Austin, TX
Congress Avenue in downtown Austin — August 2026
Austin, Texas considers itself the “Live Music Capitol of the World,” and I’m not one to argue that point. For the past two decades, Austin has felt like my second home. The first time I really experienced Austin was in 2008 when I was introduced to the Texas Capital City by an Austinite who showed me the “funky Austin.” I was hooked.
Austin may be best known for two events – the annual Austin City Limits (ACL), a long-running live music festival, and South by Southwest (SXSW), another annual festival that celebrates the convergence of technology, film, music, education, and culture. But if offers so much more, including a vibrant culture, art, and food scene.
Downtown Austin
I’ve had the benefit of seeing Austin through insiders’ eyes. My fun, foodie friends Stewart and Mary Alice have pointed me toward great restaurants, both new favorites and old classics. Guero's, a Tex-Mex institution on South Congress was my introduction to “funky” Austin. Housed in an old feed and seed store, the restaurant features hand-shaken margaritas made in the original way with fresh-squeezed lime juice.
A few miles from downtown is Fonda San Miguel.
Supposedly, Lyle Lovett once said, "Never eat Mexican food east of Mississippi or north of Dallas." After living in Texas, I tend to agree.
Other than Mexican food, my other favorite Austin eateries are Aba, also on South Congress, and Red Ash. Both are popular and reservations are needed.
If you are staying downtown, Rainey Street has several restaurants, food trucks, and live music options.
Easy Tiger is a fun beer garden and bakery.
I’m a vegetarian, but most visitors to Austin want to eat BBQ. My friends tell that Terry Black’s is the place to go for traditional Texas BBQ.
View from the JW Marriott in downtown Austin
For lodging, I usually stay at Marriott properties. The JW Marriott and Austin Marriott Downtown are both nice with spectacular Austin city views, but they can be pricey. The Renaissance Austin Arboretum Hotel is another favorite. It’s not a Marriott property, but I’ve recently discovered Origin Hotel Austin, an urban boutique hotel in the Mueller area.
If you are in Austin in late March through early Fall, head to the Congress Avenue bridge around sunset to see the Mexican Free-Tailed bats emerge from their cave under the bridge to fly out over Lady Bird Lake.
Bat bridge on Congress Avenue
There’s no shortage of places to hear live music any night of the week in Austin, but I usually stay away from the 6th Street area. It’s just too much of a college bar scene for me anymore. That said, if you want to experience some really good craft cocktails, then find one of the speakeasy bars.
There are several thriving small communities within an hour drive of Austin, including Wimberly, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Gruene, and Borne. All are worth a visit. One of the best times to check out these communities is late March or early April when the bluebonnets are blooming!
