Austin is an amazing place — we love it so much that we’ve both moved here multiple times! During our wedding weekend, we hope you can take some time to relax and enjoy the city. Here are a few things that we love to do around town.
Explore the Great Outdoors
- Lady Bird Lake (aka Town Lake) is a vital part of downtown. You can run or walk along the trail, grab a bike from the B-Cycle program or even rent a paddle board.
- The world-famous Austin bats also love the lake. At dusk, up to 1.5 million bats take off from the Congress Bridge to hunt insects, and they are especially impressive in September since their babies are old enough to fly with them. Check out BatCon.org for updated flight times and try to grab a spot along the rail on top of the Congress Bridge facing east.
- Barton Springs is another Austin original. This spring-fed pool is a bracing 68 degrees year round and has a big slopping lawn perfect for sunbathing.
Avoid the Heat with Art & History
- The State Capitol, made from local pink granite, is actually taller than the United States Capitol because that’s how Texans roll.
- UT’s Harry Ransom Center has the first photograph and a complete Guttenberg Bible on display, as well as an exhibit of Frank Reaugh’s Texas and Southwest landscapes.
- LBJ’s Presidential Library on the UT campus features a replica of the Oval Office.
- The beautiful Blanton Museum of Art, right across the street from the Bullock Texas State History Museum, will be featuring exhibits from Donald Moffett and Natalie Frank.
- Austin is also home to many creative street artists. There are murals all over town, but the most concentrated area is the Hope Outdoor Gallery at Castle Hill, pictured at the top of this page.
Chill on South Congress
This eclectic strip is a great place to spend the afternoon. There is lots of great shopping, including Allens, which has the best selection of cowboy boots in Austin.
When it’s time for lunch, enjoy the deck at Perla’s or get a gourmet grilled cheese at the Burro Cheese Kitchen truck. If the line isn’t too far out the door, Hopdoddy is a fantastic place for burgers. Finally, grab a drink on the patio at Hotel San Jose and take your picture in front of the “i love you so much” wall at Jo’s Coffee.
Visit the Hill Country
If you’ll be in town for several days, consider taking a day trip to the surrounding Hill Country.
- The Salt Lick is worth the drive for BBQ buffs.
- Duchman Winery, right down the road from Salt Lick, is a little slice of Tuscany in Texas.
- Hamilton Pool Preserve and Pedernales Falls State Park are two incredibly beautiful spots for swimming and hiking.