What to Do in Weird & Wonderful Austin!
Food scene
Since 1982, the Oasis is a weird and wonderful conglomeration of kitsch, cuisine, Austin weirdness, all wrapped up with a wonderful Lake Travis view. It's a "must do" if you've never been! Includes a brewery, and several restaurants, little boutique stores, and in the Spring and Summer, there are 2 music venues there. One is on the 4th floor, and huge! Great for dancing! The other one is a quieter, more acoustic setting called Beau's Backyard. You can check their website for who will be playing.
506 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailSince 1982, the Oasis is a weird and wonderful conglomeration of kitsch, cuisine, Austin weirdness, all wrapped up with a wonderful Lake Travis view. It's a "must do" if you've never been! Includes a brewery, and several restaurants, little boutique stores, and in the Spring and Summer, there are 2 music venues there. One is on the 4th floor, and huge! Great for dancing! The other one is a quieter, more acoustic setting called Beau's Backyard. You can check their website for who will be playing.
Only about a mile from Casa del Sol, this is one of those delicious dives for Mexican food. Our go-to place when we just want to go-as-we-are, and have a great meal in a cozy atmosphere, and have a margarita that actually has a kick! : ) A nice place to go when you want to eat good Mexican Comfort food, and don't want to drive far.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant
4919 Hudson Bend RdOnly about a mile from Casa del Sol, this is one of those delicious dives for Mexican food. Our go-to place when we just want to go-as-we-are, and have a great meal in a cozy atmosphere, and have a margarita that actually has a kick! : ) A nice place to go when you want to eat good Mexican Comfort food, and don't want to drive far.
A beautiful, casual and comfortable Thai Restaurant with delicious food!
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Madam Mam's
510 W 26th StA beautiful, casual and comfortable Thai Restaurant with delicious food!
Lively place in the area to get sushi, and fusion food.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cho Sushi Japanese Fusion
4300 N Quinlan Park RdLively place in the area to get sushi, and fusion food.
We love this fun little frozen yogurt place. A happy vibe for fun, serve-yourself yogurt and toppings.
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
5145 Ranch Rd 620 NWe love this fun little frozen yogurt place. A happy vibe for fun, serve-yourself yogurt and toppings.
A new ice cream stand with delicious ice-cream! Little outdoor tables in the back.
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
3303 Ranch Rd 620 NA new ice cream stand with delicious ice-cream! Little outdoor tables in the back.
One of our local good barbecue joints just up the road. Fun country ambiance.
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
7709 Ranch Rd 620One of our local good barbecue joints just up the road. Fun country ambiance.
What can we say about this place?! The drive out there is beautiful! Set in the center of one of the most elegant wedding venues in the hill country, Camp Lucy, it is a century old Vietnamese town hall shipped over, and re-mixed with a Spanish-Texas flavor. The food is exquisite! The ambiance is elegant and eclectic. Brunch, lunch and dinner.
Tilly's
What can we say about this place?! The drive out there is beautiful! Set in the center of one of the most elegant wedding venues in the hill country, Camp Lucy, it is a century old Vietnamese town hall shipped over, and re-mixed with a Spanish-Texas flavor. The food is exquisite! The ambiance is elegant and eclectic. Brunch, lunch and dinner.
45 minute drive: Right next to Duchman's Winery, this elegant Italian restaurant is one of our favorites for a lovely meal, or wine and cheese in the garden. Little paths, arches, benches and tables make this place pure romance!
167 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trattoria Lisina
13308 FM150 W45 minute drive: Right next to Duchman's Winery, this elegant Italian restaurant is one of our favorites for a lovely meal, or wine and cheese in the garden. Little paths, arches, benches and tables make this place pure romance!
Downtown Austin: A fun little funky tropical vibe right next to Deep Eddy Pool. Serves great little tiki tropical drinks, burgers and salads. A new local favorite. Hang out at Deep Eddy pool, then slip over for the 4pm Happy Hour Hurricanes for $5 that will put you in the deep end!
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pool Burger
2315 Lake Austin BlvdDowntown Austin: A fun little funky tropical vibe right next to Deep Eddy Pool. Serves great little tiki tropical drinks, burgers and salads. A new local favorite. Hang out at Deep Eddy pool, then slip over for the 4pm Happy Hour Hurricanes for $5 that will put you in the deep end!
A fun, funky little lake grill overlooking a marina. Good ole' lake food (hamburgers, catfish, steak, etc) and fun tropical drinks.
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sundancer Grill
16410 Stewart RdA fun, funky little lake grill overlooking a marina. Good ole' lake food (hamburgers, catfish, steak, etc) and fun tropical drinks.
35 minute drive: Iconic old Texas Barbecue. Recently expanded due to popularity. Old school and funky Austin. Sit outside on the patio with a drink or glass of wine, and order inside... barbecue and sides.
