Austin/Northwest

You can reach Northwest Austin via I-35 North to US 183, or via MoPac Expressway North. Bus service is available from downtown and the North Transit Center. Light rail service, started in 2010, has stations at The Domain on MoPac, near MoPac and Howard Lane/McNeil Road, Lakeline Mall area and Leander.

• Lake Travis

• Walnut Creek Municipal Park

  address: 12138 N. Lamar Blvd
  Walnut Creek Park features a large loop and a multitude of hilly, meandering trails popular with mountain bikers. A dirt BMX trail and loop is available. Stay on marked trails, some areas have experienced heavy erosion which has led to huge rock slides.

• Austin Steam Train

  phone: +1 512 477-8468
  address: Discovery Blvd., near Bell Blvd. and Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park

• Balcones Country Club

  phone: +1 512 258-2775
  address: 8600 Balcones Club Dr

• Bull Creek District Park

  address: 6701 Lakewood Dr.

• Bull Creek Greenbelt

  address: 7806 N. Capital of Texas Highway

• Dave & Buster's

  phone: +1 512 346-8015
  address: 9333 Research Blvd, #A600
  Games (arcade, billiards, shuffleboard), restaurant and bar.

• Volente Beach Waterpark

  phone: +1 512 258-5109
  address: 16107 FM 2769
  Small waterpark, restaurant and bar on the shores of Lake Travis

• Main Event

  phone: +1 512 401-0000
  address: 13301 N US Hwy 183
  Arcade, bowling, billiards, laser tag, glow golf, gravity ropes and rock climbing. Restaurant and bar.

• Texas Stars

  phone: +1 512 467-8277
  address: H-E-B Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park
  American Hockey League team affiliated with the Dallas Stars

• Austin Spurs

  phone: +1 512 236-8333
  address: H-E-B Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park
  NBA G League team affiliated with the San Antonio Spurs

• H-E-B Center

  phone: +1 512 600-5001
  address: 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park
  Arena seating 6600-8200 for sporting, concerts, family shows and graduation ceremonies.

• Alamo Drafthouse Theaters - Village

  phone: +1 512 476-1320
  address: 2700 Anderson Ln
  One of five Alamo Drafthouse Theaters in Austin, with meals, drink and snacks served throughout each film. This one focuses on art and limited release films.

• Alamo Drafthouse Theater - Lake Creek

  phone: +1 512 219-5408
  address: 13729 Research Blvd.
  One of five Alamo Drafthouse Theaters in Austin, with meals, drink and snacks served throughout each film. This one focuses on major releases, but there are still quirky events that the Alamo Drafthouse is famous for.

• Gold Class Cinemas

  phone: +1 512 568-3400
  address: 3225 Amy Donovan Plaza
  First Class cinema experience, with full food and drink menu, reserved seating in recliners.

• Regal Arbor 8 Cinema @ Great Hills

  phone: +1 512 231-9742
  address: 9828 Great Hills Trail, Suite 800
  8 theaters with a focus on art/foreign/limited distribution films

• iFLY Austin

  address: 13265 N Hwy 183 Austin, Texas 78750
  Indoor skydiving facility for all ages. Facilities for families and groups.

• Mt. Bonnell

  address: 3800 Mt. Bonnell Dr
  The third-highest point in Austin city limits at 780 feet. Several trails make for pleasant short hikes and points to experience incredible views of Town Lake and the city. The area has a history of romance and is sometimes called Antoinette's Leap, after a woman who supposedly leapt to her death to escape Indians who killed her lover.

• Hippie Hollow

  address: 700 Comanche Trail
  The only legal nude beach in Texas, although "beach" is a bit of a stretch. On the north shore of Lake Travis, Hippie Hollow has a "steep, rocky, shoreline." It is also home to both the golden cheeked warbler and the black capped vireo, two bird species listed under the US Endangered Species Act.

Festivals

• Chinatown Center Austin Chinese New Year Festival

  address: 10901 N. Lamar Blvd
  January/February. Austin's Chinatown Center has set a Texas-sized standard for how Chinese New Year's Celebration should be done! All adults and children are invited to attend this free, two-day event with family-fun entertainment including the kids' area, dragon and lion dances, traditional Chinese dances, martial arts performances and more! Don't miss out on a celebration that embraces and educates on the wide range of Asian culture. All retail stores and restaurants in the center are open.

Northwest Austin shopping primarily runs along US 183 (Research Blvd.) and MoPac Expressway. Many affluent, albeit chain, shops and stores are located in this part of town.

• Cedar Park Farms to Market

  phone: +1 512 363-5700
  address: Lakeline Mall parking lot, near Dillard's
  Good Farmer's Market with produce, dairy, eggs, meat, bread, canned goods and other items. Live music.

