Austin Local Information

If you are looking for Austin local information, fun things to do, and attraction tickets, please read through the following or contact us for assistance. We know all of the inside scoop, and are happy to share of knowledge of this incredible city.  We specialize in Austin vacation rentals.

Tours and Activities

If you are interested in doing something fun during your stay, please let us know what interests you and we will do our best to set it up. City tours, winery tours, carriage rides, and Segway rentals are the most popular. We also have limousine and bus operators for all of your transportation needs.

Airport Transfers

For airport transfers, there is a service called Capital Metro that runs every 30 minutes between the Austin Airport and the Austin Convention Center, which is located across the street from the Railyard Condominium complex on the corner of 4th and Trinity. The Airport Flyer costs $1.75, and it only makes a few stops in between the two destinations.  When you get to baggage claim on the lower level, step outside and follow the right pointing arrows that say Capital Metro. Of course, we also have taxis, Uber, and Lyft, in Austin if you prefer.

Coffee

There is a Keurig coffee maker in the unit, along with a small selection of coffees and teas.  There are also a french press in the cabinet, and a handful of excellent coffee places nearby.  The closest coffee establishment is the Starbucks directly across the street, in the lobby of the Marriott.

Groceries and Booze

There is a Royal Blue Grocery less than a block away from the building on 3rd Street, just next door to the Uncle Julio’s Mexican food restaurant. They have breakfast foods, snacks, coffee, and a small selection of beer and wine. If you want to visit a liquor store, the closest one is the American Liquors on the corner of 5th and Brazos. There is also a Twin Liquors on 7th Street. If you need a full grocery store, the Whole Foods flagship store is located between 5th and 6th Street on South Lamar Boulevard.

Feeling lazy? Not to worry as there are several delivery services you might enjoy hearing about. If you want to stock the condo with groceries and items from Target, Costco, Whole Foods, HEB, Central Market, Greenling, and other popular stores, try Instacart. The app is free, they deliver within a few hours, and the fee for service is extremely low. Click here to get $10 off your first order and free delivery. If you are looking for restaurant meals delivered, try Favor. This app is also free, the service is spectacular, and they will grab anything you want from anywhere you want, including multiple locations. Click here to get your first delivery free. Finally, if you want beer, wine, and liquor delivered, check out Top Shelf Delivery Austin and Brew Drop.

Restaurant Suggestions

In Austin, we love our food. With so many places literally outside of the front door, it is hard to go wrong. A few nearby options include: Fleming’s Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao, Piranha Sushi, Vince Young Steakhouse, Backspace, PF Changs, 200 Congress, La Condessa, Swift’s Attic, Champions Sports Bar, Annie’s, Eddie V’s, Iron Works BBQ, Swift’s Attic, Trace, Bob’s Chop House, and many more. A few favorites include Parkside for oysters, Backspace for pizza, Lamberts for brunch, Perry’s for the pork chop, Eureka for late-night affordable eats, and Frank for a unique hot dog. For sweets, you have to try Goudoughs and Voodoo doughnuts. Tell me which one you like better. Please contact us for specific suggestions, and we will be glad to tell you about the latest and greatest places to visit.

Neighborhoods

You are staying in the very heart of downtown Austin, Texas. You can walk to virtually everything, but taxis, pedicabs, and public transportation are also just outside of your door. Some of the places to make sure to visit during your stay may include:

Town Lake

You can access Town Lake, the hike and bike trail, the rowing center, and other activities by walking just a few blocks south from the condo.  The Congress Bridge (bat bridge) is one of the first things you will see once you get there.  Be sure to go at dusk to watch the bats fly.

Rainey Street

This funky neighborhood has been converted into a series of bars and restaurants that occupy former bungalow-style houses. There are some really interesting places here including Nova, Clive (be sure to check out the Mescal bar), and the Container Bar. A few buildings have been torn down, making way for condos and retail, and you can easily walk here in about 5 minutes.

