Pangea Lounge A Must Visit Place To Visit In Austin On The Weekend
- One of the best places to eat in Austin.
- Austin is home to countless food truck lots where youll find the tastiest, cheapest, and most varied snacks around.
- Located on East Sixth Street.
Why its so awesome: Austin loves its food trucks and it isnt hard to understand why. At no other place can you find such an intoxicating combination of different types of foods all at rock bottom prices. This is one of the best food truck locations in the city, and there are also other lots close by in case you want to eat some more! Visitors and backpackers to Austin just love the food scene here.
What to do there: Whats awesome about food trucks is the fact that they change constantly. So, make sure you wander around first and see what catches your eye. Otherwise, try cheesesteaks at Way South Philly, Bua Loy Thai Cuisines delicious dishes, or the amazing Indian food at Masala Medley. And if you go on a weekend, there will be live music and artisan booths as well, so you can wander and work off all that food!
North Loop Good For Shopping
Locally owned and locally operated is the dominating ethos of the North Loop. Situated adjacent to both the University of Texas and downtown, the North Loop earns its name from highway loop that provides ready access to both.
The eclectic variety that the shops here has to offer makes it a frequent destination for residents beyond just their daily commutes.
The North Loops businesses included some incredibly low-priced movie theaters as well as locally treasured restaurants and shops that can offer everything from imported Japanese toys to exotic candies and exotically flavored fudges.
But youll probably spend more time checking out retro goods than you will hunting down rare new imports. The North Loop quite likely offers the highest volume of vintage clothing stores per capita in the city, and its equally as bountiful with record shops and book shops too.
Sprinkled between them are plenty of local shops offering custom-made goods that would make perfect souvenirs for friends and family.
And its easy to catch a break once youre done shopping. Some of the most beloved coffee shops in town are located in the North Loop, and its where some of the most revered food trucks tend to set up shop.
Perhaps best of all is how diverse the residents here are. While college kids and artists can frequently be seen scouring the vintage clothing stores and coffee shops, its also home to a decent number of young professionals and families.
University Of Texas Campus Area Where To Stay In Austin On A Budget
The most obvious appeal of the University of Texas is obviously going to be to students looking to live off-campus. But the same advantages that make the surrounding neighborhoods a good choice for students is also going to make it ideal for travelers looking to come to town on a budget.
Whether youre coming to town for an on-campus conference or youre simply seeking out an affordable place to stay in Austin, the areas surrounding the University have you covered.
There are plenty of cheap hotels here, but youll get the biggest bang for your buck if youre looking to stay a little longer.
Apartment complexes have adapted their prices to suit the neighborhoods demographics, and that makes it pretty easy to get a good deal on an Airbnb or short term rental. Thats especially true in the Summer, when many of the students go home for break.
If you asked a hundred people what the coolest neighborhood in Austin is, chances are that University of Texas wont top the list, but that doesnt mean that there isnt plenty worth exploring on or around the campus.
The option to walk to a Longhorns game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium a five-minute walk from the heart of the campus will thrill fans and alumni, but theres a lot more to UT than just football.
The Blanton Musem of Art is the premier destination in Austin for appreciators of modern art, and it also houses an expansive and unique collection of pieces from various Latin American artists.
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Best Hotels In Austin Tx
South Congress Hotel
South Congress Hotel prides itself on catering to its customers. This luxury hotel will spoil you with its posh rooms that contain everything you need from comfy bathrobes to luxurious toiletries.
Dont let all of that fool you though, this hotel is not a stuffy feeling. It is just the opposite. It is hip, modern, and sleek feeling. I guess that can be contributed to mid-century modern furniture and the minimalist style that you will find throughout the decor here.
Combine that with all of the hotels amenities and you might never want to leave. There is a sunroom, a clothing boutique, and six restaurants and bars on site.
Allow the staff to cater to you while you lounge around the gorgeous pool soaking up some Texas sun before you wander out to explore the great South Congress neighborhood during your stay in Austin.
SoCo Hideaway
SoCo Hideaway is a two-bedroom holiday home is perfect for a couple or for families visiting SoCo. Visitors love the keypad entry, safe property, and spacious digs in this hip neighborhood.
Best Hostel In Austin: Hk Austin

This awesome Austin hostel has an amazing location in East Cesar Chavez. Its a short walk from all of the citys top attractions, as well as bars, restaurants, and the Colorado River . It has comfortable and well-equipped private and dorm-style accommodations and is my pick for the best hostel in Austin.
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Ann And Roy Butler Hike
- Walking, hiking or biking along this trail is an Austin must do.