480 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm to Market Rd 182635 minute drive: Iconic old Texas Barbecue. Recently expanded due to popularity. Old school and funky Austin. Sit outside on the patio with a drink or glass of wine, and order inside... barbecue and sides.
Love love love their juices and smoothies, and Everything!!!
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Daily Juice Cafe
205 W 3rd StLove love love their juices and smoothies, and Everything!!!
Downtown Austin: A tropical zen vegetarian retreat in the heart of Austin. You walk through a shaded path of bamboo and little Japanese benches to the restaurant. A set price gets you the most balanced and tasty macrobiotic meal. Also has a yoga studio, and space for small seminars. One of our favorites forever!
163 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdDowntown Austin: A tropical zen vegetarian retreat in the heart of Austin. You walk through a shaded path of bamboo and little Japanese benches to the restaurant. A set price gets you the most balanced and tasty macrobiotic meal. Also has a yoga studio, and space for small seminars. One of our favorites forever!
A fun and scenic curvy road takes you to this lakeside cafe. Take the cement steps or the tram down to the outdoor summer cafe. Lake vibe, lake food and drink, fun vibe.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Shack 512
8714 Lime Creek RdA fun and scenic curvy road takes you to this lakeside cafe. Take the cement steps or the tram down to the outdoor summer cafe. Lake vibe, lake food and drink, fun vibe.
Lovely little place with authentic Japanese food in a tastefully decorated Japanese style.
Bon Japanese Cuisine
3500 Ranch Rd 620 SLovely little place with authentic Japanese food in a tastefully decorated Japanese style.
Sightseeing
A glorious creation by the late Lady Bird Johnson to be a place of rest and education, honoring the Texas ecosystem. Paths through fields of wildflowers, beautiful natural stone architecture, gardens, ponds, playscapes, an auditorium, wedding and event center.
252 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveA glorious creation by the late Lady Bird Johnson to be a place of rest and education, honoring the Texas ecosystem. Paths through fields of wildflowers, beautiful natural stone architecture, gardens, ponds, playscapes, an auditorium, wedding and event center.
If you love plants, this is a fun nursery to visit. An iconic Austin figure, John Dromgoole has owned this nursery for decades. Labyrinths, chickens, farm animals, water gardens, sculptures, you name it! A fun thing to visit to buy or get ideas!
The Natural Gardener
8648 Old Bee Caves RdIf you love plants, this is a fun nursery to visit. An iconic Austin figure, John Dromgoole has owned this nursery for decades. Labyrinths, chickens, farm animals, water gardens, sculptures, you name it! A fun thing to visit to buy or get ideas!
A fun and scenic 45 minute drive from here. Artsy little village with cute shops, restaurants, art galleries, and the Blanco River runs through. Along with Cypress Creek. Wineries along the way, if that's your thing!
208 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wimberley
A fun and scenic 45 minute drive from here. Artsy little village with cute shops, restaurants, art galleries, and the Blanco River runs through. Along with Cypress Creek. Wineries along the way, if that's your thing!
Art gallery, art school, & sculpture garden along the Colorado River. A lovely serene place to take a walk, and enjoy the artsy vibe.
98 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StArt gallery, art school, & sculpture garden along the Colorado River. A lovely serene place to take a walk, and enjoy the artsy vibe.
A fun place to take a short hike for a long view! A local favorite. A flight of steps straight up a hill takes you to an expansive view of the Colorado River, and the Austin skyline.
1082 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mount Bonnell
A fun place to take a short hike for a long view! A local favorite. A flight of steps straight up a hill takes you to an expansive view of the Colorado River, and the Austin skyline.
It's one of the 7 wonders of the Austin World! Check it out!
110 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina DrIt's one of the 7 wonders of the Austin World! Check it out!
Neighborhoods
Young, vibrant and active! Downtown restaurants and bars in old houses, in the shadow of hip new hotels and high-rises!
793 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetYoung, vibrant and active! Downtown restaurants and bars in old houses, in the shadow of hip new hotels and high-rises!
A great strip on South Congress with a view of the Capitol Building in the distance. Eateries, galleries, boutiques, thrift shops, food trailers, people watching... Austin color!
650 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
South Congress
A great strip on South Congress with a view of the Capitol Building in the distance. Eateries, galleries, boutiques, thrift shops, food trailers, people watching... Austin color!
Spas
Just a quick drive down a pretty road leads you to one of the top 10 luxury spas in the United States. Located right on the Colorado river, you meander by pools, outdoor spas, flower and vegetable gardens. There is a natural restaurant, and a bouquet of all kind of amazing treatments to choose from.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Austin Spa Resort
1705 S Quinlan Park RdJust a quick drive down a pretty road leads you to one of the top 10 luxury spas in the United States. Located right on the Colorado river, you meander by pools, outdoor spas, flower and vegetable gardens. There is a natural restaurant, and a bouquet of all kind of amazing treatments to choose from.
