Austin, TX: it’s known for live music, the Texas capitol building, and the UT campus. But did you know it’s also home to sweeping hills that beg to be explored, the best food scene in the state, and the largest urban bat population in the world?

There is so much to see and love in Austin!

Since we live in Dallas, taking a short drive down Hwy 35 to Austin is one of our favorite ways to spend a weekend. Recently we spent a long weekend exploring ATX, and it helped us put together the ideal Austin, TX itinerary. 

Here are 30 of our favorite local spots you’ll love to experience on your next Austin, TX weekend trip. 

 

Austin, TX Weekend Trip Day 1: Texas Hill Country

For us, our long weekend trip began on a Thursday morning and lasted through Sunday afternoon. We set off early because we knew there were some places we wanted to stop in the Hill Country on our way into the heart of Austin. If you only have enough vacay time for a 3-day trip, you can skip past this part of the itinerary. But the Texas Hill Country has so much natural beauty and personality, I highly recommend it to anyone!

 

Czech Stop Kolaches

If you’re coming into Austin from the north part of the state like us, you’ll have the opportunity to make a pit stop in West, TX (which feels a misnomer since this little town is located in the eastern part of the state, ha!). West is famous for authentic kolache pastries sold at several gas stations just off the highway. Our favorite is called Czech Stop. 

Czech Stop has lots of different European and Texan fusion treats, but make sure you try at least one of their classic kolaches while you’re there! My favorite flavors so far are Apple or Very Berry. The fruit in them contrasts perfectly with the cream cheese center. 

 

Sweet Berry Farm

If you’re visiting during the summer berry-picking season or the fall pumpkin patch season, you can also stop by Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls, TX on your way into town. We visited for the first time last fall, and we absolutely fell in love with all the fun things to do and beautiful hill country scenery. 

Admission to Sweet Berry Farm is 100% FREE, and you can take as many photos with their adorable fall backdrops and pumpkin piles as you want. You will pay separately for activities, like access to one of their 3 enormous corn mazes, the flower picking fields, pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing, a petting zoo, and more. You can also purchase pumpkins and treats like homemade pumpkin ice cream.

Our favorite thing to do at Sweet Berry Farm was flower picking in a field of stunning jewel-toned Zinna plants. It only cost $5 for both of us to enter the field and fill up a collapsible vase with as many flowers as we wanted. You can read my full guide to Sweet Berry Farm here.

 

Hamilton Pool

Marble Falls, TX is also famous for a stunning geographical landmark called Hamilton Pool. It’s definitely worth it to add Hamilton Pool to your itinerary if you have time! It is easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. You have to schedule a time slot to visit Hamilton Pool pretty far in advance because Texas wants to keep it safe from damage like erosion, litter, or graffiti. You can find more information about it here.

 

The Oasis on Lake Travis

One more stop on your journey through the Texas Hill Country into the city definitely has to be lovely Lake Travis. Nestled in the hills like a European villa is an enormous restaurant and brewery that towers above the lake and offers the best sunset views. “The Oasis” has hundreds of tables overlooking Lake Travis and hundreds of tourists and locals alike peering out across the water to watch the sun sink into the hills. 

Here’s a secret, though. While wait times for a table can stretch for an hour or more, the food has some of the worst reviews in the entire city! We visited The Oasis on Lake Travis for drinks at the brewery and sipped while the sun set. Then we grabbed dinner back in Austin later. I totally recommend visiting that way! 

 

Austin, TX Weekend Trip Day 2: Historic Sites and 6th Street

Spend your second day learning about Texas history and moseying down 6th Street.

 

Lola’s Donuts

For breakfast on your first full day in Austin, I recommend stopping at the highly Instagrammable and extremely delicious Lola’s Donuts! Their donuts are made from scratch with brioche bread or cake batter and feature lots of different complex and unique flavors.

