Here's Everything You Need To Eat, See, And Do In Austin, Texas

Beer and barbecue are just the beginning.

So, you're planning a trip to Austin? We put together this awesome weekend guide full of all the things you'll want to eat, see, and do on your trip.

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Hilton Austin

Hilton

This luxury hotel in downtown Austin is walking distance from many of the best shopping, dining, and nightlife in the city. It's just a block from the bars along lively 6th Street. On the property you'll find everything you need for a perfect stay: Two restaurants (Cannon + Belle and Austin Taco Project) a pool and roof-deck, spa, and fitness center. Possibly best of all, the Hilton is pet friendly, so your four-legged friend can travel with you.

Address: 500 E 4th St

Rooms starting at: $230+

South Congress Hotel

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Set on one of the best blocks in the city, South Congress Hotel is a low key yet stylish boutique hotel you'll never want to leave. It boasts minimalist rooms, a pet-friendly policy, a chic lobby shop, rooftop pool, and an in-house restaurant, Café No Sé, perfect for a weekend brunch of poke bowls and avocado toast with gravlax. Wake up and walk outside, and you'll be steps away from the best shopping, dining, and nightlife around.

Address: 1603 S Congress Ave

Rooms starting at: $280+

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There's so much incredible food in Austin from breakfast tacos to barbecue and everything in between, so you'll have to choose your meals strategically. Here are some stand-outs.

La Barbecue

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Expect a wait at this East Austin hotspot for brisket, pulled pork, and ribs, but any time you spend in line will be justified by some of the best BBQ around.

Address: 2027 E Cesar Chavez St

Franklin Barbecue

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There's a reason why crowds flock to this legendary barbecue spot. Franklin officially opens at 11 a.m., but expect to arrive well before then for a chance to taste their famous melt-in-your-mouth brisket.

Address: 900 E 11th St

Veracruz All Natural

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No discussion of Austin's taco scene would be complete without mentioning Veracruz All Natural, a trailer in East Austin that dishes out some of the best tacos in town. The menu has all the usual suspects like tacos al pastor and grilled fish, but the migas breakfast tacos in particular are well worth a trip. It's a corn tortilla piled high with scrambled egg, softened tortilla chips, tons of cheese, cilantro, tomato, onion, and avocado.

Address:1704 E Cesar Chavez St

Odd Duck

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You may not be able to recognize many of the ingredients on the eclectic menu at this farm-to-table eatery, but you can trust that every bite will be delicious. There are shareable plates like charred green onion dip, fish pimento, and fried oysters, but the star of the show here is a giant chicken fried fish head, which might sound intimidating, but just go for it.

Address: 1201 S Lamar Blvd

June's All Day

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This all day cafe on South Congress has delicious food and one of the best wine lists in the whole city. Go for the fried chicken sandwich or the cheese plate and stay for the funky orange wine.

Address: 1722 S Congress Ave

Launderette

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Housed in a converted laundromat, Launderette is a chic and delicious restaurant for weekend brunch or dinner. Expect American-meets-Mediterranean small plates like crab and avocado toast, octopus with chorizo, and fried shrimp with Old Bay aioli.

Address: 2115 Holly St

Emmer & Rye

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For more of a splurge meal, this incredible spot on Rainey Street is a must-try. The menu is constantly changing, but expect seasonal plates made with local ingredients, and some additional bites that are served dim-sum style on moving carts. If there's one thing you can't miss it's the Blue Beard Durum spaghetti cacio e pepe.

Address: 51 Rainey St, Suite 110

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Allens Boots

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Whether or not you're in the market for a pair of cowboy boots, you'll still want to stop by this Austin institution where thousands of elaborately painted leather boots are on display. Allens Boots is located on South Congress, the city's prime shopping street, so spend some time popping into the surrounding quirky and cute boutiques.

Address: 1522 S Congress Ave

Hamilton Pool Preserve

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Located just about 20 miles outside Austin in the town of Dripping Springs, this natural pool is a little slice of heaven on hot Texas days.

Address: 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd (Dripping Springs)

Barton Springs

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Barton Springs is as essential to Austin's culture as beer and barbecue. Located in Zilker Park, it's a public pool that is filled from natural, surrounding springs. If you're traveling with a pet, don't miss the adjacent swimming hole, Barking Springs, where pups can cool off in the water.

Address: 2131 William Barton Dr

Jester King Brewery

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On the outskirts of the city in Hill Country, Jester Kings is a huge 200-acre ranch that is home to a wood-fired pizza restaurant, a tasting room and lots of freestanding bars where you can try Jester King's beers, ciders, and sour ales. It's the perfect place to bring the whole family — kids and furry friends included — and you don't have to drink to enjoy an afternoon here.

Address: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd

Mount Bonnell

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The highest point in Austin, Mount Bonnell offers sweeping views of Lake Austin below. Burn off some breakfast tacos by climbing the steep stairs to the top, and you'll be rewarded with some beautiful vistas. If you can, try to visit around sunset.

Address: 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd

The Blanton Museum

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This museum at the University of Texas at Austin is the city's preeminent art museum. While you can see public art, murals, and graffiti as you explore Austin, the Blanton Museum is a small and manageable collection of permanent and temporary exhibits that art aficionados won't want to miss.

Address: 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum

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In addition to the Blanton Museum, the UMLAUF garden and museum is a must-visit stop for art-lovers. In the south end of Zilker Park, this open-air garden is filled with beautiful works by American sculptor Charles Umlauf.

Address: 605 Azie Morton Rd

Broken Spoke or The White Horse

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No trip to Austin would be complete without some country music and dancing. Thanks to these two old school two honky tonk bars, you can listen to live music every single night of the week.

Broken Spoke Address: 3201 S Lamar Blvd

White Horse Tavern Address: 500 Comal St

The Continental Club

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Austin's most famous local music venue, the Continental Club has hosted big names in rock 'n' roll, country, and blues since the 1950s. It's still one of the greatest places in town to catch a show. It's open seven days a week, so check the events calendar to see who's playing.

Address: 1315 S Congress Ave

Rainey Street Bar Hop

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Just a stone's throw from Lady Bird Lake, the Rainey Street Historical District is a street made up of old, bungalow-style houses, lined with lively bars and food trucks. Stop by day or night and you'll find plenty of action. Don't miss Container Bar, an open-air spot made of shipping containers, Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden for live music and plenty of day drinking, and Half Step, with its large outdoor patio decorated with string lights and picnic tables.

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