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    Rainey Street

    4.3 (132 reviews)

    Rainey Street Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Rainey Street

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    Roselia G.

    So I had read about this street with rows of bars and live music, and I was excited, but on a Saturday evening, there was only one bar with live entertainment. The rest had loud DJ's that were preventing you from even being able to hear the duo playing nearby. Maybe we needed to visit on a different night. There was also a ton of construction going on, and I heard that a few places had shut down. Then to top that off, it was crazy windy when we walked through. It was not the experience I was expecting, but popping into the Salvation Pizza place saved the trip with delicious in house made Italian dishes and pool table. We will give it another shot later this week and hope for the best.

    Tiffany D.

    It reminds me of frat row, but young adulting and adulting style. This one street has these mobile shops with houses turned to open bars, restaurants and experience of bar hopping regime going on here. A lot of people are with drinks in front of the front yard patio mingling away. I haven't seen anything like this besides college days on fraternity row. Pretty happening and worthy to check out when in Austin.

    Food court
    Marcos D.

    A nice Austin food truck court, that has a cool funky vibe all it's own. It's a good place to hang out and plan how to attack the bars lining down the street.

    Ilene S.

    Great area for drinks, hanging out with friends, listening to music and of course food trucks.

    The last house on Rainy Street sold in 2019. Yes, it's leaning a little.
    Dan F.

    I read somewhere that Rainey Street at nights is like an adult version of frat row. I don't know about that but there were some nice places to sit, have a drink/eat, while listening to live music. The couple of hours we were there, everyone seemed to be having a good time. Perhaps it was the mounted police, or patrol cars being highly visible, everyone seemed well behaved. This area changed over the past decade into a club and restaurant zone. Rainey Street was recommened by a tour I took earlier in the day, but was told to come back in the evening to experience it better. It's a little sad to see the street's charming homes get bought out by restauranteurs and F&B enterprises to commercialize the area. It's not so bad for the residents I suppose. The last hold out resident (the slanted house) sold his home for millions in 2019. Food trucks and bars is what people come here for. People watching is fun too. Like music? There are clubs and live music on stage. Fun place to visit but come in the evenings, and better yet, weekends for the full experience.

    Gary P.

    Lots of old turn-of-the-century houses converted into restaurants and bars and music Halls. Like the rest of Austin there are food trucks everywhere. Very lively street. ID at every door. Only thing that would make it better is if they close the street at night to traffic.

    Nicole T.

    This street if filled with bars, restaurants, and food trucks, making it a great 1 stop shop for a great night. The food trucks are mostly open during the evenings. When going during Christmas time, plenty of bars have decor. Most of the places here also have an outdoor space, but on a saturday night, they all get very packed. Would definitely recommend to anyone checking out Austin nightlife

    Upstairs patio...
    Stacie M.

    Fun area full of bars and food trucks! Very walkable and with a cool vibe. Several venues have music. Drink prices were in the $11 range along the street. Lots of nice outdoor seating and photo opportunities.

    Austin's Rainey Street
    Bruce K.

    My Aggie friend told me that Rainey Street was a "must do" for a chance to get a few beers and see some live music. While Sixth Street competes with Rainey Street, this is a whole lot more fun. In mid-December, the crowds were pretty calm. Cold and wet weather definitely dampened the mood but there were still some crazy and loud folks to be seen. Lots of girls, lots of dudes, this is clearly the upscale hangout. A few dozen converted homes that date back to the Great Depression, it's no longer residential and has turned into a nightlife district for sure. Pick a house, any house. They're all full of booze and live music. There are also food trucks along the way, pedicabs to bring you from one end to the other, and some paid (expensive) parking. [Review 10177 overall, 1763 of 2018.]

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    several bars, good nightlife walking location. you're sure to find a chill place to enjoy

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Rainey Street

    Do any bars let in under 21? Two of my friends are 20?

    I'd say it really depends on the time of day and that goes for most bars in Austin I feel. For example, I've gone into Bangers during their happy hour and no one stopped me at the door (I am over 21). Once I ordered a drink, they asked for my ID.… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Rainey Street

    Rainey had a good selection of cute bars and restaurants and plenty of live music to choose from.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

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    Sunken Gardens Springs - Salamander playground. No humans allowed!

