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Austin Travel Guide

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Austin is the Texas state capital and the Live Music Capital of the World, with more than 250live music venues in this sprawling central Texas city. More than 2,300 recording artists call Austin home. Among them? Willie Nelson, who moved from Nashville to Austin in 1972 and never looked back.

Austin is a college town, home to the University of Texas, and it's as big as you would expect the capital of Texas to be. The city limits cover 232 square miles encompassing more than 300 parks, including the nearly 360-acre Zilker Park. Austin is America's11th largest city and one of its fastest-growing.

They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and the state Capitol building—14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. —is no exception. Neither is the bat colony that roosts under Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge from April through October. It's the largest urban bat population in North America, home to between 750,000 and 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats.

Between the great outdoors, local art, music festivals, quirky neighborhoods, and a seemingly endless list of restaurants and bars, there's plenty to do in Austin whatever your fancy and whatever your budget. This guide is designed to help you make the most of your time in Austin, an evolving city that's successfully upholding its mantra to "Keep Austin Weird."

Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is observed seasonally.

Best Time to Go

March and October are particularly good times to catch live music in Austin. In March, the city hosts SXSW , a music and multimedia festival, and the Urban Music Festival, a celebration of R&B, jazz, funk and reggae. Austin City Limits , a two-weekend festival that brings more 130 acts to eight stages, happens each October. The Austin Rodeo, with nightly concerts, is held in March.

To wander down an iconic Austin street and get a feel for its bohemian roots, visit in May when the Pecan Street Festival takes over 6th Street. If you're looking to skip out on snow and ice, Austin can make for a temperate winter escape, but beware if you head to town in July or August. Texas summers can sizzle.

Related : 15 Best Places to Travel in March

Things to Know

In Austin, tacos are a breakfast item, and suits and ties are few and far in between. Flip-flops are acceptable footwear for many occasions, and there's never really a need for stilettos.

Austin is among the most walkable cities in Texas, but you'll want to take Uber or Lyft or rent a car to make the most of your time. Austin is big, and it's going to take you longer than you think to get where you're going.

Austin is an Instagrammer's paradise. The city has public art you've probably seen on your social feeds, including an I Love You So Much wall on South Congress, a Greetings from Austin postcard mural on South 1st Street and an atx sculpture at 5th and Lamar.

Lady Bird Lake isn't actually a lake. It's a river-like reservoir on the Colorado River created by the city in 1960 as a cooling pond for a new power plant.

How to Get Around

Cap Metro is Austin's public transit system serving a population of more than one million in its 535-square mile service area. More than 1,600 bus stops and 82 routes include MetroRail, MetroRapid, and High-Frequency Route Network. Weekend service may be limited.

Taxis: yellowcabaustin.com/

Lyft, Uber, and an emerging light rail system (Cap Metro) have made it easier to get around. Austin is walkable and bikeable, but a rental car is a great convenience there.

Best Hotels

The carpenter hotel.

Address: 400 Josephine Street, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 682-5300 Book Now

This quirky hotel, among Travel & Leisure's favorite new properties, is partially housed in a low-slung brick building that used to be a meeting place for union woodworkers. The hotel's owner has kept its original wood-paneled floors, teller window reception area and cork boards intact, creating a modest welcome to this minimalist space.

JW Marriott

Address: 110 E 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 474-4777 Book Now

This luxury hotel in downtown Austin is an easy walk from 6th Street, Austin City Limits, the Capitol, and the Austin Convention Center. The hotel has ample event space, and it's popular with conference goers and football fans in town for University of Texas Longhorns games.

Doubletree Suites

Address: 303 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 478-7000 Book Now

The Doubletree Suites, an all-suite hotel a stone's throw from the Texas Capitol building, is well suited for long stays and families. Each suite has a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. Some are two-bedroom, two-bathroom, and many have views of the Texas Hill Country or the Capital.

Hyatt Regency

Address: 208 Barton Springs, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 477-1234 Book Now

The Hyatt Regency in downtown Austin is a short walk from the bars on 6th Street, the Austin Convention Center, and the bats that live under Congress Avenue Bridge. Some rooms in this pet-friendly contemporary hotel have river views and patios.

Hampton Inn

Address: 200 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 472-1500 Book Now

Austin is home to several Hampton Inns that offer comfortable affordable accommodations, but the chain's downtown outpost is the most convenient for visiting the city's sights. The downtown Hampton Inn is just a short walk from the bars on 6th street, Austin's seasonal bat colony, the Texas State Capitol, and one of Austin's best eateries—Stubb's BBQ.

Fairmont Austin

Address: 101 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 600-2000 Book Now

The Fairmont Austin is a 37-story luxury hotel with more than 1,000 guest rooms, many with views of Lady Bird Lake. The hotel, located in Austin's central business district, is conveniently connected to the Austin Convention Center.

Address: 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 542-3600 Book Now

This four-star hotel in downtown Austin includes both a Tequila bar and a record room, perfectly suited for the Live Music Capital of the World. The W Austin's Record Room houses a collection of more than 8,000 records, making it the perfect place to begin a night of hopping between local live music shows.

East Austin Hotel

Address: 1108 East Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (737) 205-8888 Book Now

This unique entrant to the Austin hotel scene has rooms for under $100 a night on iconic Sixth Street if you're willing to share a private bathroom with your neighbors. More expensive rooms with private bathrooms also are available at this trendy boutique hotel that's brimming with East Austin pride.

Omni Barton Creek Resort

Address: 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX 78735 Phone: (512) 329-4000 Book Now

This luxe Austin resort offers six restaurants, a spa with an adults only pool, four golf courses, four swimming pools, and golf clubhouse. The 4,000-acre property is located west of downtown and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Driskill

Address: 604 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 439-1234 Book Now

The Driskill is the oldest operating hotel in Austin, named for Jesse Driskill, a cattle baron who aimed to build the finest hotel south of St. Louis. The hotel has long been popular American presidents. It's where Lyndon B. Johnson watched returns of the 1964 presidential election and where Bill Clinton stayed during his 1999 visit to Austin.

Best Restaurants

Launderette.

Address: 2115 Holly Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: 512-382-1599 Website

Launderette is a neighborhood cafe with a North African-inspired Mediterranean menu that includes dishes like fried shrimp, beet hummus, and steak. Launderette's burger has been called the best in Austin. Launderette's desserts, which include Hibiscus Poached Pears and Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches, are especially popular.

Franklin BBQ

Address: 900 E 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 653-1187 Website

Franklin BBQ started in a humble trailer but has since grown into an empire where President Barack Obama, Anthony Bourdain, and Jimmy Kimmel have dined. James Beard Award winning Pitmaster Aaron Franklin wrote "Franklin Barbecue, A Meat Smoking Manifesto" and launched a PBS barbecue show.