- This ten-mile trail is popular amongst locals and tourists.
Why its so awesome: This is one of the most popular outdoor places in the city and its also the perfect place for you to work off all that barbecue! Its a 10-mile trail that encompasses the lake and is almost always busy with runners, cyclists and walkers. But its also a famously peaceful place, where you can collect your thoughts in the quiet beauty of being outdoors.
What to do there: If you like to exercise, even when you travel, then this is the perfect place to do it. Youll be in good company and be able to enjoy your workout in a famously beautiful spot. The trail also passes by lots of places to eat, so feel free to stop off for a meal in the middle of your wanderings. And make sure you stop at the boardwalk to take in the downtown views as well.
Where To Stay In East Austin
Though areas of Austin are walkable, the city itself isn’t quite a Mecca for those who love strolling from site to site. East Austin, however, is easy to navigate without a car and guided by pedestrian sidewalks that take visitors from the Rosewood restaurant, located in a Victorian home, to the farmer’s market and streets full of boutiques and old school Tex-Mex joints.
The Cat Noir Hotel
Formerly Hotel Eleven, this three-star boutique hotel nestled on Eleventh Street and located across the street from a food truck park offers spacious rooms, a communal rooftop with 360-degree views, and a community feel, thanks in part to a casual café that also serves as the check-in area.
To book: expedia.com
Heywood Hotel
Tucked into East Cesar Chavez Street, checking into this design-focused boutique hotel feels more like getting settled in a room at your friend’s dreamy Austin vacation home. Rooms are all uniquely and creatively appointed and the property is surrounded by walkable destinations.
To book: expedia.com
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Where To Stay In Austin: 8 Best Areas
- Pin
The best areas to stay in Austin really come down to what youre looking for, but there should be a neighborhood for just about anyone. Weve picked out eight of the coolest and most popular neighborhoods with a particular emphasis on tourists, and were ready to help you find out where to stay in Austin for your needs.
Just keep in mind that you should pay particularly close attention to which neighborhood you pick to stay. Austin isnt a city with a particularly robust public transit system, and that means that getting around town means either footing the bill for regular rideshare services or getting behind the wheel and dealing with traffic yourself.
Red River Cultural District The Best Place For Party People
This unique and vibrant nightlife in Austin is something you dont want to miss during your stay in the city. This happening neighborhood is actually a small part of the downtown area but deserves a mention in its own right. There are an abundance of rooftop bars, nightclubs, and trendy hipster restaurants you can check out in this district so if you wanna have a good time your whole stay in Austin, I recommend choosing the Red River Cultural District!
This cultural area is known for its diversity of live music, food, drinks, and a lot of great venues for people who love the nightlife. As the heart and soul of Austins music scene, the Red River Cultural District is one of the liveliest neighborhoods where you can find big events no matter when you visit!
To see it all, head to 6th street, which is a popular area for partygoers and is considered as Austins epicenter of nightlife, one of the best places to stay in Austin, Tx if you dont wanna miss any action. If thats not enough, check out Rainey Street, another area popular with party-goers.
There is so much that Austin can offer to travelers and adventurous people. No matter what adventure you seek in the city, whether its to party and dance all night, an escapade with your family, a romantic getaway with your partner, or just a solo trip for you to relax and unwind, theres plenty to discover in the city of Austin, Texas.
Kate
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North Loop: Cheapest Area To Stay In Austin
Another contender in the race for the most hipster neighborhood in Austin, North Loop is bustling, central and not as gentrified as SoCo or East Austin.
- Why is this the best area to stay in Austin, TX:
- Budget hotels and motels
- Budget restaurants and bars
- All kinds of hotels
One of the great things about Austin is its seemingly neverending amount of alternative neighborhoods. In fact, you may have noticed that most, if not all, of the other districts mentioned of this list of the best areas to stay in Austin qualify as what we consider a hipster district and, in true Austinite fashion, that is the case with North Loop.
Located some 5 miles north of Downtown Austin, the North Loop district, especially the area around N Loop Boulevard, is packed with second-hand shops, quirky cafés, record stores, and fashion boutiques. While that description sounds pretty similar to the things we have already said about East Austin and SoCo, North Loop is edgier and less gentrified than most of the other trendy hangouts in Austin.
Because it sits near the confluence of Interstate 35 and Highway 290, the North Loop is also home to a wide selection of 2 and 3-star chain hotels and a few motels, especially around Capital Plaza shopping center.
