//
Austin, United States
Photo: Trey Perry, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Northern side of Lake Travis is in the Northwest Austin area, at Volente and Lago Vista
Walnut Creek Park features a large loop and a multitude of hilly, meandering trails popular with mountain bikers. A dirt BMX trail and loop is available. Stay on marked trails, some areas have experienced heavy erosion which has led to huge rock slides.
One of the newest teams in Major League Soccer, Austin FC began play in 2021 in the new Q2 Stadium. For ticket information, see the team website.
Runs several tours aboard the Hill Country Flyer steam train into and around Texas Hill Country. The train makes short half hour jaunts as well as a 30 mi circuit on weekends March through December. The Steam Train Association owns a live steam train, but it has been out of commission since about 2000. The train still runs though, just using a borrowed diesel engine. It is still nice, but not as attractive as it used to be.
Two private 18-hole golf courses, but with reciprocal privileges.
48 acre park on Bull Creek. Dog Lovers like to congregate and socialize here. Swimming, wading.
477 acres along Bull Creek. Hiking, swimming, wading.
Games (arcade, billiards, shuffleboard), restaurant and bar.
Small waterpark, restaurant and bar on the shores of Lake Travis
Arcade, bowling, billiards, laser tag, glow golf, gravity ropes and rock climbing. Restaurant and bar.
American Hockey League team affiliated with the Dallas Stars
NBA G League team affiliated with the San Antonio Spurs
Cedar Park Center
Arena seating 6600-8200 for sporting, concerts, family shows and graduation ceremonies.
One of five Alamo Drafthouse Theaters in Austin, with meals, drink and snacks served throughout each film. This one focuses on art and limited release films.
Even though it is owned and operated by mainstream Regal Cinemas, the Arbor 8 shows art and foreign films.
Indoor skydiving facility for all ages. Facilities for families and groups.
The third-highest point in Austin city limits at 780 feet. Several trails make for pleasant short hikes and points to experience incredible views of Town Lake and the city. The area has a history of romance and is sometimes called Antoinette's Leap, after a woman who supposedly leapt to her death to escape Indians who killed her lover.
The only legal nude beach in Texas, although "beach" is a bit of a stretch. On the north shore of Lake Travis, Hippie Hollow has a "steep, rocky, shoreline." It is also home to both the golden cheeked warbler and the black capped vireo, two bird species listed under the US Endangered Species Act.
Rent a pontoon or wake boat and enjoy the natural world in the heart of the city.
Rent a canoe or kayak and enjoy the natural world in the heart of the city.
January/February. Austin's Chinatown Center has set a Texas-sized standard for how Chinese New Year's Celebration should be done! All adults and children are invited to attend this free, two-day event with family-fun entertainment including the kids' area, dragon and lion dances, traditional Chinese dances, and martial arts performances. The festivities are a celebration that embraces and educates on the wide range of Asian culture. All retail stores and restaurants in the center are open.
One of the best Chinese food places in Austin. It's family style (huge portions) and offers some very exotic dishes. But its claim to fame is the "spicy fish fillet". It's amazing. There are a few other must-try items, such as eggplant with ground pork and twice cooked pork (bacon) with garlic sprouts.
A local wing joint/sports bar. Reasonably priced, delicious wings and other menu items (including tasty salads). Try the fried macaroni and cheese. They have tons of TVs; it's a great place to watch a ball game.
Authentic Chinese flavor with a modern twist. Not really fusion, not really traditional either, but very delicious. The restaurant is located upstairs in a two-story building; the bottom floor houses the Japanese restaurant Musashino
Lunch and dinner. Some of the most authentic Chinese fare in town, specializing in Cantonese and seafood dishes. Chinese BBQ pork and whole roast duck are available for take-out as well. Don't bring Caucasian friends who are squeamish about real Chinese food - take them to Chinatown instead.
As the name implies this restaurant has enchiladas, and they are some of the best north of San Antonio. "y Mas", as it is called by locals, has a broad selection of Tex-Mex fare including flautas, soft and crispy tacos, migas, burritos, and fajitas. This is a must try on the Tex-Mex trail in Austin. They are closed on Mondays and the lunch crowd starts early, so be prepared for a short wait between 11AM and 1PM. y Mas has the best motto in town, "Never trust a skinny cook!".
Authentic Texas Barbecue restaurant offering full bar. Ribs&Chips is worth to try. Prices from $10.
A favorite of those living in Northwest Austin (Jollyville area).
