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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.
Congress Avenue Bats
FamilyDowntown
Up to 1.5 million bats fly out at sunset from Apr–Oct.
Rainey Street
NightlifeRainey
Old bungalows turned into bars with food trucks in every yard.
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.
Live & on stage
SXSW Music
Citywide · Mar 13–22 · Indie / Mixed
Austin City Limits
Zilker Park · Oct 2–4 & 9–11 · Festival
Levitation Festival
Mohawk + Empire · Oct 30 – Nov 1 · Psych Rock
Blues on the Green
Zilker Park · Jun – Aug Wednesdays · Blues / Free
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Barton Springs Pool, South Congress (SoCo), Lady Bird Lake Trail. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Austin and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.