Home Slice Pizza

Address: 1415 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 512-444-PIES Website

If you're looking for a slice in Austin, Home Slice Pizza is where to find it. This New York style neighborhood pizza joint is one of the few places in Austin that serves pizza by the slice.

South Congress Cafe

Address: 1600 S Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 512-447-3905 Website

This retro hotspot, known for boozy brunches, carrot cake French toast, and jalapeño venison meatloaf, was a pharmacy back in the 1940s. Today, it's the place for a Texas-size shaded patio, happy hour, and the perfect spot for lounging on breezy days.

Address: 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: 512-476-4852 Website

Hula Hut, a lakeside TexMex restaurant with a Polynesian twist, is a tiki bar that fancies itself a surfer's paradise. One of its most popular menu items is the Kawaikini Stuffed Avocado, a Hass avocado filled with roasted chicken, green chilis and more, then fried and served with hatch green chile and queso blanco.

Address: 1917 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78722 Phone: (512) 391-2337 Website

Salty Sow is all about swine, wine, and beer. Its menu focuses on meaty dishes like triple fried duck fat fries, bacon and gruyere roasted bone marrow, candied pork belly, and slow-cooked beef shoulder. It's a very Austin restaurant with its focus on mindfully sourced local ingredients and creative hand-crafted cocktails.

Address: 2027 Anchor Lane, Austin, TX 78723 Phone: (512) 614 - 2260 Website

For an authentic Texas ranch-style dining experience without leaving the city, head to Contigo. Designed to feel like a country ranch, the restaurant serves menu items like crispy green beans, rabbit & dumplings, Texas quail, and a bone-in ribeye that serves three to four.

Torchy's Tacos

Multiple Locations Website

Torchy's Tacos started as an Austin food truck, and it's now best known for creative tacos. Among them is the Trailer Park—a combo of chicken fried steak, bacon, green chile queso, cotija cheese, and pico de gallo in a fresh flour tortilla. The Brushfire includes Jamaican jerk chicken, grilled jalapenos, mango sour cream, and cilantro with diablo sauce. They serve breakfast tacos all day.

Kemuri Tatsu-ya

Address: 2713 E. Second Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 803-2224 Website

This Austin restaurant's menu is a mashup of Texas barbecue and traditional Japanese izakaya. Think BBQ tsukemen, sticky rice tamales, and edamame smoked over cherry wood. The restaurant's founders are self-described Japanese Texans who brought Austin its first Ramen joint in 2012.

Ramen Tatsu-ya

Address: 8557 Research Blvd #126, Austin, TX 78758 Phone: (512) 893-5561 Website

Ramen is their specialty, and they offer a variety along with sides, extra noodles, toppings, small bites, and even instructions on the best way to enjoy their ramen.

Things to Do

Texas state capitol.

Address: 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 463-4630 Website

One of the nation's most distinguished state capitols, the building is surrounded by 22 acres of statues and monuments. Several historic sections of the capitol can be seen on a free guided tour covering Texas history and the building itself.

LBJ Presidential Library

Address: 2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78705 Phone: (512) 721-0200 Website

This presidential library chronicles the life of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. Johnson was born and died in central Texas, not far from the University of Texas where this library is housed. Visitors to the LBJ library can listen in on LBJ's calls from the White House, step inside a replica of the Oval Office, and experience interactive exhibits.

Austin Bats

Address: 305 S. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Website

Head to the Congress Avenue Bridge around sunset to see North America's largest bat colony. A renovation in 1980 turned the bridge into the ideal bat cave, attracting a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats typically emerge between 7:30 pm and 9:45 pm, and visitors start lining up just before sunset, facing east for the best views.

Barton Springs Pool

Address: 2101 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78746 Phone: (512) 974-6300 Website

Barton Springs Pool is the crown jewel of Austin's sprawling 358-acre Zilker Park. The man-made pool measures three acres, drawing its water from underground springs with an average temperature around 68 degrees. The pool is open year round and hosts a polar plunge each January.

Bullock Texas State History Museum

Address: 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 936-8746 Website

This Austin museum chronicles Texas history and the people who made the state what it is today. It houses an original NASA Mission Control console from the 1960s, cattle branding and oil field tools, and an AT-6 "Texan," the World War II-era training airplane flown by the trailblazing Women Airforce Service Pilots.

Harry Ransom Center

Address: 300 West 21st Street, Austin, TX 78712 Phone: (512) 471-8944 Website

The Harry Ransom Center is a humanities research library and museum with 41 million items, including one of five copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the U.S. The museum also houses the Niépce Heliograph, considered the earliest surviving photograph made with camera obscura, the archive of playwright Arthur Miller, and childhood writing from authors including Charlotte Brontë and David Foster Wallace.

Blanton Museum of Art

Address: 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Austin, TX 78712 Phone: (512) 471-5482 Website

The Blanton Museum of Art is the largest university-owned art collection in the U.S. The museum's key piece is Austin , a highly Instagrammable temple of light created by American artist Ellsworth Kelly. The 2,715-square-foot stone building features 33 mouth blown colored glass windows set in three different patterns, a totem made of salvaged wood, and 14 black-and-white stone panels representing the Stations of the Cross.

Play Golf at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Address: 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX 78735 Phone: (512) 329-4000 Website

Austin's warm weather and 300 days of sunshine a year make it an ideal golf destination, and the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa's four championship golf courses are the perfect place to play.

The Paramount Theater

Address: 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 472-5470 Website

The Paramount Theater is everything you'd imagine an opulent downtown theater to be. Opened as a vaudeville house in 1915, the theater now hosts live performances and movies. Houdini, Katharine Hepburn, Amy Schumer, and Sheryl Crow are among the performers who have graced the Paramount's stage.

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Address: 310 W. Willie Nelson Boulevard, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 225-7999 Website

The Moody Theater is home to Austin City Limits Live, the longest running music series in American television history. The Moody Theater hosts about 100 concerts each year and offers tours every weekday.

Antone's Nightclub

Address: 305 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 814-0361 Website

Antone's Nightclub, open since 1975, is an iconic blues venue in Austin. The club has hosted B.B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, James Brown, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Best Shopping

Soco - south congress avenue.

Address: South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 441-2444 Website

This strip just south of Lady Bird Lake is where Austin's hipsters, politicos, and students come to peruse antique shops and vintage stores. It's also home to Allen's Boots , which stocks thousands of pairs of boots as well as snap shirts, belts, buckles, and anything else you might need for your first rodeo.