The exterior wall of this walk up donut shop is covered in cute flowers, so it’s a must-see for foodies and photographers. Even if you’re more like my husband Austin and you’d much rather eat your food than take pictures of it, you’ll definitely enjoy these high-quality treats.

 

The Texas State Capitol 

This is a traditional stop for tourists, but it’s for good reason! If you’re a history nerd like my husband, the Texas State Capitol is definitely an essential stop on your trip. Even if history or government don’t pique your interest, it’s a nice way to spend an hour or two to escape the Texas heat or an unexpected rainstorm. You can join a free guided tour or simply roam through the building on your own and take in the lovely architecture. 

 

The Driskill Hotel

Another beautiful historic site in the heart of Austin is the century-old Driskill Hotel. The hotel has hosted numerous famous guests (like Louis Armstrong, Bill Clinton, and Lyndon Johnson on his first date with his wife Claudia) and countless historical events. It is said to be haunted by Colonel Driskill and a variety of other spooky spirits, and it’s a key stop on Austin’s citywide ghost tours. Peek inside the lobby for a bit, or dine at one of the hotel’s restaurants.

 

Taquero Mucho

If you like pink, you should eat here simply for the gram. Taquero Mucho has the cutest murals and props for photos, pink margaritas, pink taco shells, and so much personality and sass. If you have several Tex-Mex restaurants in your sights and can’t narrow down which one to choose, just stop by Taquero Mucho for one of their cute zip-lock baggie drinks and some fun photos.

 

ATX Sign

Now that you’re on 6th Street, it’s time for some shopping and more photo ops. This ATX sign is located in the parking lot of the giant Whole Foods at the corner of 6th Street and N Lamar. It is one of the most photographed places in the city, so it’s usually easy to find a friendly tourist or local to take a picture of everyone in your group together here.

 

Waterloo Records

Just across 6th Street from the Whole Foods is Waterloo Records, which has graced the streets of Austin since the 80s! It’s got a huge selection of vinyl records, CDs, and musical equipment.

 

BookPeople

On the other side of the Lammar Street is one of my all-time favorite bookstores in Texas: BookPeople! This two-story reader’s paradise has a huge selection of titles, creative handmade displays for each section of the store, and best of all, staff recommendation cards attached to each shelf. If you like thrillers, for example, but you aren’t sure what to read next, find your favorite author’s section. Look at the handwritten cards sticking out from the shelves and read staff picks with similarities to some of your old favorites. It’s such a great way to discover your new favorite book!

 

6th Street Nightlife

As most Texans already know, 6th Street is famous for bar hopping. If that’s your scene, enjoy the nightlife all the way up and down the street at tons of cool local spots!

 

H-E-B Grocery Store

When you get tired of partying on 6th Street (or if you’re “old souls” AKA a little bit boring like my husband and me), skip the bars and grab charcuterie supplies from H-E-B for a romantic night in. Since I grew up in Dallas without H-E-B grocery stores, I never really understood the obsession with H-E-B by my Austin and Houston area friends. But once I actually shopped in an H-E-B myself for the first time, my life was changed. They have so many cool products! 

Most Texans will tell you that a trip to H-E-B is a Lone Star State rite of passage, so grab some fancy cheese and crackers (and even a Texas-shaped charcuterie board!) at the nearest H-E-B and enjoy a relaxed ending to a busy day of exploring.

 

Austin, TX Weekend Trip: Day 3

Spend your third day visiting some of our favorite local businesses and unique restaurants.

 

Elizabeth Street Cafe

Every time we plan an Austin, TX weekend trip, we always make sure to eat lunch or brunch at Elizabeth Street Cafe. This Vietnamese and French fusion restaurant is full of delicious surprises!

I recommend starting with some Vietnamese coffee to drink with brunch, or one of their signature cocktails like South Sea Daquiri or the Hibiscus Paloma with lunch. Their Nutella banana crepes make an amazing brunch treat, and their Fried Spring Rolls make the perfect appetizer at lunch. 

