So you’re thinking about going to Texas? I got you ;)

Austin, Texas was such a beautiful city, with stunning rivers and lakes, and the BEST BBQ I’ve ever had. Did you know Whole Foods started in Austin?! It’s a relaxing environment where you will see people paddling on the lakes, enjoying a good BBQ and a good beer, and surrounded by the “Silicon Hills” of the tech industry. There’s a bunch of tech companies located in Austin such as Google, Bumble, Tesla, Apple, IBM, Facebook, PayPal, Amazon, and eBay. Something I never knew about Austin was that it’s well known for bat watching in the Congress Avenue Bridge (cue Batman lol).

BEST PLACES TO GO IN AUSTIN, TX

South Congress Avenue
- Greetings From Austin Mural is the spot to-go for that selfie spot for that perfect Instagram photo (this sign is walkable to South Congress Avenue!)
- You Belong Among the Wildflowers Mural is across the street from the “Greetings from Austin” mural. I think this mural may change, but this was there when I visited!
- Texas Mural to get another selfie with an artsy “Texas” background
- Mañana is cool cafe with matcha, coffee, tea, juices, and baked goods. I recommend getting the matcha latte with oat milk there!
- Alan’s Boots where you can find the perfect boot as you initiate yourself as a Texan on your visit and that perfect souvenir. They also have belts and hats!
- Two Hands Coffee is a cafe where I recommend trying the banana walnut bread and any of their coffees!
- Austin Motel for another Instagram selfie where it’s surrounded by the dining, nightlife, and shopping at South Congress
Lady Bird Lake
- Austin Proper Hotel is a aesthetic, luxury hotel with restaurants, bars, spas, and a rooftop swimming pool
- Austin Central Public Library where it has an inviting, modern design and you can get great views of the city. The library is huge so it’s nice to check out (pun intended) when you’re near Lady Bird Lake
Secret Spot where you can see the view of the city (809 E 9th St, Austin, TX 78702)
Austin State Capitol to channel your inner history nerd and take a tour. It’s actually the biggest state capital where the saying “everything is bigger in Texas” applies!
The Congress Avenue bridge at sunset to see the bats fly where I’d recommend booking a bat cruise so you get a great view of the bats flying over the city, downtown, and the sunset
Barton Springs Pool is a cute outdoor swimming pool with water from natural springs where you can swim, tan, and relax. Bring your favorite swimwear, a towel, and a book
The Oasis on Lake Travis has breathtaking views of the sunset where you can also eat at the restaurant while viewing the sunset. This place has an incredible view of Lake Travis and the sunset! The Oasis itself was a little ratchet but the views are worth stopping by to see!
Lone Star Ranch & Rodeo for horseback riding, archery, ax throwing, rodeos, and ATV’s

Saint Mary Cathedral because I love exploring Catholic Churches when I’m traveling (where my Catholics at?! lol)

FOOD, BARS, + RESTAURANTS

Terry Black’s BBQ was the best BBQ I’ve ever had. You MUST try the BBQ here while you’re in Austin! I recommend doing a pre-order online for pickup to avoid the long lines so you can quickly pick up your food and eat it there! I got the beef ribs, cream corn, green beans, and corn bread. In that moment I finally understood “Texan BBQ” and it did NOT disappoint. The meat was so soft it left the bone clean.
Aba Mediterranean restaurant where I heard has the best mediterranean food. I’m sure you can’t go wrong with any of their hummus, kababs, seafood, and cocktails (heard great things about the aloe cocktail!)
La Barbecue is a popular BBQ spot where I wish I got to try the brisket, pulled pork, and pickled red onions.
JuiceLand is THE smoothie and juice place in Texas where I loved the wundershowzen smoothie and the originator smoothie
P. Terry’s Burger Stand is the classic burger place in Austin where their burgers, chicken sandwich, veggie burgers, and shakes are good!
Interstellar BBQ where I heard you need to get the peach tea pork belly. I did not get the chance to go here, but would’ve loved to try this!
Rainey Street bars is an easygoing vibe of outdoor bars with foods trucks, bar games, and hammocks. This street is made up of newly renovated homes turned into outdoor bars.
- The Parlor is a an outdoor bar and patio where you can take photos in the pink living room, "DRINK UP” sign at the patio, and have a good time with your squad
- Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden is the spot for beers and brunch with picnic tables. There’s 100+ beers on tap and sausages (and has vegetarian options too!)
- Lucille has hammocks and fancy drinks with a more relaxed atmosphere
6th Street Bars (also known as Dirty 6) for a wide variety of drinks and live music
- The Driskill Bar is a popular bar on 6th Street where it has leather couches, cow barstools, cattle carpet, and the grand Texas Longhorn on the wall where the next thing you know you’ll have a whiskey in your hand. It’s located in The Driskill which is the oldest hotel in Austin.
Taquero Mucho is a hip Mexican restaurant with pink drinks, an Instagrammable pink payphone setup, and a perfect place for a girls’ brunch
Marker 10 restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for a more relaxed vibe, a view of Lady Bird Lake, kayak watching, and good food. The restaurant has cocktails, microbrews, drafts, wine, dinner, and sushi.
Clark’s Oyster Bar if you’re feeling seafood for some the oysters and crab salad
Taco Joint is where you can get yummy breakfast tacos all day where their food is made from farmers’ market ingredients (talk about from farm to table!)
ATX Cocina is a modern, Mexican restaurant for seafood, mezcal, and tequila
Neighborhood Sushi to get that sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and sake fix