2nd Street District

Address: 2nd Street to 4th Street, between Colorado and Guadalupe streets, Austin, TX 78701 Website

This is Austin's original downtown pedestrian shopping district and includes the first ever brick and mortar ModCloth. The 2nd Street District is home to independent retailers and chains including Urban Outfitters and Loft.

Address: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace , Austin, TX 78758 Phone: (512) 795-4230 Website

The Domain has 700,000-square feet of luxury shops, mainstream stores, and restaurants, including Austin's first Neiman-Marcus, a Tiffany and Co., and a Louis Vuitton store.

South First Street

Address: South Austin, Austin, TX 78704 Website

If you're looking for retailers you won't find elsewhere, head to South First Street between Barton Springs Road and Oltorf Street. You'll find designer and vintage clothing, neon art and a whole lot of other things you likely won't see anywhere else.

Address: 603 N. Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: (512) 472-5050 Website

BookPeople is a behemoth of an independent bookstore. It's the largest independent bookstore in Texas and hosts regular signings and readings. BookPeople opened in 1970 and has hosted Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Waterloo Records

Address: 600 N Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: (512) 474-2500 Website

Waterloo Records has been part of Austin's music scene since 1982. It's an independent music and video store known for its vast selection of vinyl records, its knowledgeable staff, and its support of Texas music. Waterloo Records hosts live music, and past performers include Willie Nelson, Nirvana, Spoon, Cheap Trick, and Norah Jones.

Neighborhoods to Know

SoCo : South Congress , known as SoCo, is a collection of small shops, restaurants, music venues, and art galleries just south of Lady Bird Lake. It's a great spot to find food trucks, shop for quirky souvenirs, and take in postcard views of the Texas State Capitol.

Rainey Street: This once sleepy residential neighborhood has become a hub of Austin nightlife. Many of the old bungalows on this historic street have been converted into bars, restaurants, and live music venues. With its expansive porches and comfortable yards, it's a top spot for Sunday fundays.

Red River Cultural District : Austin may be the Live Music Capital of the World, but the Red River Cultural District is the live music capital of Austin. Once the domain of metal and punk fans, this area has evolved to become an ideal place for a live music crawl through genres.

Sixth Street Historic District: Sixth Street Historic District is perhaps Austin's best known neighborhood. It's home to the historic Driskill Hotel and a seemingly endless array of bars, clubs, and restaurants. The street occasionally closes to traffic for tailgating and other events.

Texas summers can be hot and humid, but winters are mild, and snow or ice are rare. Severe weather most commonly occurs in the spring when there can be heavy rain, flash flooding, and occasional tornadoes.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month.

January 42 - 62 February 45 - 65 March 51 - 72 April 59 - 80 May 67 - 87 June 72 - 92 July 74 - 96 August 75 - 97 September 69 - 91 October 61 - 82 November 51 - 71 December 42 - 63

Apps to Download

Park ATX: Pay for street parking in Austin iOs | Android

Cap Metro: Trip planning, online ticketing, real-time arrivals iOs |Android

Bird : Electric scooters iOs | Android

Lime : Electric scooters iOs | Android

TAKE A WILD RIDE WITH BATS ON BIKES

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INSIDER'S TIP: ENJOY A BACKYARD BARBECUE AT MICKLETHWAIT

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CRUISE LAKE AUSTIN ON A PRIVATE PONTOON TOUR

Insider's tip: relish authentic tex-mex at mi madre’s.

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Go behind the scenes of austin’s live music venues, insider's tip: savor homestyle italian cooking at vespaio, get to know the city on a guided bus tour, double the spirits on a haunted pub crawl, essential austin-only eats, accommodation options.

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The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Austin

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A local’s travel guide to Austin: what to eat, see and do in three days

Standout spots include food truck parks, honky-tonk hangouts and Lady Bird’s wildflower sanctuary

A ustin has become one of the most popular places in the US to move to, and also to visit. Droves of people descend on the city in March for the South by Southwest tech, film and music festival and in the fall for the Austin City Limits music festival. And Austin is one of the top five destinations in the US for bachelorette parties. Don’t let the bachelorettes scare you away, though. Austin is a great place to spend a few days, so long as you do it like a local.

My family and I moved to Austin 12 years ago, after living in New York for many years. I’ve also lived in Washington DC , the San Francisco Bay Area and Philadelphia. Austin has a feel all of its own: it has a world-class music scene, great food that now goes well beyond Tex-Mex and barbecue, Texas history and fun shopping and museums – all with less hassle than bigger cities in the US.

Here’s my guide to a long weekend there. In addition to picks for adults, I’ve included some recommendations for families that our kids (now teenagers) have loved through the years. And I’m vegetarian, so I’ve chosen some of the city’s best veggie eats options. Don’t worry, my meat-eating wife made sure that I included great barbecue choices, too.

Day 1: Pool party & pickles

Start your day with a walk or run on the trail at Town Lake (it’s officially labeled on maps as Lady Bird Lake, but locals refer to it as Town Lake). This 10-mile (16km) trail on both sides of a dammed portion of Texas’s Colorado River (a different Colorado River than the bigger and more famous one) is tree-shaded, beautiful and one of Austinites’ favorite places to exercise. If you have time, walk through Zilker Park, which is right next to the trail. If you have kids, go to the new and very fun playground at Butler Park, complete with a splash pad just up the path from the playground.

Austin was one of the cities that started the food truck scene in the US several decades ago, and now there are more than 2,000 food trucks in the city. Some are located in trailer parks that have multiple truck options and picnic table seating. After your morning at Town Lake and Zilker Park, have lunch at the Picnic food truck park, or the nearby original location of local favorite Chuy’s (the Tex-Mex chain is now expanding throughout the US). Other great lunch options include Green Mesquite and Carpenters Hall .

In the afternoon, go for a swim at Barton Springs Pool . Open year-round, this massive basin measures three acres and is fed by underground natural springs. It’s open throughout the day, and it’s free before 8am and after 9pm.

Head back to your hotel or Airbnb for a rest, and then get ready for dinner. Tonight is casual: barbecue at Terry Black’s , or if you’re vegan, the food truck Rollin Smoke for a fantastic vegan barbecue sandwich made with baby portobello mushrooms, spicy slaw, barbecue sauce and pickles. It’s my favorite vegan barbecue sandwich in Austin (who says you can’t have barbecue if you’re veggie?), and it’s located in a food truck park with beautiful old trees shading the tables. Rollin Smoke has very good meat options, too (I’m told).