Steak, including Kobe beef, chicken, seafood and vegetables grilled at the table by entertaining chefs.
"Award Winning Mexican Cooking"
Butcher shop style BBQ. Famous for their BBQ sauce and baby back ribs. Very busy for breakfast tacos (grab pre-made ones near the check-out counter, or get them made at the grill).
Persian cuisine, including chelo-kabob, joojeh-kabob and khorest gormeh sabzi.
Located in the Village Shopping Center, it can be a little hard to find; the entrance faces towards the inner courtyard area of the shopping center. They have a decent sushi offering but the Korean dishes are delicious and authentic.
Korean bar food, large portions, many side dishes. Only five tables, one waitstaff.
Although it's in a strip mall in North Austin, this restaurant is notable for its amazing vegetarian options. Service is kinda spotty, and the staff tends to use extremely aromatic cleaning products (read: "potpourri"-fragranced cleaning spray spritzed on tables between customers), but it's well worth the trip north. Absolutely delicious, especially for the price.
Pizza and Italian food. Northeasterners love Reale's, as it reminds them of family Italian restaurants from home. Good food.
Asian restaurant with a 'Stir Fry Your Way' section, allowing for many vegan choices. The menu also denotes, by using a green leaf, which meals are vegetarian if ordered with tofu.
On their unique Polynesian- and Mexican-inspired menu (aka "Mexonesian"), you'll find several vegetarian/vegan options.
An all-vegetarian Indian restaurant offering a fabulous lunch buffet as well as a dinner menu.
"Cafeteria-style" Greek food. Vegetarian options include tabouli, dolmathes, and vegetarian mousaka.
Best oysters and catfish in town. Parking is scarce, but well worth while.
Austin classic. Delish burgers, some of the best onion rings in town. Don't miss the Cinnamon Chocolate Shake!
Absolutely amazing burgers, an excellent bar, and great milkshakes (be sure to try the Caramel & Sea Salt)! Be prepared for a wait.
Good fast food burgers and shakes.
Regarded by some as the favorite for Tex-Mex food in town, but this also means they are generally incredibly crowded and loud. Excellent margaritas with specials each night of the week. They're known more for their Mexican martinis than for their food.
Known for its beer menu with over 300 selections, BB Rovers also has live music (call for dates)
Popular food and drink establishment, especially for after work, with happy hour until 7PM. 20 beers are on tap. Kitchen may close earlier.
Austin as Austin can get. A staple Tex-Mex favorite with five locations around town. Great salsa and better margaritas. If you crave cheese enchiladas get the Hernandez Enchiladas.
Resort hotel with spa facilities.
Wifi available for a nominal fee.
Spacious rooms with in-room microwave, refrigerator, separate workspace and free high speed WiFi Internet access. Plus, free hot breakfast, fitness center and pool.
A very clean and comfortable hotel with an urban feel. The lobby is full of local artwork and their spacious suites are great for weekend getaways, business travel and weddings.
The resort is one of Austin's finest, featuring extensive spa facilities & luxury accommodations. It combines the amenities of a destination spa & lake resort.
Marriott's Luxury Hotel at the Arboretum near US 183 and Texas 360. It features Hill Country views and a nine-story atrium.
Good Farmer's Market with produce, dairy, eggs, meat, bread, canned goods and other items. Live music.
Open-air mall which includes Barnes & Noble Books, Pottery Barn, Chico's, Gap, Nine West, Express, Restoration Hardware, Salon 505 Day Spa, Amy's Ice Cream, The Cheesecake Factory and others.
The Domain is an upscale open-air mall and hosts Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's, Macy's, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani, Tiffany & Co. Louis Vitton, Victoria's Secret and many others.
This is a traditional indoor mall. The anchor stores are Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Sears and Macy's
Vitamins, health supplements, and natural groceries with an amazing amount of items in such a small space.
Sprouts is a chain featuring fresh produce, meat and deli counter, vitamins, bulk foods, health foods and gourmet items.
Wide variety of toys and excellent selection of children's books.
68,000-square-foot Vietnamese and Chinese grocery supermarket, part of the 180,000-square-foot Chinatown Center.
Chinese groceries.
Large Asian supermarket with a wide selection of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese products, plus a food court with mostly Korean fare.
You can reach Northwest Austin via I-35 North to US 183, or via MoPac Expressway North. Bus service is available from downtown and the North Transit Center.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Austin · International · AUS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Northwest and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.