Austin, Texas (Coti Woodhead)
- More about your oliver guide: Coti Woodhead
- Trip type: Adult, City
- Activity level: easy
- Ideal length of trip: THREE DAYS
to & from
- Fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
- Staying downtown use ride share options
- Traveling to the Hill Country rent a car
Where to Stay
- Hotel Saint Cecilia - South Congress - Secluded boutique hotel in the heart of the SOCO neighborhood
- JW Marriott - Downtown - Upscale hotel
- The Driskill - Downtown - Historic Downtown Hotel - Haunted
Where to Eat and Drink
- Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar - Great patio for people watching. Drinks are extra delicious! Great brunch spot.
- Uchi - Order a little bit of everything.
- Lenoir - Menu changes - Try the rose
- Stubb's BBQ - Everything!
What to Do
- Lake Austin Spa Resort - Plan on spending several hours here even if you aren't staying at the resort.
- Lady Bird Lake Trail - hike, run, paddle board, boardwalk
- Blanton Museum of Art
- ACL Live - attend a music concert
- Check out 4th/5th Street Nightlife
- Shop: South Congress and 2nd Street
inside scoop
- Austin hosts many music festivals, try attend during one of those times.
- Make reservations ahead of time.
- No Uber, use Fare or Ride!
- Jen Blackwood, one of our favorite stylists has put together a perfect packing list! Click here!
skip it
- The Bats under Congress Bridge
- Over 30, skip 6th Street bar scene
- Food Trucks
more...
Looking for a tween’s take on Austin, check out Addie Leary’s guide here!
Like margaritas? Local, Tory Wortham Austin guide will steer you in the right direction!
Austin, Texas (Tory Wortham)
Austin is laid back, it has a chic + casual vibe and is usually warm (so dress accordingly!)
- More about your oliver guide: Tory Wortham
- Trip type: Adult, City
- Activity level: easy
- Ideal length of trip: 3 NIGHTS
to & from
Southwest & American Airlines have the most flights to and from Austin.
Where to Stay
- New Austin: W, Hotel Van Zandt, JW Marriott, Fairmont (Opening Aug 2017)
- Boutique Hotels: Hotel Ella, Hotel St. Cecilia, South Congress Hotel
- Old Austin: Driskill, Stephen F. Austin
Where to Eat and Drink
- Uchi or Uchiko – argued to be the best sushi in the US, trust the server to order for you
- 2nd Bar + Kitchen – yummy small plates to share, crafted cocktails
- Fonda San Miguel – amazing interior Mexican food, you feel like you are in Mexico City
- Hula Hut on Lake Austin – casual Mexican, don’t miss the chips and queso
- Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar – sit outside below the enormous oak trees
- Taco Deli – delicious breakfast & lunch tacos, not open for dinner
- Food Trucks – South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery, Picnic on Barton Springs
- Red Ash – Downtown classic Italian
- Kuneho – Paul Qui “Top Chef” new Japanese restaurant
- Jeffrey’s (refined dining) and Josephine House (more casual sister restaurant) – both are delicious, cozy atmosphere, higher end
- Franklin BBQ – if you are willing to wait an hour our two!
- East Side King Thai Kun – Thai inspired dishes, warning “mild” is still hot
- Launderette – neighborhood café, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine
What to Do
- Visit Zilker Botanical Garden. You could spend 1/2 day exploring the different gardens. Don't miss the incredible Japanese Gardens.
- See live music at the ACL Moody Theater.
- Shop on South Congress.
- Take a picture at the “I love you so much” mural.
- Hike Barton Creek Greenbelt (wear a swim suit- it is hot).
- Swim in Barton Springs Pool – it is a live spring fed pool that is 68 degrees all year around.
- If you are a history buff – Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is fascinating.
- Tour the State Capitol – No reservation needed, it is free, the capitol is 15 feet taller than the National Capitol.
inside scoop
- UBER was kicked out of Austin, use Ride Austin or Fare instead
- Austin is laid back, it has a chic / casual vibe and is usually warm (so dress accordingly!)
more...
Looking for more places to eat and drink? Check out local, Coti Woodhead’s guide here!
Looking for a tween’s take on Austin, check out Addie Leary’s guide here!
Austin,Texas
Austin is a great place to visit cousins, shop, eat and take a break from your brothers!
- More about your oliver guide: Addie Leary
- Trip type: Family, City
- Activity level: easy
- Ideal length of trip: 4-5 days
to & from
- Southwest Airlines- Easy and non-stop flights are the best.
Where to Stay
- Archer Hotel near the Domain- Amazing service, breakfast, full restaurant, great rooms with nice beds, pool (in summer). Right across the street from Sprinkles Cupcakes and Starbucks.
Where to Eat and Drink
- Flower Girl- SUPER healthy (salads, bowls, wraps, etc.).All organic, cute easy atmosphere. Better for adults and older kids.
- Culinary Dropout- American style food, lots of options including awesome salads and kids menu. Tons of outdoor games (ping pong, corn hole...) for kids (and adults) to play.
- South Congress Cafe- Great food and service. Good for all ages. Fun brunch scene. Expect to wait on the weekends. The burger was fantastic.
- Whole Foods in the Domain-For ANYTHING you could want. It's huge. Adults can drink beer while they grocery shop. Full juice bar and brewery in the store. Tons of grab and go options including a Ramen bar.
- Sprinkles Cupcakes-- legendary cupcakes and great ice cream too!
What to Do
- Explore the Domain Area- Tons of shopping, restaurants, and more. Highlights include Erin Condren, a great place to create your own planner, Athleta (athletic wear). Lush (yummy bath and beauty products) fun to browse.
- Visit Allen's Boots- Authentic cowboy boots and hats from Texas. Great to explore and look at.
- Shop on South Congress- Authentic Texas shops and restaurants. Great for gifts to bring home to Texas to friends and family.
inside scoop
- Be prepared for all types of weather-- temperatures vary greatly in short amounts of time. In the three days we were there it went from 42 degrees to 75 degrees!
- Saint Bernard in the Domain is an amazing source for ski wear and vacation clothing. You would never guess this town so far from the mountains and the beaches would have such a great selection!
more...
Check out two more Austin guides from locals, Tory Wortham and Coti Woodhead who give you the scoop on where to get your BBQ, live music and much more!
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