Where to Stay
For our trip, we wanted to stay right downtown to make it easy to access all of the city. We chose Canopy by Hilton Resort which was right on West 6th street and super close to several bars, restaurants, and coffee shops! The rooms were super nice and modern - which made us feel right at home.
We also wanted to stay somewhere with a pool and Canopy Austin had a great one! They even had cabanas and lounge chairs available for rent. However, they are also first come first serve if you don't feel like reserving one. We spent lots of time by the pool during the day and sitting up on the pool deck in the evening. Canopy Austin even had an amazing restaurant called Verbena attached to hotel we ate at our first night (more details below).
Where to Eat
Verbena - at Canopy Austin
One of the first restaurants we checked out was Verbena which was connected to the resort. Verbena had a gorgeous outdoor patio with string lights and a coy pond. They also had a super modern inside area that we sat in. We started out with a yummy charcuterie board and the chicken liver mousse. They also have some super unique and fun cocktails worth checking out as well! For my main dish, I had the lemon lobster pasta which was incredible! We also ordered food from Verbena for lunch when we were at the pool one afternoon and it was the perfect light lunch. I highly recommend the 8 tossed lettuce salad.
Taquero Mucho is another spot to add to your list! It was by far the most Instagram-able spot we visited and also offered some yummy margs and pink tacos! This spot is located right downtown and a great place to go during the day for pictures and lunch or to stop by and grab drinks with friends. We got the Anti-bitch juice that was frozen in a fun pouch as well as the Actin Kinda Shady cocktail which came with these pink heart sunglasses (see photo above).
Texas is known for their BBQ so of course we had to make a trip to get some. Lambert's was located downtown and walkable distance from our hotel. I got the brisket and my hubby got the 1/2 rack of ribs and both were phenomenal! They also have a Happy Hour Tue-Sun from 5-7pm and live music on certain nights. Great place to go for a yummy and filling BBQ dinner.
Banger's is the perfect place to grab a stein of beer, a pretzel and a sausage. We went here for lunch on Saturday prior to a day spent on Rainey Street. They have a huge list of beers that you can get in a pint or liter size. They also have several different sausage options - I chose the Jalepeno cheddar Brat which was super good!
Torchy's Tacos is a local favorite with spots throughout the city. It's a perfect place to grab some food for on the go or for a quick sit down meal. The Award winning Green Chile Queso is award winning for good reason and is a must try!
Things to do
One super fun and unique spot we checked out while we were in Austin was Bouldin Acres. They have a great outdoor space that is fun for all ages! Their main thing is that they offer 2 pickleball courts you can reserve to play on as well as some corn hole boards, a dog park, and a kid's playground. They also have a huge bar area with arcade games and an amazing BBQ food truck (the cauli wings were my fave). The cherry limeade cocktail is also a must try!
Mozart's Coffee
Mozart's Coffee is another must visit spot while you are in Austin! It's located right along Lake Austin with incredible views of the lake and boats. It's the perfect place to start your day with amazing views and amazing coffee. Not only do they have some delicious coffee (my favorite was the Mozart's Mocha) - but also an incredible bakery with yummy treats. We visited around Easter and tried some delicious Easter treats including their Grand Macarons! You can also pre-order bakery items for pick--up.
South Congress Shops
One place to check out in Austin is South Congress street. The entire street is lined with cute stores, ice cream and coffee shops, and restaurants. We stopped by the Kendra Scott flagship store which is a must! It even has a cute little cafe inside. We also got lunch at Torchy's tacos (see above) while we were there.
Riverwalk
Another thing we enjoyed was walking along the Riverwalk in downtown Austin. On a sunny day like this one, lots of people walk, skate and scooter along the riverwalk. There is even a big open park that people and their dogs were sitting out at. It is the perfect spot to pack a lunch and have a picnic! While we were there, we could even hear a concert going on across the river.
Zanzibar is a fun tropical oasis in the heart of the city! We popped by for Happy Hour for $2 off specialty cocktails and a great rooftop view. If you're into Tiki Bars, you have to check this one out! So many fun and yummy cocktails and a great vibe!
Nightlife
We spent some time on Rainey Street while we were there and absolutely loved Unbarlievable. We went in the night time and during the day time. The bar is circus themed and even has a slide inside (so fun!). They have giant Moscow mules you can split with your friends as well. We preferred Unbarlievable during the day when we went because they had a live band which made it tons of fun!
Also located on Rainey Street, this bar is built inside multiple shipping containers which is super neat! It's a great place to pop-by if you want to dance and have a great DJ! Always a fun and party vibe without seeming "clubby."
Another great spot with live music is Rustic Tap! This spot was right across the street from our hotel which made it an easy walk. There are picnic tables and fire pits inside with fun bands that make it a great bar to start the night at!
Hope you enjoy your trip to Austin, I can't wait to go back!
~ Ellery ~
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