Malls

• The ArboretumOpen-air mall which includes Barnes & Noble Books, Pottery Barn, Chico's, Gap, Nine West, Express, Restoration Hardware, Salon 505 Day Spa, Amy's Ice Cream, The Cheesecake Factory and others.

• The Domain and Domain CrossingThe Domain is an upscale open-air mall and hosts Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's, Macy's, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani, Tiffany & Co. Louis Vitton, Victoria's Secret and many others.

• The Shops at Arbor Walk

• Lakeline MallThis is a traditional indoor mall. The anchor stores are Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Sears and Macy's

Stores

• Fry's Electronics

  address: 12707 N MoPac Expressway
  Fry's is an electronic superstore with everything from toasters to HD TV's to computers to electronic components. Each Fry's is themed, Austin's is music.

• Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

  phone: +1 512-231-9200
  address: 10515 N. Mopac Expressway, Bldg. L
  Vitamins, health supplements, and natural groceries with an amazing amount of items in such a small space.

• Sprouts Farmers Market

  phone: +1 512-225-9101
  address: 10225 Great Hills Trail, Suite 1000
  Sprouts is a chain featuring fresh produce, meat and deli counter, vitamins, bulk foods, health foods and gourmet items

• Terratoys

  phone: +1 512-445-4498
  address: 2438 W. Anderson Ln
  Wide variety of toys and excellent selection of children's books.

• MT Supermarket

  phone: +1 512-454-4804
  address: 10901 N Lamar Blvd G
  68,000 square foot Vietnamese and Chinese grocery supermarket, part of the 180,000 square foot Chinatown Center.

• Hong Kong Supermarket

  phone: +1 512-836-2068
  address: 8557 Research Blvd
  Chinese groceries.

• H Mart

  phone: +1 737-717-6900
  address: 11301 Lakeline Boulevard
  Large Asian supermarket with a wide selection of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese products, plus a food court with mostly Korean fare.

• Asia Cafe

  address: 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd 114 A
  One of the best Chinese food places in Austin. It's family style (huge portions) and offers some very exotic dishes. But its claim to fame is the "spicy fish fillet". It's amazing. There are a few other must-try items, such as eggplant with ground pork and twice cooked pork (bacon) with garlic sprouts.

• Pluckers Wing Bar

  address: Rio Grande, South Lamar, Research Blvd, Lakeline Mall, Round Rock
  A local wing joint/sports bar. Reasonably priced, delicious wings and other menu items (including tasty salads). Try the fried macaroni and cheese. They have tons of TVs; it's a great place to watch a ball game.

• Chinatown

  phone: +1 512 343-9307
  address: 3407 Greystone Dr
  Authentic Chinese flavor with a modern twist. Not really fusion, not really traditional either, but very delicious. The restaurant is located upstairs in a two-story building; the bottom floor houses the Japanese restaurant Musashino

• Curra's GrillAn Austin original, this restaurant brings outstanding traditional interior Mexican food to four locations. Some of the best pork recipes around and you will not find better Mexican style seafood dishes anywhere in the city. The south eatery is at 614 East Oltorf and the north location is at 6801 Burnet Road.

• Din Ho Chinese Bar-B-Q

  phone: +1 512 832-8788
  address: 8557 Research Blvd
  Lunch and dinner. Some of the most authentic Chinese fare in town, specializing in Cantonese and seafood dishes. Chinese BBQ pork and whole roast duck are available for take-out as well. Don't bring Caucasian friends who are squeamish about real Chinese food - take them to Chinatown instead.

• Enchiladas Y Mas

  phone: +1 512 467-7100
  address: 1911 W Anderson Ln (just east of Burnet Road)
  As the name implies this restaurant has enchiladas, and they are some of the best north of San Antonio. "y Mas", as it is called by locals, has a broad selection of Tex-Mex fare including flautas, soft and crispy tacos, migas, burritos, and fajitas. This is a must try on the Tex-Mex trail in Austin. They are closed on Mondays and the lunch crowd starts early, so be prepared for a short wait between 11AM and 1PM. y Mas has the best motto in town, "Never trust a skinny cook!".

• Freda's Seafood Grille

  phone: +1 512 506-8700
  address: 10903 Pecan Park Blvd

• Donn's Texas BBQ

  phone: +1 512 254-2348
  address: 5236 Oak Meadow Dr
  Authentic Texas Barbecue restaurant offering full bar. Ribs&Chips is worth to try. Prices from $10.

• Jardin Corona

  phone: +1 512 250-1061
  address: 13233 Pond Springs Rd.
  A favorite of those living in Northwest Austin (Jollyville area).

• Kerbey Lane Cafe

  phone: +1 512 258-7757
  address: 13435 N Hwy 183

• Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

  phone: +1 512 288-7333
  address: 13492 N US Highway 183, #380
  Steak, including Kobe beef, chicken, seafood and vegetables grilled at the table by entertaining chefs.