    Sunken Gardens Springs

    4.7(3 reviews)
    2.8 kmBarton Hills, 78704 (South Austin)

    I never realized there was a listing on Yelp for Sunken Garden Springs!…read moreIt's one of my favorite areas to visit when spending days over at Zilker &/or Barton Springs. It's man-made and has been around since the late 1930s. This water feature is a sanctuary to the endangered Barton Springs salamander among others. It runs along Barton Creek from Barton Springs Pool. The walls are concrete and limestone. It's a peaceful area and it is protected with fencing for the safety of the endangered species. If you want to check it out, it's best viewed when hiking the trails that lead up to and around it. Absolutely worth a visit.

    Running or cycling on the Butler Hike & Bike Trail (aka Town Lake Trail), you're often moving too…read morefast to take in all the little scenic joys to be had along the 10+ miles of pathway. When I had a couple of hours to spare this morning, with a nagging injury keeping me from my typical Saturday AM long run, I took it as an opportunity take a leisurely stroll with a few turns off my regular loop, which led me to discover the hidden jewel of Sunken Gardens Springs. This home to a couple of endangered local salamander species has a long and interesting history as a public venue in Austin. The short version: it was developed in 1937 as one of FDR's public infrastructure initiatives, and generations of Austinites recall swimming, sunbathing, and even attending performing arts performances here. Like so many things in our ever growing city, the structures were not well maintained and began to crumble, creating a safety hazard. As with Eliza Springs on the other side of the creek, it was also found to contain some precious creatures with federal Endangered Species Act protections. For these reasons, public access would no longer be allowed until remediations could be completed. For the long version, see the City's master plan for restoring the spot https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Parks/Barton_Springs_Master_Plan/BSPMP-08of16.pdf and the most recent report on efforts through 2013 https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Prelim_Engineering_Report_Sunken_Garden_Improvements_Phase_1_2013-10-29.pdf. These days, you can stop on the bridge over the rushing springs to listen to the water flow or turn north to watch dogs play in creek. If you're curious like me, you can walk up the overgrown path behind the fenced enclosure to take a peek at the clear pool down below and imagine what it must have been like to take a dip in the olden days. To access, just come down the part of the trail on the south side of Barton Springs Blvd towards Barton Springs Pool, staying to the south of the creek. As you approach the dam (aka the free swimming/dog play area), the Sunken Gardens will be on your left. Alternatively, park behind the softball field off Robert E. Lee Road and drop into the trail there. GPS 30°15'48.8"N 97°46'05.1"W

    Photos
    Sunken Gardens Springs - Go to the red pin. GPS 30°15'48.8"N 97°46'05.1"W

    Go to the red pin. GPS 30°15'48.8"N 97°46'05.1"W

    Sunken Gardens Springs - Take care of the salamanders - don't trespass or litter. It'll cost ya!

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    Take care of the salamanders - don't trespass or litter. It'll cost ya!

    South Congress "SoCo" - View all the way to the capitol

    South Congress "SoCo"

    4.4(66 reviews)
    1.8 kmSoCo (S. Congress Ave.), 78704 (South Austin)

    South Congress is one of the iconic streets of Austin, TX. It stretches just south of downtown…read moreAustin past Lady Bird Lake. This strip satisfies of everyone's wants...cool boutiques, inviting eateries, captivating street art, and plenty of live music. In addition, vintage clothing shoppers can be easily immersed at a number of vintage shops. There is nothing like the epicenter of the South Congress, The Continental Club. You can purchase from high end stores like Hermes and Chanel to athletic stores like Lululemon and Toms. From elevated restaurants like Aba and Vespio to a variety of food trucks that will satisfy almost any food itch. And if you are in need of some retail therapy, South Congress can satisfy a plethora of shopping tastes. In full transparency, parking can be challenging sometimes, especially during the weekends. For all the benefits that South Congress has to offer, parking is a minor challenge. What makes South Congress memorable, the random jewelry vendors, spray can artists completing paintings live as you look on, street musicians playing their favorite tunes, the random conversation you strike up with another South Congress visitor. South Congress...such a great place to frequent. You literally could spend hours jetting in and out stores, eating ice cream or another treat or listening to live music. It's a fun place to hang out.

    The epitome of "what once was"...has now become a haven for tourists…read more And that's ok. However, there are a few places that I like to go to on South Congress that can be difficult because of all the people and cars. It's ok, Austinites know how to deal with it. That said, I will venture over when I wanna go to JoAnn's, the Austin Motel, and of course, I go to The Continental for shows whenever I can. The street is very eye-catching and has a lot to offer.