If you have young children, head to Phil’s Icehouse . They have burgers and a full playground where the kids can play before or after dinner. Just don’t put them on the spinning flower after the meal. And be sure to get some ice-cream after dinner at Amy’s Ice Creams , a longtime favorite of Austinites. Amy’s is located next to Phil’s, and it’s so good we had an Amy’s truck serve dessert at our wedding.

After dinner, head out to see some music at one of Austin’s many local music venues. One of our favorites is the Continental Club . There’s a main club downstairs and the intimate Continental Gallery upstairs, where you can see local musicians in a cozy space. Other great venues include C-Boy’s and the new Moody Amphitheater . For full local music listings on any night, check the Austin Chronicle . And if it’s summer, look to see if Blues on the Green has a free concert that night. If you have kids, take them to the free Rock the Park concert series, produced by local radio station KUTX.

Day 2: Breakfast tacos, books & bats

Start your day back at the lake with a rowing workout that’s almost, but not quite, on the lake. Rō Fitness is a local studio that has outdoor rowing classes by the water. It’s way more fun than working out at an indoor studio.

You’ll need fuel after your workout. Grab a breakfast taco at Veracruz or Tacodeli or Tamale House East . Breakfast tacos are an Austin staple (they are to Austin as bagels are to New York), and all three of these places have delicious options.

Today is a shopping day. Start out at BookPeople , one of the greatest bookstores in the US. It’s locally owned and independent, but the size of a superstore. BookPeople also dares to take a stand on issues, including being one of two bookstores that recently sued Texas state officials over a newly passed book ban law. It has an excellent kids section, and organizes live readings by kids’ authors.

After you’ve gotten your book fix, head across the street to Waterloo Records , one of the best record stores in the US. Waterloo carries new and used vinyl, CDs and merchandise from rock to jazz to local Texas music. For more shopping options, head over to the stores along South Congress Avenue and South First Street (including Roadhouse Relics , a neon art store and gallery that is one of our favorites), and if you want to go thrifting, our teens say Austin Pets Alive Thrift and Texas Thrift are the best.

After all of the shopping, it’s time for lunch. If you’re near BookPeople and Waterloo, head over to Soup Peddler, a local place for homemade soups, smoothies and fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches (trivia: Soup Peddler got its name because the founder started out delivering homemade soup by bike before opening full store locations). Or if you’re near South Congress and South First, go to the food trucks on South First or Underdog or Fresa’s .

As you’re heading back to rest up, grab an ice-cream at Amy’s, a gelato at Dolce Neve or cupcakes at Sugar Mama’s .

Some good dinner options for tonight include Loro , Suerte or Este . And if you’re looking for a vegetarian option, one of my favorite veggie restaurants is Bouldin Creek Cafe . It’s casual, with a great menu that includes vegan chips and queso. If it’s nice out, take a seat on the patio.

Tonight’s activity could be going to see the bats at the Congress Street Bridge. Austin has the largest urban bat colony in North America, and in season they live in one of the bridges that crosses the Colorado River (they migrate to Mexico in the cooler weather). Bat-watching is a lot more fun than you might imagine from horror movies (and these bats look more like birds than vampire bats). If you’re not in the mood for bats, head to the legendary Broken Spoke . Get there early for dance lessons, then hoof it at this classic Texas honky-tonk.

Day 3: Live oaks & Lady Bird wildflowers

It’s your last day in Austin, and it’s a good one for visiting a museum. Some of our favorites include the Bullock Museum to learn all about the history of our state (bonus fact: Texas was once its own country , and some people want it to be its own country again ). If you’re a fan of 1960s history, visit the excellent LBJ Presidential Library , which is the home of the 36th president’s papers. It has good exhibits on the US civil rights movement and 1960s US history in general. Another excellent museum option is the Blanton Museum of Art , or you could tour the Texas capitol (Austin is, after all, the capital of Texas). If you’re a nature fan, head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center . And if you have kids, the Thinkery is an excellent children’s museum.

For lunch, it’s time for more barbecue (you’re in Austin, don’t fight it). Two terrific barbecue trucks are Mickelthwait and LeRoy and Lewis . And LeRoy and Lewis has another of my favorite vegetarian barbecue options: cauliflower burnt ends.

In the afternoon, head back to Town Lake. This time, get out on the water by renting a kayak, stand up paddleboard or paddle boat (a kid-friendly option). If you have time and energy for a drink, head over to the ABGB for happy hour. They have a great beer selection, lots of outdoor seating and local bands playing music.

For your farewell dinner, a few of our favorite restaurants that are a bit on the fancier end are Hestia , Uchi or the Lenoir wine garden, where dinner is served under live oak trees more than a hundred years old. And for a fantastic vegan option, go to Fabrik for a seven-course vegan tasting menu. You’ll need a reservation well in advance (they’re currently booking four to six weeks out). And for your final night in Austin, head out to another music venue. Or if you have kids, take them to the Austin favorite Peter Pan Mini Golf , which has been around for 75 years, or check Do512 Family for family events that are happening the dates you’re in town.

Question Time

When is the best time of year to visit austin.

There’s no dispute: it’s hot in the summer in Austin . A great time to visit is between October and May. From June through September, many days will be over 100F. If you’re here in the summer, spend lots of time at the Barton Springs pool.

Is Austin expensive?

Austin hotels can be expensive during big events like South by Southwest or the Formula One weekend. But for most dates, it’s less expensive than larger cities like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Will I need a car to get around Austin?

Most of the places that I’ve recommended are within walking distance from downtown. You can also rent bikes and scooters to get around. Austin’s public transportation is primarily through local buses, which can take you further out if needed. And car-share options are easy as well.

Steve Sachs is managing director of the Guardian US. He has worked at large and startup media companies for more than 20 years. He loves all kinds of music, and his most recent favorite concert, the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame Show, featured a host of singer-songwriters including Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris

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Your Visit to Austin

Deep in the heart of Texas, is the cultural mecca Austin. Home to the University of Texas, the state capital, has a unique feel all its own. It has taken an influx of entrepreneurs and independent artists that made Austin the vibrant city we know and love.

Austin is growing fast, but regardless of the amount of growth the city has seen, they have not lost that hospitable feel, and outside the city, you will find that nature is just as popular with visitors and residents alike. Three hundred parks, 30 miles of trails ripe for exploring.

From swimming holes and bat colonies to a thriving food and music scene, Austin has something for everyone.

We have a variety of packages to all of our locations. While we have established connections, we are happy to work with you to build the trip that fits your dreams and your tastes. Get in touch today!

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AUSTIN TOURS

From guided  walking tours  of downtown to a 3-hour walking tour of Austin's best eateries, to a family -friendly adventure on the Austin Duck, there are many ways to see the city. Find the tour that fits your personality below or view these online bookable tours.

