Visit Austin, Texas

Howdy ho people,

Welcome to my blog on Austin, Texas! This is my first ever GUEST blogger post. Out guest blogger today is… my big seeeeeeeester, Amanda! So, her and her friend Sherin decided to visit Austin (without me, rude) so I asked her to channel her inner travel blogger and do an Austin write up for all my fans. If you have read some of my other blogs, you know that Amanda is the Queen of Cuisine, the Sovereign of Snacks, the Monarch of Meals, so you can all trust her to find you the bessssst in Austin, Texas. But if it sucks, don’t blame me. Now without further ado, I shall pass the reigns over to her. Please give a big round of applause to, Amanda!

–Marissa

Amanda here!

Austin, Texas has always been on the top of my must-do cities in the US. Always referred to as the “Portland of the South”, I knew I would love it. However, disclaimer to you all, the weather was beautiful the weekend we were there (mid 70s). I am not sure I would have loved it as much if it was 115 degrees out.

What to Do in Austin, Texas:

Austin is the perfect weekend getaway destination. There isn’t SO much to do that you’d need any more than a weekend there. Everywhere had great coffee, great food, and great drinks. The city is super walkable and low key.

Activities in Austin, Texas

• State Capital Building

• The Peacock House – The Mayfield Park. This estate was built in 1870 and 2 peacocks were gifted, and have remained on the property for over 100 years.

• Beers/picnic along the river – Swing into the OG Whole Foods, grab some local brews and snacks, then just chill along the river. Perfect afternoon activity.

• Kayak on Lady Bird Lake– or rent a boat!
• Hike Mount Bonnell– at sunset, great views.
• Zilker Botanical Gardens – unique botanical gardens in the city. They are in the middle of this huge park that has the small city as it’s backdrop. Very picturesque, like a mini Central Park overlooking Manhattan.
• Bats on Congress Bridge – The biggest amount of bats in North America congregate here. At sundown they come out in a swarm over the river below, it’s so cool!

Austin’s Most Instagram-able Spots

• Graffiti Park

• “Greetings From Austin” Mural
• “I Love You So Much” sign

• “I Hate You So Much” sign – is at the bungalow next to the Container Bar
• If you want more locations check out this website HERE.

Shopping/ Walking Streets in Austin, Texas

• South Congress St– has tons of cute shops and lots of “made in Austin” goodies

• OG Whole Foods – who knew the original Whole Foods was in Austin?! Not I. Worth checking out if you need groceries or a quick coffee. It’s huge!
• Yeti Store – the Yeti headquarters is in Austin. They have a bar with cornhole and a shop with all your Yeti favorites
• Shopping on 6th street

Going Out/ Nightlife/Bars

• 6th Street – The iconic Austin bar scene. We just started at Maggie Mae’s and made our way down the street. Maggie Mae’s had a great live band playing a bunch of early 2000’s #jamz. The street was closed off and there were people in the street everywhere. Sort of reminded me of a less trashy Bourbon St, New Orleans.
• HandleBar – just off 6th Street, this rooftop bar had great music, games and a seesaw!
• Roosevelt Room – also just off 6th Street. This super cool lounge had an extensive cocktail menu organized by era. I Recommend having a reservation, even if just for cocktails.
• Rainey Street – I think this was my favorite going out spot. They have converted a bunch of houses into bars and restaurants. Food trucks are lining the street and you just hop from place to place.
• The Container Bar – is made out of old shipping containers. It’s right next-door to my personal favorite “insta spot”, the “I Hate You So Much” mural, which is at Bungalow.
• UnBarLievable – We came here only because they have a slide! Someone crop dusted us on the slide, but I hope your experience/boomerang turns out better.
• Half Step – more of a low key spot, with killer whiskey and bourbon hand crafted cocktails. Perfect place to end your night. Little Lucy’s mini donut food truck is parked out front. Idk if it was the 6 Old Fashioneds or what, but that might have been the best donuts I’ve ever had. They were served with Nutella to dip them in. I mean. Come on.
• Central Standard Bar – in the super cute/boutique-y South Congress Hotel. Great place for a pre or post brunch drink while enjoying the local shops.

• Ah Sing Den
• Drillskill Bar
• Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar

Where to Eat in Austin, Texas:

Every restaurant in Austin is named after someone, and most nice dinner/lunch places are a J-name. Must be a south thing, the Duggars love their J names, and so does Austin.

Brunch/Lunch

• Torchy’s Tacos – there are a few locations in the city. We went to the one on S. Congress. Can’t go wrong with any taco ordered here.

• Terry Black’s BBQ – if you don’t feel like lining up at 6am at Franklins, then Terry Black’s is a close close 2nd place alternative. Personally, I can’t taste a difference (don’t @ me, bro), and you can show up at 11 when they open and the line moves fast. The banana pudding and the creamed corn is a MUST.

• June’s All Day – we went here the last day for brunch. Everything was amazing
• Caroline– great brunch, super cute
• Moonshine – great brunch as well
• Swifts Attic– Great for dinner as well!
• Cenote – popular but delish
• Juan in a Million– local Austin cuisine
• Sway– didn’t get to try but super recommended
• Something we didn’t explore, but will next time, is the food truck scene. Austin is famous for their food truck parks. We saw them everywhere, and will definitely give them a try next trip.

Cafe/ Bakery’s

• Summer Moon Coffee Bar

• Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
• Jo’s Coffee – The South Congress location is the home of the famous “I Love You So Much” sign. Definitely give their signature drinks a try – The Belgian Bomber or a Turbo. Also try one of their homemade pop tarts!
• 1886 Cafe
• The Upper Crust
• Little Lucy’s mini donut food truck

Dinner

• Justine’s 1937 – Cute little outdoor/indoor restaurant with twinkly lights sprung about. This is such a popular spot they have added “tents” off each porch to accommodate more seating. For the first time I saw steak tartar as an entree option, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The food was outstanding. Reservation recommended.
• Josephine’s House – Gorg date night spot with just outstanding food. Reservation recommended.
• Cafe Joise – Tapas!
• Perlas– Nice seafood restaurant and bar
• Eberly– Great food and interior
• Salt Lick– BBQ
• The Oasis– If you want really good views and just average food haha
• La Condesa– Modern Mexican
• Emmer and Rye – Didn’t get to try but it was highly recommended
• Launderette Austin– Known for their desserts!
• Home Slice Pizza – Recommended over and over again to us.

Dessert

• Gordoughs– Fun donuts from the food truck
• Cow tipping Creamery– Ice cream
• Voodoo Donuts– Just like in Portland!
• Hey Cupcake
• Tiny Pies – I just love pie
• Tiff’s Treats– Warm delicious cookies with milk. mmmmm
• Capital City Bakery– Vegan!

Where to Stay in Austin, Texas:

Where you stayed/ areas to stay/ good places

• We stayed at our friend’s apartment on S. Lamar. I don’t think you can go wrong with choosing a neighborhood to stay in. Everywhere we drove through was super cute and walkable. Also, Uber was super convenient and cheaper than LA fa sho.
• Clarkesville neighborhood
• Downtown
• South Congress
• East Austin is good as well!

Overall, Austin was great. Food was great. People were great. Do I think the great weather biased my opinion? Yes. But, I would 1000% go back and recommend it as a weekend trip destination. I stand by the sentiment that Austin is the Portland of the South. If you love Portland, give Austin, Texas a go!

Gracias Amanda! Now I’m even more pissed she didn’t invite me along. Not sure how many more guest blogs my sister will write because I don’t want her traveling without me anymore.

Adios!

If you liked this blog please check out my USA destinations blogs on Portland, Sacramento and New York.