No matter what time of day I visit Elizabeth Street Cafe, I always order the same thing for my main course. The Singapore Noodles! They are super spicy, but so flavorful. And the portion size is huge, so there’s plenty for my husband Austin and I to share. Whenever someone asks me for food recommendations in Austin, TX, the Elizabeth Street Cafe noodles are one of the first things I suggest. 

 

Art for the People

If you turn the corner from Elizabeth Street Café and walk straight down 1st Street, you’ll find a building covered in decorative murals of butterflies. Art for the People sells posters, paintings, pottery, and more handmade goods of every kind. It’s the perfect place to find unique souvenirs with authentic Austin style.

 

Greetings From Austin Postcard Mural

My favorite mural in the city is located just across the street from Art for the People. The Greetings From Austin mural is on the side of a building called Roadhouse Relics. There’s also a pretty new royal blue mural wall with flowers and a Tom Petty quote on the other side of the street!

 

Dolce Neve

Let me tell you about my favorite ice cream of all time, anywhere. It’s an Italian gelato shop called Dolce Neve! We stop here every time we make a trip down to Austin (sometimes multiple times in the same weekend) because it’s just that good. The rich, creamy ice cream comes in fun European flavors like Chocolate & Orange Peel, Custard with Lemon Peel, Skyr with Bananas, Mascarpone & Figs, Tiramisu, and so many more. I daydream about this ice cream all the time. Don’t leave Austin without a cup!

 

UnCommon Objects

After you’re done wandering down 1st Street, hop back in the car for some more shopping. Less than 10 minutes away is one the most famous contributions to the “Keep Austin Weird” slogan: an antique shop called UnCommon Objects. There’s classic antique shop stuff like old books and cool vintage enamel pins, but there is also a wide array of just truly weird items that you’ll enjoy. 

 

Austin Eastciders

If you’ve ever picked up a 6-pack of Austin Eastciders at the grocery store and enjoyed it, you’ll love ordering a flight of flavors straight from their brewery even more. I recommend Honey Cider, Pineapple, Watermelon, and Sangria! They have two locations for their libations: their flagship in East Austin, and a newer spot in Barton Springs.

 

Mural Hunting

If you like to take pictures of or with fun local murals as much as I do, Austin 100% delivers. We typically set aside some time to drive around any city we visit and find unique murals so that we have a couple of photo ops together. Here are a few of our favorites.

You’re My Butter Half (2000 E MLK Jr Blvd)

Lover & Fighter (1209 E Cesar Chavez St)

You Make My Heart Sing (301 W Riverside Dr)

6th Street Historic District (6th & I-35)

Howdy Austin (601 W 6th Street)

Check out my 12 favorite Austin, TX murals here.

 

The Peached Tortilla

Another one of my favorite restaurants that you absolutely can’t miss on an Austin, TX weekend trip is The Peached Tortilla. The idea behind their menu is to take Southern comfort favorites and add an Asian cuisine twist. 

I looove their tacos (and as a lifelong Texan, I’m pretty picky about tacos!) and they have an impressive lineup of cocktails, appetizers and desserts too. So far we’ve tried the Bahn Mi Taco, the Chinese BBQ Pork, the BBQ Brisket, the and the Cauliflower Taco. All of them were incredible, but the Cauliflower was surprisingly my favorite! For dessert we tried the heavenly Banana Nutella Spring Rolls and the super unique Asian Movie Night ice cream dessert.

 

Andiamo Ristorante 

If you’re more in the food for Italian fare than Asian-Mexican fusion, I recommend Andiamo Ristorante. 

I’m sure you probably associate Austin more with tacos and margaritas than pasta and wine, but the beauty of this city is that there is SO much delicious cuisine from all over the world. My husband Austin and I splurged on a nice dinner at Andiamo Ristorante as part of our anniversary gift to each other last year, and it was one of the most memorable meals we have ever shared. 