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The 21 Best Restaurants in Austin

By Mandy Ellis

Austin has a reputation as a welcoming, friendly place, but just like New Yorkers over pizza , locals here may come damn near throwing a punch if you take issue with their choice of brisket or breakfast tacos. The Texas capital is spoiled for food choices after years of solidifying its spot as one of the top culinary havens; seasonal ingredients, on-site gardens, unique proteins and presentations, and everything-made-in-house philosophies drive a fine-dining scene of dishes you can only find here. And even the more casual fare has international travelers flying thousands of miles—whether they intend to dip through varieties of gooey queso, experience intimate omakase, sweat over smoky live-fire morsels, and unearth vegetable-forward vegan. You're never far from a place that overdelivers; these are the best restaurants in Austin.

Read our complete Austin travel guide here .

Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Birdie's Arrow

Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel form the power couple morphing a New York fine-dining background into a strong focus on local artisan farmers and winemakers. The result is lavish-approachable, forever-changing seasonal American menu with French and Italian influences. Don’t miss the handmade pasta of the day (it’s first-come-first-serve until sold out), steak aligned with peppercorn sauce and fingerlings, or swirling seasonal vanilla soft serve with guest appearances by citrus-flavored olive oil or gala apples. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of their popups folded in during the year consisting of one-time menus with creative edge.

Diner Bar Arrow

As upbeat staff revolve around tables, don’t be surprised if passersby are peeking through windows for a sighting of James Beard Award-winning chef Mashama Bailey. The Savannah transplant's initial step into Austin is a dance of Texan, African, and Mexican—with an overarching sprinkle of Southern—across a menu that’s as optimistic as the clientele. The crisp-crunch fish over grits that couldn’t be more smooth or creamy are a must-order, as are the fresh-catch raw oysters that won’t let you down. The Chicken Country Captain intertwines curry, almond, and currants; the Fried Ugali and Rabbit Dirty Rice with chicken livers are delectable twists on what’s traditionally expected. For a finale, let Bailey’s take on Orange Dream Tea Cake, with Earl Grey diplomat cream mingling amongst warm candied ginger, be your choice at meal's end.

Barley Swine Arrow

Hyper-local ingredients help steer the changing menu here. Your fellow diners are foodies to the core. If you want to be surprised, put your trust in the tasting menu, best for adventurous groups. But if you're going a la carte you can expect things like cured antelope, beef fat toast, and aged Akaushi ribeye. If you're not sure where to start, Barley Swine's servers are disciples of Chef Bryce Gilmore 's local food movement. They are knowledgeable about farm relationships and the use of seasonal ingredients, so ask them all of your pressing beef tartare questions.

La Barbecue Arrow

Though some have considered it a “backup” when Franklin runs out, La Barbecue, finally in a permanent location on East Caesar Chavez Street, should in no way be considered simply an also-ran in the Austin barbecue world. Here they specialize, appropriately, in Central Texas-style barbecue, slathering meats with salty, savory rubs. You'll want to wrap your smoky brisket up as a sandwich with pickles and onions along with a side of chipotle slaw. It will almost certainly be crowded, as meat-loving friends congregate on the outdoor patio over their butcher paper-covered trays.

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Charlie Hobbs

Canje Arrow

On the less-wild side of Sixth Street (although the restaurant’s music is loud and vibrant), this East Austin spot lives in a faded brown brick building sandwiched next to a Post Office in a space long-known for housing several different restaurant iterations. It’s modern and breezy (with a lick of traditional), like the cuisine. Tavel Bristol-Joseph, a James Beard Award nominee and chef who’s well known for shining in the Emmer & Rye Team (Hestia, Kalimotxo) steps into new-age Caribbean dishes with flavors that are lacking in Austin. Local, seasonal ingredients will take you from Guyana to Jamaica with sharable plates (pick three to five); homey oxtail beef patties with pineapple pique; ultra-fresh ceviche with crunchy peanuts, sour orange, and sweet peppers; perfectly-sweet fried plantains. The curry wagyu beef with chili oil and the tilefish with mojo and squash will bring in the beach, as well as mouthwatering spicy goodness. Don’t leave without a piece of Black Cake with rhum agricole and raisins for dessert.

Maie Day Arrow

Maie Day lives inside the stylish South Congress Hotel , taking over the previously dark and semi-moody Central Standard space (they luckily kept the open fire cooking, though). Less buttoned-up than its refined relative Olamaie, but coming from the same chef (James Beard finalist Michael Fojtasek), Maie Day’s flashy chophouse rework with after-party essence still adds the Southern touches Maie B Hospitality diners know well: Prime Rib Fridays lob generously-thick Wagyu prime rib from 44 Farms into slices tableside, with accompaniment of luscious bone marrow; other colossal cuts (you may want to share with friends), include the slice of charred ribeye with beef tallow, whiskey-brined pork chops, or what’s-recently-available grilled fish with herby charred kale gremolata. Seasonally rotating cocktails (with options to add Earlybird CBD) appear on a tight menu—the light and herby Thyme of The Year with gin, pomegranate, black currant, and prosecco; the dark, scent-forward Peach Pit swirling bourbon, Jalisco orange, amaro di angostura, and bitters.

Lutie’s Garden Restaurant Arrow

Step back into the Jazz Age at Lutie’s on the Commodore Perry Estate where black and white tiles guide you to emerald velvet scalloped bar stools, and the simmering glow from ginormous windows provides a peek over the sunken English gardens below. Texas Heritage cuisine is on the menu and everything is made in house. Fresh garden hand rolls and homestyle estate bread make sense alongside juicy confit duck leg and guajillo, and Texas beef with marrow and Royal Trumpet mushrooms. And don’t skip on sweets with mesquite bean soft serve, and beeswax creme caramel leading the dessert menu.

Fermin Nuñez, the much-lauded chef of Suerte, La Condesa, and Launderette, picks up seafood unconventionally (including with charcoal fire) in Este's inventive coastal Mexican dishes, heirloom-corn masa, and acidic ceviches and aguachiles. Raw dishes have almost laser-cut precision here, whether you’re diving into shrimp with avocado and burnt tomatillo in a cacao and habanero broth, or albacore gently bathed with carrot-pepper salpicon and chile oil. A truly extravagant spread is the seafood tower, with dozens of just-delivered oysters and clams plus chile shrimp and buttery lobster. Deliberate, heady selections of dozens of coastal-themed wines, from complex skin contact whites to brighter reds to limited edition bottles, are paired with the preps of coastal seafood, and the mezcal and tequila selections are expansive and varied to make for sippable patio margaritas.

