An Austin Itinerary For Foodies and Photo Affectionados

The first time I was in Texas was a few years ago, and while I wasn’t specifically going to Austin, I made it a point to rearrange my schedule so I could see what the hype was all about. For years, it had been built up in my head that it was just like Boulder (a comparison still to this day I do not understand) and it’s one of those hip cities that’s impossible not to love (in fact, they’re the only city in the country growing faster than Denver).

While I was there less than a day and by myself (Austin’s really a place I feel you have to roll with a squad and I am a frequent solo traveler), I crammed as much possible into 24 hours so I could get a feel for the city. After bopping all over town waiting to be wowed, my initial reaction was much like I had in New Zealand — that’s it? And while their whole mantra is “Keep Austin Weird,” it felt more dirty than quirky in the streets like a rough Vegas bender. My initial impression was that it was trying just a little too hard to force a city into a college town or vice versa, awkwardly jigsawing frat row next to the capitol building. A vibe that just didn’t jive with me, I left wondering what everyone else saw that I didn’t.

Personally, I just seem to be underwhelmed by places everyone else fangirls over and generally want to run the other direction when there are crowds as festivals and late nights are no longer my scene. But if live music and dive bars are your thing, Austin is more likely to be your jam (pun intended). While it’s still not completely my cup of tea, since living in Texas, I’ve been back a few times. While I still don’t completely get the hype, it’s an easy and accessible long weekend or quick foodie getaway.

It also checks a lot of boxes if you’re in search of a fun girls or guys getaway and rolling with a deep crew with a lot of personalities to appease. The nightlife is roaring and the food scene is exceptional. There are plenty of things to do during the day if you want to explore, but it’s also totally acceptable to get a little R&R and hibernate until the sun goes down. If you’re heading to Austin for the weekend, here’s where to eat and some of the not to miss photo ops.

’Cue it Up

Food is Austin’s #1 attraction and while Texas is generally known for producing massive meat sweats, the capital has a more refined palate. Of course, barbecue is still big business with the line at Franklin Barbecue regularly exceeding 4+ hours and often sells out before noon. My friend runs food tours here and I asked her if it was worth it. Basically, she said it’s one of those foodie bucket list things that people do once to say they’ve done it (you can BYO chairs and beverages while you wait), but flavor-wise it’s akin to knowing the difference between a $40 bottle of wine and $50. It’s all going to taste good, but if you don’t want to wait, there are plenty of other close contenders like Terry Black’s, which had no line and even impressed my Kansas City BBQ snob boyfriend.

If you don’t want to get up at 6 a.m. and are more in tune with the mindset, “Ain’t nobody got time for that,” there is also a life hack. Loro is an Asian smokehouse that’s a collab between James Beard Award winners, Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue. While they only have their famed brisket at night, the smoked turkey, charred pork belly, and Malaysian chicken coconut rice bowls are to die for. Paired with a midday mango sake slushy, I was a much happier camper than I would’ve been hangrily waiting for hours on end (plus, they have those outdoor egg chairs which makes for a great photo op).

Food Trucks & Food Halls

Austin hasn’t gotten nearly as into the food hall scene as Denver, but Fareground is their first foray. Aesthetically, it’s set up more like a modern food court on the first floor of an office building, but make no mistake; the vendors are almost all offshoots of Austin’s best restaurants which is another life hack if you want to try some of their famed bites without the wait. Don’t miss local purveyors like Contigo for burgers, Dai Due for tacos, and Easy Tiger bakery.

What Austin lacks in food halls, it makes up for in food truck clusters. The Rainey Food Truck Park is one of the most popular for location alone (especially after dark). Visit Ms P’s Electric Cock and White Girl Asian Food to snicker at the names and snag some mini donuts from Little Lucy’s around the corner. Other clusters worth visiting: Pangea Lounge on 6^th, 500 Burnet, South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery (where Torchy’s got it’s start), Spider House, East Riverside, and Barton Springs Picnic. 

Instagram Foods

Food porn is plentiful in Austin so if you’re looking for shots specifically for the ‘gram, here are a few bites that are just a bit extra. The boozy shakes and homemade choco tacos from Holy Roller are divine, a sweet cream and birthday cake ice cream wrapped in a homemade waffle cone topped with ganache and cookie crumbles. The small plates (hello caviar beignets), floral drinks, and even the bathroom at Arlo Grey (Top Chef winner Kristen Kish’s spot) are photogenic as anything. You also don’t want to miss the macarons from Elizabeth Street Café, outrageous ice cream creations from Cafe No Sé, Lick’s, or Cow Tipping Creamery, homemade Twinkies from Drink.Well, donuts from Gordough’s, and freakshakes from Peached Tortilla (which also has amazing Asian fusion cuisine).

Splurge Meals

Michelin doesn’t publish a Texas guidebook so while no Austin restaurants are technically star-worthy, there’s still plenty of celebrity star-power. A number of local chefs have been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and taken home other accolades.

Called the “best sushi this side of Japan” by the Wall Street Journal, Uchi is regularly regarded as one of the hottest tables in town. A local institution, they proved Texas can do haute, refined cuisine with the best of them. We were served nigiri and uni with our hands because you’re supposed to eat it as one perfect bite – no soy necessary as it’s already seasoned exactly how it’s supposed to be (most of their sushi is actually grazed with sea salt to replace the soy flavor without overwhelming the fish). And that was just the beginning of our education in Japanese etiquette, which was more than I got when I was in Tokyo. After opening offshoots throughout the Lonestar State, they’re finally expanding beyond the Texas borders with Denver their first new market (super exciting since I’ve often bemoaned the lack of culinary diversity in Colorado).

