There are plenty of more sustainable alternatives to the big hotel chains in Austin. Opt for one of these more responsible stays and feel good about your footprint.

Habitat Suites
Named one of the top ten most sustainable hotels in the world by Expedia in 2019, Habitat Suites is locally owned, but also has organic herb and veggie gardens on site, serve vegetarian meals from locally sourced produce, have solar panels on every building, use cleaners with no harsh chemical detergents, and don’t use pesticides or herbicides on the property. Habitat also puts an emphasis on composting and recycling, collects and reuses rainwater, and even has occupancy-sensing thermostats in the rooms to reduce energy usage in empty rooms.

Heywood Hotel
This boutique hotel in East Austin prioritizes sustainability by using eco-friendly cleaning products, locally sourced decor and energy-efficient systems. Its small-scale, community-focused approach recently earned Heywood a MICHELIN Key, showcasing its commitment to an unforgettable experience. Leave your car on property (free parking!) and take one of their complimentary bikes out for a tour around East Austin.

Park Lane Guest House
A small B&B tucked in the trendy South Congress area, Park Lane Guesthouse offers private cottages with organic bedding, a vegetarian breakfast, organic gardens, and solar-powered cottages, all a short bike ride away from downtown. There’s a pool and even massages available on-site.

W Austin Hotel. Credit Michael Kleinberg.

W Austin
Luxury and sustainability together at the W Austin. This hotel is fully LEED certified, which means not only hotel operations, but building materials meet strict standards of sustainability. Among those: Energy Star-rated appliances and windows in the rooms, water-saving faucets, and recycling bins in every room.

Find more places to stay in Austin.

Austin is overflowing with opportunities to explore its natural beauty, cultural richness and eco-friendly things to do. From outdoor adventures to live music venues, here are some of the top sustainable activities to include in your itinerary. 

Outdoor Adventures

Guided Eco-Tours
Join a guided kayak tour on Lady Bird Lake or a birdwatching excursion at Hornsby Bend, both of which emphasize education about Austin’s ecosystems and wildlife.

Credit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Community Gardens and Urban Farms
Visit urban farms like Boggy Creek Farm to learn about local agriculture and shop for local-made products and produce. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center shows off the beauty of Texas native plant species and frequently hosts workshops on native plants and conservation practices—perfect for eco-curious visitors.

Nature Preserves
Explore less-visited natural areas like the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve or Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center for hiking, wildlife spotting, and serene escapes from the city.

Take a Hike
Lace up your boots (or hiking sandals) and hit the trail. Start on Barton Creek Greenbelt for easy hikes to climbing walls, swimming holes, and sunny creek banks. Then head out to some of the state parks nearby, including McKinney Falls and Pedernales Falls. Don’t forget your swimsuit in the warmer months! For state park details and reservations visit tpwd-texas.gov.

Cultural Landmarks & Green Spaces

Zilker Park
Relax in one of Austin’s most iconic parks or take a refreshing dip in the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool, a natural treasure in the heart of the city.

Butler Hike & Bike Trail. Credit to Jeff Djayasaputra.

Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Enjoy scenic views of Lady Bird Lake while walking or biking along this urban trail that combines recreation with stunning cityscapes.

Events with a Green Focus

Local Farmers' Markets
Explore vibrant markets like the SFC Farmers’ Market at Republic Square to discover local produce, handmade goods, and eco-conscious vendors.

Seasonal Festivals
Check out eco-friendly events like Austin’s Earth Day Festival, where you can learn about sustainability and celebrate the city’s green initiatives.

Eating local is not only sustainable, but it also benefits the local economy. So skip the chain establishments and dine at one of these restaurants that specialize in using local ingredients.

MICHELIN Green Star Restaurants in Austin

Austin is home to Texas’ only MICHELIN Green Star restaurants, recognized for their exceptional commitment to sustainability. These eateries combine culinary excellence with eco-conscious practices, making them must-visits for sustainable travelers.

Dai Due
Known for its dedication to using local and seasonal ingredients, Dai Due celebrates Texas’s culinary heritage with a focus on whole-animal butchery and farm-to-table dining. From their house-made charcuterie to freshly prepared seasonal dishes, every bite supports local farmers and reduces environmental impact.

Emmer & Rye. Credit to Mars Tello. 

Emmer & Rye
This innovative restaurant features an on-site garden, allowing chefs to incorporate hyperlocal ingredients into their seasonal menus. Their dedication to food preservation, composting, and reducing waste is evident in every dish. Emmer & Rye’s dim sum-style service offers a unique dining experience that highlights sustainability.

Farm to Table

Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden
This south Austin cafe is a peaceful spot in the heart of the city, surrounded by greenery, raised garden beds and a self-sustaining, rainwater-fed koi pond. Sip a seasonal cocktail or cappuccino, surrounded by friends in the urban oasis. 