• Manuel's

  phone: +1 512 345-1042
  address: 10201 Jollyville Rd
  "Award Winning Mexican Cooking"

• Musashino Sushi Dokoro

  phone: +1 512 795-8593
  address: 3407 Greystone Dr.
  Most authentic and fresh sushi/Japanese cuisine in Austin. Everything is always extremely fresh and expertly prepared.

• Opal Divine's Austin Grill

  address: 12709 N Mopac Expy

• Rudy's Country Store & BBQ

  address: 11570 Research Blvd.
  Butcher shop style BBQ. Famous for their BBQ sauce and baby back ribs. Very busy for breakfast tacos (grab pre-made ones near the check-out counter, or get them made at the grill).

• Shandeez Grill

  phone: +1 512 258-6464
  address: 8863 Anderson Mill Road, Suite 109

• T & S Chinese Restaurant

  phone: +1 512 339-8434
  address: 10014 N Lamar Blvd (a few blocks south of Braker Lane)
  Traditional Cantonese fare - open late. Dim Sum on weekends.

• Truluck's Seafood-Steak-Crabhouse

  phone: +1 512 794-8300
  address: 10225 Research Blvd, Suite 4000 at Great Hills Trail

• Korea House

  phone: +1 512 458-2477
  address: 2700 W Anderson Ln
  Located in the Village Shopping Center and can be a little hard to find; the entrance faces towards the inner courtyard area of the shopping center. They have a decent sushi offering but the Korean dishes are delicious and authentic. Sometimes they have OB beer - but not recently.

• Korea Garden

  phone: +1 512 302-3149
  address: 6519 N Lamar Blvd

• Shilla

  phone: +1 512 453-4111
  address: 6406 N I-35
  Standard Korean dishes and bbq. This place also has Hite beer and Jinro Soju. I'd say this place is more authentic than Korea house based on the number of Koreans that actually go here.

• Restaurant Together

  phone: +1 512 821-3388
  address: 9200 N Lamar Blvd
  Korean bar food, large portions, many side dishes. Only five tables, one waitstaff.

• SunflowerAlthough it's in a strip mall in North Austin, this restaurant is notable for its amazing vegetarian options. Service is kinda spotty, and the staff tends to use extremely aromatic cleaning products (read: "potpourri"-fragranced cleaning spray spritzed on tables between customers), but it's well worth the trip north. Absolutely delicious, especially for the price.

• Reale's

  address: 13450 North US 183
  Pizza and Italian Food. Northeasterners love Reale's, as it reminds them of family Italian restaurants from home. Good food.

• Fire Bowl Café

  address: 9828 Great Hills Trail
  Asian restaurant with a 'Stir Fry Your Way' section, allowing for many vegan choices. The menu also denotes, by using a green leaf, which meals are vegetarian if ordered with tofu.

• Hula Hut

  address: 3825 Lake Austin Blvd
  On their unique Polynesian- and Mexican-inspired menu (aka "Mexonesian"), you'll find several vegetarian/vegan options.

• Madras Pavilion

  address: 9025 Research Blvd
  An all-vegetarian Indian restaurant offering a fabulous lunch buffet as well as a dinner menu.

• Satay

  address: 3202 W Anderson Ln
  This restaurant serves fine South-Asian cuisine and has an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu available. Be sure to try the vegan silken tofu chocolate pie! Live music is featured on Wednesday nights on the patio.

• The Steeping Room

  address: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace
  A café with a large selection of teas, chai lattes, and wines. Soy milk may be substituted for dairy. The menu changes each season and includes a variety of tea sandwiches, soups, and salads with vegetarian and vegan options.

• Tino's Greek Café

  address: 10515 North Mopac
  "Cafeteria-style" Greek food. Vegetarian options include tabouli, dolmathes, and vegetarian mousaka.

• Whole Foods Market Cafe

  address: 9607 Research Blvd

• Threadgill's

• Pacific Star Oyster Bar

  address: 183 North, just past Anderson Mill
  Best oysters and catfish in town. Parking is scarce, but well worth while.

• Torchy's Tacos

• phone: +1 512 291-7277
  address: 4211 Spicewood Springs Rd

• phone: +1 512 381-8226
  address: 11521 Ranch Road 620 N

Amy's Ice Creams

phone: +1 512 345-1006

address: 10000 Research Blvd

Burgers

• Waterloo Ice House

  phone: +1 512 458-6544
  address: 8600 Burnet Rd
  Austin classic. Delish burgers, some of the best onion rings in town. Don't miss the Cinnamon Chocolate Shake! It has 4 restaurants in the city.

phone: +1 512 418-9700

address: 6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy

phone: +1 512 255-4873

address: 14900 Avery Ranch Blvd

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

phone: +1 512-467-2337

address: 2438A West Anderson Lane

Absolutely amazing burgers, an excellent bar, and great milkshakes (be sure to try the Caramel & Sea Salt)! Be prepared for a wait.

