Guidebook for Austin
Drinks & Nightlife
Local Brewing serving beer & wine, delicious pizzas, salads, sandwiches. Live music often on weekends. Has large outdoor seating/doggie friendly, and indoor seating at long communal tables or at the bar. Not a sports bar - no TV's but there are often live bands on weekends. Lunch specials during the week. Closed on Mondays. Walk-able from Hale House in 20 minutes.
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The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StLocal Brewing serving beer & wine, delicious pizzas, salads, sandwiches. Live music often on weekends. Has large outdoor seating/doggie friendly, and indoor seating at long communal tables or at the bar. Not a sports bar - no TV's but there are often live bands on weekends. Lunch specials during the week. Closed on Mondays. Walk-able from Hale House in 20 minutes.
Part of the W Hotel complex, excellent venue with both standing and seated areas to catch amazing acts and possibly a TV taping of the show, Austin City Limits (ACL).
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ACL Live
310 W Willie Nelson BlvdPart of the W Hotel complex, excellent venue with both standing and seated areas to catch amazing acts and possibly a TV taping of the show, Austin City Limits (ACL).
Gets a bit touristy, but can be a fun night out. Blocks of bars, nightclubs, music venues, restaurants - one of the reasons Austin is the Live Music Capital.
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Sixth Street Historic District
Gets a bit touristy, but can be a fun night out. Blocks of bars, nightclubs, music venues, restaurants - one of the reasons Austin is the Live Music Capital.
Alternative to touristy 6th St, a little more local, lots of bars, restaurants, music venues & dance.
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Warehouse District
Alternative to touristy 6th St, a little more local, lots of bars, restaurants, music venues & dance.
Food Scene
Well curated wine menu and tapas, open for happy hour and dinner only. Walkable from Hale House in 17 minutes.
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Winebelly
519 W Oltorf StWell curated wine menu and tapas, open for happy hour and dinner only. Walkable from Hale House in 17 minutes.
More than just Tex-Mex, interior Mexican food specialities. Features a self serve salsa bar. Besides the margaritas, outstanding Mexican martini!
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Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
2004 South 1st StreetMore than just Tex-Mex, interior Mexican food specialities. Features a self serve salsa bar. Besides the margaritas, outstanding Mexican martini!
Famous sushi place, expensive dining, reservations recommended.
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Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdFamous sushi place, expensive dining, reservations recommended.
La Mexicana Bakery
1924 S 1st StMexican bakery, tacos, and treats.
French/Vietnamese inspired offerings, now with a full bar.
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Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StFrench/Vietnamese inspired offerings, now with a full bar.
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StLocal, fresh, vegetarian options.
Excellent fresh locally sourced menu, surprising and delightful expressions from the chefs. This place started as a food trailer and morphed into this prime brick and mortar restaurant.
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Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdExcellent fresh locally sourced menu, surprising and delightful expressions from the chefs. This place started as a food trailer and morphed into this prime brick and mortar restaurant.
Best fried chicken! Although the mac and cheese is also a family favorite, as is the Chicken spaghetti. Try the oysters on the half shell (or grilled), assorted specials, and nice bar. The Juicy Lucy makes for a refreshing summer cocktail. Inside or outside patio seating.
Be sure to check out the daily blackboard specials.
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Lucy's Fried Chicken
2218 College AveBest fried chicken! Although the mac and cheese is also a family favorite, as is the Chicken spaghetti. Try the oysters on the half shell (or grilled), assorted specials, and nice bar. The Juicy Lucy makes for a refreshing summer cocktail. Inside or outside patio seating.
Be sure to check out the daily blackboard specials.
Walking distance 5 minutes from Hale House, good coffees & teas, nibbles.
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Summer Moon Coffee
3115 S 1st StWalking distance 5 minutes from Hale House, good coffees & teas, nibbles.
Nice tree covered front patio, sweet house like setting inside. Serves a nice Sangria on those hot Texas afternoons. Good lunches/quick bites, did I mention the wine?
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Opa
2050 S Lamar BlvdNice tree covered front patio, sweet house like setting inside. Serves a nice Sangria on those hot Texas afternoons. Good lunches/quick bites, did I mention the wine?
Walkable in 17 minutes, fresh amazing new brunch/lunch spot, open 7am -3pm only. Owned by the WineBelly people a couple doors over. Highly recommend!
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Phoebe's Diner
533 W Oltorf StWalkable in 17 minutes, fresh amazing new brunch/lunch spot, open 7am -3pm only. Owned by the WineBelly people a couple doors over. Highly recommend!
Very good New York style (thin crust) pizza, wings, salads, and appetizers. Full service Bar, outdoor patio, and at least 10 TV's for your sports viewing. Walkable only 10 minutes from Hale House. Also available for delivery. Dinner only M-F, lunch and dinner on weekends. The Roasted Veggie is my favorite pizza.