WELLNESS PLACES

Casa De Luz is a wellness center of organic, vegan, and gluten-free food, classes, and workshops. This place has an outdoor patio and kids’ playground if you want a space to recenter yourself
Greater Goods Coffee Roasters is a coffee roasting company where you can try a new coffee, shop sustainably sourced coffees, study, work, and take cute photos
Piknik has yummy paleo tacos where everything at the restaurant is 100% gluten-free

TOURS

The Austin Pedicab tour was such an amazing experience where you’ll see the local attractions, restaurants, bars, and for that Austin breeze
Kayaking or rowing to get that exercise and views from Lady Bird Lake
Boat or sunset cruises to get a tour of the city

NATURE

Mount Bonnell is one of the highest points in Austin at 781 feet with a steep 0.5 mile trail where you’ll get a view of downtown, Lake Austin, the Colorado River, luxurious lake homes, and the Pennybacker bridge (also know as Austin 360 bridge). I’d recommend taking an Uber there since I saw on some reviews that there’s car thefts in the area. I heard it’s the spot for the best views in town!

Hamilton Preserve Pool (Austin, TX) is a pool with a waterfall surrounded by limestone where its a 0.25 mile walk down to the pool. I heard the best time to visit is in September! You’ll need to make your reservation to enter the pool for $12 per vehicle and separate entrance fees. I did not get the chance to go here, but if you’re in Austin in September, it seems like the place to go!

Favorite Places in Austin, TX

Lady Bird Lake

Secret Spot of the views of Austin, TX

You Belong Among the Wildflowers Mural

Terry Black's BBQ

Austin State Capitol

Barton Springs Pool

About to go on a bat cruise

Bat watching on Congress Avenue Bridge

Mañana matcha latte's with oat milk

Taquero Mucho

The Oasis on Lake Travis

Saint Mary Cathedral

Having a moment for my denim jacket lol

Places to Explore in Waco, TX

Channeling my inner Joanna Gaines at the Magnolia Market in Waco, TX

Magnolia Market at the Silos (Waco, TX)
- Magnolia Market has home decor and apparel
- Silos Baking Co. cupcakes, cookies, and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth. I had a taste of the Spring Box of cupcakes which had the Silobration, Strawberries ‘N Cream, Lemon Lavender, Carrot Cake, Toasted Coconut, and Wedding Cake cupcakes. You need to get the cookies because they will change your life and they’re so rich in flavor! The cookies I loved were the silo cookie, chocolate chip, and brownie cookie. Thank me later ;)
- Magnolia Seed + Supply has what pots, seeds, and decor for your dream garden
Magnolia Market (the original home of the Magnolia Market) where Chip and Joanna Gaines started their empire
Lovers' Leap where you get a view of the Bosque River with your special someone
Dr. Pepper Museum to learn about how Dr. Pepper was created in Waco
Heritage Creamery has locally and sustainably sourced ice cream
Baylor University

Waco is 1.5 hour drive (definitely get a rental car) from Austin where I would only recommend going if you’re down to explore where Fixer Upper began. Otherwise, you can shop the Hearth & Hand Magnolia product line at Target or on the Magnolia website. It’s expanding seeing how the Joanna and Chip Gaines built an empire from their show Fixer Upper to a household brand to inspire you to see the beauty in reinventing what home feels like to you. I would say Magnolia Market at the Silos is like the “Disneyland” of Texas where Texans go on weekends to shop, relax, and attend events.