things to do in austin, texas
we’ve rounded up some of our favorite austin spots so you can explore the places we love most while you’re here!
BITES & BARS
BITES & BARS
Since it opened its doors, Canje has been on a nonstop run of accolades. From being named one of Bon Appétit’s 50 Best New Restaurants to one of America’s Best Restaurants by The New York Times, the Modern Caribbean restaurant has become a must-try for those who take taste seriously — and, considering the bright spices and seasoning that emanate from every forkful of food there, it makes sense why. You can’t go wrong by diving mouth-first into anything from Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph’s fantastic, Guyanese-influenced menu, and the sauces they are served in are so good you’ll be forgiven for licking the plate. Pro-tip: preserve your dignity a little bit by ordering a side of their flaky, doughy Guyanese-style Roti to sop it up with instead.
Fun fact: This is where Kevin and Molly went to dinner before Kevin proposed. He was so nervous that he even agreed to take a shot.
A familiar spot for anyone who frequents Austin’s East side, Whisler’s atmosphere is guaranteed to hit the sweet spot no matter what kind of night you’re looking for. The bar itself comes straight from a Southern Gothic novel, filled with smoky mirrors, old-school taxidermy, and wrought iron chairs. Whisler’s cocktails always achieve the delicate balance between sugary, bitter, strong, and refreshing. Nothing on the menu will disappoint, but the Tiger’s Tears (vodka, strawberry, basil, and a striking touch of pepper) serves as a key example of this flavor wizardry at work. The Mezcalería Tobalá, the upstairs mezcal bar, takes cues from the traditional spots found in Oaxaca.
Fun fact: The photobooth at Whisler’s was where Kevin promised to Molly!
Talk about a place that lives up to its name. This speakeasy, located inside an inconspicuous door on a Sixth Street alleyway, will make you feel like you’ve left behind the beer-soaked sidewalks of “Dirty Sixth” and arrived at the garden of paradise. Complete with dark, moody lighting, luxe furniture, and an illustrated book of their cocktail offerings, you’ll shed the dirty vibes outside as soon as you enter through its decadent velvet curtain. Don’t expect the kind of Mind Eraser shot that dominates so many of the other bars on this street —Eden’s spirit-based libations are unique and meticulously-crafted. For newbies, a great place to start is the Reap and Sow, made with mezcal, sherry, habanero, and clarified apple. It’s the sophisticated version of a spicy margarita you never knew you needed.
Fun fact: Kevin and Molly had their first date here! Molly was 30 minutes late.
If your version of heaven is a dive bar with an Elvira pinball machine and tiki cocktails—because it should be—head to this East 11th Street standout. There, you can order Painkillers based on your desired potency or just say “screw it” and request a full scorpion bowl of their exceptional Zombie. Accompany it all with some classic bar bites like sliders, wings, and Coney dogs from the onsite Delray Cafe. Regardless of which poison you pick, Nickel City has such a genuine, chilled-out atmosphere, you’re guaranteed to come back for seconds.
Fun fact: This is the favorite spot for Austin’s Josh Allen loyalists to collect and watch Buffalo take the field. Go Bills!
Every Austinite hosting out-of-town friends who’ve binged Friday Night Lights one too many times and want a traditional Texas kind of place to grab a Lone Star needs to take them here. The White Horse is our go-to pick for both visitors and locals who want a night out at a honky-tonk lively enough to get you in the boot-scootin’ spirit but chill enough you won’t be judged if you don’t pull up in a Chevy truck. The famous Wednesday nights at White Horse bring out some of the best bluegrass, country-western, and Americana bands around—not to mention, a slew of 10-gallon hat- and boot-clad dancers who won’t judge your terrible two-step. Even if you have two left feet, there’s still lots to enjoy besides whiskey shots at the bar, including pool tables, a photo booth, and free popcorn to munch on while you take in the live tunes.
Fun fact: To keen eyes, the sign at The White Horse might look familiar - as it is featured on Kevin and Molly’s Save the Date card.
Even if we didn’t have a personal connection to St. Elmo, it would probably still be our favorite brewery in Austin, regardless. You’ll have a brew-side bash at both of St. Elmo’s locations, but we have a bias towards its East side establishment due to a friendly face behind the counter (see more below) and its proximity to our house. The seating inside is community-style, with views of the brewery’s inner workings, and the dog-friendly yard plays host to trivia, live music, and vendors on a regular basis. The beers here are named like so many favorite children—take a turn with a classy Slater American IPA, be bold with a Rosa Raspberry Sour, or drown out the sorrows of the world with a Chico Pale Ale. On a hot day, Austinites can’t do much better than pairing a frosty Carl Kolsch and some fried chicken delights from on-site food truck Spicy Boys.
