It’s true — Austin is a little weird. And we love it that way. There’s simply no other city like it, in or outside of Texas. Austin’s sense of uniqueness can, in large part, be credited to the city’s makers, artists and other creatives.
Check out their wares in areas like South Congress, where funky boutiques offer made-in-Austin goods. In Downtown Austin, the city’s reputation as “The Live Music Capital of the World” is on full display, especially in the Red River Cultural District.
While Austin is receiving quite the buzz of late, neighborhoods like North Loop offer a glimpse of Austin’s homier side, even as the area welcomes an upscale eatery by a James Beard Award finalist and indoor-outdoor specialty cocktail bars.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Stroll South Congress Avenue for Local Wares
With its throngs of boutiques, hip restaurants and laid-back cocktail bars, South Congress, also known as the SoCo District to locals, is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Austin.
Begin your exploration of the borough at Jo’s Coffee where you can fuel up with a cold brew and breakfast tacos. Enjoy a scramble of eggs, hash browns and a delectable mix of cheddar and jack cheese inside steamy flour tortillas.
Take the afternoon to stroll South Congress Avenue, a buzzy street that offers a great view of the Texas State Capitol. Drop by shops like Parts & Labour, where you can browse goods by Austin locals, from soy candles to handmade soaps.
When it’s time for lunch, take a seat on the outdoor deck at Perla’s for fresh oysters and buttery lobster rolls.
For upscale shopping, stop by Music Lane for mainstay stores like Everlane and Reformation but also brick-and-mortar boutiques by Austin-based brands. Nak Armstrong, selling sleek rose gold ear cuffs and pendant necklaces is a favorite among locals.
By night, opt for a sushi and sake spread at the omakase-style restaurant Otoko before heading to the oak garden at Guero’s Taco Bar for live blues performances over shaken margaritas.
Saturday: Visit Downtown Austin’s Art and Music Venues
Today is a big day — your chance to take in the arts, business and entertainment district of Downtown Austin. After a hearty breakfast at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, hit the 10-mile hike-and-bike trail encircling Lady Bird Lake.
Then it’s time to tour the Texas State Capitol Complex, browse modern art at the Contemporary Austin–Jones Center or catch a comedy show at the storied Paramount Theatre.
For lunch, venture to Rainey Street, a former residential area that now boasts food trucks and remodeled bungalow bars. Drop in to an area eatery for casual afternoon fare, from Nepalese dumplings at Monk’s Momo food truck to classic pit-smoked brisket at Metcalf BBQ.
Nearby are the boutiques in the 2nd Street District like Luxe Apothetique, where you can browse everything from incense to coffee mugs.
By dark, it’s time to enjoy the best of Austin’s nightlife: Go to live music venues like Mohawk in the Red River Cultural District, stop by rooftop bars like Maggie Mae’s on Sixth Street or watch a drag show at Oilcan Harry’s in the Warehouse District.
For a uniquely Austin experience, head to Congress Avenue Bat Bridge ahead of sunset to watch as millions of Mexican free-tailed bats set to the skies for their nightly flyover.
Sunday: Enjoy a Slow Morning in the North Loop
After a big night out downtown, spend a slow morning in Central Austin’s hippest hidden gem — the North Loop neighborhood just above the University of Texas at Austin campus. For an early-morning pick-me-up, grab an oat milk latte at Epoch followed by a full-blown diner brunch of burgers and onion rings at Jewboy Burgers.
Then hit the streets to browse the neighborhood’s retro boutiques. Drop by Room Service Vintage for antique jewelry and textiles and Revival Vintage for its selection of mid-century modern furnishings.
In the afternoon, visit MonkeyWrench Books to check the schedule of events. This community-run bookstore often hosts film screenings and performances, and one of the space’s most popular activities — an evening art night where locals and visitors bring their own art supplies and gather to color, sketch and doodle on paper and materials provided by the bookstore.
For dinner, book a table at the nose-to-tail restaurant Foreign & Domestic or opt for a reservation at the upscale Barley Swine, where the James Beard Award finalist Bryce Gilmore cooks up delectable poached fish dishes and dry-aged ribeye.
For your final foray into Austin’s nightlife, stop by one of two indoor-outdoor bars: The Tigress Pub for specialty cocktails or DrinkWell to savor the sour daiquiris.
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