Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
One of Austin's favorites, and don't forget to get your picture taken in front of their globally recognized "I love you..." wall.
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveOne of Austin's favorites, and don't forget to get your picture taken in front of their globally recognized "I love you..." wall.
A great outdoor patio/sports bar, and the perfect place for people watching.
76 locals recommend
Doc's Motorworks
1123 South Congress AvenueA great outdoor patio/sports bar, and the perfect place for people watching.
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AvePizza! Best in Austin!
The best ice cream on SOCO. Did I mention the Italian Gelato shop over on South First?
397 locals recommend
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveThe best ice cream on SOCO. Did I mention the Italian Gelato shop over on South First?
Some of the biggest lineups in town are for this joint! Great hamburgers and one of those things that Austinites want to experience. This is the best alternative to a BBQ joint on South Congress.
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveSome of the biggest lineups in town are for this joint! Great hamburgers and one of those things that Austinites want to experience. This is the best alternative to a BBQ joint on South Congress.
Don't forget their outdoor venue for live music (check their schedule on-line).
398 locals recommend
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveDon't forget their outdoor venue for live music (check their schedule on-line).
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StThe mothership of Austin Tacos!
Magnolia's motto: "We're sorry, we're open." This place is legendary, open 24/7/365, and one of our favorites. No place like it for real, Austin-style food. Watch out for the Sunday morning lineups.
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveMagnolia's motto: "We're sorry, we're open." This place is legendary, open 24/7/365, and one of our favorites. No place like it for real, Austin-style food. Watch out for the Sunday morning lineups.
Check out their backyard and band schedule. One of the few places on South Congress that you can sit and read a book while you wait for your food.
65 locals recommend
Botticelli's
1321 S Congress Ave Check out their backyard and band schedule. One of the few places on South Congress that you can sit and read a book while you wait for your food.
A quiet place to sit and work. One of the best kept secrets is in the back yard - a converted carriage house which has a whole wall blackboard. Great for thinking out and discussing big ideas. One of my favorite places for meetings.
61 locals recommend
TOMS Austin
1401 S Congress AveA quiet place to sit and work. One of the best kept secrets is in the back yard - a converted carriage house which has a whole wall blackboard. Great for thinking out and discussing big ideas. One of my favorite places for meetings.
A great budget restaurant based on Japanese food. I really enjoy their food, and it is very reasonably priced.
112 locals recommend
Lucky Robot
1303 S Congress Ave A great budget restaurant based on Japanese food. I really enjoy their food, and it is very reasonably priced.
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveYour best SOCO seafood option!
For special occasions and romantic evenings. Lovely atmosphere and terrific Italian food. Not for the budget-conscious.
158 locals recommend
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveFor special occasions and romantic evenings. Lovely atmosphere and terrific Italian food. Not for the budget-conscious.
A fun place to go for the evening out. Not a budget conscious place, but you will not be disappointed by the food! A great hip place for dinner.
279 locals recommend
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveA fun place to go for the evening out. Not a budget conscious place, but you will not be disappointed by the food! A great hip place for dinner.
One of the best food options in Austin. All macro-biotic. Wayo Longoria has been making this essential healthy food place available to Austin for such a long time. Thank you Wayo! Check out the serene, peaceful gardens. This is a nice 40 minute walk from our place, most of it on Town Lake Trail.
163 locals recommend
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdOne of the best food options in Austin. All macro-biotic. Wayo Longoria has been making this essential healthy food place available to Austin for such a long time. Thank you Wayo! Check out the serene, peaceful gardens. This is a nice 40 minute walk from our place, most of it on Town Lake Trail.
Dominican Joe
Coffee, pastries and a cool place to hang out.
Take out or eat in, one of the best food quality, budget friendly places to eat. This is one of our go-to places when you just don't want to cook but you don't want to break the weekly budget.
44 locals recommend
Freebirds World Burrito
515 S Congress AveTake out or eat in, one of the best food quality, budget friendly places to eat. This is one of our go-to places when you just don't want to cook but you don't want to break the weekly budget.