Clark's Oyster Bar Arrow

This restaurant, especially the patio, hums day and night. You can come up with plenty of reasons to stop by: business lunches, dates, family outings, and late nights. Here in the heart of Texas, East and West Coast oysters, flown in daily, take center stage. After a dozen of those, split the pan-roasted black angus hamburger topped with gruyere, a legendary dish in Austin. Unless you plan to come at an off hour you may have to wait for a table but the experience is worth it. Once you sit down, service here won't make you feel rushed, even when the line's out the door.

Josephine House Arrow

Quality, local ingredients lay a solid foundation for the delectable brunch fare inside the charming craftsman cottage that is Josephine House. Whet your palate with something from the bakery case, like a crispy kouign amann or slice of vegan blueberry-banana bread. Then look to the blandly named, but delicious inventive rice bowl with forbidden rice with roasted and pickled seasonal vegetables, and salsa verde, topped with a poached egg. Come for a classy brunch—maybe you’re celebrating a low-key anniversary or concluding a memorable trip to Austin.

Elizabeth Street Café Arrow

From day to evening Elizabeth Street transforms. In the morning the vibe is all French bakery : Neighbors drop in on their way to work for the brightly-colored macaron of the day or a croissant to go. But later in the day you'll find that this modern French-Vietnamese café has perfected the bánh mì. The kitchen uses housemade, crunchy baguettes that can stand up to layers of spicy and tangy sauces, marinated pork, local beef, and fresh sliced vegetables. The friendly staff is always down to explain a new ingredient, suggest an all-vegetarian meal, or pair a just-right jasmine tea with a decadent afternoon pastry.

Franklin Barbecue Arrow

A standout star within  Austin’s heavyweight barbecue scene , Franklin draws lines that are as epic as its world-renowned brisket. Take a tip from the regulars: come early, come hungry, and come with a collapsible chair (you don't want to stand for three or four hours if you can avoid it). The good news is that you can now preorder  up to six weeks in advance, as long as you’re committed to at least three pounds of meaty treats. Just don’t miss that luscious oak-smoked brisket with its distinctive peppery exterior; it’s tender enough to cut with a spoon.

Read our entire guide to Austin's best barbecue here .

Guero's Taco Bar Arrow

Families have come to this Tex-Mex institution for years and locals happily wait more than two hours for a table on weekend nights, hitting the serve-yourself salsa bar and passing time over margaritas. (Order like a regular and get a classic margarita, frozen or on the rocks—they're strong and one of the reasons the atmosphere is so lively here.) The combo plates of tacos, enchiladas or burritos served with a side of refried beans and rice are the move for most, with chile con queso to start. Try to sit on the patio if you stop by on a weekend so you can listen to the regular live music.

Odd Duck Arrow

Once a food truck, Odd Duck is known best for its pork belly sandwich, served on bread that uses flour milled on site. But don’t stop there. Since the menu is based on what ingredients are available in Austin or immediately surrounding it, chefs can turn traditional Texas dishes on their head. If available, try the goat chili frito pie, served in a skillet and drizzled with avocado cream, or the quail al pastor, with shishito mayo, peaches, and cashews; wash it all down with a choose-your-own-spirit Old Fashioned and call it a day.

Justine's Brasserie Arrow

The vibe at this brasserie is dark and romantic, and it gets louder as the night grows longer. Well-known for its late-night dinner service—the kitchen closes at 1:30 a.m.—Justine's serves up French classics, at your table and at the bar. Think French onion soup served with cheese crusting the ramekin and escargot with a Sidecar or French 75. Be sure to dress your best, the street style here is unparalleled for Austin. The wee morning hours the restaurant keeps make an ideal place to end an evening out. 

Nixta Taqueria Arrow

From Aztec-inspired corn tortillas to corn god murals, there’s no way to mistake that you’ve come upon Nixta. It bumps with major tunes, a sparkly gold disco ball, and knock-your-socks-off vibrant colors including coyoacan blue (a la Frida Kahlo’s home ). Although the inside is a little snug and short on elbow room, what it lacks in fancy finishes and head space it makes up for in lively energy and out-of-the-box taco omakase experience that mimics the path of the owner’s indigenous ancestry (roasted green beans, ricotta, and pickled hibiscus onions) up through their move to California (duck consommé with buffalo nata and hoja santa). Think unconventional, elevated ingredients hidden in a humble, earthy shell for their everyday menu: marinated yellowfin tuna with furikake and duck confit with salsa cruda alongside vegetable-forward “meaty” bites like beet tartare with avocado crema, microgreens, and salsa macha aioli. Stay for dessert: the much-lauded Persian rice pudding or strawberry paleta with rose and lime.

Kemuri Tatsu-ya Arrow

This Texas-smokehouse-as-izakaya is unlike anything else in Austin. Even Kemuri Tatsu-ya’s interior is a hybrid of Japanese and Texan aesthetics: Austere wood paneling and intimate booths are reminscent of little spots in Tokyo , but Texas-pride taxidermy hangs on the walls. The ambiance strikes the perfect key of east-meets-south. Sharable dishes with Japanese and Texan influences make this menu irresistible (we're talking brisket with a sesame-pecan rub and serrano limón miso, and Berkshire pork ribs with garlic furikake) and the servers here will happily walk you through the menu if it feels hard to get your arms around. Complete the whole experience with a flight of Japanese whisky and you've got a weird and wonderful Austin evening.

Lenoir Arrow

The value of the $60 prix fixe here is the best in the city for a lot of reasons, most of them are individual dishes that cycle every week. The menu makes use of seasonal, local ingredients and offerings blue corn and pecan hush pups with wagyu soubise, antelope heart tartare with smoked trout roe and beets, or black sapote caramel pork shoulder with habanero vinegar; the poached shrimp in tomato curry or snapper tataki with apple matcha ponzu have also been knockouts.. You should get the wine pairings, as the picks from the mostly European list are expert-level. The space itself is tiny, so don’t plan on bringing any more than a couple friends, or just stick to bringing your date, as the cozy space is quite romantic.

It is not an overstatement to say Tyson Cole put Austin's culinary scene on the national map when he opened Uchi in 2003, serving authentic Japanese sushi in landlocked Austin. Chefs here use traditional techniques, fish flown in daily from Tokyo , and a few wildcard moves (like swapping fish for foie gras in nigiri) to keep food obsessives coming back for years and years This is a bucket-list restaurant for diners, and reservations are scant, so lines are here are a nightly tradition. Our tip: go for sake social hour, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the sushi bar, to see for yourself why Uchi still reigns supreme.

