Eric’s guide to Austin
Grocery Stores
Your condo includes a fully kitchen equipped and here are some locations within walking distance were you can get groceries.
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdPrepared meals, deli counter, snacks and more!
CVS
2101 S Lamar BlvdIf just interested in the essentials... this is an a good choice.
Ok - not within walking distance, but H-E-B is the dominant grocery store chain in South Texas. It's the reason you won't find Albertsons, Kroger, Safeway, etc in the area. Great prices and a wide selection.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdOk - not within walking distance, but H-E-B is the dominant grocery store chain in South Texas. It's the reason you won't find Albertsons, Kroger, Safeway, etc in the area. Great prices and a wide selection.
Free Things To Do
Here are some budget stretching things to do while in Austin.
This small history museum is housed in the original Austin Public Library building, and contains a quick overview of the history and growth of Austin. Just around the corner from the Wyndham.
7 locals recommend
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
810 Guadalupe StThis small history museum is housed in the original Austin Public Library building, and contains a quick overview of the history and growth of Austin. Just around the corner from the Wyndham.
The Texas State Capitol building offers free tours of the Capitol Building, or you can just stroll the Capitol grounds and take in all the monuments to those who have been instrumental in the history of Texas.
1121 locals recommend
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveThe Texas State Capitol building offers free tours of the Capitol Building, or you can just stroll the Capitol grounds and take in all the monuments to those who have been instrumental in the history of Texas.
The Congress Avenue Bridge is where the largest urban colony of Mexican Freetail Bats roost. And in the evening they flood out to hunt for insects.
286 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueThe Congress Avenue Bridge is where the largest urban colony of Mexican Freetail Bats roost. And in the evening they flood out to hunt for insects.
Iconic statue to Stevie Ray Vaughan is located just across the river.
56 locals recommend
Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue
210 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailIconic statue to Stevie Ray Vaughan is located just across the river.
Culture/HIstory
Here are some great cultural/historic sites to visit in the downtown area.
Museum dedicated to the 36th President and Texas native - Lyndon Baines Johnson.
240 locals recommend
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StMuseum dedicated to the 36th President and Texas native - Lyndon Baines Johnson.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress AveGreat museum covering the history of Texas.
"Keep Austin Weird" is frequent saying in South Texas - and here is a museum dedicated to all things weird. A little cheesy, but sometimes that is a good thing.
71 locals recommend
Museum of The Weird
412 E 6th St"Keep Austin Weird" is frequent saying in South Texas - and here is a museum dedicated to all things weird. A little cheesy, but sometimes that is a good thing.
The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
700 Congress AveIt's an Art Museum.....
Music Venues
The music scene is Austin is year-round, highlighted by South By Southwest (SxSW) in the spring and Austin City LImits in the fall. In the downtown area it is clustered around a number of larger venues on 2nd Street and the bars and honky-tonk's on 6th Street.
Also known as "Dirty Austin" - the five block area from I-35 to Brazos on Sixth Street is home of too many live music venues and bars to mention. This is the area that has given Austin the name of the "Live Music Capitol". From Thursday evening thru Saturday evening they close this area to cars and turn it into the entertainment district.
395 locals recommend
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetAlso known as "Dirty Austin" - the five block area from I-35 to Brazos on Sixth Street is home of too many live music venues and bars to mention. This is the area that has given Austin the name of the "Live Music Capitol". From Thursday evening thru Saturday evening they close this area to cars and turn it into the entertainment district.
Good Texas BBQ and a great open-air music venue. Check their website for whose playing this week - you might be surprised who you see!
282 locals recommend
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
801 Red River StGood Texas BBQ and a great open-air music venue. Check their website for whose playing this week - you might be surprised who you see!
Brewpubs
You can't miss this bright blue brewery on East Sixth Street, home to coffee, beer, tacos and, you guessed it, cold, fermented goodness. Stop by in the morning for tacos and coffee from Austin roasters Tiny House Coffee or chill on the patio with your pup and enjoy an English, Irish, Belgian or American old world-style beer.
227 locals recommend
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StYou can't miss this bright blue brewery on East Sixth Street, home to coffee, beer, tacos and, you guessed it, cold, fermented goodness. Stop by in the morning for tacos and coffee from Austin roasters Tiny House Coffee or chill on the patio with your pup and enjoy an English, Irish, Belgian or American old world-style beer.
Come for the juicy smoked BBQ, stay for the home-brewed Lazy Day Lager.
98 locals recommend
Uncle Billy's Brewery & Smokehouse
1530 Barton Springs RdCome for the juicy smoked BBQ, stay for the home-brewed Lazy Day Lager.
Live Music
Too many to mention.... but here a few favorites of my friends and I.... all in the downtown area
For 23 years, the Flamingo Cantina has been known as the people’s favorite Austin venue for “good vibes music” – live reggae, ska, Latin and worldbeat music, as well as rock, hip hop, alternative and more. Every Thursday is Latin night.
12 locals recommend
Flamingo Cantina
515 E 6th StFor 23 years, the Flamingo Cantina has been known as the people’s favorite Austin venue for “good vibes music” – live reggae, ska, Latin and worldbeat music, as well as rock, hip hop, alternative and more. Every Thursday is Latin night.
Dirty Dog Bar
505 E 6th StBest metal bar in Austin and a great place to catch a live band in Austin.
Local institution hosting live music & performances since 1978. Check out their rooftop deck bar.
42 locals recommend
Maggie Mae's
323 E 6th StLocal institution hosting live music & performances since 1978. Check out their rooftop deck bar.
Past playground for Stevie Ray Vaughan & other music legends still thriving after nearly 40 years.
145 locals recommend
Antone's
305 E 5th StPast playground for Stevie Ray Vaughan & other music legends still thriving after nearly 40 years.
BBQ
Franklin's BBQ is the famous one - but here are some solid choices if you dont want to wait in line for hours.
This refurbished general store is the place to go for smoked meats, craft cocktails and, of course, live music. Starting around 11 a.m., you can smell Lamberts' barbecue from blocks away. Stop in and nosh on spicy deviled eggs and their natural black Angus brisket rubbed with brown sugar and coffee.
154 locals recommend
Lamberts
401 W 2nd StThis refurbished general store is the place to go for smoked meats, craft cocktails and, of course, live music. Starting around 11 a.m., you can smell Lamberts' barbecue from blocks away. Stop in and nosh on spicy deviled eggs and their natural black Angus brisket rubbed with brown sugar and coffee.
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is honored to be the best of the best in the barbecue business and home of the original World Famous "Big Chop." Originally located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is now bringing their world famous bar-b-que to downtown Austin.
36 locals recommend
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que Austin
217 Congress AveCooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is honored to be the best of the best in the barbecue business and home of the original World Famous "Big Chop." Originally located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is now bringing their world famous bar-b-que to downtown Austin.
The Iron Works Barbecue has been serving "Real Texas Barbecue" Since 1978. Situated in the historic F. Weigl Iron Works building along Waller Creek in downtown Austin, this spot is the perfect lunchtime getaway for barbecue lovers.
48 locals recommend
Iron Works Barbecue
100 Red River StThe Iron Works Barbecue has been serving "Real Texas Barbecue" Since 1978. Situated in the historic F. Weigl Iron Works building along Waller Creek in downtown Austin, this spot is the perfect lunchtime getaway for barbecue lovers.