Fun fact: Should you stop by St. Elmo’s East Side location, ask if our good friend Austin is working that day. Then, proceed to raise a pint in a celebration of how lucky you all are to know us.
For craft beers closer to the wedding venue, you won’t find anything more smack-dab in the proximity than Zilker Brewing. Nestled in the heart of East 6th street, Zilker’s casual and inviting taproom is an ace spot for a post-work beer and bite. The space is large, with shared tables and plenty of opportunities to belly up to the bar, home to taps featuring Zilker’s own brews alongside a rotating selection of craft classics. If you’re in the market for food, Spicy Boys is onhand slinging five-piece drum and thigh perfection. As for libations, a berry-inspired sour called Berry Fun, is just as puckery and adventurous as it sounds.
Fun fact: The food truck here (Spicy Boys) is one of the tastiest spots for fried chicken in the city.
The innovative dishes served up at LeRoy and Lewis will make you rethink all your preconceived notions about what barbecue should be. This truck fits solidly in the category of “new school,” so much so that the term is proudly part of its official slogan. These mad scientists of smoked meat serve unique dishes you can’t find anywhere else, such as bacon ribs, burnt ends, and pork belly you’ll dream about for months. Plus, some fantastic burgers. If you’re gonna hit one barbecue spot in Austin, make it this one.
Fun fact: Don’t just take our word for it — LeRoy and Lewis was recently awarded the distinguished foodie rating of a Michelin star.
There’s a stereotype that the Southwest is devoid of a singularly good pasta dish. However, Mueller’s fabulous Italian food haven, L’Oca d’Oro, will prove to your taste buds that such slander is just East Coast propaganda. The technique used to make their palate-pleasing homemade pastas is perhaps best showcased in their outstanding, deeply flavorful Rigatoni alla Bolognese. While your idea of a normal bolognese may involve a sauce red enough to permanently stain any white t-shirt it falls upon, L’Oca’s bolognese is a lighter sauce which delicately coats every nook and cranny of the fat, fluffy rigatoni noodles it is ladled on. The hearty meat and cheese-forward flavors of the Berkshire pork shoulder, chicken liver, and grana padano used in the dish make it feel like a hug from nonna, while the accent of parsley brings a nice, bright herby finish
Fun fact: This is Kevin and Molly’s top choice date night spot. They often grab a bite to eat here before seeing a movie at the nearby Alamo Drafthouse.
PLACES & SPACES
PLACES & SPACES
Time to bust out those hiking boots. With 12 miles of gorgeous, manicured trails, rustic creek beds, and rushing waterfalls, the Greenbelt is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts. Round up your buddies, pack some snacks, and leash up the pups for what promises to be an unbeatable weekend adventure. And while you can’t go wrong with any of the Greenbelt’s access points, the Spyglass Trailhead is tough to beat—not to mention the fact that its proximity to a nearby Tacodeli easily facilitates a pre- or post-workout migas stop.
Zilker Park is probably every Austinite’s favorite green space in the city. This over 350-acre plot of land plays host to the Austin City Limits music festival in the fall, and dog-walkers, soccer-players, and picnickers just about every other time of the year. Barton Springs, located inside Zilker Park, is a three-acre public pool filled naturally with water from underground springs. As a result, the pool temperature always hovers around a brisk 68 degrees — there’s no better way to cool off on a hot day in Texas than jumping right in.
Spot the bats from the South Congress Avenue bridge
“The bats!” are one of Austin’s simplest tourist attractions. Head down to the South Congress Avenue bridge in downtown Austin at the end of the day and pick a vantage point either on top of the bridge or below on the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail—careful to stand six feet apart from other groups—and wait until dusk for the little creepy critters to emerge. About 1.5 million bats live underneath the bridge in what’s considered the world’s largest bat colony.
There’s a reason Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World — and nowhere is that more apparent than the Downtown stretch of Red River Street. On any given night, you can walk its three-block radius and find music pouring from the doors of every place on the street — it would almost feel like a sensory overload, if it wasn’t for the fact that the musicians who play this strip of bars and nightclubs are consistently talented. There’s the divey vibes of Swan Dive, where you can discover the best of the local scene, and the darkly lit nightclub, Elysium, which is the go-to spot to catch alternative tunes of every genre. The latest and greatest touring acts are often found either rocking the outdoor stage at city favorite, Mohawk, or playing the legendary Stubb’s, where you can chow down on some of their famous barbecue while watching a set.
Going to LGBTQ mainstay Cheer Up Charlies is akin to a technicolor dream — from the neon lights to the giant pink parachute hanging above their outdoor dance floor to their on-tap hard kombuchas, everything there seems to set the ultimate tone for their themed DJ nights. Last but not least, there is the dance floor mecca that is Barbarella — wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be grooving all night.