City Travel Guide To Austin, Texas

November 5, 2018

Looking for ideas to spend your weekend in Austin?

I’ve got some great ones here for you!

I recently spent the weekend in Austin, Texas visiting my best friend.

She attends the University of Texas and is in their master’s program for Social Work. I was able to stay with her for the duration of my trip. Her apartment is centrally located and has a lot of nearby activities to enjoy for the weekend, which all worked out amazing.

We had a jam-packed weekend — full of fun, food, and shopping!

These are some highlights that I need to share from my latest visit in October.

Make sure you spend your weekend in Austin wisely and make a memorable visit.

1. Shop at The Domain

Shopping is my favorite activity, naturally.

Of course, my best friend and I love to spend time shopping together. We bond over shopping and finding great deals. As soon as I claimed my luggage at the Austin airport, I jumped into Nicole’s SUV and we were off to the Domain.

The Domain not only has cute stores, but it has great lunch options, too. The Domain shopping center has a huge Nordstrom which is where we first stopped once we parked in one of their many parking garages.

Nicole ended up finding a great pair of Vans canvas sneakers from the shoe department at Nordstrom that morning. The Nordstrom there also has a coffee bar for a nice morning treat.

A few more of my personal favorite shops to visit at The Domain are Free People, H&M, Francesca’s, Anthropologie, and Kendra Scott.

As for food, the restaurants found at The Domain give you quite a long list of options! We’ve eaten at Yard House and I can’t stop raving about their iconic drink menu.

2. Eat at Torchy’s Tacos

A must-have on your restaurant list?

Torchy’s Tacos!

From a signature taco of the month to classic tacos, you’ll need to stop over at one of the many convenient Torchy’s Tacos locations in the city.

Your trip is not complete without a taste of Texas tacos. This fan favorite continues to be a reason why so many people return back to Austin. Tex-Mex is just done right here in Austin.

Breakfast tacos and the best chips around are what Torchy’s is noted for. Nicole also loves their green chile queso! For me, it’s a bit too spicy, but I do recommend trying it out just because you can.

3. Drink on Rainey Street

The nightlife in Austin is great. If you are looking for a night out in Austin, you have plenty of exciting places to look forward to. Order yourself an Uber and take your friends out to Rainey Street.

One of the coolest places to visit for a taste of the Austin nightlife is Icenhaur’s.

This bar is found on Rainey Street, your go-to destination for live music, drinks, and good times.

Icenhaur’s also has great drink specials. Try The Allison which is their housemade sangria served in mason jars. This drink is only $8.00! Last time I visited Austin we stopped at Icenhaur’s for their sangria.

The rest of Rainey Street has plenty of old homes that have been converted into chic and trendy bars. You can easily walk up and down this street all night long exploring the different bars and ordering unique drinks served in Austin.

4. Visit Iconic Murals

Your weekend trip to Austin also should include a few mural stops along the way.

A few important murals include the “I Love You So Much” sign on the side of Jo’s.

This wall sign usually has a line forming at all times, so just be patient and wait your turn to take your photo.

The street art is famous in Austin. Down South Congress, you will find the “I Love You So Much” sign and a “Smile Even If You Don’t Want To” sign.

Another great spot to visit is Austin Graffiti Park. The park is constantly changing day by day with new art added to it by local artists.

When visiting the park, be sure to wear comfortable shoes! There are hills to climb up to get to the top. Once at the top of the park, you’ll be treated to a gorgeous view of Austin. This park is filled with pop opportunities.

The graffiti park is a great way for the artists to display their talents without defacing buildings. It’s also FREE to check it out, so if you find yourself on a tight budget, why not explore this iconic gallery of spray-painted artwork?

5. Enjoy a Cup of Jo’s

Coffee is huge in Austin, too! After enjoying some tacos from Torchy’s, head down to South Congress to try a cup of Jo’s.

Jo’s Coffee has everything you need to wake up after a long night out on Rainey Street. Located on South Congress, you can easily pick up a hot coffee while walking around this part of town. Jo’s has been around since 1999.

Sip on Jo’s while walking through South Congress on Sunday. There is live music to enjoy here on the patio, too.

We stopped by Jo’s to take some snaps in front of the mural. I also ordered myself an iced chai tea latte with almond milk, and it was tasty. South Congress also has a TOMS shoe store where Alicia, a friend of Nicole’s, picked up a pair of shoes for a great price.

South Congress has an outside indie market where you pick up some trinkets for loved ones back home. We also stumbled into a few unique Austin boutiques where locals sell their crafts.

I found my sister a necklace that has a cut-out moon shape with the words “You Can and You Will” written into it.

Enjoy Your Weekend in Austin!

Overall, there is plenty to do with your weekend in Austin.

From shopping to food, this article covers it all.

These are just some of the activities I would recommend.

If you have a few days to spend in the city, be sure to wake up early and explore South Congress with a cup of Jo’s in hand. You’ll feel like a seasoned local in minutes!

Have you been to Austin, TX yet?

I would add it to your bucket list if you haven’t visited this amazing city!