Historic 6th Street

This is the famous stretch of 6th Street that has made the city famous for our nightlife. Think of it like Austin’s version of Bourbon Street, with all types of bars featuring live music, DJ’s, and even a mechanical bull. The street is closed to vehicle traffic on weekends after 10pm, and holidays, and should not be missed. The heart of the action is 2 blocks away. If you want a unique experience on 6th, in the midst of the craziness, make a reservation to visit a speakeasy-style bar called Midnight Cowboy. www.midnightcowboymodeling.com.

If you don’t want reservations, but want to try the experience, check out the Firehouse Lounge. Be sure to enter through the Hostel Lobby for the best user experience. Finally, if you have not heard of the Alamo Drafthouse, be sure to visit the “Ritz” on 6th to see a movie. They do things a little differently, and the franchise has expanded nationwide. Basically, they wait on you during the movie with a full bar, restaurant, and server at your beck and call.

West 6th Street

This stretch of 6th Street is walking distance, but may be better suited for a pedicab ride. The bars and restaurants in this neighborhood cater to a slightly older crowd that historic 6th, and are more upscale. That does not mean that it doesn’t get just and wild and crazy! Plan for a 15-20 minute walk, or a 5 minute pedicab/taxi ride. A few favorites include The Ranch, Dogwood, and Rio, which is the only rooftop pool bar in Austin.

East 6th Street

Once you travel East of I-35, you are considered to be on the East side. There a ton of cool places to visit over here, and you can easily make a night of it. The East Side Showroom is a great place to have dinner or start the night with some craft cocktails. A few favorite bars include Shangri-La, the Yellow Jacket Social Club, and the Violet Crown.

The Warehouse District and 2nd Street District

Anchored by the W Hotel, and Austin City Limits music venue, this area has a lot to do from retail shopping, to fine dining and drinks. Hangar is a fun place to drink on the roof, Cru wine bar is worth a visit, and the Violet Crown is a cool cinema with great food and cocktails to enjoy during the flick. The heart of this neighborhood is about 5 blocks away.

South Congress

Just across the Congress Bridge is a whole different world from downtown. As you walk up the street, you will find excellent restaurants, eclectic shopping, and plenty of entertainment. Grab a slice of pizza at Home Slice, or site and enjoy an Italian dinner at Botticelli’s. Afterwards, grab some ice cream or something sweet from a food truck and wander through the retail stores that range from costume shops to old-school candy stores, and everything in between.

Mount Bonnell

If you want to get an amazing perspective over Austin, the hill country, and Lake Austin, this is your spot. The park closes at dusk, so be sure to plan accordingly. Bug spray is recommended in the evenings, and there is a short hike to the vantage point, so wear comfortable shoes. The climb is very easy, and only takes a few minutes. There are also stairs, for those who prefer going that route. Be sure to secure your valuables in the trunk of your car while parked.

Lake Austin

If you want to rent a boat to go out on Lake Austin, there are a few boat rental agencies. Please call us for more information, or to check availability. This lake maintains a constant water level, and has a few fun places to enjoy food and drinks including Abel’s on the Lake, Hula Hut, and Shakespeare’s.

Lake Travis

This lake is the product of the Mansfield Dam, which was built in 1937. This 45-mile long lake is part of the Lower Colorado River, and is an amazing place to spend a day, at least. Again, we can contact the boat rental agencies if you are looking for a rental. This lake has a Carlos and Charlie’s, as well as the world-famous Oasis, which has one of the best views in Austin.

A Few Unique Attractions

Without leaving town, we have a few things that I feel are worth mentioning because I am not sure that these attractions exist everywhere. The first one is Top Golf. If you have a golf fan in your group, and they have not heard of this, please do them a favor and take them. It is fun for all ages, and you really don’t have to enjoy golf to have a good time with a group here. Another unique place is called I Fly Away, and they feature indoor skydiving. The last one to mention is called K1 Speed, and they feature an indoor go-cart track with electric vehicles that are super fast and do not pollute. There are plenty of other unique attractions, and Thomas and I are available to advise, if needed.

Finally, have fun in Austin!