2 Day Itinerary

Welcome to Austin, Texas where you’ll find rainbow flags and friendly faces throughout the city. Visitors can enjoy all that Austin has to offer, along with a host of LGBTQ-owned businesses. Check out our guide to pinpoint some of the best spots for brunch, shopping, dancing, music, outdoor activities, art, neighborhoods and more.

If you only have a couple of days in Austin, here’s a plan for how to make the most of it.

Day One

Start the day with a tasty vegetarian breakfast at Bouldin Creek Café on South First Street and keep an eye out for the peacocks that roam the neighborhood.

Then, head to nearby Jo’s Coffee to snap a photo at the “i love you so much” mural before strolling along South Congress Avenue and doing a little shopping at one of the many boutiques like Service Menswear, STAG and Cove Boutique.

Once you’ve worked up a healthy appetite, stop into the original Hopdoddy Burger Bar location to wash down a delicious burger and fries with a local draught beer.

For some afternoon relaxation, head to Zilker Park where you can laze under the trees or take a rejuvenating dip in Barton Springs Pool.

At dinnertime, opt for Spanish tapas at El Raval or innovative fusion from Top Chef winner Kristen Kish at Arlo Grey before you end the night with dancing at Rain or Highland or, if you’re looking for something more laid back, just chilling at an east side bar like Yellow Jacket Social Club, Drinks or Violet Crown Social Club.

Blanton Museum of Art. Credit Gabi Meit and Shanna Sciara.

Day Two

You’ll probably want to take it slow to begin with, so settle in for a relaxing chat about last night over breakfast and coffee at Patika or Flat Track.

Then pop over to campus to check out the Blanton Museum of Art and the can’t-miss installation “Austin” by LGBTQ artist Ellsworth Kelly.

While you’re in the area, head up to North Loop Boulevard to check out one of the many vintage shops like Blue Velvet, Room Service Vintage or Ermine Vintage, and do some record shopping at Breakaway Records.

If all the shopping has left you thirsty, you’re in luck. Enjoy a glass of wine on the patio at Bureau de Poste, a former Post Office in historic Hyde Park, and pop into the neighboring First Light Book Shop to browse new titles.

By the time evening rolls around, take the operation east for a delicious dinner at LGBTQ-owned Grizzelda's, and a scoop from Lick Honest Ice Creams for dessert (multiple locations around town).

Then, it’s off to Red River for drinks, live music and a show at Cheer Up Charlies or Elysium before ending the night with an after-hours dance party at Barbarella.

Photo of Joann's Fine Foods, credit Inti Sinclair.