Christopher's guidebook
Food scene
One of Lake Austin's hot spots. Sit outside on the lake right at the damn to Ladybird Lake. Boats and folks coming and going, live music depending on day and great Tex Mex with Hawaiian flare and big frozen refreshments.
269 locals recommend
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdOne of Lake Austin's hot spots. Sit outside on the lake right at the damn to Ladybird Lake. Boats and folks coming and going, live music depending on day and great Tex Mex with Hawaiian flare and big frozen refreshments.
The best Texas BBQ going. In business since 1975. Lake access by boat via beautiful Bull Creek. Scene is an old Boy Scouts lodge. Outdoor area is great for dogs and having a refreshment on the creek. You will be full when you leave!
111 locals recommend
County Line
5204 Ranch Rd 2222The best Texas BBQ going. In business since 1975. Lake access by boat via beautiful Bull Creek. Scene is an old Boy Scouts lodge. Outdoor area is great for dogs and having a refreshment on the creek. You will be full when you leave!
Good home cooking with outdoor patio, super bar area, and casual.
46 locals recommend
Jack Allen’s Kitchen 360
3600 N Capital of Texas HwyGood home cooking with outdoor patio, super bar area, and casual.
First class shareables, tapas, wince flights, and a great outdoor scene. There's another one in downtown Austin. Not to be missed.
64 locals recommend
The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen - Westlake
6317 Bee Cave RdFirst class shareables, tapas, wince flights, and a great outdoor scene. There's another one in downtown Austin. Not to be missed.
ATX Cocina
110 San Antonio StA gem on Lady Bird lake. Book in advance!
Want something besides Tex-Mex? Well Fonda has it going. Incredible food and even better beverages!
162 locals recommend
Fonda San Miguel Restaurant
2330 W N Loop BlvdWant something besides Tex-Mex? Well Fonda has it going. Incredible food and even better beverages!
Sightseeing
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
Most beautiful spring fed pool you can jump into—but it’s a cold shock to the system so go on hot day (then slip across to a booth in the AC at Chuy's on Barton Springs Road to recover). One of Austin’s jewels...
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton Dr
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
Most beautiful spring fed pool you can jump into—but it’s a cold shock to the system so go on hot day (then slip across to a booth in the AC at Chuy's on Barton Springs Road to recover). One of Austin’s jewels...
Ladybird (or Town Lake) is just below the Lake Austin dam. Super walking or running area with or without dogs. As scenic as it comes. Check out a cone or paddleboard, the Stevie Ray Vaughn statute, bats under Congress bridge (evening), and walk through Zilker Park, the home of South by Southwest and the ACL music festival.
60 locals recommend
Ladybird Lake & Bike Trail
2 Robert T Martinez Jr StLadybird (or Town Lake) is just below the Lake Austin dam. Super walking or running area with or without dogs. As scenic as it comes. Check out a cone or paddleboard, the Stevie Ray Vaughn statute, bats under Congress bridge (evening), and walk through Zilker Park, the home of South by Southwest and the ACL music festival.
Even though a tourist trap, the best views of Lake Travis. You'll love at. TIP: go about an hour (or more) before sunset. Take in a margarita and wait for the bell to sound as the sun goes down.
506 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailEven though a tourist trap, the best views of Lake Travis. You'll love at. TIP: go about an hour (or more) before sunset. Take in a margarita and wait for the bell to sound as the sun goes down.
Another Austin specialty just outside of town in Dripping Springs. Very neat spot!
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdAnother Austin specialty just outside of town in Dripping Springs. Very neat spot!
Whether it's The Arc Angels, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Billy Gibbons, or a new Austin act, this is the place for the blues. Anyone that's anyone plays Antone's. Have dinner at the original Eddie V's (seafood, steaks, sushi), valet your car and walk next door. Early shows available on some nights. Live music 7 days week.
145 locals recommend
Antone's
305 E 5th StWhether it's The Arc Angels, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Billy Gibbons, or a new Austin act, this is the place for the blues. Anyone that's anyone plays Antone's. Have dinner at the original Eddie V's (seafood, steaks, sushi), valet your car and walk next door. Early shows available on some nights. Live music 7 days week.
Live Music
THE place to see live music. Acoustics are excellent and the "new" (2010) place for the PBS program "Austin City Limits" tapings. It was on The University of Texas at Austin campus starting in 1974. It's never rare to see guests during a show. Anyone can show up. Music is everything from rock and roll, to singer/songwriter acoustic to Tejano, to pop. Anyone that's anyone has most likely performed there. TIP: Mezzanine section 3 or 4 are the best seats in the house. Don't give up on "sold out" shows. There are always 3rd party sellers, Craigslist, etc. A must....
326 locals recommend
ACL Live
310 W Willie Nelson BlvdTHE place to see live music. Acoustics are excellent and the "new" (2010) place for the PBS program "Austin City Limits" tapings. It was on The University of Texas at Austin campus starting in 1974. It's never rare to see guests during a show. Anyone can show up. Music is everything from rock and roll, to singer/songwriter acoustic to Tejano, to pop. Anyone that's anyone has most likely performed there. TIP: Mezzanine section 3 or 4 are the best seats in the house. Don't give up on "sold out" shows. There are always 3rd party sellers, Craigslist, etc. A must....
Hole in the wall with tremendous artists most days of the week. Get yourself a Lone Star and enjoy the music..
284 locals recommend
Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar BlvdHole in the wall with tremendous artists most days of the week. Get yourself a Lone Star and enjoy the music..
If you're into live music, this is a great blues place which opened in 1975 (albeit at different locations over the years). You can see anyone from Billy Gibbons, to Arc Angels, to Taz Niederauer, Samantha Fish, Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Make a reservation at the original Eddie V's nest door for a fantastic evening.
145 locals recommend
Antone's
305 E 5th StIf you're into live music, this is a great blues place which opened in 1975 (albeit at different locations over the years). You can see anyone from Billy Gibbons, to Arc Angels, to Taz Niederauer, Samantha Fish, Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Make a reservation at the original Eddie V's nest door for a fantastic evening.
Wanna county dance? If you're a seasoned two-stepper or a newbie, this is a legendary country bar with live music.
478 locals recommend
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdWanna county dance? If you're a seasoned two-stepper or a newbie, this is a legendary country bar with live music.
Opened in 1955, it's one place "everyone" goes if they know anything about Austin music. They have early shows too! Start out at Guero’s Taco Bar for a good food.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveOpened in 1955, it's one place "everyone" goes if they know anything about Austin music. They have early shows too! Start out at Guero’s Taco Bar for a good food.
Old Austin
This is a place. Hole in the wall, dogs laying around, college football on every TV. Ages from 18 to 88. Hard to believe this place has not sold out, and that's why it's so special. TIP: if you go to a show at Moody Center (which is brand new) on The University of Texas Campus, park at the Parlor, Uber to the show, and take a pedi-cab back to your car.
38 locals recommend
Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca StThis is a place. Hole in the wall, dogs laying around, college football on every TV. Ages from 18 to 88. Hard to believe this place has not sold out, and that's why it's so special. TIP: if you go to a show at Moody Center (which is brand new) on The University of Texas Campus, park at the Parlor, Uber to the show, and take a pedi-cab back to your car.
Movies, live music, plays, The Paramount has it all. Check out listing at https://www.austintheatre.org/events-tickets/buy-tickets/
68 locals recommend
Paramount Theatre
713 Congress AveMovies, live music, plays, The Paramount has it all. Check out listing at https://www.austintheatre.org/events-tickets/buy-tickets/