissance-era hotel anchors Sixth Street with grand Victorian architecture, a legendary bar, and old-world service in the heart of downtown.

One of Austin historic icons. Beneath the soaring lobby dome, this storied bar pours classic cocktails and fine whiskeys amid gilded columns and century-old portraits.

An East Austin honky-tonk with live music, a big dance floor, two-step lessons, pool tables, and an easygoing patio seven nights a week.

James Beard Award-winning Japanese cuisine from chef Tyson Cole. One of the most celebrated restaurants in Texas, with an ever-changing seasonal menu of impeccable sushi and small plates.

The intimate basement bar inside Hotel Van Zandt. A sophisticated, music-forward cocktail lounge with an expertly curated spirits list and regular live performances.

Modern American fine dining inside the historic Hotel Ella. Seasonal menus emphasizing local Texas ingredients, set in a graceful antebellum mansion just minutes from downtown.

A music-inspired luxury boutique hotel in Rainey Street. Features live music, a stunning rooftop pool, and rooms that blend Texas soul with understated elegance.

A family-owned Austin landmark since 1948, with two whimsical 18-hole courses and hand-painted characters at the corner of Barton Springs and Lamar.

A neighborhood taqueria serving generous plates, breakfast tacos, tortas, seafood, and classic Mexican comfort food from early morning into the evening.

A spacious Barton Springs smokehouse known for brisket, beef ribs, house-made sausage, and a lively patio within an easy walk of Lady Bird Lake.

A rooftop sanctuary with panoramic lake views. Signature treatments draw on Texas botanicals — the ideal retreat before or after a night on the town.

A retro neighborhood bar and jukebox in Windsor Park with food, drinks, pool, and a relaxed Austin feel.

Hill Country barbecue in a rustic lodge overlooking the green hills west of Austin, with smoked meats, hearty sides, and sunset views from the patio.

A Forbes Five-Star spa experience inside the Fairmont Austin. Offering a full menu of therapeutic treatments, a stunning 5th-floor pool deck, and wellness rituals crafted around relaxation and renewal in the heart of downtown.

The Contemporary's downtown home for rotating exhibitions, public programs, and rooftop views in a compact, modern space on Congress Avenue.

An East Austin bar and live music destination with cocktails, food, good times, and a distinctly local atmosphere.

A waterfront County Line outpost on Bull Creek, pairing classic Texas barbecue with a shaded deck, resident turtles, and a relaxed old-Austin setting.

A lakeside food hall and sports gathering place beside Austin FC's training grounds, with big screens, outdoor seating, local food concepts, and room to meet up before or after a match.

An East Sixth Street favorite blending dive bar energy, cocktails, a beer garden, free pool, and a welcoming patio.

An elevated indoor mini-golf experience in the Domain pairing a playful Austin-inspired course with cocktails, scratch-made food, and an easy date-night or group-outing setup.

A classic upstairs dive bar on Airport Boulevard with cold beer, pool tables, foosball, arcade games, and an easygoing atmosphere.

A sprawling Riverside arcade with more than 150 games set to free play, house cider, pizza, and Town Lake views. Family-friendly by day and adults-only later at night.

Austin's first absinthe bar, pairing a pre-Prohibition-inspired cocktail program with a curated wine list and rich French fare in a warm downtown room.

Austin's landmark central park, with more than 350 acres beside Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake for picnics, skyline views, festivals, open lawns, and easy access to nearby trails and attractions.

A beloved spring-fed swimming pool inside Zilker Park, known for cool water, grassy banks, and a distinctly Austin mix of lap swimmers, sunbathers, and year-round regulars.

A Downtown all-day coffeehouse, bar, and lounge for espresso in the morning, craft cocktails after dark, and easygoing bites in between.

A family-owned Hill Country swimming and camping destination with dozens of natural springs, a spring-fed pool, waterfalls, cypress shade, gardens, tent sites, and RV spaces.

The limestone landscape that collects and channels rainwater into Central Texas's Edwards Aquifer. Explore official maps, then experience its spring-fed ecology at Barton Springs and nearby greenbelts.

A shaded Northwest Austin park where limestone ledges, creek crossings, small waterfalls, swimming holes, and relaxed trails make an easy escape close to the city.

A rugged urban greenbelt with miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails, limestone cliffs, and seasonal swimming holes. Start near Zilker or choose another official trailhead.

A Cedar Park lake and trail hub with paved paths, picnic space, fishing, paddling, playgrounds, and access to the longer Brushy Creek Regional Trail for walking, running, and cycling.