Big Daddy's Burgers and Bar

phone: +1 512 614-0252

address: 9070 Research Blvd

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

phone: +1 512 338-0300

address: 10000 Research Blvd

Mighty Fine Burgers

phone: +1 512 524-2400

address: 10515 N Mopac Expy

Moonie's Burger House

• phone: +1 512 257-9000
  address: 13450 Research Blvd

• phone: +1 512 837-5400
  address: 12001 Burnet Rd

Red Robin Gourmet Hamburgers

phone: +1 512 249-8902

address: 13315 N Highway 183

TerraBurger

phone: +1 512 382-5864

address: 10610 Research Blvd

Top Notch Hamburgers

phone: +1 512 452-2181

address: 7525 Burnet Rd

As seen in the movie "Dazed and Confused." An Austin burger institution. Dine in, carry out, or order and eat from your car. Charcoal-grilled burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, etc.

Wally's Burger Express

phone: +1 512 345-7441

address: 8107 Mesa Dr

Good fast food burgers and shakes.

Trudy's North Star

phone: +1 512-454-1474

address: 8820 Burnet Rd

Regarded by some as the favorite for Tex-Mex food in town, but this also means they are generally incredibly crowded and loud. Excellent margaritas with specials each night of the week. They're known more for their Mexican martinis than for their food.

• BB Rovers Cafe and Pub

  phone: +1 512 335-9504
  address: 12101 Jollyville Rd.

• North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery (NXNW)

  phone: +1 512 467-6969
  address: 10010 Capital of TX Hwy N
  Standard menu options here include an Amber, Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, a light Pilsner and a hearty Black Ale. They also rotate out a number of magnificent seasonals, including some amazing house-brewed lambics. Once a month, head brewer Ty Phelps rolls out a special cask-conditioned brew that typically disappears within an hour.

• Trudy's North Star

  phone: +1 512 454-1474
  address: 8820 Burnet Rd
  Popular food and drink establishment, especially for after work, with happy hour until 7PM. 20 beers are on tap. Kitchen may close earlier.

• Brickhouse Tavern + Tap

  phone: +1 512 343-2000
  address: 11680 A Research Blvd.
  Growing upscale tavern and restaurant chain, with sports showing on numerous TVs.

• Mozart's Coffee Roasters

  phone: +1 512 477-2900
  address: 3826 Lake Austin Blvd

• Maudie's

  phone: +1 512 474-7271
  address: 2608 West 7th St
  Austin as Austin can get. A staple Tex-Mex favorite with five locations around town. Great salsa and better margarita's. If you crave cheese enchiladas get the Hernandez Enchiladas.

• Embassy Suites Austin-Arboretum

  phone: +1 512 372-8771
  address: 9505 Stonelake Blvd

• Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin North/Parmer Lane

  phone: +1 512 821-0376
  address: 12536 North IH35

• Lake Austin Spa & Resort

  phone: +1 512 372-7300
  address: 1705 South Quinlan Park Rd
  Resort hotel with spa facilities.

• Staybridge Suites Austin Northwest

  phone: +1 512 336-STAY
  address: 13087 US HWY 183 N

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin

  phone: +1 512 343-0888
  address: 8901 Business Park Dr

• Studio 6 Austin Northwest

  phone: +1 512 258-3556
  address: 11901 Pavilion Blvd

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 512 339-6161
  address: 9420 I-35 North
  Wifi available for a nominal fee.

Budget

• Motel 6 Austin Central-North

  phone: +1 512 837-9890
  address: 8010 I-35 North

Mid-range

• Hyatt Place Austin Arboretum

  phone: +1 512 231-8491
  address: 3612 Tudor Blvd
  Spacious rooms with in-room microwave, refrigerator, separate workspace and free high speed WiFi Internet access. Plus, free hot breakfast, fitness center and pool.

• Hyatt Summerfield Suites Austin Arboretum

  phone: +1 512 342-8080
  address: 10001 N. Capital of Texas Highway

• Staybridge Suites Arboretum

  phone: +1 512 349-0888
  address: 10201 Stonelake Blvd
  A very clean and comfortable hotel with an urban feel. The lobby is full of local artwork and their spacious suites are great for weekend getaways, business travel and weddings.

Splurge

• Lake Austin Spa Resort

  phone: +1 512 372-7300
  address: 1705 South Quinlan Park Rd
  The resort is one of Austin's finest, featuring extensive spa facilities & luxury accommodations. It combines the amenities of a destination spa & lake resort.

• Renaissance Austin Hotel

  phone: +1 512 343-2626
  address: 9721 Arboretum Blvd
  Marriott's Luxury Hotel at the Arboretum near US 183 and Texas 360. It features Hill Country views and a nine story atrium.