ABOUT
explore austin
Welcome to the best city in Texas! The race and festival are smack downtown in the middle of Austin on beautiful Lady Bird Lake.
EATS
There’s a reason eating comes first. It’s one of the best parts of Austin! All dietary restrictions welcome.
Real recommendations by local food bloggers,
Where to Eat (Kid-Friendly + Actually Worth It)
Pizza & Casual Eats
- Home Slice Pizza – Kid-friendly, fast-paced, and reliable. Try their Italian sub in addition to classic pizza slices.
Tacos & Mexican Favorites
- Veracruz All Natural – Excellent breakfast tacos and tacos in general, with multiple locations.
- Cuantos Tacos & Discada – Michelin-recommended spots near downtown for authentic tacos.
- Paprika – Great tacos near the Crescent Shopping Center (Austin’s premier Asian hub).
- Taqueria De Diez – Late-night taco option with multiple locations.
Tex-Mex
- El Dorado Cafe – My personal favorite for enchiladas (reservation recommended).
- Habanero Cafe & Enchilada Y Mas – Solid Tex-Mex options, but I still prefer El Dorado.
Brunch
- Paperboy – Reservation recommended. Favorites include chicken and biscuits, plus excellent pancakes.
Barbecue (Austin Essentials)
- Interstellar BBQ – Creative sides and consistently excellent meats.
- Leroy and Lewis Barbecue – Modern takes on classic cuts and flavors.
- La Barbecue – Classic Texas barbecue done right.
- Parish Barbecue – Blends traditional BBQ with Creole-inspired dishes.
- Franklin Barbecue – Long lines, but their brisket is world-famous and worth the wait.
Nicer Restaurants / Large Groups
- 1618 Asian Fusion – Great for sharing, with standout dishes like their Flambeverest cheesecake and soup dumplings.
Chinese Cuisine
- Bamboo House – Authentic Peking duck and Cantonese-style dishes.
Dessert
- Amy’s Ice Creams – Local favorite with multiple locations. The South Congress location is the most popular.
ACTIVITIES
Looking for things to do in Austin?
Austin is known for its beautiful outdoors, so hop on a bike and go enjoy our great weather!
Recreation & Landmarks
Swim at Barton Springs Pool — natural spring water stays 68°F year-round.
Paddleboard or kayak on Lady Bird Lake
Picnic at Zilker Park
Climb Mount Bonnell for panoramic views
Watch the Congress Avenue Bridge bats at sunset
Visit Hamilton Pool Preserve (reservation required)
Two-step dancing at Broken Spoke
University of Texas football games (seasonal)
Tour the Texas State Capitol
Visit The Driskill Hotel (historic landmark)
Recommendations in recreation and landmarks list curated by A Taste of Koko, one of Austin’s top food and travel influencers!
Live Music
We’re the live music capital of the world. Everything from the local grocery store to city council meetings have entertainment.
- The Continental Club is one of the city’s most famed spots with anything from country to swing
- Elephant Room Home of our best jazz musicians
- Stubb’s Bar-Q Fun music venue
- Antone’s Austin’s iconic blues venue started in 1975
- Parish: A hip music venue on the infamous dirty Sixth
- ACL Live at Moody Theater Austin’s premier concert venue; also the location of the Austin City Limits TV show
- Mohawk beloved destination bar and live music/event venue
Public Art
Austin is home to a world-class creative scene, so take a stroll through our local galleries or find a hidden mural and discover the incredible art that lives in every corner of our city!
- Bolm Arts (indoor gallery)
- AAPI Heroes Murals (a collection of murals showcasing Asian American heroes)
- Asian American Resource Center (rotating art & historical displays)