If you only have a limited amount of time in Austin, you probably feel overwhelmed with your options when it comes to sightseeing, eating, and Instagram-ing! Don't stress. I've put together an EASY Austin guide for you to use to make the most of your time.
From the University of Texas campus to one of the most well-renowned coffee shops in the city, everything you need to see is on this list!
Destinations:
University of Texas Campus
Since my friend had never been to Austin, I had to show him the best part of campus--the tower! Notable buildings to see include the Texas Union, Main Building, and buildings surrounding the South Mall. The clear blue skies made for some perfect photos.
Hope Outdoor Gallery (Austin's Graffiti Park)
Hope Outdoor Gallery is a space where local street artists and individuals can showcase their graffiti on a series of cement walls near Castle Hill. Some graffiti is done by experienced professionals and some is just considered tag art, but the graffiti wall is always a must for tourists. Did you even go to Austin if you don't have pictures from the graffiti wall?
Jo's Coffee
This quaint coffee bar is located on South Congress, and is home to the famous "I Love You" street art that numbers of people pose next to for a picture each day. Not only does Jo's serve coffee, but they have food, beer, and cute rustic outdoor seating. From Jo's you can easily walk up and down South Congress. Since this area is always crowded, I recommend parking on back streets such as James St behind Jo's.
"Before I Die..." Wall
Off the beaten path of South Congress and located on a back road, the "Before I Die..." wall is part of a greater art movement by artist Candy Chang. The original "Before I Die..." wall is located in New Orleans, but they have since become an international project. There is always chalk located around the wall, so stop by and write your hopes and dreams!
Restaurants:
Whole Foods Austin
The original Whole Foods Market remains, in my opinion, the best Whole Foods Market there is. Whole Foods is half grocery store half restaurant, and has a variety of foods to pick from in the cafe area. Pizza, sushi, tacos, salads--this is a great place to go if you are running into problems trying to decide on a restaurant, or if you're in the mood to experiment with foods you haven't tried before. I always get a large brown box and fill it with food from the salad and food bars, paying by the pound.
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
Since we weren't hungry for a big lunch, we settled for a light snack at Mozart's. Sitting lakeside, this huge coffee shop is easily one of my favorite places in Austin. It's perfect to talk with friends, study, or clear my mind on even the most hectic day. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, both upstairs and right over the water, and even put up a Christmas lights display outside each year. For parking I recommend the Oyster's Landing parking lot, located right across the street from Mozart's.
What I love about Austin:
Not only is it Texas' capitol, but Austin is a great city to visit with a variety of things to do from live music, to art and outdoor activities. While this post doesn't even begin to cover Austin, I hope you enjoyed reading about what I did the past few days! For more information on visiting Austin, what to see, and where to eat, feel free to contact me!