Austin, Texas

This was our first stop on our road-trip. Austin is full of vibrant entertainment, art and culture, inspiring cuisine and stunning outdoor experiences!!

WHERE WE STAYED:

The Westin Austin Downtown - The hotel was centrally located and within walking distance of many popular dining & entertainment options.

24 Hour Fitness Center - Cardio Equipment, Free Weights & a Peloton.

MUST SEE!!! They have the highest rooftop bar in Austin. Azul - is a perfect place to enjoy a drink by the fire pit or rooftop pool.

No self parking - they only offer valet but, it's was wonderful! They were very helpful unloading & loading bags.

THINGS WE DID:

Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk- it's a 3-mile loop that starts at the Austin High pedestrian bridge and goes east to the Pfluger Bridge. Great area to take a stroll with great city views.

There are many great spots for photos along the Boardwalk trail.

Zilker Park & Botanical Gardens - Another stop we made in Austin was Zilker Botanical Gardens. The gardens are located in downtown Austin and are easy to get to. This is a perfect place to take a quiet walk on a nice day and enjoy the themed gardens. All the paths are interconnected so that you can seamlessly enjoy the Tanihuchi Japanese, rose, and Hartman prehistoric gardens. Also, this is a great place to take a photo of the downtown Austin skyline.

Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge - The James D. Pfluger Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge is a shared use bridge for pedestrians and cyclists spanning Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas.

Rainey Street - Bungalow bars and food trucks set the laid-back tone on Rainey Street. You'll find live music, thoughtfully-crafted cocktails, and a bit of Austin's history.

360 Bridge - MUST SEE • The Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Bridge (360 Bridge) in Austin, Texas, is a through-arch bridge across Lake Austin which connects the northern and southern sections of the Loop 360 highway, also known as the "Capital of Texas Highway."

***Be sure hike to the top via the trail to overlook the area. It's absolutely breathtaking. It's an easy hike.

Cathedral of Junk - This multilevel shelter is made

with 60+ tons of used furniture, home goods & other junk. The Cathedral of Junk stands in the backyard of a small house on a suburban street on the south side of Austin.

You MUST make a reservation to see.

Find things to do >>> Book your tours and attractions. Buy now and pay later available!

https://www.viator.com/searchResults/all?text=Austin,%20Texas&pid=P00157828&mcid=42383&medium=link&m

WHERE WE ATE:

Stella San Jac - each dish is crafted with love. Many Southern favorites, and a relaxing ambience.

Austin - American Inspired Food

Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes w/Fresh Blueberry, Lemon Syrup

Avocado Toast - Grilled Sourdough, Avocado, Toasted Seeds, Radish, Herbs

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken - Gus's Fried Chicken is the award-winning fried chicken joint that started in Mason, TN. The chicken was crispy, hot, fresh, juicy, and flavorful. The mac n cheese, potato salad and beans were also delicious.

Caroline - American • Breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch & dinner in modern surrounds with cocktails, craft beer & wine.

Chicken Schnitzel

Lobster Bucatini

Gourdough’s - Try one of their many flavors of gourmet donuts. They're very rich & filling.

Fat Elvis

Funky Monkey

Franklin BBQ - If you have any interest at all in BBQ, you will have to make time to stop at Franklin BBQ. Matt has watched quite a few YouTube videos about Franklin BBQ brisket. So we had to try it. Be prepared to stand in line for hours due to the popularity of this iconic restaurant. They provide folding chairs and allow you to use their restrooms while waiting. The food was so good. We waited about two hours and felt it was worth it.

Veracruz Tacos - Vera Cruz Tacos has been serving the tacos lovers in Houston and its nearby areas. What started as a small food trailer business has already expanded to be a family restaurant. They specialize in serving an assortment of flavorful tacos. Everything is homemade.

Steak Taco

Malone Food Truck - Brew. Eat. Drink

We had a delicious breakfast sandwich.

Pimento Avocado Croissant