Great for people watching (ahem) and possibly one of the best places to start a romantic evening if you are starting it alone. Everybody loves checking out each other's baskets (ahem).
Lots of eating options/variety here, as well as the 2nd floor outdoor deck.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdGreat for people watching (ahem) and possibly one of the best places to start a romantic evening if you are starting it alone. Everybody loves checking out each other's baskets (ahem).
Lots of eating options/variety here, as well as the 2nd floor outdoor deck.
Parks & Nature
Travis Heights little treasure. Just a nice stroll (2,500 feet) down the quiet streets. Lots of open space to run around. Great place for walking pets etc. It also leads to Travis Heights Elementary School on the South end. This is an essential walk if you are considering Travis Heights for your next neighborhood.
47 locals recommend
Little Stacy Neighborhood Park
1500 Alameda DrTravis Heights little treasure. Just a nice stroll (2,500 feet) down the quiet streets. Lots of open space to run around. Great place for walking pets etc. It also leads to Travis Heights Elementary School on the South end. This is an essential walk if you are considering Travis Heights for your next neighborhood.
10+ miles of fun. Head East or West and you will find something of interest to do on town lake, if not just walking through all of the nature and people watching.
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail10+ miles of fun. Head East or West and you will find something of interest to do on town lake, if not just walking through all of the nature and people watching.
A great place to hang out. This is where our daughter learned to bike! Great views of the city.
56 locals recommend
Butler Metro Park
1000 Barton Springs RdA great place to hang out. This is where our daughter learned to bike! Great views of the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveIt' the Continental Club. Need I say more?
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveTheir public bar area closes at about 10-10:30 pm
Not sure what their hours are for the public bar area, but definitely a cool place to visit and check out.
9 locals recommend
Hotel Saint Cecilia
112 Academy DrNot sure what their hours are for the public bar area, but definitely a cool place to visit and check out.
Sightseeing
Wonderful twilight cruises around Lady Bird Lake. Select an evening time when you are guaranteed to see the bats flying off into evening moonlight!
41 locals recommend
Capital Cruises
208 Barton Springs RdWonderful twilight cruises around Lady Bird Lake. Select an evening time when you are guaranteed to see the bats flying off into evening moonlight!
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveOne of Texas' most popular destinations.
Arts & Culture
We were surprised about just how easy it is to spend time here, with or without kids. Lots to learn and see. One of Austin's best places to visit with a family.
593 locals recommend
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress AveWe were surprised about just how easy it is to spend time here, with or without kids. Lots to learn and see. One of Austin's best places to visit with a family.
The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardHarry Ransom Center
300 W 21st StGetting Around
Just 1,500 feet from our place, and such an easy way to get around town. This is one of B-cycles most popular rental stations.
35 locals recommend
Austin B-cycle Station
1400 Nash Hernandez Senior RdJust 1,500 feet from our place, and such an easy way to get around town. This is one of B-cycles most popular rental stations.
South Congress Station (Northbound) Station ID 4026 / Southbound (station ID 4029). This is the closest stop for the Metro Rapid #801 bus.
Soco Station (NB)
South Congress Station (Northbound) Station ID 4026 / Southbound (station ID 4029). This is the closest stop for the Metro Rapid #801 bus.
Paddle boarding to get across the river could be a form of Transporation ... ? surprise?
33 locals recommend
EpicSUP
2200 S Lakeshore BlvdPaddle boarding to get across the river could be a form of Transporation ... ? surprise?
Not just a bike rental place, but an electric bike rental place! A nice peaceful walk on eastward town lake trail, (6,500 feet / 25 min walk)
42 locals recommend
Pedego Austin
1608 E Riverside DrNot just a bike rental place, but an electric bike rental place! A nice peaceful walk on eastward town lake trail, (6,500 feet / 25 min walk)
Essentials
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdOne of the older model HEB stores.
Trader Joe's
211 Walter Seaholm DrI like this store more every time I visit!