North Austin

Get to Know North Austin's Restaurants, Hotels & Things to Do

North Austin delivers a different side of the city than most visitors expet. This is where you'll find The Domain and Domain NORTHSIDE, and The Arboretum (Austin's premier shopping districts outside of downtown). This area also includes Q2 Stadium, home of Austin FC and the city's only major professional sports team. Beyond those anchors. the area opens up into a park-rich landscape with some of the best dining, top-rated family attractions an dmore hotel options than any other part of the city. 

The Domain & Domain NORTHSIDE

Often called Austin’s “second downtown,” The Domain features upscale retail, local boutiques and a YETI flagship alongside a growing number of restaurants and hotels. Cross Research Blvd into Domain NORTHSIDE and the energy shifts: Rock Rose Avenue is lined with rooftop bars, live music patios and nightlife that holds its own against anything downtown. The area is also home to Topgolf, K1 Speed go-kart racing, Q2 Stadium and Cap City Comedy Club, making it a destination for a full day or evening out.

Several hotels sit within walking distance of the district, including the boutique Archer Hotel, the retro-chic Lone Star Court, Aloft Austin at The Domain and the Westin Austin at The Domain.

The Arboretum

A short hop across MoPac, The Arboretum is north Austin’s original outdoor shopping and dining district and offers a quieter, more relaxed alternative to The Domain. Lushly landscaped courtyards and fountain gardens set the scene for a mix of local and national shops, family-friendly restaurants and seasonal events on the lawn. It’s a good choice for a lower-key afternoon, and the adjacent Great Hills Park puts wooded trails a short walk away. The Renaissance Austin Hotel and Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Arboretum are both located here.

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park — 15 miles of natural-surface hiking and mountain biking trails, an off-leash dog area and a public pool — is the area’s standout outdoor destination. The Austin Aquarium draws families with interactive exhibits including stingray touch tanks, a parakeet aviary and lemurs. For a futuristic exploration of animals, take the family to Zoocade, the first holographic augmented reality zoo in the United States. 

Dining

North Austin has become one of Austin’s most extensive dining areas. The Domain and Arboretum cover everything from casual patio dining to special-occasion restaurants. Beyond those districts, the 183 corridor and surrounding shopping centers are home to an exceptional concentration of Asian restaurants — Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai — that make it worth seeking out even if you’re staying elsewhere in the city. The area also claims several of Austin’s best-regarded craft breweries.

Getting Here

The Domain is about 20 minutes from downtown Austin by car, or a short ride on CapMetro’s MetroRail Red Line (Kramer Station). Rideshare is widely available throughout the area. Most Domain-area hotels offer complimentary shuttles within the district; the Renaissance Austin Hotel and Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Arboretum run complimentary shuttles within a 3–5 mile radius.

North Austin Hotels

North Austin has more hotel options than any other part of the city outside of downtown, with a concentration of properties near The Domain and The Arboretum. The Domain area alone offers a range of styles: the boutique Archer Hotel, the retro-inspiredLone Star Court, the modern Aloft Hotel at The Domain and the full-service Westin Austin at The Domain, all within walking distance of shopping, dining and nightlife. Across MoPac at The Arboretum, the Renaissance Austin Hotel and Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Arboretum are good bases for exploring the broader north Austin area.

For more options, visit our Places to Stay page.