Comedor Arrow

Unlike its humble blacked-out brick exterior, Comedor’s modern, Mexico City –inspired menu explodes with creativity and one-of-a-kind dishes. Buttery bone marrow tacos with hoja santa–pecan gremolata, a 40-day dry-aged ribeye with chilhuacle negro and hakurei turnips, heritage kampachi crudo with pasilla mixe ponzu, Texas cremini mushrooms, and lamb barbacoa are just a few of the many standouts here. And don’t dash before dessert, which might be chocolate tamales with caramelized milk ice cream or tajin pavlova with tangerine sorbet.

Hestia Arrow

Don’t let the ultra-tall, glassy building it occupies and Shoal Creek views throw you off; Hestia feels comfier on the inside than it looks from out, with a custom 20-foot hearth glowing with live-fire broiling top cuts of beef and pork. Almost anything cooked over the live-fire is a smash-hit; whether it’s silky halibut with trout roe, the smoky king trumpet mushroom with sorrel, the juicy Berkshire porkchop, or the melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef. Try the bread service as well as the oysters paired to hatch chili and cantaloupe, and Wagyu beef tartare and gochujang small plate, but make sure to end with the kakigori featuring fermented apple and horchata ice cream.

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Premier property

Austin hotels check in on travel + leisure's prestigious world's best for 2022.

The Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, has had no shortage of accolades since it first opened in 2020.

And a new ranking from Travel + Leisure places the estate at No. 2 among the top 10 resorts in Texas, followed close behind by Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa at No. 3. The Houstonian in Houston came in at No. 1.

“The best resorts in Texas, according to Travel + Leisure are located in close proximity to the state's biggest cities but set on perfectly manicured grounds that make them feel worlds away when guests want to unwind,” reads the ranking.

Here’s Travel + Leisure ’s list of the top 10 resorts in Texas, part of the publication's World's Best Awards 2022:

• The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
• Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, Austin
• Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
• Gage Hotel, Marathon
• The Woodlands Resort, The Woodlands
• Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Irving
• JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
• La Cantera Resort & Spa, San Antonio
• Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine
• Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio

Aside from naming two Austin properties among the top 10 resorts in Texas, Travel + Leisure also ranked the top five hotels in Austin . It’s the first time Travel + Leisure readers were able to vote on the best hotels here.

Appearing at No. 1 on the Austin list is Austin Proper Hotel & Residences, followed by Arrive Austin at No. 2, the Four Seasons Austin Hotel at No. 3, The Driskill at No. 4, and the Fairmont Austin at No. 5.

Amenities at the 32-story, 244-room Austin Proper include two pools, a spa, a fitness center, and complimentary bike rentals. McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality operates the hotel’s dining venues, including La Piscina, a rooftop poolside Mexican restaurant, and the Peacock Mediterranean Grill.

“Located in the 2nd Street District, the hotel is just a short walk from Lady Bird Lake, indie boutiques, and many nightlife venues. T+L readers complimented the hotel’s ‘beautiful rooms,’ ‘great location,’ and service,” the publication says.

Visit the ISS

Virtual reality experience aboard the international space station lands in texas.

From being the first word spoken on the moon to the city’s current status as a spaceport , Houston has always had a fascination with traveling to space. While space travel remains out of reach for most, one virtual reality experience has won awards for how closely it recreates the experience.

"Space Explorers: The Infinite," the first multi-sensory, interactive virtual reality experience to transport visitors aboard the International Space Station, will be touching back down in Houston on Friday, May 3.

The out-of-this world experience (and an extension of the Emmy-winning immersive series "Space Explorers: The ISS Experience" ) will return to Silver Street Studios at Sawyer Yards (2000 Edwards Street, Gate A).

Having made its U.S. debut in Space City in December 2021 for a limited run, "The Infinite" provides visitors with the opportunity to explore a virtual life-size replica of the International Space Station (ISS), bringing audiences closer to the feeling of being in outer space than ever before.

The experience has garnered legions of fans during stops in Houston, along with Tacoma, Richmond, Vancouver, and Denver. It has also been recognized with awards and honors, including being selected as a finalist in the VR, AR & MR category at the 2022 South By Southwest Innovation Awards.

“As the birthplace of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center and a city with the cosmos as an inherent part of its DNA, Houston was the obvious choice for the American premiere of this one-of-a-kind experience, making it the perfect location for a second visit," says Félix Lajeunesse, co-founder/chief creative officer of Felix & Paul Studios, in a release. " We are thrilled to offer repeat visitors, and those who missed it the first time, a chance to virtually explore the International Space Station and experience the daily lives of astronauts in outer space.”

The return engagement of "The Infinite" offers new content — including the addition of footage of the Artemis I launch. Visitors will use virtual reality headsets to explore a digital version of the ISS, where they will interact with video testimonials of the international astronaut crew. Throughout the 60-minute journey, visitors’ senses are enriched through the interactivity between virtual reality, multimedia art, soundscapes, and light design.

“During its maiden U.S. launch, Space Explorers: The Infinite received enthusiastic reviews from Houston visitors who appreciated not only the technical innovations but also the uniqueness of the experience,” says Éric Albert, CO-CEO of Infinity Experiences Inc, in the release. “For those who joined us previously and loved the journey, we invite you back to rediscover the wonders of space exploration. And to those who missed it, this is your chance to experience what everyone has been talking about. We are excited to call Space City home once again.”

Tickets run from $24.50 for children ages 8-12 to $35 for adults, with special discounts available. For tickets and more information, visit feverup.com .

"The Infinite" landed in Houston for the first U.S. show in December 2021.

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Truly One Of A Kind

Situated in Downtown’s Second Street District, Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is the newest luxury lifestyle hotel in Austin, just steps from Lady Bird Lake , the legendary Austin City Limits music venue and nearby boutiques. With inspiring interiors by Kelly Wearstler and culinary offerings in collaboration with McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, Austin Proper offers 238 rooms and suites , a dedicated spa and fitness center , and 14,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces , including a rooftop pool deck & restaurant offering small-batch tequilas and sunset views. Anything less just wouldn’t be Proper.

Rooms & Suites

With Austin as muse, the 238 guest rooms and suites have been carefully detailed by designer Kelly Wearstler for a sense of residence. Interiors are deeply influenced by local craft and artisans with Arts & Crafts-inspired wall covering, distressed hardwoods and barefoot-friendly area rugs. Well-considered appointments including signature Proper beds, Aesop bath amenities, Kelly Wearstler x Parachute Home robes and state-of-the-art connectivity.

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World's Best Awards — #1 Hotel in Austin

- travel + leisure, "with its unique blend of cali cool, texas charm, and manhattan swank, austin proper has all the ingredients for a chic downtown stay.", the 10 best hotels in austin, "austin proper is for the cool kids.", hot list, best new hotels in america + canada, - condé nast traveler, best new hotels to book around the world, reader’s choice awards, eat & drink.

