Pretty sure my mouth was open in excitement the first time we drove down SOCO! lol ..Does not…read moredisappoint. Just about everything your little heart desires is all here on this street . Very vibey , vintage shops , foodie finds , plenty of shopping , fun crowds and yes parking requires some effort but it's worth it . Grab a bite and get your steps in !

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.

April 11, 2026 The universe granted us a really nice night. It's been raining, and gloomy during…read morethe day, but the nightlife came alive and we truly were blessed with GNO. It was warm, a little breezy, but the vibes were there and everyone was happy mingling, drinking, just a typical ATX night out on Rainy. Now yes, some of the charm has left. Little by little every few years something disappears, and something new comes in. The people make up for the "charm" feel. We remember what once was. Little houses that once held family dinners and birthday backyard parties are now bars. Gutted out of the family photos hanging on the walls, to neon signs barring a beer logo. Rainy Street is still charm for those that once knew it and hold it in our hearts. We make the charm because we knew, and we pass that vibe to the college kids (sorry, but you are still kids) that spend their whole weekend night letting lose and being just that, fun kids experiencing life, not corporate life, but life life. It's up to us mature Rainy Street goers to show these kids how it's done. IMO Rainy Street. Bar hoping at its bests. Charming street. Decorated for the season. Come at Christmas, it's a ball! Everything is walkable. Some really nice higher end restaurants have moved in. It's a nice place to start out your night. You will find college kids here. But you'll also see birthday party groups, bachelorette parties, bachelor parties just people having fun, enjoying life. You'll see mature, older men and women with their, "I'm still 28" in my mind. (Me, I'm that woman) They do have a small food truck area too. So when you're looking for something quick, give these food trucks a go. They are pretty good. And they have seating so you can chill, and get back at it. I only saw 1 parking lot. It was $50. For 3 hours. And $55 for 6 hours. Uber in, car pool, or find parking a block or 2 away. Come to Rainy Street. Spend the night here. Grab some dinner, a few cocktails, bar hop up and down the street. Be young, be a kid, life's short.

Rainey Street is not what it used to be 10 years ago…read more That's not awful, but it's also not good. I remember visiting when it wasn't as commercial, wasn't as loud, not as many bars, not the large hotels, and it was cute little old bungalows and restaurants that felt homey and it was charming with a food truck area. None of that appears to remain - it's vastly different and has grown. I'm not entirely sure if I think it's for the better or the worse, but much of the charm I loved is entirely gone.

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

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.

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.

This is a great little getaway in the hill country. The cabins are blessed with a distinct lack of…read morepseudo-victoriana, novelty items, and clutter. Instead they are comfy, funky, and have awesome views. The warm baked goods in the morning are awesome, as is the fresh milk and juice. As we were staying in fall, the lovely pool was ice-cold. But the views around the property are awesome, and we had a great many pretty birds flitting around our bedroom window. Easy access to Johnson City, Wimberly, and other Hill Country destinations, plus reasonable prices makes this place a sure bet for future weekends.

I am still a bit skeptical that my friend's SUV just happened to die just down the street from a…read morefarm that has dog friendly cabins that my "friend" just happens to know the owners of?? But, I fully enjoyed my unexpected stay here so I am letting it slide. We stayed in the Casa Verde Cabin that included a fenced in yard for my dogs = sweet! For the humans it was even better: beautiful hand painted sinks and mirrors, luxury linens, super comfy mattress, awesome indoor/outdoor shower, breakfast treats delivered at our door before 9AM! Our cabin had a nice sitting area with Direct TV and a small kitchenette w/ a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker and a beautiful patio to enjoy a warm cup of coffee on. I left with a bottle of Paws Pup Wash an all natural Flea, Tick and Mosquito repellent wash with 100% of the profits going straight to PAWS shelter and the Humane Society! This is my kind of place!! They also have a BEAUTIFUL POOL and offer Cooking and Yoga classes that I would LURVE to return for! If your vehicle happens to break down in Dripping Springs on a Saturday night - I highly recommend this place to wait out your needed vehicle parts!