    Photos
    South Congress "SoCo" - Candy hearts :) Christmas & Valentine's?

    Candy hearts :) Christmas & Valentine's?

    South Congress "SoCo" - Hermes coffee shop area

    Hermes coffee shop area

    South Congress "SoCo"

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    Ion Art's Surreal Garden

    Ion Art's Surreal Garden

    4.9(14 reviews)
    3.3 kmBarton Hills, Town Lake, 78704 (South Austin)

    This is easily one of the best art shows I've ever been to and I look forward to each new iteration…read moreevery year. The basic idea is that they take over part of the Zilker Botanical Gardens, which is already one of the best places in Austin, and set up unique pieces of neon art around every corner as you stroll the grounds. Things turn pretty magical after sunset with all the neon pieces glowing brightly, reflected in the koi ponds, presiding over waterfalls, making you stop and stare at every new visual treat. The displays are endlessly inventive too, adding neon cowboy boots to the dinosaur statue or perhaps the huge cloud of neon bats that tilt mechanically on their axis for constant motion. There's also live music, go-go dancers, food and drink for purchase, and remarkable costumes worn by fellow visitors making a visually interesting event just from that alone. There are also more photo opportunities than you can count if you need more selfies for Instagram. But really, the world-class neon art is worth it just by itself. There are themes like ocean life, jungle animals, desert flora and fauna, and then there are plenty of abstract or whimsical things too. And there's always something new around every bend. Each year loses a few pieces from the last show but adds many more completely new ones. And this year has dozens more, some of which are truly spectacular. One of the best pieces to look out for is the giant octopus. It's designed to look like it's coming out of the water holding pieces of a wrecked sailing ship and even the moon in its tentacles. And the most amazing part is that all the tentacles are connected by gears to a single stationary bicycle so someone can pedal to make the whole massive installation move, bringing it all to life. Chances are you've never seen anything like this before!

    Our first time at the annual Ion Art's Surreal Garden neon art extravanganza at Zilker Park…read moreBotanical Garden. Didn't know what to expect, and ended up having a great time! Many people dressed up for it, adding to the fun atmosphere. We waited until dark to arrive in order to get the full effect of bright light against the night sky. So glad we did. The contrast was stunning. I especially loved the interactive exhibits, which told a story in neon. Example exhibit: the watering can--tilted a watering can, water flowed out, which then caused a flower to grow. We were gifted with complimentary tickets, otherwise it would have been a bit spendy as prices ranged from $40-$200 plus tax per person.

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    Ion Art's Surreal Garden
    Ion Art's Surreal Garden
    Ion Art's Surreal Garden

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    The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell - Exterior view of "The Color Inside" Skyspace, located on the rooftop of the SAC on UT campus. Photo by Florian Holzherr

    The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell

    5.0(4 reviews)
    2.8 kmUniversity of Texas

    Looks like the sky space has two yelp pages, so I'm posting my thoughts here as well…read more A 5 star review of James Turrell's Skyspace by Courtney T.: https://www.yelp.com/biz/james-turrells-skyspace-austin?hrid=fY2tFreMSX8ZNqVBFwBVaw&utm_source=ashare&ref=yelp-android

    I kinda had no idea what to expect. I intentionally didn't read much about The Color Inside. I knew…read moretwo things: Turrell and UT. Oh, and free. FREE. We made a reservation because we wanted to go at sunset. Without a reservation, you might get in but it's first come first served. We arrived extra early because if you're not familiar with UT and all of its ongoing construction, it can be challenging to find the Art Center. We asked some friendly students to point us in the right direction and got to the exhibit right on time. We checked in with the student on duty. There's a circular waiting room to the right of the check in desk where I saw people waiting. Some were sitting on the benches, others were actually lying on the floor. Geez how long had they been waiting? I sheepishly whispered to the student receptionist that I wasn't quite sure what the deal was. She advised that we could go right in. Right in to that circular waiting room? uh, yeah. that IS the exhibit. it fits maybe 20 people comfortably. and suddenly lying on the floor seemed perfectly reasonable. So we laid out our jackets and lied on the floor (there are blankets available at the exhibit in case you are a floor-lier without a jacket). we looked up. the roof is sort of canopy-like, and white, with a big blue oval dot in the middle. there are led lights in the base of the canopy that shine upwards casting a glow on the canopy. so we're lying there. and...we're lying there. and like i said we had no idea what to expect. after a while we saw a red plane fly by and we realized that the blue oval dot was actually a hole to the sky. ok, cool. and we're lying there just looking up. and then, things started to happen. i'm not going to tell you the details of the exhibit. you have to go experience it for yourself and be wowed. i will tell you that the key to the exhibit is patience (and the ability to lie on the floor). if you are patient, you will be vastly rewarded. 5-stars vast.

