Last updated: . This update checks selected Austin attraction, bat-viewing, dining, and airport details; the family’s account remains historical. Date information added October 28, 2026.
This guide was first published on May 13, 2021, after my girls’ trip combining Austin and Magnolia in Waco. The stories and food favorites below describe that visit. Practical notes were checked in October 2026; menus, hours and admission details can change.
For probably five years or more, I’ve heard how darling Austin, Texas is. In fact, when my husband and I started our full-time travels around the world, we thought Austin might be a future home for us.
I finally just visited while doing a girl’s trip to Magnolia; sure enough, all those friends were right! I loved Austin!
Start with the downtown stops: a Congress Avenue walk, the Capitol and the Texas Toy Museum. Leave room for a meal rather than trying to fit every food favorite into one day! The bat outing is seasonal, and The Oasis is a separate Lake Travis excursion, so choose your evening plan before you head out.
The restaurant comments below are my personal favorites from the trip, rather than a promise that every dish is still on today’s menu. Use the linked restaurant sites to confirm the branch, menu and hours. This was a girls’ getaway; where you’re planning a family visit, check the current entry details for your group.
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*
We walked up Congress Avenue, which leads right to the Capitol. Also, be sure to wander down 6th street. You can find plenty of cute restaurants, shops, and street performers.
Cute Austin is the capital of Texas. The Capitol building itself is worthy of a visit! During our 2021 trip, I wasn’t sure how close we could get with Covid restrictions, but we loved walking around and looking at it from afar.
Planning a visit now? The State Preservation Board offers free guided Capitol tours and daily self-guided visits. Guided tours generally last about 40 minutes. Check the official Capitol link above for the current schedule, holiday closures and arrangements for groups larger than ten.
We happened to wander into this museum amid our downtown exploration. It’s like a toy hoarder decided to make a small museum instead of letting vintage toys sit in his garage.
The toys are fun to reminisce over, and there are several vintage arcade games you can play for free with admission. The original guide also linked to visit the museum of Ice Cream. Austin is not listed among the operator’s current locations, so don’t treat this older Austin ticket link as a current recommendation.
The Texas Toy Museum’s official site lists its location at 312 Congress Avenue and confirms that admission includes freeplay on the arcade games. All ages are welcome. Check its current admission details before you go; the toy collection and games make this an easy stop to combine with a downtown walk.
Imagine hundreds, maybe thousands of bats taking off at sunset to go hunt. What a sight! The bat colony is at the Congress Avenue Bridge. Bat Conservation International describes the season as March through late September; the exact emergence time varies. Read more about how to do it here. For planning, see Bat Conservation International’s advice and its link to current emergence information. Allow time to wait rather than planning around a guaranteed sunset departure.
Austin is known as the live music capital. Covid had dampened this when I first wrote the guide in 2021. Check the current calendars of downtown venues when planning a music stop.
We didn’t get to any outdoor activities during our visit, but I love this list of ideas!
If you have a car, go to The Oasis one evening. Set on a lake, this place has incredible sunsets. It is like a small outdoor mall and a giant restaurant. On our visit, the food was good, and the views were stellar.
For a sunset meal, the Oasis dining page recommends arriving 60–90 minutes before sunset. Its main dining areas do not take reservations, and waits can occur. Check the menu and weather-dependent hours before making the trip out to Lake Travis.
Just remembering some of the food in Austin makes my mouth water! Seriously.
Yummy tacos to mix and match together. I couldn’t decide and got three… that was too much! I enjoyed sampling but couldn’t finish them.
Try the fried avocado and the steak.
My favorite Tex-Mex place. Ask for some Jalapeño Ranch sauce with your chips and salsa. I love the taquitos, but the Mexican Salad rocks too!
Hands down the best BBQ I’ve had. The name throws you off, but don’t let it. I even had it at the Austin airport, and it was fabulous.
I tried the brisket and sausage. The sauce they put on top is divine.
The meat at Rudy’s is also very good, and some of their sides are amazing! Try the creamed corn.
You can find food trucks all over Austin! We stayed in the Fairmont downtown and had several within walking distance. Food-truck locations and opening hours vary, so check the individual truck before building a meal around it.
We had amazing Greek and French crepes. I love how you can mix and match all kinds of food.
I kept reading “Mexican Vanilla” on other blogs and decided to try the Mexican Vanilla in a sundae. Wow. I can still remember its rich, delicious flavor.
I’m not even a vanilla fan, but this knocked my socks off!
Amy’s is a darling ice cream mix-in place. Think Cold Stone before Cold Stone.
Tip: Don’t have time (or room in your tummy) for all of these? Amy’s and Salt Lick are both listed at Austin’s airport! The official AUS dining directory places Amy’s near Gate 21 and Salt Lick BBQ near Gate 22, both after security. Check your terminal, gate and their operating hours before counting on a stop. Come hungry!
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