Austin is a city with a wealth of cute shops, off-beat and interesting street art, and nightlife. It’s also extremely easy to get around, with many places walkable or bikeable – made even easier by an omnipresence of electric scooters and bikes. You can see a variety of places in just a weekend without feeling rushed or pressured!
If you’re excited about food in Austin, check out my guide to 48 hours of food in Austin.
Sites
What I loved about my trip was that there was no “must-see” list. Instead, we could wander from neighborhood to neighborhood without any pressure.
Zilker Park
This large and lovely park was dog heaven. Wow. We sat there for a good hour just sitting in the grass and watching dogs bounce happily around us. What a perfect place to walk off a food truck meal and enjoy the sunny weather.
UT Austin
There’s something charming and nostalgic about University campuses, so we wandered through since it’s reasonably close to the state capitol building.
State Capitol Building
There are free tours, but if you don’t want to commit to a history lesson, you can still enjoy the beautiful architecture and memorials. Texas loves all that is big and grand, and the capitol building is no exception.
South Congress Avenue
This cute street has trendy shops, coffee spots, and even more food trucks. You can spend a relaxing afternoon wandering from spot to spot, nibbling on treats, and soaking in the quirky atmosphere. We also took the chance to grab some coffee and rejuvenate – having fun is hard work!
Original Whole Foods Market
I bet you didn’t know that the OG Whole Foods is located in Austin, Texas. Friends, this was the most fantastic Whole Foods experience of my life. If you love browsing trendy organize products and trying yummy samples, definitely stop by this location (and I say this without a hint of irony).
Murals
Austin is famous for colorful and fun murals – get ready for all those photo ops!
Greetings From Austin
1720 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Close to South Congress Avenue and Gourdough’s Doughnuts
You’re My Butter Half
2000 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78702
I love you so much
Right on South Congress Avenue. It’s cousin the ironic “I hate you so much” mural can be found on Rainey Street.
Austin Howdy
601 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Close to the original Whole Foods
Nightlife
Two big going out districts in Austin provide an ample amount of bars, clubs, and live music.
6th Street
West 6th is the young professional’s area of choice while Dirty (East) 6th is where college crowds will come in full force. This street has a lot of bars, clubs, and character. We particularly enjoyed live music and The Library and drinks at the speakeasy at Firehouse Hostel.
Rainey Street
Attracting a slightly older crowd than 6th Street, Rainey Street reminded me of the Row at my undergrad where the fraternities were housed. A number of bars and food stops line this street, and there is a constant buzz of energy and excitement.