24 Hour City Guide: Austin

 Austin, Texas! Home of The Longhorns 🤘

 Welcome to the friendliest and weirdest city in The South. 24 hours in Austin could be very different depending on the audience. Let’s assume this journey is for a sophisticated, yet family-friendly audience. Here’s what I recommend:

If you are driving into Austin (from Houston, Dallas, or farther away) you are set with a car! Good for you! Now you have to find a spot to park. 

If you are flying into Austin, the airport is small, yet has everything you need. You don’t need a car, especially if you are staying downtown. Take Uber / Lyft or walk. I avoid the scooters at all costs, but ride at your own risk! 

Hopefully you’ve chosen to visit Austin on a Sunday, because we sure do know how to brunch! Ideally, you’d arrive on a Saturday and leave Sunday afternoon (Monday if you end up indulging in too many drinks!)

Saturday:

- Check in to your hotel. Since you booked with me, you’ll have both early & late check in. Fabulous! I recommend the Four Seasons or The Proper for families. For couples, I recommend The Commodore Perry, Hotel St. Cecilia or Hotel ZaZa. For big groups / girls trips, I recommend The Fairmont, The W or The Marriott. If you are hoping for more of relaxing wellness trip, look no further than The Miraval. 

   

- 10:00AM- Immediately jump into the nearest pool, and preferably also grab lunch there! The pool grub at The Commodore Perry is divine. All preferred hotel pools have great food and beverage. The Proper Hotel’s La Piscina Cucumber Margaritas are to die for! 

Otherwise, grab a kayak / stand up paddle board, or have your friend with a boat scoop you up to take you on Lake Austin / Lake Travis. 

Enjoy the sun, but stop by Royal Blue to snag some sunscreen, cold beverages (beer, CBD water, coconut water, La Croix, wine, etc. as well as a few local snacks. If you are early, you might be able to catch the downtown Sustainable Food Center’s Farmer’s Market (10AM on Saturdays) but something tells me you want wine over grapes. 

- If you want a juice or healthy breakfast, swing by The Well on 2nd street or Juiceland. 

- For Kayaking and paddle-boarding, you’ll need both cash and your ID. Don’t forget! 

- You can also take a jog / walk along the lake while staying mostly dry… the Texas heat is brutal! Bring a few pairs of swimsuits, shots and light leggings! 

- 1:00PM- You can stroll down South Congress and end up at one of my favorites for lunch, Perla’s! Get some PEI oysters, the spicy shrimp Caesar, a bottle of Sancerre and definitely don’t skip the french fries! If you’re feeling barbecue, check out Franklin BBQ, La Barbecue or Lambert’s. 

  

- 5:00PM - Happy Hour! If you are in the mood to bar-hop, check out The South Congress Hotel Bar, Kitty Cohen’s, Irene’s, Icenhauer’s, Bungalow, The Garage Bar, The Roosevelt Room, etc. all these bars have different vibes! If you want to explore a few in a row, start with Rules & Regulations at The Fairmont or Zanzibar at The Marriott and stroll over to Rainey to get a diverse mix.

- Trace at The W has live music starting at 5:00PM. This is a chill and comfortable option if running around closing bar tabs of vodka soda doesn’t sound as appealing to you. The W is so posh and always feels right! 

- Hotel ZaZa has a lovely tequila drink called “The Audrey” at their bar Group Therapy. This hotel also has a great pool and a sexy feel throughout the property. Check out the art on the hallways and the lush decor. 

 

-8:00PM- Dinner time! Make a reservation in advance for Sammie’s Italian, Lutie’s Garden at The Commodore, Clark’s Oyster Bar, Jeffrey’s.

   

  

- Want something more casual? Torchy’s Tacos, Via313, Home Slice, El Arroyo, El Alma, Maude’s, Matt’s El Rancho, Veracruz (at The Line Hotel), Lauderette, La Piscina or Peacock at The Proper, and Elizabeth St. Cafe.

10:00PM- Want a nightcap? The W always has a scene and you will be safe. If you feel the need to go to 6th street, stick to West 6th bars like Whiskey, Tango Foxtrot, or East 6th like White Horse and Whisler’s. Skip everything in the middle.

If you really want to drink like a local, check out The Austin Winery and create your own bar in the comfort of your hotel room. Invite your friends over!

10:00AM- 5PM- Sunday brunch! My favorite spot will always be the Four Seasons Sunday Brunch, especially for holidays. The W, The Fairmont, and ZaZa’s Perfect Strangers are also very good.

Activities: ACL Live Theatre, Anyone’s Nightclub, Texas Capitol, Barton Springs Pool, Blanton Museum, West Chelsea Conservatory, TopGolf at The Domain, and Red’s Indoor Shooting. Bang! Bang!

Special property: The Driskill is the oldest hotel. It was named after a cattle baron. Many presidents have stayed here, including LBJ and Clinton. Some say it’s haunted. 

Special dates: ACL 2021 weekend is the first & second week of October! SXSW 2021 is in March. 

See y’all soon! 

Lexiworldtravel