Hillside Farmacy
Located in a restored pharmacy, this restaurant specializes in seasonal menus using locally-produced ingredients including a Texas cheese plate, roasted chicken and grass-fed beef. There’s even a small grocery on-site for fresh fruits and veggies.

Vegan & Vegetarian

Bouldin Creek
Located in South Austin, Bouldin Creek is a woman-owned vegan and vegetarian restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This funky, Austin-centric cafe has been open for over 20 years and has fans outside of just the vegan and vegetarian community. 

Casa de Luz
Casa de Luz Village is an organic and vegan educational community that features it's own restaurant, Casa de Luz. The restaurant is hosts breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, each consisting of organic, gluten-free, meat-free options.

Fabrik
For elevated small plate dining with a focus on sustainability, look no further than Fabrik in East Austin. The seasonal plant-based menu rotates to highlight ingredients from local farmers and purveyors, and includes greens from the restaurant's own hydroponic gardens.

Odd Duck. Credit Richard Casteel. Courtesy MICHELIN Guide. 

Odd Duck
Proudly serving local ingredients and creative cocktails, plus gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, Odd Duck promises to slake your hunger and your thirst, all in a chill South Austin location.

Looking for more vegan and vegetarian options? Check out the Austin Insider Blog.

Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries

Sure you can eat local, but you can also drink local in Austin. Stop by one of these breweries, wineries or distilleries for locally-crafted goodness that didn’t have to be shipped in for your imbibing pleasure.

Beer
Find a long list of local breweries here, but make sure not to miss local and eco-conscious favorites like largely organic Jester King or sustainably-focused Beerburg Brewing for refreshing brews. Each has a unique selection and list of specialties, so find your favorite and drink local!

Cider
Don’t miss Moontower Cider Company in East Austin for traditionally inspired craft cider, or Texas Keeper Cider for a relaxing sip south of town.

Spirits
When it comes to distilleries, Austin has no shortage. In addition to local legend Deep Eddy Vodka, there’s also grain-to-glass Still Austin Whiskey and Treaty Oak Distilling, and even sake from Texas Sake Company, a Platinum Level Austin Green Business Leader. Head west for an afternoon visit to Dripping Springs for even more options.

Bring a piece of Austin’s eco-friendly ethos home with you by shopping at these sustainable and locally-focused stores. Whether you are looking for souvenir to bring home or just want to check out a local boutique or specialty store, Austin has a lot of options to find something special to commemorate your trip.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Discover handmade works by local artisans, perfect for unique gifts or souvenirs. This gallery and shop is open seasonally, so take a look at their website before visiting, or if you want to shop online.

Miranda Bennett Studio
Miranda Bennett designs timeless clothing pieces made with plant-based dyes and sustainable fabrics. This boutique is a haven for slow fashion enthusiasts!

Take Heart
This East Austin shop specializes in beautifully crafted home goods, many of which are sustainably made. Shop everything from paper goods to home decor, tea, jewelry and more. 

Tiny Grocer. Credit Mackenzie Smith Kelley.

Tiny Grocer
This charming local shop is stocked with sustainably made food, housewares, and gifts. Shop at their South Congress or Hyde Park locations and grab a bite from Tiny Delicatessen while you're there.

Treasure City Thrift
Find one-of-a-kind thrifted treasures while supporting a zero-waste mission. They pride themselves on being "the most affordable thrift store in Austin" and give away unsold items each month at their Really Really Free Market, instead of throwing items away.

Wheatsville Co-op
This community-owned grocery store offers bulk ingredients, local snacks, and eco-friendly products. Stop in to stock up on snacks during your trip. 

Austin offers multiple options to reduce your carbon footprint while getting around town. 

Offset your travels to Austin whether you come by car or plane. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport offers passengers the opportunity to easily do just that by visiting thegoodtraveler.org, a site that will help you calculate the carbon footprint of your travel and allow you to help support environmentally friendly projects in Texas and beyond.

Courtesy of CapMetro.

There are plenty of options when it comes to getting around town in Austin if you’re trying to travel sustainably. Check capmetro.org for bus schedules or pay by the minute to utilize one of the many bike-share or electric scooter programs around town. In many areas near downtown, a person-powered pedicab is also an option for a unique and fun experience. And Austin’s most recent addition to transportation options downtown: electric cabs that will shuttle you short distances.

No car? No problem! Most of Austin is bike-friendly and peddling around on two wheels affords a great opportunity to see the city at your own pace. Numerous local businesses rent bikes by the day or the hour (like Austin Bike Tours and Rentals) or you can pay-per-minute for shorter rides using one of the bike share programs in the city.