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Toss Pizzeria & Pub
2901 S 1st StVery good New York style (thin crust) pizza, wings, salads, and appetizers. Full service Bar, outdoor patio, and at least 10 TV's for your sports viewing. Walkable only 10 minutes from Hale House. Also available for delivery. Dinner only M-F, lunch and dinner on weekends. The Roasted Veggie is my favorite pizza.
Really great interior Mexican food with a good happy hour and incredible rooftop deck overlooking Butler Park & views of downtown.
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El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdReally great interior Mexican food with a good happy hour and incredible rooftop deck overlooking Butler Park & views of downtown.
So many eggs benedicts and other deliciousness. Popular place, be prepared to wait. Parking can a hassle so ride share or walk if you can.
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Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdSo many eggs benedicts and other deliciousness. Popular place, be prepared to wait. Parking can a hassle so ride share or walk if you can.
Tex-Mex, great drinks, a little loud when packed but the patio is an option year-round as it's covered. Close by, the enchiladas are good comfort food for the hangover.
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Maudie's Too
1212 S Lamar BlvdTex-Mex, great drinks, a little loud when packed but the patio is an option year-round as it's covered. Close by, the enchiladas are good comfort food for the hangover.
Parks & Nature
Iconic, natural spring-fed swimming pool.
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrIconic, natural spring-fed swimming pool.
Located on the south shore of LadyBird Lake, wide-open fields for playing, train for the kiddies, canoe rental along Barton Creek and the Lake. Kite festival in March, Blues on the Green in the Summer, ACL festival in the Fall. Zilker Hillside Theatre puts on musical plays in the summmer. Playground near Barton Pool. Hike and Bike trail access, views of the city...what's not to like?!
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Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdLocated on the south shore of LadyBird Lake, wide-open fields for playing, train for the kiddies, canoe rental along Barton Creek and the Lake. Kite festival in March, Blues on the Green in the Summer, ACL festival in the Fall. Zilker Hillside Theatre puts on musical plays in the summmer. Playground near Barton Pool. Hike and Bike trail access, views of the city...what's not to like?!
Don't miss the Japanese gardens & koi ponds, as well as the rose gardens and prehistoric garden (with dino footprints).
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Giardino Botanico Zilker
2220 Barton Springs RdDon't miss the Japanese gardens & koi ponds, as well as the rose gardens and prehistoric garden (with dino footprints).
Quiet, good exhibition of native wildlife (this is a rehab facility), nature trails for hiking, and a fossil sandpit that will keep the kids busy.
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Austin Nature & Science Center
2389 Stratford DrQuiet, good exhibition of native wildlife (this is a rehab facility), nature trails for hiking, and a fossil sandpit that will keep the kids busy.
Parking area just off the highway, miles of trails branching in both directions (north towards Zilker and the iconic Barton Springs Pool, or south towards other hidden gems like Sculpture Falls). Be mindful of warnings or closures due to heavy rainfall (rare but does happen).
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Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayParking area just off the highway, miles of trails branching in both directions (north towards Zilker and the iconic Barton Springs Pool, or south towards other hidden gems like Sculpture Falls). Be mindful of warnings or closures due to heavy rainfall (rare but does happen).
Picnic among the peacocks and ponds, or take a hike down a trail to the lake.
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Parco e Riserva Naturale di Mayfield
3505 W 35th StPicnic among the peacocks and ponds, or take a hike down a trail to the lake.
Tucked down in SW Austin but just off Mo-Pac (Loop 1), it's both a park and an environmental learning center. Check their website for current activities.
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Centro di Fiori Selvatici Lady Bird Johnson
4801 La Crosse AveTucked down in SW Austin but just off Mo-Pac (Loop 1), it's both a park and an environmental learning center. Check their website for current activities.
Arts & Culture
Also has an IMAX movie theater.
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Museo di Storia dello Stato del Texas Bullock
1800 Congress AveAlso has an IMAX movie theater.
Located on the University of Texas at Austin campus
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Museo dell'Arte Blanton
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardLocated on the University of Texas at Austin campus
Located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, interesting acquisitions, art, books.
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Centro Harry Ransom
300 W 21st StLocated on the University of Texas at Austin campus, interesting acquisitions, art, books.
Zach Theatre
202 S Lamar BlvdPlays and musicals, year-round entertainment.
Touring musical acts, symphony performances, and more. Wonderful acoustics. Check the website for summer series on the lawn. Next door to Butler Park and Palmer Event Center, across from Auditorium Shores. Sweeping view of the city skyline.
