Austin is certainly not as big as some other major cities but it is definitely growing and expanding as we speak!
AND I know you are going to want to maximize your time here and the question everyone always asks…”Where do I even start?”
That’s where I come in and help you to have the best possible time here in Austin Texas!
To anyone coming to the city for the first time, I always give them the same few pieces of advice and I say that those individuals all have a pretty successful trip!
Being someone who tries organizing everything that I can, I have definitely planned numerous trips in the city that have been overall successes and now it is my turn to help you!
Tips to concoring Autin, TX
#1- Don't be afraid of the food trucks!!
I don’t know if it was just me or not, but growing up food trucks were not a cool, clean, fun place to eat meals BUT I am here to tell you times have really changed!
Not only are food trucks here in Austin a staple, but they also have some of the best food in the city!
So I guess what I am trying to say is that if you didn’t make reservations at a restaurant or you want a unique true Austin experience food trucks will be the way to your heart, no matter the meal or time of day!
If you are craving it a food truck in Austin probably has it!
#2- Figure out your goals for your trip to Austin
Now, this tip to most of you might be a no-brainer but with so much going on in Austin the more organized you are the better.
People come to Austin for endless reasons from bachelor parties to spring break.
It is your job to figure out what you want to accomplish during your time here!
- Are you coming to Austin for its nightlife and bar scene?
- Are you coming to embrace your inner foodie and to eat as much BBQ & brisket as possible?
- Do you want to be the typical tourist and do and see as much as possible?
- Are you coming to embrace how outdoorsy and adventurous this city is?
- OR whether you want to admit it or not are you most excited to take the most Instagram-worthy photos?
It is totally okay if you couldn’t decide on just one reason you are coming to Austin!
Once deciding what you are truly most excited to do in Austin the rest of the planning should be so much easier! (also by clicking the links in each bullet point I will share some of my favorite things to do in each category)
#3- Split up your days accordingly
In simpler terms, I mean to break down each day into categories based upon the activities and location you want to do as best as possible.
For example, if you want to explore South Congress shops (SoCo), take pictures at all the infamous murals, eat at Terry Blacks, and see the sunset & bats on the SoCo bridge for dinner I recommend doing all those on the same day!
I don’t recommend eating brunch on the Eastside, then shopping at the Domain, hiking Mount Bonnell, and then ending up eating dinner and going out in SoCo.
The more time you are driving around or realizing that the things you wanted to do are in completely different areas in Austin the less time you are spending doing the things you really wanted to do!
And in the grand scheme of things, it will be easier on you and less stressful 🙂
#4- Make reservations everywhere
I say this so you don’t run the risk of having your heart set on a specific place and then arriving and having the waiting list a mile long or only taking individuals with reservations.
I will say though that there are plenty of places that do not accept reservations, my advice is just to check to make sure, and if they do take reservations definitely take advantage of that!
But if things don’t turn out as planned, like mentioned in tip #1, eating at food trucks is always a GREAT option and I have never seen the line too big!
Where to eat instead of eating at restaurants in Austin, TX
#5- Research what is happeneing in Austin during the time you are planning to be here
Not adding this tip in order to scare you but just as a caution!
Austin has SO many amazing festivals, concerts, and conventions that completely overtake certain areas of Austin.
While this can be a reason why everyone loves Austin or even the reason you are coming here, it can also increase lodging expenses, create more traffic, or long lines to get into places.
BUT my first experience visiting Austin was during a HUGE music festival(that I wasn’t attending) and I still had the most amazing time.
Traffic wasn’t bad and neither were lines but it was clear that it affected Uber prices and the prices of our hotel.
