Megan's Guidebook
Within 1-2 Miles
Friendly Neighborhood Bar for Happy Hour & Serious Fun When The Sun Goes Down. Live Music, Dancing, VollyBall & shenanigans. [A little over 1 mile away- so walking distance. Use the crosswalks please. There are a bunch of bars this way.]
215 locals recommend
Moontower Saloon
10212 Menchaca RdFriendly Neighborhood Bar for Happy Hour & Serious Fun When The Sun Goes Down. Live Music, Dancing, VollyBall & shenanigans. [A little over 1 mile away- so walking distance. Use the crosswalks please. There are a bunch of bars this way.]
Great Food. Great staff. Great Kids Menu. Great Margaritas.
18 locals recommend
Texican Cafe - Manchaca
11940 Menchaca RdGreat Food. Great staff. Great Kids Menu. Great Margaritas.
Within Walking Distance. Plenty of local & craft beers on tap, full bar & food trucks. They also have a see-saw!
28 locals recommend
South Austin Beer Garden
10700 Menchaca RdWithin Walking Distance. Plenty of local & craft beers on tap, full bar & food trucks. They also have a see-saw!
Indian Roller
10006 Manchaca RdVery Friendly Staff & Outdoor Seating & Plenty of Parking.
Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
308 Menchaca RdLocal Treasure. You will not regret it!
Closest Grocery Store to the house. They also have gas.
43 locals recommend
HEB Slaughter/Manchaca station
Closest Grocery Store to the house. They also have gas.
Coffee House & Lounge. Serves Food, Soda, Beer & Wine. Kids Concert Saturday Mornings @ 10am. Goat Cuddles & Coffee/Drinks Thursday Evenings. Beautiful Outdoor Garden Seating as well as indoor area. 7am-10pm. Right outside the neighborhood. [ hiveausin.com ]
8 locals recommend
The Hive
10542 Menchaca RdCoffee House & Lounge. Serves Food, Soda, Beer & Wine. Kids Concert Saturday Mornings @ 10am. Goat Cuddles & Coffee/Drinks Thursday Evenings. Beautiful Outdoor Garden Seating as well as indoor area. 7am-10pm. Right outside the neighborhood. [ hiveausin.com ]
From Martinis & Oysters to Food Trucks, Beer, Ping Pong, Pool & Shuffleboard to Grown Up Snowcones. Indoor & Outdoor Seating. [kid friendly until 7pm] lustre-pearlsouth.com
23 locals recommend
Lustre Pearl South
10400 Menchaca RoadFrom Martinis & Oysters to Food Trucks, Beer, Ping Pong, Pool & Shuffleboard to Grown Up Snowcones. Indoor & Outdoor Seating. [kid friendly until 7pm] lustre-pearlsouth.com
Donuts, Breakfast Tacos & Coffee Quickly. Nothing fancy, but super tasty.
6 locals recommend
Donut Taco Palace III
6214 N Lamar BlvdDonuts, Breakfast Tacos & Coffee Quickly. Nothing fancy, but super tasty.
Night Life
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveLive Music Mecca. A Music Enthusiast Must.
Downtown District. Lined with Bars & Food Trucks. Check Out Bangers for good beer. The Parlor House & Container Bars are also popular. Parking is tricky, an Uber or Lyft is best.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetDowntown District. Lined with Bars & Food Trucks. Check Out Bangers for good beer. The Parlor House & Container Bars are also popular. Parking is tricky, an Uber or Lyft is best.
This is Austin's "Bourbon Street." Shenanigans are sure to be had. Live Music. Check out the Blind Pig, The Piano Bar, or Esther's Follys. *KEEP ALL SAFE. PLEASE DON'T DRINK & DRIVE*
395 locals recommend
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetThis is Austin's "Bourbon Street." Shenanigans are sure to be had. Live Music. Check out the Blind Pig, The Piano Bar, or Esther's Follys. *KEEP ALL SAFE. PLEASE DON'T DRINK & DRIVE*
Food Scene
Some places the locals love.
Best Tacos - For Real - They're Yummy! Several locations- make Google give you directions- I'll just get you lost.