Andiamo has a new lounge called Restare where the light is dimmed and the atmosphere is filled with tons of glowing candles. It was super romantic and inviting. I ordered mushroom ravioli, which was exquisite. Austin ordered decadent gnocchi dumplings. For dessert, we shared decadent tiramisu. Seriously, don’t sleep on this amazing restaurant!

 

Lone Star Bat Cruise

Finish off the evening with a beautiful cruise around Lady Bird Lake. It’s a nice way to get beautiful views of the Austin skyline from the water. But it’s also the best way to view Austin’s enormous colony of bats!

Austin is home to the world’s largest urban bat population. The bats all live underneath Congress Bridge during the day, but at sunset they take flight together to go hunt for food. It’s incredible to watch thousands upon thousands of them soar through the air. Many people gather along the bridge to watch them, but if you ride up to the bridge on a Lone Star Sunset Bat Cruise, you’ll get a much better view! You can even see them hanging off of the underside of the bridge. 

The evening bat cruise was definitely one of the coolest things we have ever experienced on a trip to Austin.

 

Austin, TX Weekend Trip: Day 4

Spend your last day in Austin enjoying nature followed by wandering through the hipster-y district of SoCo (South Congress).

 

Tiny Pies

Tiny Pies is the cutest little dessert shop selling, you guessed it, miniature pies! They have tons of rotating seasonal flavors, all of which are equally delicious. Don’t be deceived by how tiny the pies are, they are actually very filling too! We sometimes grab Tiny Pies for breakfast.

 

La Patissire

Another decadent breakfast treat is an eclair or macaron from the adorable La Patissire. You’ll easily spot their pink walls covered in mural art as you roam around the 1st Street/SoCo area, and you’ll be tantalized by all of the French treats waiting behind their glass counter.

 

Mayfield Park

One of Austin’s best-kept secrets is a garden oasis tucked into an urban landscape. Mayfield Park is free to visit, and it is home to a family of live peacocks who roam freely through the trees! Don’t touch the peacocks or let children get too close to them, but you can marvel at their beautiful feathers and take as many pictures of them as you want.

Learn more about this amazing park here.

 

Zilker Botanical Garden

Another lovely Austin park is the Zilker Botanical Garden. It’s home to a hiking trail with waterfalls, a massive variety of plants, a pioneer village, and even a fairy garden. It costs $8 per person to visit.

 

Jo’s Coffee

Head over to the trendy SoCo district and grab a cup of Jo’s! You can also take your picture here with the famous “I Love You So Much” wall.

 

South Congress Shops

While you’re meandering down South Congress Avenue, here are a few of my favorite shops.

Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds: A wacky costume shop former theatre kids will be obsessed with.

Maya: A cute clothing and home decor boutique. They typically have an entire wall of succulent planters shaped like colorful dinosaurs.

South Congress Books: A charming rare/used books shop.

 

Gurero’s Taco Bar

If you are visiting from out of state, you will probably want to try the famous Torchy’s Tacos! Torchy’s has all kinds of fun and unique flavor combos. The best thing on their menu by far is the green chili queso.

But if you’re visiting from Dallas like us and you can order from one of Torchy’s other chain locations whenever you want, I’d skip it and try something else local! Guerrero’s Taco Bar has awesome tacos, multiple salsas, and great drink specials.

 

Amy’s Ice Cream

This beloved Austin-based small ice cream chain has a location at just about every major district of the city. We love to stop for a treat at Amy’s Ice Cream while we walk around exploring! There are tons of unique and tasty flavors, and practically limitless toppings to choose from. You taste buds will thank you.

 

The Ultimate Austin, TX Weekend Trip

I hope these suggestions help you plan the perfect Austin, TX weekend trip for your style and budget! Below is a graphic you can screenshot for easy use later.

For more travel guides in cities all over the USA, check out this link! To keep up with my travel adventures in real time, follow along on Instagram.