Leading Austin Proper’s array of creative dining is McGuire Moorman Lambert, a James Beard Award Nominee hospitality team behind Austin’s modern food, drink and fashion empire. At the landmark eatery, The Peacock , guests can dip into North African, Israeli, and Lebanese spreads and sunny mezze. On the rooftop pool deck at La Piscina , a destination restaurant becomes the antidote to Tex-Mex, in the form of family-style platters piled with wood-grilled meats. S ip classic cocktails and spin a record at the living room lounge The Quill Room ; or tuck into the elegance of Goldie’s Sunken Bar , our intimate 30-seat lounge. 

EXPLORE RESTAURANTS

An array of high-end amenities aim to refresh, whether with a challenging workout in the 2,000-square-foot fitness center , borrowing a bike for a lakeside trail ride, or a dip into world-class wellness Verbena Spa . Guests are encouraged to linger on property, perhaps setting up camp by the 5th-floor pool. Dining options satisfy a variety of moods, whether cafe grab-and-go, garden cocktails overlooking Shoal Creek; poolside suppers, or a full spread at The Peacock signature restaurant.

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Founders of austin travel, pam leblanc.

Pam LeBlanc grew up in Austin and attended Texas A&M University. She worked at the Plano Star-Courier and The Monitor in McAllen, Texas, before joining the staff of the Austin American-Statesman in 1998. 

Kristin Finan

Kristin Finan grew up roadtripping to U.S. destinations in the back of her family’s Volvo station wagon, an experience that instilled in her a great love for the open road. 

Mauri Elbel

At home in the sun-soaked capital of Texas, Mauri keeps busy raising three kids, writing about family travel and design, and as the co-founder and vice president of Carrying Hope––a 501c3 nonprofit which positively impacts the way children enter foster care throughout Texas. 

Contributors

Casey chapman ross.

Casey Chapman Ross is a native and current Austinite, living here with her husband and three kids. Currently, she focuses on growing her travel writing and hospitality portfolio and involving her family in these assignments as often as possible.

Becca Hensley

For more than three decades, award-winning travel writer Becca Hensley has roved the world to find the meaning of life. Currently, she serves as Travel Editor for New Orleans Bride and Contributing Editor for Insiders Guide to Spas. A poet, mother, and gadabout, she is a luxury expert.

Anne Keene is an Austin-based writer, swimmer, sometimes horseback rider, and author of The Cloudbuster Nine: The Untold Story of Ted Williams and the Baseball Team That Helped Win WWII . For other stories visit www.annerkeene.com .

Maximiliano Mauriz

Maximiliano Mauriz was born in Santiago, Chile, but came to Texas as fast as he could. He lives in Austin with his partner, their 3-year old Vizsla, Boston (aka Boss), and 1-year old foster pup, Philip. He enjoys time with family and friends, travel, running and swimming — and taking images of the people (and animals) he loves and the places he visits.

Jeff Jenkins

Jeff Jenkins is an award-winning content creator and travel journalist who is the founder of Chubby Diaries.  Jeff’s enthusiastic personality, charisma and contagious big smile makes him one of a kind! Learn more about him at https://www.chubbydiaries.com/ . 

Addie Broyles

Addie Broyles is a writer, podcaster and tarot card reader in Austin, where she’s raising her two sons and building community around food, family, travel and intersectional feminism. Read more of her work at  https://thefeministkitchen.substack.com/ . 

Melanie Moore

Melanie P. Moore is a writer living in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in The Georgia Review, Atlanta Magazine, Creative Loafing, and Austin Fit Magazine. She was previously the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Badgerdog Literary Publishing.

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Follow Austin Travels Magazine on Instagram.  Austin Travels is a women-owned, Austin-based travel magazine committed to highlighting destinations in Texas and beyond through the lenses of diverse and talented writers.

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Chicago Bears trade back into the 2024 NFL Draft, select Kansas edge Austin Booker

Hinsdale native drafted by chicago bears.

A suburban football star received the biggest phone call of his life and was drafted by the Chicago Bears.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Surprise! The Chicago Bears traded back into the 2024 NFL Draft .

Acquiring the No. 144 overall pick from the Buffalo Bills, the Bears selected Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker.

Booker's addition helps the Bears' defensive line and pass rush.

"I got speed. I got length," Booker said. "Being able to use all those at once is a gift."

The Bears traded back into the 2024 NFL Draft after having only four picks. Their selection of Booker is an investment, too.

Seen as a work in progress, Booker starred in his lone year Kansas during the 2023 season. Booker was at Minnesota for two seasons before transferring to Kansas. 

He agreed with being described as a raw prospect. After all, plenty of other players are 22- or 23-years old. Booker is younger.

"I'm 21 so I know I have a lot of years ahead of me," Booker said. "Just looking forward to keep growing in the NFL."

Booker was a First-team All-Big 12 Conference player and the Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He led the Jayhawks with 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks. 

He only started one game in 2023, but still recorded 56 tackles, one pass break up and two forced fumbles.

"Booker needs to get bigger and stronger, but that will come," NFL Network's Lance Zierlein wrote in his analysis of Booker. "The diversity of his rush approach is unheard of for a player with so little playing time. He can stride and dip at the top of the rush or beat tackles back inside with a Euro step or spin counter."

The reason Booker is seen as a raw talent is because he's just 21-years old. He could have comeback for another season in Lawrence, but opted to go pro as his draft profile rose after a standout season.

"I feel like I was mentally, physically ready to be at the high level," Booker said. "Strike when the iron’s hot.:

Ironically, the Bears traded with the Buffalo Bills for the No. 144 overall pick, which was the Bears' original pick in the fifth round. The Bears sent that pick to Buffalo for veteran offensive lineman Ryan Bates.

According to NFL Network, the Bears traded next year's fourth-round selection to trade back into the 2024 fifth round and take Booker.

Booker becomes the fifth defensive lineman Bears general manager Ryan Poles has drafted in his three drafts as the Bears' GM. This lists includes Dominique Robinson in 2022, as well as Gervon Dexter Sr., Zacch Pickens and Travis Bell in 2023.

The Bears got that pick back and improved their defensive line.

"It’s just a great opportunity," Booker said. "We about to get to work. I’m just excited."

New Chicago Bears punter Tory Taylor has already heard from Caleb Williams with a funny guarantee

When new Bears punter Tory Taylor heard from fellow draftee Caleb Williams, the Bears' No. 1 overall pick made him a guarantee.