    Photos
    The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell - "The Color Inside" Skyspace during the day. Photo by Florian Holzherr

    "The Color Inside" Skyspace during the day. Photo by Florian Holzherr

    The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell - "The Color Inside" Skyspace during the sunset light sequence. Photo by Florian Holzherr

    "The Color Inside" Skyspace during the sunset light sequence. Photo by Florian Holzherr

    The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell

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    Sixth Street

    Sixth Street

    3.6(34 reviews)
    0.8 kmDowntown

    She's the iconic stretch of road in Austin where it all goes down!…read more It's where in 2005, the Real World Austin cast spent most of their time out at the bars at. And the iconic Danny fight that led him to surgery, Wes to defend him & Melinda to nurse him into love with her all happened right at Sixth St & Trinity. 10 years later, Shia LaBeouf was arrested here for public drunkeness & Johnny Manziel got in a big fight here, too. This may shock you based on what you've just learned but Sixth Street is full of bars. It's known for it's nightlife, specifically the Dirty Sixth between Congress & I-35. It's pedestrians only on the weekends and I was surprised how the bars try to get people in. It was fascinating witnessing them begging women with promises of shots & drinks to try to get them in the door. I personally do notttttt vibe with that kind of atmosphere, my anxiety hates people pressuring me so I just tried to say no to everyone and walk as fast as I could through at night! lol Aside from the bars, Joe Rogan stand up spot Comedy Mothership is in the middle of all the action. You'll find peticabs if your feet are hurting to bike you to where you need to go. Good people watching at night. That being said, before all that madness starts I enjoyed the more lowkey scene on the street. I went to the Museum of Weird and a coffee shop during the day, but most of the shops were closed. Chaotic at night, chill during the day, if you're in Austin, you'll surely see all sides of iconic 6th St.

    Sixth Street is love/hate isn't it? There are many places on either side of the street (crossing…read more35) that I absolutely love. An absolute tourist haven and that can mean super packed sidewalks and tons of traffic on any given summer evening. I bet it's safe to say this street is the party capitol of the country. Ok, maybe not but darn close. Tons of restaurants with great food, bars that are great and some not so great. Life in Austin.

    Photos
    Sixth Street
    Sixth Street
    Sixth Street

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    Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge - Waiting for the bats

    Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge

    4.1(531 reviews)
    0.8 kmWarehouse District, Downtown

    Austin has a slogan Keeping Austin Weird. It means Austin is unique and wonderful. Watching the…read more1.bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge is one of Austin's most iconic experiences. Just before sunset, millions of Mexican free‑tailed bats stream into the sky in a mesmerizing spiral that lasts 20-40 minutes. It's completely free, family‑friendly, and uniquely Austin. The best views are from the bridge itself, the Statesman Bat Observation Area below, or the riverwalk. Summer months (March through October) are peak season, with the largest numbers typically in August. Arrive early for parking and a good spot. A few recommendations... bring bug spray (not for the bats but for mosquitos), check the sunset time, and be patient...the bats come out when they come out. Smile. When they do fly out...wow,wow, WOW!!! It's like nothing you've seen before.

    Watching the bats under Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the signature Austin experiences that…read morelives up to the hype. I happened to be downtown around sunset during SXSW, and as the sun started to set. you could see the crowds forming along the bridge in anticipation. Then thousands of bats poured out in a steady stream, flying out over Lady Bird Lake. The many bats with the beautiful sunset backdrop is definitely something to remember. There is a bit of stinky "bat smell," so be prepared for that. Totally free, and a unique experience definitely worth doing at least once if you're in Austin.

    Photos
    Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge
    Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge - The bat colony emerging at dusk! (Mid-April 2021)

    The bat colony emerging at dusk! (Mid-April 2021)

    Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge

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    Rainey Street - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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