17+ Spots To Hit Up on Your First Trip To Austin
Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.
Torchy’s Tacos
An Austin institution, Torchy’s is the local favorite for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snacks. Fried avocado? Check. Cilantro crema? Check. A hot sauce bar? Check. Try them all until you find your favorite. They’re damn good tacos.
Congress Street Bridge Bats
Get comfortable in the park on the south side of the Congress Street Bridge just before dusk and watch thousands of bats take flight after the sun sets. If you didn’t see the bats you didn’t really see Austin.
South Congress
Visit the iconic Austin shops that line the popular street south of the river. Get a fountain soda and some classic candy at Big Top Candy Shop, browse aisles of eccentricities at Uncommon Objects, grab a coffee at Tom’s, and watch the scoops throw your ice cream at Amy’s.
Kerbey Lane Cafe
Everybody’s favorite local diner, Kerbey Lane serves up everybody’s favorite pancakes. And since the flavor of those pancakes changes each week, you never get bored. Those famous pancakes also come in vegan varieties.
The Alamo Drafthouse
For movie lovers, there’s no other theatre in Austin. Cause it’s not just a movie theater; it’s a bar, restaurant and event center. The best part? You can have everything from craft brews to burgers to vegan appetizers delivered right to your seat like a boss.
Franklin BBQ
Austin is proud of its BBQ and Franklin is at the top of the list nationwide. But bring a folding chair and a good book and be prepared to wait. You’re going to want to get there early because the small restaurant runs out of the good stuff quick.
Barton Springs Pool
On a hot day, there’s no better place to take a dip than this natural spring and swimming hole in the heart of the city. It’s a bracing 68 degrees year round and you can take in the view of the Austin skyline from the pool. Plus it’s only $5. Can’t beat that.
Austin street art
The city is just brimming with color, so grab a map and hit the streets. Don’t forget your camera!
Bookpeople
It’s Austin’s favorite indie bookstore, all three floors of it. Even those who wouldn’t label themselves bibliophiles are bound to find some entertainment from shelves and shelves of national bestsellers, local faves, and quirky gifts. It’s so much more than a bookstore.
Blue Cat Cafe
Yes, that’s a thing. And Austin is home to the largest cat cafe in North America. Pay your $3, order your coffee and vegan food, and cuddle some kitties while you chill.
McKinney Falls State Park
On a hot Texas day, nothing beats taking a tube and a cooler to McKinney Falls and spending the afternoon outdoors. Even if it’s too cool to swim, say in November, the park still offers some great easy walks on a beautiful day.
Mayfield Park
Go get screamed at by peacocks. Didn’t know peacocks screamed? Then you haven’t been to Mayfield Park. There’s a historic home, hiking trails, and lots and lots of peacocks just wandering around the property. Take a stroll around the gardens, spot the peacocks in the trees, and don’t forget the camera to capture the guys showing off their feathers (and I don’t mean hipsters with hair accessories).
Mount Bonnell
Right next door to Mayfield Park is Mt. Bonnell. And fair warning, when I say hike I mean climb. The way to the top is a staircase straight up. It’s hard work, but you’ll be rewarded with some pretty great views of the Colorado River and the canopy of trees below.
Cenote
If you had too much fun on Dirty Sixth last night, grab a cup of coffee the morning after at Cenote. Not only is it good coffee, but there’s a great garden seating area complete with art and sculptures so you can enjoy the Austin sun.
Hit up a farmers market
There are dozens, so take your pick. Find locally made chocolate, kombucha, veggies, tacos, you name it. The Saturday SFC downtown market is my personal fave.
Live music
Anywhere, anytime. Austin is, after all, the live music capital of the world. And you can enjoy it at more venues than you could visit in a month. Head to The Broken Spoke for classic country music and two-steppin’, drink beer at underground jazz club The Elephant Room, or experience all the talented and diverse music the city has to offer at The Mohawk.