Austin/South

• RiversideThe first street on the south side, parallel to the Colorado River (not to be mistaken with 1st Avenue that runs north-south on the south side) one block west of Congress. As you travel east past IH 35, you will get into Austin's version of Mexican night life. During the day you can eat in a wide variety of Mexican and Chinese restaurants, some very good and inexpensive, shop in a variety of Latino-oriented stores, visit the Mexican Flea Market one block north of the Riverside and Pleasant Valley intersection (weekends only), or visit the Riverside Austin Community Campus. At night from 11PM to 2AM East Riverside becomes the Latin party alternative to the famous 6th street in downtown.

• The Cathedral of Junk

  phone: +1 512-299-7413
  address: 4422 Lareina Dr
  An art installation in Austin resident Vince Hannemann's back yard built over 20 years from scrap metal and other junk, now standing at three stories high. A very interesting sculpture and probably something you find in the guidebook. Austin. Free entry but donations are welcomed. Call ahead to check if he's open. Note that parking is a sensitive issue with his neighbors — do not park illegally, or on private property without permission.

• The Museum of EphemerataIs an occasionally opened museum in the front room of someone's house. It is usually only open on Saturdays and it's best to call ahead.

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

  phone: +1 512 232-0100
  address: 4801 La Crosse Ave
  Showcases flowers and plant life of the area. The center is a bit southwest of downtown and worth the drive, especially during spring.

• Austin batsYes, that's right, bats. Austin's Congress Avenue bridge is home to about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. This is the largest urban bat colony in the world and one of the largest Mexican free-tailed bat colonies in North America. The bats are generally active at dusk every evening between March and November. In years when there has been a drought, the bats leave early (when there is still light), and can be a quite impressive sight. In years when there has been plenty of rain, they leave so late it is difficult to see much. Best place to see them is near the Austin American Statesman's parking lot, or you can pay for boat tours to see them from underneath the bridge. Towards the end of bat season, when the colony's young are flying for the first time, pedestrian crowds can become rather dense. Try to arrive at least an hour before dark if you want to have a good, unobstructed view.

• First Thursday

  address: South Congress Ave.
  Every first Thursday of any month, lots of shops have deals and there is a festival atmosphere around South Congress.

• Zilker Park

  phone: +1 512 974-6700
  address: 2100 Barton Springs Rd
  Austin's city park, near downtown, it is the home of Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Garden, Zilker Hillside Theatre, Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, and soccer fields which, in October, host the annual Austin City Limits (ACL) festival. Undoubtedly Austin's favorite park. Amazing location on the banks of Town Lake with several miles of hiking and biking trails.

• Barton Springs Pool

  phone: +1 512 476-9044
  address: 2101 Barton Springs Rd
  Nothing beats the heat on a hot afternoon like a dip in Barton Springs Pool. This natural spring pool is fed from an underground aquifer, keeping the water between 68°F and 72°F (20°C-22°C) year-round. Is one of Austin's most unique (and a refreshing 68 degrees year-round!) attractions: a beautiful spring-fed pool over 3 times longer than a football field, nestled in the heart of the city at Zilker Park. $3 entrance fee for the whole day. If you are short of cash or have a dog, head downstream just on the other side of the fence and find more clear beautiful water.

• Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

  address: 2201 Barton Springs Rd.
  Rent a kayak. Zilker Park Boat Rentals is along the Barton Springs Creek. Just paddle down to Lady Bird Lake and see great views of Downtown Austin. Turtles are common in the lake and creek. Paddle over to the southern part of the Congress Ave. Bridge and hear the squeaking noises of the bridges 1.5 million resident bats (don't hang out under the bridge bat guano is a problem).

• Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trailformerly known as the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, the 1.1 mile trail creates a complete circuit around Lady Bird Lake. It is one of the oldest urban Texas hike and bike paths. The trail is the longest trail designed for non-motorized traffic maintained by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and watched after by a local non-profit named The Trail Foundation.

• The Veloway

  address: 4900 La Crosse Ave
  A 3.1 mile long, paved asphalt bicycling and rollerblading trail.

• McKinney Falls State ParkA state park in southeast Austin that is is rich in local history.

• Mabel Davis Skate Park

  phone: +1 512-974-2000
  address: 3427 Parker Ln
  Is Austin's first public concrete skate park.

• South Congress Avenue (SoCo)Main drag in South Austin that features upscale boutiques and condos alongside more traditionally "hippie" places.

• Barton Creek Square

• Barton Creek Farmers Market

  phone: +1 512-443-0143
  address: 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy
  Austin's largest and most acclaimed farmers market in the Barton Creek Mall parking lot

• Flashback

  phone: +1 512-445-6906
  address: 1805 South 1st St
  Vintage clothing

• Blackmail

  phone: +1 512-804-5881
  address: 1202 S. Congress
  All black clothing and various accessories.

