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.

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.

Remember how cute Rainey Street was? I loved the Container Bar. It was one of my favorites. I wish…read moreit were still there. Don't get me wrong, there are still a couple of places on Rainey I like to go to now and then but it's just not the same. It's so bizarre to me to see big buildings going up. All of the charm is gone. Not to mention it's a very touristy area. And honestly, if I were a tourist, I would want to see it as well. But again, more like it was back in the day.

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!

I'm awarding 5 stars for our two recent visits. But, there's a point I'd like to make. Yes, this is…read morea dining destination and prices are commensurate with the experience. For most pasta dishes, I'd hit Mandola's in Austin. Save about $10 an entree and some gas money. A few weeks ago I didn't want to venture too far off the ranch. Wife and I ended up at Lisina on Saturday. Calamari to start was crisp and not chewy. Caesar salad followed and was a nice example of the dish. Lisina is also a little skimpy on offering bread refills. We finished with drinks and the panna cotta. Just over $100 for this experience. WELL, the next day I needed to take mom out for her anniversary. Dad has long passed but I always try to do something special. Sunday highlights forthcoming. This time with mom and Rooster along we started with the carpaccio. The presentation really wowed because it looks like red plate until you realize all that color is shaved tenderloin. White plate underneath! The greens, parmesan, and aioli was one of the best I've had. Mom went for the gnocchi; Rooster goes for the Mezzaluna ravioli. This is now Rooster's fave restaurant. I went back to the appetizers section and selected the crab cake. Zero complaints on these dishes. Don't forget mom's wine. Gelato and cake to finish the meal. I think I've dined here once since my 2009 review. Yup, steak pics still accounted for on Yelp. Trattoria Lisina is still going strong in Driftwood. Expect $$$$, this meal was almost $300. Good food ain't cheap folks.

We love this place for a special occasion dinner. But, recently the food just didn't seem to live…read moreup to the hype or price. The ribeye was so dry and tough. Cooked to a medium rare you would think it would juicy and tender. What a disappointment.

Never heard of this place but got a coupon in the mail for a buy one lunch, get a free lunch…read more Decided to try it as I'm always looking for decent Italian food. As it turns out the coupon was only good during the week and it was Saturday. No big deal. I ordered a Meatball Sandwich, my friend an Italian Sandwich (after asking our excellent young waitress about it). She brought out two very tasty types of bread with olive oil for dipping. The sandwiches came with Garlic Fries. The Fries were delicious but unfortunately mine were lukewarm. I certainly could have asked for a fresh portion, but was hungry enough not to bother. That's the reason my rating wasn't 5 Star. Because the restaurant was pretty empty on this Saturday afternoon, I feel the Chef shouldn't have sent out fries that weren't piping hot. The Meatball Sandwich however was marvelous. Freshly made, tasty meatballs with sauce and cheese on their focaccia bread was a real treat. I took half home and ate the rest for dinner. All in all, I'd come back here again as the food was excellent as well as the service.

Great Name.! Amazing Expectations! Beautifully decorated space! Franky''s crooning in the…read morebackground. Lots of families out celebrating. Must serve tons of spaghetti and meat sauce for the kids. But we're not here for the early bird family special. This is big time birthday celebration for the patriarch of this gang of Bostonians out for some wicked Italian food. We started with the beautiful bread basket nice fresh slices with some soft focaccia. The Calamari was standard some crispy tentacles with tough chewy meat. Meatball appetizers were big and beautifully blended globs of ground beef and sausage served with sauce. Now the it's Primo time. The Molto Grande Patti. Pork Chops with Giardiniera . Somebody forgot to make golden brown cutlets so they served an overcooked slab of pork chop underneath an assortment of pickled vegetables over a bed of pasta in red sauce. The only taste was pickled everything. Back to the kitchen and off the table. Veal Piccata consisted of two slices of meat, non tenderized, non dredged in flour and non pan seared. Served atop linguini swimming in a sea of lemon sauce and capers. What a wonderful disaster this was. Then the Lasagna served in casserole. If the traditional Lasagna is too time consuming to make then don't fake it with a casserole that the old Irish Lady makes. Good lasagna is made with layers of pasta, rich sauce, gooey cheese made with ricotta, mozzarella and parmigiano cheeses and loads of ground beef and sausage. Come on that's too easy to mess up with this awful thing you put in front of me. Ok the Penne was cooked to perfection. The sauce with green floating in it tasted good once I got past the floating algae. Sorry Folks but Cousin Louie's is best left for the kids spaghetti feast. No place for grown ups to dine.

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.

I am so glad I finally timed it right to try Pieous. Many times prior I tried but they were closed…read more From what ai was told, evidently this family owned business closes for month at a time so the owners can go back to Italy to vacation. Make note of their hours as well because they are closed in middle of day. 4-8pm I'm the afternoon does not give a big window to choose your dining time. But the restaurant checks all the boxes. Great ambience. Fun indoor and outdoor seating. Tasty food. Big outdoor space for little ones to play. Convenient location. Decent pricing. The salads are served on big trays which makes sharing easy (even when I didn't really want to share my yummy tossed salad with toasted garbanzo beans and Chunks of fresh mozzarella and a super yummy dressing. The pasta and pizza tasted really good. From an owner of a few pizza places in Houston, I was disappointed in the crispness of the dough. I don't care for pizza that can hold its shape when being held. But if I just told myself it was bread instead- I enjoyed it. It was really the pasta and salad for me. We didn't try too much because we were actually surprised it was open. Many friends mentioned the desserts were to die for. Even Guy on DDD mentioned the caramel rolls were what cinnamon rolls wish they could be. He also LOVED the pastrami sandwiches. So I'd i could do a 1-10 scale I'd give it a 9 for the extra work we had to put in to align with their limited open hours and for the soggy crust. But highest marks on the rest. They also have a room you can rent out in the back or the restaurant and good parking. Next time you want pie- Give pieous a try

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.