1076 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StBest Tacos - For Real - They're Yummy! Several locations- make Google give you directions- I'll just get you lost.
Waterloo Ice House Southpark Meadows
9600 S I-35 Frontage RdSteller Tex Mex, Kids Menu, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar. Try the suiza sauce
40 locals recommend
Trudy's South Star
901 Little Texas LnSteller Tex Mex, Kids Menu, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar. Try the suiza sauce
My folks went on their 1st date here. We still eat here often. Happy happy hour includes unlimited free chips, queso & salsa bar in a "classic car trunk." Kids Menu & Full Bar. Austin Treasure. (3 locations, use Google- they're better with directions than I am.)
412 locals recommend
Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdMy folks went on their 1st date here. We still eat here often. Happy happy hour includes unlimited free chips, queso & salsa bar in a "classic car trunk." Kids Menu & Full Bar. Austin Treasure. (3 locations, use Google- they're better with directions than I am.)
GROCERIES, GAS & BOOZE
Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
4970 US-290Where to go when you forgot something, or don't want to do laundry.
53 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
710 E Ben White BlvdWhere to go when you forgot something, or don't want to do laundry.
Walgreens
2501 S Lamar BlvdSouthpark Meadows
9500 S I-35 Frontage RdShopping Center. Anything & Everything.
FUN STUFF! Family & Adult Friendly!
If it is warm out, this is likely where we are. This is our "home away from home." There is a reason this has been voted the #1WaterPark in the world repeatedly. (30min drive)
436 locals recommend
Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels
400 N Liberty AveIf it is warm out, this is likely where we are. This is our "home away from home." There is a reason this has been voted the #1WaterPark in the world repeatedly. (30min drive)
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyBeautiful Family Friendly Adventure within 20 min.
Super Fun, quick nature trip while still in the city. The little people especially like the peacocks, frogs & lillypads.
178 locals recommend
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StSuper Fun, quick nature trip while still in the city. The little people especially like the peacocks, frogs & lillypads.
(5 min)Great Park for both little & big kids! Playground, Track, Tennis, Soccer etc.
Tanglewood Forest Park
9801 Curlew Dr(5 min)Great Park for both little & big kids! Playground, Track, Tennis, Soccer etc.
Pinballz Kingdom
15201 S I-35 Frontage RdFor when the kids are driving you nuts because they need to get their energy out.
16 locals recommend
Altitude Trampoline Park
6800 West Gate BlvdFor when the kids are driving you nuts because they need to get their energy out.
This place has everything. I take Munchkin to ½ Price Books for our Friday Date Night. [Yes, I'm a nerd & completely comfortable in my "old, nerdy mom" skin, or @ least I fake it well.]
56 locals recommend
Southpark Meadows
9500 S I-35 Frontage RdThis place has everything. I take Munchkin to ½ Price Books for our Friday Date Night. [Yes, I'm a nerd & completely comfortable in my "old, nerdy mom" skin, or @ least I fake it well.]
I don't believe this needs much explanation. Yet if you are confused about what this place is I'm seriously concerned about the vetting process employed which allowed you to book. 🙊
12 locals recommend
Cinemark Southpark Meadows
I don't believe this needs much explanation. Yet if you are confused about what this place is I'm seriously concerned about the vetting process employed which allowed you to book. 🙊
City advice
What to pack
AUSTIN PACKING GUIDE
Austin's Weather is very schizophrenic. It was 70°last week. It also snowed & shut down our state. At this point, I can't honestly tell you. (Feb. 2021) Summer: Swim Gear, shorts, tanks, water shoes, flip flops. Winter: See above & add Pants, Long Sleves (aka TX Winter Coat) & Socks.
Getting around
Transportation
Lyft is the most economical ride sharing option, but Austin has Uber & Fasten as well. If you're planning on exploring, a rental car would be best.
Don't miss
Only In Austin
South Congress, Rainy & 6th Street(s)
Customs and culture
Local Etiquette
Be nice or someone might just say "Bless Your Heart" which is NOT a good thing...
Useful phrases
Useful Phrases
Please & Thank You
Travelling with kids
The Kiddos
If you're bringing your munchkins I've listed several family friendly places but feel free to reach out for suggestions.