• Parts & Labor

  phone: +1 512-326-1648
  address: 1704 S. Congress
  Lots of unique items (clothes, earrings, purses, etc.) made by local artists.

• Lucy in Disguise

  phone: +1 512-444-2002
  address: 1506 South Congress
  Eclectic clothing and costumery for children and adults.

• End of an Ear

  phone: +1 512-462-6008
  address: 4304 Clawson Rd
  Experimental music, jazz, other "left of the dial" music. Regular in-store performances, usually on weekends.

• Amy's Ice Creams

• phone: +1 512 440-7488
  address: 1301 S Congress Ave

• phone: +1 512 851-2697
  address: 3100 S Congress Ave

• phone: +1 512 282-2697
  address: 9600 S I-35

• phone: +1 512 447-2697
  address: 2901 S Lamar Blvd

• phone: +1 512 891-0573
  address: 4477 S Lamar Blvd

• phone: +1 512 851-8684
  address: 1000 S Lamar Blvd

• phone: +1 512 441-9504
  address: 1901 W William Cannon Dr

• phone: +1 512 479-0485
  address: 1400 Barton Springs Rd

• phone: +1 512 282-7100
  address: 9900 S I-35

• phone: +1 512 445-4451
  address: 2700 S Lamar Blvd

• phone: +1 512 899-1500
  address: 4301 W William Cannon Dr

• phone: +1 512 366-0537
  address: 1311 S 1st St

• phone: +1 512 444-0300
  address: 2809 S 1st St

• phone: +1 512 614-1832
  address: 3005 S Lamar Blvd

• phone: +1 512 514-0767
  address: 4301 W William Cannon Dr

• Emo's East

  address: 2015 E. Riverside Dr.
  Standing on the site of the old Back Room, this venue has a larger capacity than the old Emo's (which closed in 2011), better sound quality, and the draw of bigger acts.

Coffee

• Jo's Coffee

  phone: +1 512 444-3800
  address: 1300 S Congress Ave
  Hip coffee spot right on South Congress, all outdoors. You can often find bands playing on the patio right off the street.

• Trianon the Coffee Place

  phone: +1 512 328-4033
  address: 3654 Bee Cave Rd

Bars

• Snack Bar

  phone: +1 512 445-2626
  address: 1224 S Congress Ave
  Next to the iconic Austin Motel in SoCo. Organic & local as possible, yet affordable, global cuisine for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Tight wine list & local brews on tap, plus kick ass coffee & tea, with a fabulous patio for people watching. Dogs always welcome!

• Pinthouse Pizza

  phone: +1 512-502-5808
  address: 4236 S. Lamar Blvd
  Grab some award-winning beers and great pizza at this local favorite.

Live Music

• The Continental Club

  address: 1315 South Congress
  This legendary South Austin venue was opened in 1957 and for nearly four decades has been serving up the best live music Austin has to offer. The venue is small so get there early if you want to get in.

• Motel 6 Austin South - Airport

  phone: +1 512 444-5882
  address: 2707 Interregional Highway South

• Hyatt Regency Austin

  phone: +1 512 477-1234
  address: 208 Barton Springs
  A beautiful hotel on the south shore of Austin's Town Lake close to downtown.

• Hilton Austin Airport

  phone: +1 512 385-6767
  address: 9515 New Airport Dr
  The Airport hotel. This cylinder-shaped hotel is on the grounds of Austin-Bergstrom International airport.

• Hotel San Jose

  phone: +1 512 852-2350
  address: 1316 S. Congress Ave.
  Boutique Hotel right in the heart of SoCo. A very trendy place, but more expensive than many other options in the area. It's also a popular spot to hang out for locals to have a drink or two in the evening around the beautifully landscaped pool.

Budget

• Austin Motel

  phone: +1 512 441-1157
  address: 1220 S. Congress Ave.
  A motel right on South Congress which really captures the classic Austin experience.

• HI - Austin

  phone: +1 512 444-2294
  address: 2200 South Lakeshore Blvd

• McKinney Falls State Park

  phone: +1 512 243-1643
  address: 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway
  The McKinney Falls State Park offers camping just outside the city. Reservations can be made online.

Mid-range

• Best Western Plus

  phone: +1 512 444-0561
  address: 2200 IH-35 South

• Courtyard Austin Airport

  phone: +1 512 386-7464
  address: 7809 E. Ben White Blvd.
  Airport hotel with breakfast buffet, free airport shuttle and free internet.

Splurge

• Hotel San Jose

  phone: +1 512 444-7322
  address: 1316 South Congress Ave

• Hyatt Regency Austin

  address: 208 Barton Springs

• Omni Austin Hotel Southpark

  phone: +1 512 448-2222
  address: 4140 Governors Row