Is Austin worth visiting? You might be asking yourself that question as you are planning your next long weekend or vacation in general. This post is an Austin, Texas travel guide breaking down all the best places to visit. You will be able to choose if Austin is the next city on your list to visit after reading this post.
Have you been looking into visiting Austin, Texas? Have you wondered is Texas worth visiting? This post is giving you the best places to see to prepare for your trip to Austin. As a fellow traveler and Austin visitor, I am giving you the perfect places to check out in Austin, Texas.
You are going to learn about the best restaurants, things to do, and beautiful sites to see. After reading this, you have your question answered, is Austin worth visiting?
This post is all about a travel guide to Austin, Texas
So you are questioning, Is Austin, TX worth visiting? If you are looking into this it means you are slightly interested in visiting Austin, right? Below are some reasons to visit Austin, Texas and make a decision on whether this is the city for your next adventure. There are many more things to do in Texas but these are 7 things to get that list started for you. If you enjoy walking around and enjoying the sites or checking out a new restaurant, the post will give you a variety of options specifically for you.
1. Restaurants
First up is the restaurants. One of the most exciting things about a weekend away is trying new restaurants. You need to know the spots that your destination is known for. This will ensure you have the most authentic food and also you could meet locals that give you even more restaurants to check out. Austin is known for their barbeque food and there are a lot of amazing spots. In addition, you will find some great brunch spots if a good mimosa is your thing. There are places all around the city to eat outdoors and enjoy the views of the beautiful city of Austin. Below are some restaurant recommendations to save for later:
- Corinne: If you are looking for a brunch spot, this restaurant is a perfect combination of sophisticated and chic. The biscuits were delicious and the mimosas hit the spot. They also have some great breakfast burritos and skillets. The menu is a good combination of some TexMex breakfast and breakfast classics. This is the place to check out if you are in downtown Austin or are looking for an amazing brunch spot.
- Cooper’s Old Time Pit Barbeque: For authentic barbeque with the works, this is your place! This is buffet style with the staff serving you. Buffet style is the way to go because you get to try whatever you want. Brisket and other meats are slow cooked to perfection. The minute you walk in your will get that delicious smell of smokey BBQ flavor. You will immediately feel like you are in Texas when you walk into this restaurant. In addition, do not forget to try the mac and cheese, cornbread, and baked potatoes. It tends to get crowded here so plan accordingly throughout your day. Definitley worth checking out when you are in the Austin area.
- Corner Restaurant: For more authentic barbeque, check out this place. There is indoor and outdoor seating available. The restaurant is in downtown Austin and offers a variety of barbeque favorite foods. In addition, they offer brunch, breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you could come here anytime of day. This is also a great place to grab a drink at night. Keep in mind this is a very popular restaurant so ensure you give yourself time, call ahead or look into an online reservation. You will not be disappointed with any of these restaurants!
2. Cidercade
Next up is Cidercade. This place is soooo much fun. It is different than other cider houses or arcades you have been to. This is a combination of an arcade and bar. It is the perfect spot to admire the beautiful downtown views, grab some cider, and then play some arcade games. There are plenty of places to sit outside and relax. In addition, they do have food options here so you could stay for a while. It is a combination of all ages so you could take kids inside to play the games during the day. At night it becomes an adults only place if you are looking for adult fun. Definitley a place to check out while you are in the Austin area.
3. Rainey Street
This is the downtown area of Austin that has bars and restaurants. At night this area gets very lively. You will see a lot of college aged students out barhopping depending on the night. It is a fun atmosphere as they have food trucks around and plenty of places to check out. Rainey District is a little more laid back than the infamous 6th street area. If you want to grab a drink in a place not too busy or do dinner, this would be the right spot for you.
There are many bars to choose from depending on the vibe you are looking for. The good thing is most of the places have some outdoor seating and/or a DJ. You will be able to pick up on what the vibe is just by walking by. If a lively scene is not your vibe at night this might not be the place for you. However, during off peak season and during the day it should be slower.
4. Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden
Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden is a popular spot if you are on Rainey Street. They have over 100 beers on tap if you are a beer lover. The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you are not a big fan of beer, the staff will find one you enjoy. In addition, there are a lot of tables outside to enjoy your beer.
5. Ann and Roy Butler Trail
Next up if this gorgeous trail. This is one of those hidden gems that is not spoken about enough. The trail and views are absolutely breathtaking. The landscaping is well kept and beautiful. It was one of those places that as you are walking you could stumble upon and be glad you did. If you are looking for those social media worth shots, this is your place. It overlooks the water too. The trail walks all along the water and is something you will not get tired of seeing. You will immediately forget how much you walked as you are looking around. This is also a great way to get those steps and see beautiful views while doing it. 😀
6. Zilker Metropolitan Park
This is a free park you could visit for a relaxing day or for a few hours if you want to walk around. You will see gorgeous water views and sometimes there are events going on. If you plan on visiting Austin during the holidays ensure you check out if there is anything going on. For example, you could see a lights show around the holidays to put you into the holiday spirit. If you want to canoe or kayak, they offer boat rentals. There are water falls in this park and even places to dip your feet in and a pool. The nice thing about Austin is the beautiful weather all year round. This park is something you do not want to miss.
7. Congress Avenue Bridge
Seventh is the Congress Avenue Bridge. This site is something you most definitley either want to drive or walk on to snap some great photos. You will get some of the best views of Austin and could even figure out some more sites you want to see along the way.
There are some Kayak tours you could book in this area also. This will be a different perspective of the city and you will see the nature side of Austin as well as the city side of it. While walking down this bridge, it feels like you saw the entire city in just a few minutes.
Austin is a beautiful city to visit. They have many different restaurants, bars, sites to see, and more. If you are planning on taking a vacation or even a business trip to Austin, ensure you are looking into things to do beforehand. Just like any city, activities can get booked up fast.
Happy and safe travels! xx
This post was all about a travel guide to Austin, Texas.
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