From line dancing with cowboys to eating delicious BBQ, the city of Austin in Texas provides a fun Southwestern experience. There is a plethora of restaurants, bars, and enjoyable activities to add to your itinerary. In February of 2019, I went to ATX for my friend Ashlie's birthday, where we enjoyed a girls' weekend trip. During February, the weather was in the mid to high 60's, which made it a great time of year to visit as we avoided Texas's extreme heat.
Pictured from left to right, here is the fun girl squad I traveled with: Shannon, Elida, Courtney, Ashlie, myself, Tessa, and Dana.
The Airbnb:
We stayed in a spacious condominium that was in the heart of the downtown. The location was prime, as we were walking distance to a multitude of delicious food stops, clubs, and shops.
The Itinerary
Austin Taco Project
We kicked off the weekend with beautifully decorated tacos and margaritas. ATX is not only known for their BBQ, but their taco cuisine is incredibly delicious 🌮
Photo credit: Facebook
Broken Spoke
After dinner, we took an Uber to the Broken Spoke, known for live music and the locals who line dance. I had never been to an authentic country bar before, so I felt a little out of my element. Many cowboys danced with us, teaching me in particular, the art of line dancing. My friends were already veteran line dancers due to their college days at Cal Poly. 🤠
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
This breakfast place always has people out the door waiting for a chance to splurge on brunch. I ordered the french toast and a mimosa to kick off the day. The creamy sauce and coconut drizzle with strawberries was quite the sweet experience 😋
South Congress Avenue
We visited a few iconic murals known to the city of Austin, on S. Congress. This strip includes plenty of boutiques that sell boots, cowboy hats, and cute accessories to purchase while snapping your Instagram photos.
Another iconic mural is located on the side building of Prima Dora, a boutique store selling souvenirs and Texas styled clothing.
Kendra Scott Flagship
The jewelry brand Kendra Scott was founded in ATX, with her first location on S. Congress. The flagship store is just down the road from the original boutique. It's known for the color bar, where you can customize your own jewelry for a unique experience. Additionally, the store includes Sips & Sweets Cafe, where they sell macaroons, pastries, and frozé (slushy formed rosé). Be sure to grab a treat and enjoy the outside patio!
Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q
We enjoyed a traditional Texas styled dinner while at Rudy's, where we ate brisket, sausage, and ribs galore with baked beans and BBQ dipping sauce.
You can order the meats by weight, similar to a deli store. They sell the best chocolate chip cookies, so make sure to include this in your meal!
Sixth Street
This historic street is in the city's downtown, with plenty of entertainment. We began the night at a club called Green Light Social, known for their boozy Capri Sun drinks.
We bar hopped on Sixth Street for the evening, where we got our groove on and danced to the upbeat tempos. The bars had large crowds seeping in and the streets were full of people out for a good time 🍸
Lady Bird Lake
This river like reservoir is the perfect spot for kayaking. There are a few companies that offer rental, but we did so through Texas Rowing Center. Lockers are available to store any personal items while out on the water.
We spent an hour on the lake paddling with a lovely view of the city skyscraper. My arms were definitely put to work and felt the aftermath the next morning 😆
Tau Ceti Mural
Created by Josef Kristofoletti, this mural is Austin's tallest public artwork and is located downtown on the corner of Brazos and Second Street.
Rainey Street
This street reminded me of a grown up version of a fraternity row on a college campus. It's a cute neighborhood with bungalow styled houses that have been converted into bars and restaurants. Additionally, there is an area with several food truck options if you want a quick bite to eat before or after day drinking.
We went to a bar named Icenhauer's, known for their fruity cocktails served in large mason jars. The backyard had a band playing live music while guests enjoyed their drinks. Rainey Street sure knows how to have a good time 🎉
The Oasis on Lake Travis
For an extra special dining experience, I highly recommend visiting the gorgeous Oasis, which is located in the Austin Hill countryside that overlooks Lake Travis. The cuisine of the restaurant is delicious Mexican 🌮
The most special part of this restaurant is the epic sunset, so I highly recommend planning your dinner visit around capturing the view.
Pete's Dueling Piano Bar
Located on Sixth Street, we spent our last night in Austin enjoying a Piano Bar. There are large pianos at the forefront of the bar, with an audience enjoying a duel amongst two pianist creating funny dialect and singing. This was pure entertainment! 🎹
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
If you're looking for a vibrant new city to explore or return to, Austin proves to be a hot destination. The city exudes a culture of gourmet tacos, lively streets with art, and a multitude of day and night time bars to enjoy with your group of friends no matter the occasion.