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The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W Riverside DrTouring musical acts, symphony performances, and more. Wonderful acoustics. Check the website for summer series on the lawn. Next door to Butler Park and Palmer Event Center, across from Auditorium Shores. Sweeping view of the city skyline.
Summer Movie Series, Comedy & Theatre, a music venue, iconic & historical in the heart of downtown.
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The Paramount Theatre
713 Congress AveSummer Movie Series, Comedy & Theatre, a music venue, iconic & historical in the heart of downtown.
Entertainment & Activities
Because what's better than drinking and dining while watching a movie on the big screen. Special showings and events in addition to the regular movie line-up. Other locations throughout Austin, this S. Lamar is the newest and closest.
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdBecause what's better than drinking and dining while watching a movie on the big screen. Special showings and events in addition to the regular movie line-up. Other locations throughout Austin, this S. Lamar is the newest and closest.
Nice local branch, computers available, children's section, quiet reading spot for adults.
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Twin Oaks Branch, Austin Public Library
1800 S 5th StNice local branch, computers available, children's section, quiet reading spot for adults.
Got kids? - take them here. What used to be the downtown Children's Museum is now Thinkery in a new location/new building/new stuff to do.
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Thinkery
1830 Simond AveGot kids? - take them here. What used to be the downtown Children's Museum is now Thinkery in a new location/new building/new stuff to do.
New in 2017, so much more than a library! Classes, sight-seeing, activities in a great location near Lady Bird Lake.
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Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StNew in 2017, so much more than a library! Classes, sight-seeing, activities in a great location near Lady Bird Lake.
Essentials
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdOldest HEB store in town but well stocked, fantastic prices.
If you belong to a grocery co-op, bring your card for extra discounts but non-members can also shop here. This is my go-to for easy in/out when I need to grab really good cheese/wine/beer/produce basically anything that you would normally pick up at Whole Foods or Central Market but without the size and crowd or high prices. Good selection of hot and cold foods on their grab/go bar.
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Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StIf you belong to a grocery co-op, bring your card for extra discounts but non-members can also shop here. This is my go-to for easy in/out when I need to grab really good cheese/wine/beer/produce basically anything that you would normally pick up at Whole Foods or Central Market but without the size and crowd or high prices. Good selection of hot and cold foods on their grab/go bar.
“HEB's fancy cousin, this grocery market has it all, including fresh fish monger, meat butcher, beautiful fruit & produce, spices & staples in bulk, wine and beer. On-site cafe with weekend musical entertainment makes it a popular brunch/lunch spot. Also lots of grab and go items for taking it on the road to your favorite picnic area.”
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar Blvd“HEB's fancy cousin, this grocery market has it all, including fresh fish monger, meat butcher, beautiful fruit & produce, spices & staples in bulk, wine and beer. On-site cafe with weekend musical entertainment makes it a popular brunch/lunch spot. Also lots of grab and go items for taking it on the road to your favorite picnic area.”
Easy free 1 hour garage parking at this Downtown location in part of the complex that was the old Power Plant. Very budget friendly on most selections.
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Trader Joe's
211 Walter Seaholm DrEasy free 1 hour garage parking at this Downtown location in part of the complex that was the old Power Plant. Very budget friendly on most selections.
Sightseeing
Climb the steps for a worthwhile view of both the City and Lake Austin.
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Monte Bonnell
Climb the steps for a worthwhile view of both the City and Lake Austin.
Because Austin is the state capital of Texas, and it's bigger than the one in Washington, D.C.
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Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveBecause Austin is the state capital of Texas, and it's bigger than the one in Washington, D.C.
Its the big flagship campus of the Longhorns. Besides football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and other athletic events, it's a great place to walk and explore. There's the Performing Arts Center and other spaces all over campus for arts & culture.
Watch for Explore UT day in early March for the open-house, family friendly event day.
You can also go to the Underground below the Union for bowling and game room.
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Università del Texas ad Austin
Its the big flagship campus of the Longhorns. Besides football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and other athletic events, it's a great place to walk and explore. There's the Performing Arts Center and other spaces all over campus for arts & culture.
Watch for Explore UT day in early March for the open-house, family friendly event day.
You can also go to the Underground below the Union for bowling and game room.
Iconic, quirky shops and fantastic restaurants, a few hotels, grand views towards the state Capitol, live music venues. About 2 miles from Hale House. 1st Thursdays offer later hours. Walk from Hale House in 40 minutes. Or take the 5-10 min drive in your car.
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Via South Congress
South Congress AvenueIconic, quirky shops and fantastic restaurants, a few hotels, grand views towards the state Capitol, live music venues. About 2 miles from Hale House. 1st Thursdays offer later hours. Walk from Hale House in 40 minutes. Or take the 5-10 min drive in your car.