The Best Things to do in Austin

As a born and raised New Englander, I never thought I would find a city in the south I really loved, but Austin won me over. With a motto like “Keep Austin Weird,” you know it has to be a city cooler than you’ll ever be. This city is relatively easy to walk around, has endless bars, restaurants, shops with cowboy boots, and plenty of things to do. If you’re looking for tips on having a bachelorette party in Austin, this guide can be perfectly adapted for your trip, especially as most of these activities I did with a large group of girls.

Where to Eat in Austin

Voodoo Doughnut should not be missed if you are a doughnut lover, and Easy Tiger is a great spot for good drinks, food, and the chance to play a board game while doing both. Irene’s has great cocktails and dinner just off of 6th and is slightly more upscale than some of the other stops on the street.

Austin is famous for its many murals, many of which you can find just by walking around. Be forewarned that the famous “Welcome to Austin” sign is very off the beaten path with little else around. If you do venture over there, Fresa’s is a great spot close by with a large outdoor area and killer margs.

Speaking of good food, Kerby Lane Cafe has an amazing brunch with the cheapest mimosas I’ve ever had. If you really want a big brunch, try Goudough’s Public House, where almost all the dishes are served on donuts.

There are a ton of trendy, new spots popping up in the city all the time. Most recently I tried Aba, and the whipped feta + short rib hummus are AMAZING and a must try.

Now let’s talk about two of Austin’s most popular foods - tacos and BBQ. James Beard Award winner Nixata Taqueria is surprisingly low-key for its award winning status, Carpenter’s had great chorizo breakfast tacos, and no trip is complete without a trip to the chain Torchy’s. There are also a ton of great BBQ spots, and it’s hard to find a bad one if you’re from the north, in my opinion. The best I’ve had in my three trips there was Terry Black’s, though Salt Lick BBQ takes a close second.

If you’re into the local brews, Pinthouse Pizza Brewing has great beer and two locations in Austin. If you’re more into vodka, the Deep Eddy distillery is a short ride away from downtown with samples of craft cocktails, local food trucks, and on Sundays, a craft fair. I recommend going through Austin Tour Company; they transport you there and back in a coach bus and let you drink on the bus.

Things to Do in Austin

If you want activities unrelated to food and drink, here are some things to do in Austin: take a dip in Barton Springs pool, walk the Barton Creek trails, go for a kayak or paddle on Ladybird Lake, scooter around the city, or ‘hike’ Mount Bonnell. At just 100 steps, this is one of the best hikes I have ever been on, and the view of the city and surrounding area was also great.

Venture outside of downtown and visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, or go a little farther out and visit Hill Country for some wine tasting. Pro tip: Salt Lick BBQ has a spot in Hill Country where you can try their wine and BBQ.

If you’re visiting on a rainy day, Wonderspaces Austin is a great spot to spend the afternoon.

When you’re done eating and sightseeing, Rainey Street was my favorite area to go out at night. Converted homes and old shipping containers make up the bars on this strip. If you want a more upscale Austin night, there are plenty of rooftops to hop around at downtown hotels. I went to the Azul and Edge rooftops and enjoyed great drinks and views.

Where to stay in Austin

If you’re traveling without a car, I recommend staying in a hotel or AirBnb close to downtown. While the amount of great hotels in Austin are seemingly endless, if you go with a group, I recommend getting a unique AirBnb close to all the bustle of downtown life.

The main downtown area of Austin is easy to get around by foot, bike, scooter, or Uber. If you’re looking to head someplace outside of the city, like Lake Travis, renting a car is probably a good choice.

If you like good food and fun places to drink, Austin is the perfect spot for your next trip.