Top 50 Austin Texas Bucket List Items
WELCOME TO AUSTIN,
WELCOME BACK TO AUSTIN,
- OR -
WELCOME TO EXPLORING YOUR CITY AFTER LIVING HERE FOR YEARS!
I have compiled a list of places and experiences one should encounter when visiting Austin, Texas. This list is not in any particular order but is grouped between ADVENTURE, FOOD + DRINK, AND ENTERTAINMENT!
*This was originally put together January 2020 - so please check the details before making plans
| ADVENTURE |
1. Hike to Austin’s highest point at MOUNT BONNELL
location: northwest austin
3800 Mount Bonnell Rd Austin Texas 78731
Go right before to catch the SUNSET! The hike is very easy starting on the north side, or you can go up the 106 steps to the top. If you head to the south side, you’ll be able to see the downtown skyline!
Don’t leave anything valuable in your car, though, that area is known for people to come break windows.
2. Take a refreshing dip in BARTON SPRINGS POOL which is 68-70 degrees year-round
location: south austin | zilker
2131 William Barton Dr Austin TX 78746
Photo Credit: AustinTexas.gov
3. Watch the 1.5 million BATS flying from under Congress Avenue Bridge, between March and November.
See my post HERE for more details. From the water is the best view; check out Lonestar River Boat to take a bat-watching tour!
4. Snap photos of some of the incredible MURALS of street art around Austin area.
Visit THIS POST for 34 of the best ones that I have visited here!
5. Take the free tour at the TEXAS STATE CAPITOL
location: downtown Austin
1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
an atx FYI: free guided tours monday through friday.
FUN ATX FYI FACT: I was proposed to in the middle of the rotunda at the Capitol in 2017 after being with my boyfriend for 7 years! <3
6. Root on the 4-time National Champions, University of Texas LONGHORNS at their home COLLEGE FOOTBALL games during their season. HOOK ‘EM!
7. Rent a stand-up PADDLEBOARD or KAYAK to explore TOWN LAKE aka Lady Bird Lake just south of downtown, but no swimming allowed
location: downtown Austin
rentals: rowing dock, live love paddle, lady bird lake rental
cost: $20+/hour
8. During the summer, take your blankets & coolers to ZILKER PARK to enjoy music during the FREE series, Austin City Limits Radio’s BLUES ON THE GREEN
location: south austin - zilker park
when: summertime, annually
9. Ride around downtown on the RENTAL SCOOTERS [via Bird, Lime, etc]
10. Take a historic TOUR of the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS TOWER! Tours have been canceled until further notice as of July 2023.
location: central austin - ut campus
when: when in session, tours sat & sun only
cost: $6*
11. Experience the “Story of Texas” and other exhibits at the BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM!
location: downtown Austin
cost: $13
tickets HERE
12. Explore our beautiful, public CENTRAL LIBRARY which is an architect’s dream. [Downtown Austin]
location: downtown Austin | seaholm
cost: free
an atx FYI: Grab a coffee from Cookbook Bar & Café, go to the 6th floor of the library,
take a right and go towards the double doors to enjoy the incredible rooftop area. The view is astounding!
13. Enjoy the Texas spirit by visiting THE RANGE at AUSTIN to shoot some firearms
location: south austin
cost: $29/hour per lane for 1st shooter
14. Go ANTIQUE SHOPPING at the iconic UNCOMMON OBJECTS!
location: south austin | south lamar
1602 Fort View Rd, Austin, TX 78704
15. Hike BARTON CREEK GREENBELT for free!
location: south austin | barton creek
cost: free
an atx fyi: Follow that hike by Breakfast Tacos at TACO DELI
[Freakin’ Vegan taco covered in their red salsa is my personal favorite]
16. FLOAT the Guadalupe River from Don’s Fish Camp in a tube
location: martindale, tx (about 35miles south from dT)
105 Nelle Ln, Martindale, TX 78655
cost: $28 tube rental (student & military discounts avail)
17. Explore and swim in HAMILTON POOL PRESERVE, a beautiful grotto.
location: dripping springs (30miles west from DT)
cost: $12 per vehicle online and then $8 in cash on location
an atx FYI: reservations needed for each day & water access currently allowed
fun fact: This incredible grotto was featured in the movie Predators. RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY.
[ FOOD + DRINK ]
18. Drink in a BASEMENT BAR surrounded by bourbon barrels at DUMONT’S DOWN LOW off West 4th Street.
location: downtown | warehouse district
214 W 4th St Suite B Austin TX 78701
19. Explore several FOOD TRUCKS around town.
I have a weekly series on my Instagram called “Food Truck Friday” where I explore food trucks all around Austin
to help empower local austin and encourage locals & visitors to visit our incredible food trucks!
