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 See Wildflowers Near Austin

Every spring, the Texas Hill Country blooms into a colorful cascade of delicate Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes and Indian Blankets, as wildflowers blanket the meadows, fields and valleys near Austin. Bring your camera, and your sense of wonder, as you scout out these top 10 spots for spectacular…

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Visiting the Zilker Botanical Garden

If Zilker Park is the heart of Austin, then surely the Zilker Botanical Garden is the heart of the city’s favorite park. This 28-acre expanse of lush greenery, flowers, and streams welcomes over 150,000 visitors every year to wander the grounds and enjoy a peaceful respite from the city. Over the 6+…

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Supporting Black-Owned Restaurants in Austin

Austin's Black community has quite the legacy in the Austin food scene. Find award-winning restaurants, authentic Ethiopian, Jamaican and Haitian flavors, savory smoked meats and flavorful southern comfort food all around town. Enjoy Austin's food truck scene with creative takes on baked potatoes…

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Top 20+ Family-Friendly Attractions in Austin

Austin, Texas is an outdoor lover's paradise and a super kid-friendly city, making it the perfect getaway for families with kids of all ages. While your Austin family vacation might not be raging at all the music venues, there are still so many things to do, see, eat and listen to that are totally…

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Best South Austin Restaurants

South Austin is home to many vibrant neighborhoods, each bursting with funky Austin flavor. Neighborhoods like South Congress and South First Street showcase Austin’s creative side with some of the most inventive eateries in town. Find South Austin restaurants on these hip strips, just south of Lady…

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Weirdest Things to Do in Austin

Austin’s reputation for “weirdness” is a bit hard to pin down. What exactly does it mean to be weird, anyway? If it means laid back, creative, fun-loving, and a little quirky, then it’s a fitting description. Visitors to our fair city should stop by some of these attractions to see if you agree with…

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8 Must-See Art Galleries in Austin

A city is only as cool as its artists. Austin has no shortage of creatives working to either preserve or transform different aspects of the city’s vibrant culture. Whether you want to soak in some culture or find a stunning piece for your home, there is an art gallery in town to suit your tastes…

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James Beard Nominated & Award Winning Restaurants

While Austin still excels at barbecue and Tex-Mex, the city has now a wide variety of cuisines and styles. From interior Mexican to regional Italian to farm-to-table New American, there is something for everyone, and the James Beard Foundation is taking note. Have a look at these eateries from…

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Top Things To Do & See in South Austin

South Austin is what locals like to call a "taste of old Austin." Quaint houses, old-school boutiques, iconic restaurants and new eateries by some of the city's top up-and-coming chefs populate this lively nook. Head here to get away from the crowds and decompress in Austin's largest city park…

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Visiting Austin's Trail of Lights

The holidays are here, and one of the best ways to celebrate in Austin is by visiting the city’s Annual Trail of Lights. The December event transforms Zilker Park into a winter wonderland as it's lit up by more than 2 million lights, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays…

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