Best Hotels in North Loop
Best Western Plus Austin Central
Motel 6 Austin, TX Central Downtown UT
Is It Safe To Stay In Downtown Austin
Yes, downtown Austin is a safe place to visit. Generally, it is filled with welcoming people. Of course, you should nonetheless be safe when visiting the city at night. There have been a few cases of mugging happening in the area at night.
Like with most cities, you will be safer when accompanied by someone else. If you experience any problems in the area, call 911 for emergencies. You can also report non-urgent crimes if you need to.
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Zilker Is Great For Families
Notated as one of the best neighborhoods in Austin, Zilkers abundance of outdoor activities makes it a great place in Austin for families.
The main attraction in this area is Zilker Park, an urban oasis that covers more than 350-acres. Zilker makes it easy to hike, bike, kayak, or just enjoy a lazy day outside. Tucked inside of Zilker Park is the Zilker Botanical Garden. Encompassing more than 26-acres, the botanical garden has a rose garden and many native Texas plant species. It is also here that you will find the Japanese Garden which houses Japanese maple trees, a tearoom, and more!
Dont worry though, there is more to Zilker than just a great park. Zilker is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes. One of our favorite spots in Zilker is Chuys. Chuys is the place to go for delicious TexMex and cold margaritas. Be warned though, their portions are HUGE!
Zilker is also close enough to other major Austin tourist attractions that you can easily visit anywhere you would like, making this one of the fabulous areas to stay in Austin, Texas.
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Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight:
We love using CheapOAir, Kayak, and Kiwi to search for the best prices on flights. We love using these search engines because they search the web for airlines all over the world to ensure you get the best deal! In addition to flights, you can also find great hotel prices on Kayak and Kiwi.
Book Your Vacation Package:
If you want to book an entire vacation package, then we suggest using Expedia. We love how easy Expedia is to use and we always find good deals on entire vacation packages on their site.
Another great site for vacation packages is BookVIP. BookVIP offers super cheap vacation packages to incredible destinations. You are sure to save money using their site!
For full guided vacations including hotels, some meals, transportation, and guides, then we book with Trafalgar. Trafalgar is a trusted tour company that will meet all of your needs while ensuring that you have a great experience.
Trip.com allows you to book flights, hotels, train tickets, rental cars, airport transfers, tours, and more all on one site. Owned by the parent company that also owns Skyscanner, this is a trusted resource for travel booking and a great one-stop-shop.
Book Your Accommodations:
We always begin our search by checking out the honest review on hotels at TripAdvisor. This allows us to narrow our search for specific properties once we are ready to book. Of course, you can also book directly on the TripAdvisor site as well!
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Where To Stay In Austin Close To Everything
- COOLEST thing to do in Downtown walk around and explore the history of the district
- BEST place to visit in Downtown check out the grand Austin City Hall
A big, bold and dynamic area of the city, Downtown is where everything goes down. There are rows of historic houses, theatres, museums and an incredible amount of live music venues. From quirky roadside food trucks to classy dining, its an epic area of Austin not just for the food, either.
Downtown is an epic place to stay in Austin thats close to everything. There is always something going on here amongst the impressive skyscrapers its home to the State Capitol Building as well as the Frostbank Tower and Paramount Theatre. Downtown is a mix of old and new.
- Hit the Downtown Farmers Market on Saturdays to get your fill of fresh produce, tasty cheeses, and a whole load of food trucks
- Learn about the history of Texas at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, spread across three floors
- Go for a cocktail or two at the very fancy and cool bar, Swifts Attic
- Pop in and out of the renovated bungalows along Rainey Street these now house cafes, eateries and boutique in a marvel of regeneration
- Grab a beer and a sausage at the aptly named Bangers Sausage House and Beer Garden
The Domain: Rising Entertainment Hub
Located less than 30 minutes to the north of downtown, The Domain is one of Austins most rapidly growing areas for residents and businesses. Built in 2007, this mixed-use retail-and-residential area contains fine dining and prestigious department stores as well as boutiques and an assortment of entertainment options for the entire family. The area has its own bowling alley, movie theater, and spas where you can completely relax and enjoy your time during your vacation. Austin Domain hotels include several national chain hotels located conveniently near the interstate for easy access to the greater Austin area.
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Best House In East Austin: East Downtown Home 2207
This massive holiday home is a freestanding house in the heart of East Auston and a true hidden gem! With its own fitness center, a rooftop terrace and three bedrooms, its the ideal getaway for a family or a group of friends. Youll also have a little private garden and a balcony with a BBQ. Theres a fully equipped kitchen, as well as a super comfy living area with a massive TV perfect to spend a lazy day inside. In case you want to explore Austin a bit further, youre ideally located only 2.2km away from Austin University and lots of cool attractions.