Stunning experience…read more This place has to be some of the best food my wife and I have EVER had. We came here to celebrate our anniversary recently after a close friend recommended it. Normally when I hear Italian I think of American Italian - heavy, one note, and leaves you feeling terrible after. Trattoria Lisina was none of those things. First, the location is beautiful. The entire restaurant is surrounded by Texas hill country beauty. The restaurant balances class and cozy in a way hard to explain. The wait staff is excellent and knowledgeable on the menu. Even the small details like their uniforms were excellent. The food is hard to describe. My wife spent an hour post dinner discussing how incredible it was. Every dish we tried was perfection. The fried elements were crisp. The raw elements melted in your mouth like butter. The entrees were executed in a way I've never had pasta! We will absolutely make this our "special place" for life occasions moving forward.

Located in Driftwood, which is a pretty drive on its own , worth it just for the scenery. Heads up:…read moremake reservations if you're going on a weekend, we went at 6pm on a Saturday and the place was already packed. The menu has a ton of great options. We started with salads, crab cake, and some focaccia bread that honestly disappeared in about two minutes, soft, warm, exactly what you want before a big meal. For mains we ordered several dishes: the mezzanine ravioli (hands down the winner, don't skip this one), spaghetti and meatballs, and the spaghetti bolognese. All solid, but that ravioli stuck with me. Do yourself a favor and save room for dessert. The gelato is fantastic, and the classic chocolate cake with salted caramel is the kind of thing you end up fighting over the last bite of. Overall, great spot, and the service is excellent!!!

Nothing typical here folks! Some of the best Italian I've had in forever.....sorry NYC! Fresh…read more bread, hand made pasta and sauces! Sangria to die for with a twist! ( I have had some of the best in Barcelona) cousin Louie's us Michelin Star folks! My fettuccine sauce was perfection and even when I cleared the plate the sauce was so creamy and thick no butter or oil in sight! OMG to die for!! My husband's family is Italian from Milan and he said (sorry Momma and Nona) was better than families!! That's a Hugh statement!! Won't disappoint Thank you for such a lovey, delicious dinning experience! Keep up the good work Louie Epic!!

Delicious food, ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE AMBIANCE! You really feed immersed into the space. Everything…read morewe ordered was delicious will Definitely have to return again soon

My husband and I decided to return to Pieous to eat some pizza. We went for a later lunch and got…read morethere at 1:30. We parked easily and walked in. We were able to order right away. We paid, got the buzzer for the table, and picked where we wanted to sit with no issues as there weren't very many people there because it was after the lunch rush. My husband ordered the Pepperoni Pizza and I ordered the Fat Queen. The Pepperoni Pizza was good. The Pepperonis were small and tasty. The Fat Queen was just as good. It comes with Pepperoni, Soppressata, and Italian Sausage. I really liked the flavor of all of the meat in the marinara sauce plus the pizza crust is light and fluffy. Overall Pieous is a great place to get some good pizza. The service and pizza were good. I suggest going at an off time that isn't the typical lunch or dinner time.

This is such a great spot for some fresh oven pizza. It comes out the oven right in front of you…read moreand it's absolutely delicious. It's one of the few places in Austin that I feel you can find true pizza made from scratch that's being cooked in the oven right in front of you so you can just taste the burnt and crispiness of the crust and it's absolutely delicious. I definitely definitely recommend if you love pizza and want to try some nicer higher-end pizza than just the kind of regular stuff we see a lot the vibe is very chill. It's kind of walk-in like there's picnic tables that you sit down and stuff we used to go all the time when I was little. This was my parents's favorite pizza place so I definitely definitely recommend if you're in the area.

We had friends visiting from out of town and we toured them around Austin. The City is known for…read moreits bright and beautiful murals. First stop, Greeting from Austin Postcard Mural. It contains all the things Austin is known for Capitol of Texas, Lady Bird Lake and Congress Avenue Bridge (with 1M+ bats underneath), University of Texas Tower, symbols of Austin being the "Live Music Capitol of the World" and our Texas Flag. Folks visit this mural daily to take pictures. It likely commemorates their wonderful time in Austin, TX.

What a great piece of public art for a great city. The fact that one of the things Austin is known…read morefor is great art and murals is one of the things I love most about it. I first visited this glorious postcard years ago as part of a self-planned and self-guided mural tour with my boyfriend. The colors of the mural are eye-catching and it makes for a great souvenir photo for tourists and residents alike. This is absolutely a "must-see" for visitors.