While Uchi is the more upscale, traditional dining experience, I actually preferred their sister restaurant, contemporary Uchiko, better. We were fed tasty bites of pork belly and raw and cooked fish, but it was the veggies that really stood out. The sweet and salty Brussels sprouts generously coated in fish caramel and curried cauliflower really wowed, and the buttered crab and fried milk dessert were also worth writing home about. Depending on how much time you have in Austin, other posh tables to seek out include Odd Duck, Barley Swine, Emmer & Rye, and Jack Allen’s Kitchen.

When You’re Ready to Cool Off

The Texas heat and humidity is no joke so after chowing down, finding a watering hole should be your first order of business. Ladybird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake or Zilker Park) runs through the city and while it looks like a river, is technically a reservoir. There are docks to rent kayaks (singles and doubles), canoes, SUP boards, and other non-motorized vessels (including the adorable swan pedal boats and round party barges, which are obviously the best for the ‘gram).

The Oasis on Lake Travis is another destination worth seeking out. An outdoor “mall” of sorts, there are artisan boutiques, food vendors, and artsy sculptures that look like an explosion between the local flea market and your grandma’s attic. Their main namesake restaurant boasts killer frozen margaritas overlooking the mega mansions where Matthew McConaughey and Willie Nelson call home and the local boatlife, and is known for its epic sunsets. For a cheesy couple activity, you can also customize a lock of love at the giftshop to add to their collection along the guardrails.

Barton Springs and McKinney Falls State Park are the most accessible option for in-town watering holes, while Jacob’s Well (the longest underwater cave) and Hamilton Pool Preserve (grotto and waterfall) are further afield. You actually need advance reservations at most places since they’re so popular and are trying to protect the natural habitats. Krause Springs is another worthy day trip, which is about an hour away and a great Hill Country road trip that’s home to 30+ photogenic natural pools. All really require having a rental car but are well worth the effort if you can get there.

For the Shutterbugs

Austin was one of the OG street art hubs and with dozens of famous murals; you could easily spend the day chasing photo ops and good light. Some of the iconic ones to seek out: Tau Ceti (Brazos and 2nd St.), Austin’s tallest public works project and a colorful rainbow to brighten your day, the “Greetings from Austin” postcard (720 S. 1st St.), “Love from Austin” with the outline of the state of Texas (920 S. Congress Ave.), “You’re My Butter Half” (2000 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.), “Willie Nelson for President “(1415 S. Congress Ave.), Will Ferrell’s homage to Anchorman (1603 S. 1st St.), and Historic Sixth Street (6th & I-35). The “I Love You So Much” mural (1300 S. Congress) is also crazy popular, but I bet you didn’t know there is also an “I Hate You So Much” hidden inside one of the bars on Rainey Street… if you’re the more the jaded type or just into irony.

The Hope Outdoor Gallery (Austin’s outdoor graffiti park) is another popular photo spot but was a bit rougher around the edges than I was expecting. If you’re keen on checking it out, be aware it is littered with dodgy characters, garbage, and broken glass. To reach the pieces at the top, you have to scamper up a steep dirt hill/dilapidated building. The outdoor art park is a cool concept, but they are also in the process of moving to a new space and revamp, which is scheduled for later this year so it’s probably worth waiting (or at least don’t wear flip-flops like I did). For an epic skyline photo, head to the 360 Bridge Overlook (aka. Pennybacker Bridge) on Lake Austin at sunset. It’s a short, but steep 10-minute hike to the top.

Do Your Part to Keep Austin Weird

I’m sure you’ll stumble upon plenty of questionable sights just wandering 6^th Street after hours, but there are some experiences you can seek out to contribute to the city’s beloved stereotype. Make it a point to see the largest urban bat colony in North America that appear in droves over the Congress Bridge at sunset in the summer. When you’re ready to tip one back, the Little Longhorn Saloon has chicken shit bingo on Sunday’s or you can celebrate Christmas year-round at Lala’s (although I was rather disappointed there was no eggnog). There is also the Museum of the Weird dedicated to all things weird, wacky, and WTF.

How to Get Around: Scoot, Scoot

“Microtransportation” is the new buzzword in town and the topic Lyft drivers want to talk your ear off about (how they’re such a disgrace and ruining the city lol). This means those green Lime or black Bird electric scooters you can pick up on just about every street corner, rent for a few bucks via an app, and discard whenever and whenever you’re done. Really, they’re a fun (albeit slightly sketchy), cheap, and efficient way to zip around town.

Where to Stay in Austin: the LINE Hotel

Very rarely do I consider myself a laze by the pool kind of girl, but the Line had me convinced there was no need to ever leave the hotel. The see and be seen spot in town, their lounge chairs are mattress thick and overlook the river so you can people watch to your heart’s content. The whole place is really #designgoals and one of my new favorite boutique hotel chains for it’s thoughtful sleek touches.

More Texas Travel Tips:

• 75+ Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in Texas
• 14 Surprising Road Trips You Need to Take in the Lonestar State
• You Never Thought to Visit Houston…But Should
• If you’re looking for a three-day Austin itinerary, check out these reccs.
• Things to do in the Big D…. Dallas, get your mind out of the gutter.
• Instagram Spots and Must-dos for First-Timers in Fort Worth.

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