Hidden gems in Austin
Skip the tourist circuit. These Austin spots are the ones locals actually send their out-of-town friends to.
Top spots in Austin
Barton Springs Pool
OutdoorsZilker
3-acre spring-fed pool, 68°F year-round — Austin's living room.
South Congress (SoCo)
Food & DrinkSoCo
Boutiques, food trailers and the I Love You So Much wall.
Lady Bird Lake Trail
OutdoorsDowntown
10-mile loop with kayak rentals and the bat bridge at dusk.
McKinney Falls State Park
OutdoorsSoutheast
Limestone falls, swimming holes and quick hikes 20 min from town.
Where to eat
Franklin Barbecue
$$Texas BBQ · East Austin
Aaron Franklin's brisket — line up before 10am or sell out.
Uchi
$$$$Modern Japanese · South Lamar
Tyson Cole's sashimi tasting — Austin's first James Beard winner.
Suerte
$$$Modern Mexican · East Austin
Heirloom corn tortillas + suadero tacos — book a seat at the bar.
Veracruz All Natural
$Tacos · Multiple trailers
Migas tacos that have launched a thousand morning queues.
Loro
$$Asian smokehouse · South Lamar
Tyson Cole + Aaron Franklin — smoked brisket meets Thai chili.
Frequently asked
- Locals' under-the-radar picks include Barton Springs Pool, South Congress (SoCo), Lady Bird Lake Trail. These are the places that don't show up on the first page of mainstream travel guides.