Fuel up with breakfast tacos at Veracruz All Natural.
If you go to Austin and didn't eat breakfast tacos, did you even go? The Migas — eggs scrambled with tortilla chips, tomatoes, onions, jalapeño, and cheese — is their house specialty, and it's going to be one of the best tacos you've ever tasted. Wash it all down with a bright pink watermelon agua fresca.
Float in Barton Springs, a spring-fed swimming pool in Zilker Park.
If the sun is shining, grab your swimsuit and a towel make your way to Barton Springs, where the water always hovers around a comfortable 68°. When you're done swimming, head just east of the main pool to "Barking Springs," a heaven for pups during summertime.
Head to South Congress for a light lunch...
June's all-day café and wine bar is a laid-back and casual reprieve from the bustle of South Congress Street. With plenty of sidewalk seating, it's the perfect place to post up with a glass of wine and people watch. Share a few small plates like the the fried chicken or ham sandwich, and of course, the cheese, salami, and olives with Texas olive oil.
And then follow it up with some window shopping.
South Congress or SoCo is one of Austin's trendiest neighborhoods. You'll find food trucks, packed restaurants, graffiti-clad walls, and small boutiques selling everything from succulents and candles to coffee mugs and hand-printed posters. Pop into Allens Boots to browse the aisles of extravagant cowboy boots, have a drink at the posh South Congress Hotel, take a photo in front of the iconic "I love you so much" mural, and grab a cone at Amy's Ice Creams.
Catch a show at The Continental Club.
You probably came to Austin to hear live music, and The Continental Club is where to find it. This tiny space has been open since 1957, and it's a mecca for everything from rock and roll to country. There are a few sit-down shows every night, so snag your ticket ahead of time.
For dinner, dig in to sushi at Uchiko.
When you think of Austin, sushi probably doesn't come to mind...but it should. Uchiko's menu is made up of sustainable fish flown in from Japan every single day. In addition to insanely delicious seafood, you'll find everything from wagyu beef to short rib. Order from the menu or let the chef decide.
Line up early for barbecue at La Barbecue...
If you thought you could just mosy into one of the city's best barbecue joints, you're mistaken. Eating barbecue is like a sport in Austin, and you've got to be strategic. So here's the game plan: Get to La Barbecue at 10 a.m. By the time the doors open at 11, the line will have wrapped around the block behind you. One bite of the melt-in-your-mouth brisket and fall-off-the-bone pork ribs and you'll understand all the hype.
Then hit the road for Hill Country.
Spend the afternoon exploring Hill Country, the area surrounding Austin, which is made up of the small towns, rolling fields, and rivers. To beat the heat, stop by Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs, go tubing on the lazy river in New Braunfels, or get back to nature with a hike around Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City. Before you head back to Austin, make a pit stop at Jester Kings Brewery to try the cult-favorite craft beers.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a doughnut from Gourdough's.
After a long day of exploring, you deserve something sweet. Hit up Gourdough's, an old-timey airstream that dishes out some of the best (and most insane) doughnuts in the country like the Mother Clucker, topped with fried chicken and honey. Or the Porkey's, made with Canadian bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeño jelly.
Watch for bats at South Congress Bridge.
Wander to Congress Avenue Bridge around sunset from March through October, and you'll see over a million tiny bats emerge from their cave and trickle into the sky like a black cloud. If you're feeling really brave, you can watch the spectacle from a kayak on the Colorado River.
For dinner, eat local at Emmer & Rye.
Everything at Emmer & Rye is as locally-grown as food gets (in fact, they even mill grains for breads and pastas and ferment and pickle vegetables in house.) In addition to the daily menu, a dim-sum style cart rolls around offering little bites and small plates.
Drink your way down Rainey Street.
Day or night, Rainey Street is always buzzing. The tucked-away block is home to bungalow-style houses-turned-bars, all complete with sprawling outdoor patios, bistro lights, and yards packed with food trailers. Start at Container Bar (the whole place is actually made of colorful shipping containers), make your way to Icenhauer’s for a tropical cocktail, then to Parlor Room for a nightcap.
Devour round two of barbecue.
Many say that Franklin Barbecue is the best barbecue in Austin. However, you'll have to wait about three hours to get your hands on Franklin's smoked meats. The alternative: Head to local favorite Micklethwait Craft Meats, a trailer with outdoor picnic tables. Order the three-meat plate with some sides and fuel up for the day.
Take in the views from Mount Bonnell.
Once you've eaten your weight in barbecue, it's time for some light exercise. Head to the eastern shore of Lake Austin and walk to the overlook at the top of Mount Bonnell. Here, you'll find some of the most striking, panoramic views of the city.
Take in some live music at Bangers.
This sausage house and beer garden is always busy, but not too packed that you can't grab a seat outside and relax. Stop by on Sunday afternoon for live music and ~manmosas~: a mimosa served in a beer stein, filled with an entire bottle of bubbly.
Chow down on eats at the aptly-named Odd Duck.
As the name suggests, the menu at Odd Duck is, well... strange. Think: Dishes like jerk quail, pork belly and octopus paella, and ceviche in tiger's milk. Get adventurous, order the chicken-fried fish head, and trust that this meal will make you very happy. Pay particular attention to the cocktail list.
Finally, rally for some late-night honky tonk at The White Horse.
The White Horse, a hole-in-the-wall on Austin's east side, is a longstanding local favorite for cheap drinks and live music any night of the week. Inside, it's dark and dingy, illuminated by eclectic neon signs, and outside you'll find a bustling patio complete with a taco trailer. If you're lucky, you just might catch some of Austin's most up-and-coming musicians before they hit it big.