Some faves:
LeRoy & Lewis for their burger or brisket
Discada for their tacos
BunBoy for literally anything they make
Pedroso’s Pizza for their NYC-style pizza
Artipasta for their authentic Italian dishes
20. Get the best MINT JULEP at Seven Grand off East 7th. [Downtown Austin]
Hungry? Go to the back of the bar, in the courtyard is a small taco stand, ASADOR, with some of the most delicious TACOS in Austin.
21. Wait in line at FRANKLIN BARBECUE (Tues - Sun), it is worth the wait!
location: central east austin
900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
an atx FYI: Get there around 6:30 - 7am, bring breakfast tacos, & make new friends in line!
Also, spend your $$ on the meat & dessert, the brisket & ribs are INCREDIBLE!
22. Enjoy a drink behind a bookcase at FIREHOUSE LOUNGE.
location: downtown austin
605 Brazos St Austin TX 78701
23. Watch the sunset over Lake Travis at OASIS BREWERY.
location: northwest austin
6650 Comanche Trail Suite #301 Austin TX 78732
open wed - sun
24. Get some drinks on DIRTY SIXTH STREET, which is like our local Bourbon Street, or just participate in some entertaining people watching.
25. If you are interested in drinking in an environment with less shenanigans, head over to RAINEY STREET to drink in bungalows or the smallest bar on the street (Little Brother Bar).
26. Take a stop outside of HALF STEP on Rainey Street for a bag of warm, delicious, mini-donuts at LITTLE LUCY’S MINI DONUTS trailer.
My favorite flavor of mini donuts is pistachio, lavender, and vanilla.
27. Experience one of the best sushi chefs in the world at UCHI or UCHIKO. [South Lamar + Rosedale]
UCHI has a wonderful Happy Hour called a Sake Social, daily from 5:00 - 6:30PM.
28. Grab a REAL DEAL HOLYFIELD breakfast taco at VALENTINA’S TEX MEX BBQ.
location: buda
308 S Main St Buda TX 78610
29. Park your car and get a drink in the same place at the SECRET bar, GARAGE, while in downtown Austin.
30. Watch a movie from your car at BLUE STARLITE DRIVE-IN.
location: downtown Austin
300 San Antonio St Austin TX 78701 (rooftop)
31. Learn how to 2-STEP like a real American cowboy at the BROKEN SPOKE off South Lamar!
32. Try CHI’LANTRO’s legendary kimchi fries that were featured on Shark Tank! [Locations all over]
33. Eat a burger with donuts as your buns at GOURDOUGH’S!
Photo Credit: @Gourdough’s
34. SUNDAY FUNDAY with a MANMOSA at BANGER’S on RAINEY STREET.
35. Enjoy late night authentic Mexican tacos at 7 ESTRELLAS in North Austin.
location: north austin
10601 N Lamar Blvd Austin TX 78753
36. Try the best VEGAN CUPCAKES ever at the vegan bakery, CAPITAL CITY BAKERY!
location: east austin
2211 E Cesar Chavez St Austin TX 78702
37. Go experience the MEAT PIT at SALT LICK . [25 miles southwest from Downtown Austin in Driftwood]
38. Don’t forget to grab SOUVENIRS & GIFTS from LOCAL ARTISTS at AUSTIN GIFT COMPANY [South Lamar] or ATOWN [North Austin].
| ENTERTAINMENT |
39. Enjoy an OUTDOOR CONCERT along with a BBQ sandwich at STUBB’S BAR-B-Q. [Downtown Austin]
Yes, Stubb’s, like the Stubb’s Barbecue sauce you have in your local supermarket!
40. Attend the yearly music, gaming, & interactive festival, South by Southwest, SXSW!
Don’t want to spend the $$$ on badges? Look up Unofficial Parties & Free Shows.
41. Visit Austin’s iconic record store, WATERLOO RECORDS & VIDEO.
location: central west dt - clarksville
600 N Lamar Blvd Austin TX 78703
42. Celebrate musical legends along with the up and coming ones at AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL.
43. Enjoy local music at GUERO’S TACO BAR along with some margaritas after shopping on South Congress Ave!
44. Visit the oldest & largest video store in the world at I LUV VIDEO. [N. Austin - Hyde Park]
45. Experience some belly laughs at CAP CITY COMEDY CLUB.
location: north austin - domain
11506 Century Oaks Terrace #100 Austin TX 78758
46. Go see a show at the beautiful PARAMOUNT THEATRE.
location: downtown austin - congress ave
713 Congress Ave Austin, TX 78701
showings here
47. Attend MOONTOWER COMEDY FESTIVAL to see and meet some of the best and newest comedians. | April
48. Go see a live taping of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS at The Moody Theater.
49. Experience ESTHER’S FOLLIES for magic, comedy, and music on Sixth Street (Thursday through Saturday).
50. Enjoy LOCAL MUSIC at the awesome venue, MOHAWK. [Downtown - Red River District]
If you’d like to have this list in an interactive and print friendly PDF version, fill out the form below and I will email it to you!