Austin Insider Blog

This blog, written and curated by Visit Austin staff, shares the things that visitors love and locals can't get enough of.

Where to Have Christmas Dinner in Austin

If you're planning to spend Christmas or Hanukkah in Austin, let our award-winning chefs minimize your time in the kitchen and order in from these local restaurants. Find great places to order holiday meals to take home, plus Austin restaurants that are open on Christmas and Christmas Eve. TLC…

Continue Reading

Where to Have Thanksgiving Dinner in Austin

If you're planning to spend Thanksgiving in Austin, let our award-winning chefs minimize your time in the kitchen and dine in or order in from these local restaurants. Find Austin restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving, plus great places to order Thanksgiving meals to take home. TLC. Credit to…

Continue Reading

20 Iconic Austin Restaurants

While Austin may be known for its legendary Tex-Mex, tasty breakfast tacos and juicy barbecue, there's so much more to the capital city's food history to explore. Austin's celebrated dining scene has evolved with lightning speed over the last few decades, but don't forget to pay homage to the greats…

Continue Reading

Best Restaurants with Live Music in Austin

Austin is no longer just a city full of live music and entertainment. Now, the Live Music Capital has also become a robust foodie city with some of the best smoked barbecue in the state, a surplus of fine dining establishments as well as various walk-in, sit-down, no-frills watering holes to beat…

Continue Reading

50 Fun Things to Do in Austin

There’s truly something for everyone in Austin. Whether you’re looking for live music, must-see museums, authentic Texas cuisine, scenic outdoor adventures or family-friendly fun, our city offers it all. Here are 50 of the best things to do in Austin to kick-start your trip. 1. Try Austin’s favorite…

Continue Reading

Day Trip Destination: Lockhart

Lockhart has long been known as the barbecue capital of Texas. Way before Franklin was a whisper in the wind, Texans from all over have flocked to this city to get their carnivore on. There’s more than meets (or meats) the eye here though—a fascinating history, adorable shops, live music, golfing…

Continue Reading

How to Get the Full Texas Experience in Austin

Everyone knows that Austin is a bit…different…from the rest of Texas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get the full Lone Star State experience in the capital! We’ve got great food, proud history, and natural beauty galore, right here in the city limits. Add these activities to your Austin bucket list…

Continue Reading

Day Trip Destination: Driftwood

Driftwood often gets overlooked on the way to other, larger Hill Country towns but it’s got a scene in its own right. Of course, it’s home to the legitimately world famous The Salt Lick barbecue but as Austinites rush out of the city in search of a little more space and some peace, Driftwood has…

Continue Reading

Best Brunch in Austin: 27 Places for Breakfast

Brunch in Austin isn’t a run-of-the-mill bacon and eggs affair. Here you’ll find everything from a big band brunch with creative smoked sausages to a breakfast of Mexican specialties that go best with a frosty margarita. You’ll want to rise and shine early on the weekend for these yummy morning…

Continue Reading

Best Downtown Austin Restaurants

Austin is known for its mouthwatering barbecue and creative breakfast tacos, but not everyone is familiar with the city’s complete food scene, one that is just as eclectic and diverse as the Austinites who live here. To get a true taste of what the city has to offer, you must visit Downtown Austin…

Continue Reading