Austin-- you are so much fun!  You host one of my favorite Uber office (free breakfast tacos, rooftop working space, and nitro coffee on tap-- what?!). Having a good time in Austin can easily be broken down into three categories... eating, drinking, and being outdoors. 

ITINERARY

• May 2017 - 4 nights @ Courtyard Marriott in DT Austin

• July 2017 - 4 nights @ Courtyard Marriott in DT Austin (recommend staying anywhere in DT Austin, everything will be walking distance!)

• April 2018 - 4 nights @ The Westin Austin Downtown (great rooftop pool!)

• January 2021 - 4 nights for one of the most special and spontaneous New Years I could have had :’)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Good Texas food– everything here is super heavy but holy guac is it good.

  • Mexican Food— Tex Mex is a thanggg. As someone from SD / LA, Cali-Mex is different. Enjoy Tex-Mex for extra cheese (con queso por favor) and things just being a bit more heavier, greasier (but probably a bit more juicy) heh

    • Torchy’s Tacos for every time of americanized taco you can get under the sun

    • Austin Taco Project for unique tacos (and really good tator tots)

    • Bouldin Creek Cafe for breakfast tacos

    • TacoDeli came as a fun surprise for fast but GOOD on the go tacos. Get the pork belly taco. You won’t regret.

    • Gabriela’s Downtown is my favorite Mexican restaurant I have been to. Came here with Veer and had the best drinks. Def come here.

  • Barbeques

    • Franklin BBQ  best BBQ I have had HANDS DOWN. Definitely pre-order (but needs min 5lbs-- so if you don't go with enough people, La Barbeque is a close second. Also don't skimp out on the pies, my favorite is the banana cream!)

    • La Barbeque (delicious!!! to make into a sandwich the next day), don’t forget to pre-order to avoid the line. Also, cute market inside the store where a nice gentleman even gave me a free hair tie. 

    • The Salt Lick (only had the one at the airport but was delicious. Recommend people to try out the real thing!)

  • Other?

    • Juiceland for yummy and fresh smoothies. **Avoid green ones at all cost

    • Catch the OG Whole Foods

    • Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken full meal + sides + drink all for $12?! yes please!

    • Wu Chow for a surprisingly delicious dim sum / dumplings, and cute drinks in Panda Coolers. Get the mapo tofu, you won't regret.

    • Vespaio for nice clean Italian food. Loved the pasta + Vespa!

• Drinking a L O T

  • Pubcrawler through Austin DT.  SO much fun paddling through Austin weather, drinking beer and stopping at local bars. 

  • Rooftop bars GALORE!!!! So many wonderful rooftop bars. 

    • Speakeasy for huge three story bar with great rooftop, bowling, and shuffleboard. 

    • Hangar Lounge for a huge open terrace.

    • Going out on 6th Street (Little Woodrows, Rustic Tap, Kung Fu Salon) for a F U N bar hopping experience. 

    • House hopping on Rainey Street (UnBARlievable for the grammable slide and Bungalow for trivia night and board games).

• Being super active

  • River Rafting (but more like lounging) with ATX Excursions. Perfect for a relaxing day out–along with a giant floatie, you're given a cooler where you can bring your own drinks and snacks as you flow down a river for 4+ hours.

  • Swimming in Barton Springs, make-shift pool lounge. Buy tickets at the stands for a faster line!

  • Running along the Colorado River  in the nice warm heat. 

LOWLIGHTS

• Overhyped Hope Outdoor Gallery (basic graffiti wall). You do it for the the insta, but super underwhelming in person and don't need to spend more than 5 minutes there.

FOR NEXT TIME

• Visit Hamilton Pool (make sure to make reservations the minute you book your trip!)