Wineries
Our closest, cutest winery! They specialize in Argentine wines from their own vineyard there, and have created a lovely little oasis on top of a hill, to drink lovely wines, and enjoy the outdoor view.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Gaucho Winery
21301 Kathy LnOur closest, cutest winery! They specialize in Argentine wines from their own vineyard there, and have created a lovely little oasis on top of a hill, to drink lovely wines, and enjoy the outdoor view.
Award Winning wine, great drive, lavender and poppy fields. What more can you ask?
115 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Becker Vineyards
464 Becker Farms RdAward Winning wine, great drive, lavender and poppy fields. What more can you ask?
A short drive from Casa del Sol. A lovely winery with lots of outdoor seating and a great view.
147 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Driftwood Estate Winery
4001 Elder Hill RdA short drive from Casa del Sol. A lovely winery with lots of outdoor seating and a great view.
A wonderful winery right next to an elegant Italian restaurant, Trattoria Lisina. You can't believe it's Texas on these grounds. Fountains, gardens, and fine wine! A great place for an anniversary dinner, or anything romantic!
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Duchman Family Winery
13308 FM150 WA wonderful winery right next to an elegant Italian restaurant, Trattoria Lisina. You can't believe it's Texas on these grounds. Fountains, gardens, and fine wine! A great place for an anniversary dinner, or anything romantic!
A pretty little winery just off Highway 12 on the way to Wimberley. I like to sit on the lawn and pet the little donkeys, and miniature horses that come to visit at the fence.
106 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wimberley Valley Winery
2825 Lone Man Mountain RdA pretty little winery just off Highway 12 on the way to Wimberley. I like to sit on the lawn and pet the little donkeys, and miniature horses that come to visit at the fence.
I love this gentle little winery. The road to it is beautiful and serene. Nice wines and a nice vibe! About 30 minutes from us.
89 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bell Springs Winery
3700 Bell Springs RdI love this gentle little winery. The road to it is beautiful and serene. Nice wines and a nice vibe! About 30 minutes from us.
Trails
A wonderful 2.5 mile loop along Turkey Creek, then up the canyon to the top, and back down to the creek. I've never seen it too crowded. Dogs on or off leash OK.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Turkey Creek Trail
1401-1711 City Park RdA wonderful 2.5 mile loop along Turkey Creek, then up the canyon to the top, and back down to the creek. I've never seen it too crowded. Dogs on or off leash OK.
A nice trail along a shaded creek that is dog friendly and really well maintained. About 15 minutes from here. A fee on weekends, but still free during the week.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
River Place Nature Trail Canyon Trailhead
4998 River Pl BlvdA nice trail along a shaded creek that is dog friendly and really well maintained. About 15 minutes from here. A fee on weekends, but still free during the week.
Miles and miles of trail along Barton Creek with swimming holes and little waterfalls galore. Twin Falls is a local favorite.
235 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead
Barton Creek Greenbelt TrailMiles and miles of trail along Barton Creek with swimming holes and little waterfalls galore. Twin Falls is a local favorite.
A local trail just about 10-15 minutes away. Winds through a neighborhood, but can feel far away at times. Bike friendly and dog friendly.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hamilton Greenbelt
1173 Lohmans Crossing RdA local trail just about 10-15 minutes away. Winds through a neighborhood, but can feel far away at times. Bike friendly and dog friendly.
Never been here, but it just looked and sounded so darn cool!
Violet Crown Trail, Zilker Park Trail Head
William Barton DriveNever been here, but it just looked and sounded so darn cool!
This is the most fun urban trail. It hugs the Colorado River on both shores, through the heart of Austin. Joggers, cyclists, dogs, babies, athletes... You move under freeways, through gardens, over streams, through parks... The soul of Austin. Ducks, squirrels, birds, dogs, people watching!
267 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lady Bird Lake Trail
Lady Bird Lake TrailThis is the most fun urban trail. It hugs the Colorado River on both shores, through the heart of Austin. Joggers, cyclists, dogs, babies, athletes... You move under freeways, through gardens, over streams, through parks... The soul of Austin. Ducks, squirrels, birds, dogs, people watching!
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking, rock climbing, walking, swimming...
96 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Milton Reimers Ranch Park
23610 Hamilton Pool RdMountain Biking, rock climbing, walking, swimming...
A 3 mile loop over hills just for skates, roller blades and bicycles.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Veloway Park
4900 La Crosse AveA 3 mile loop over hills just for skates, roller blades and bicycles.