Things to do in Austin, Texas if You're a Northerner
Austin, Texas Travel Recap
At the start of January, I visited Austin, Texas to celebrate my boyfriend’s 30th birthday. It was the perfect trip for a Spokane girl in the winter. The weather up here has been SO chilly and Austin was so warm! While we were there, we went to a ton of comedy shows and tried some incredible barbecue. To see what we got up to, keep reading!
Austin Activities:
When visiting Austin, here are my top activity recs!
Comedy mothership is a MUST! I haven’t laughed that hard at a comedy show in my life. We were lucky enough to go twice during our stay and the second night I got into a laughing flow state of sorts and it was amazing. The talent in Austin is unparalleled and you can tell people are gifted out there. For my girlies reading this, there were also a lot of great female comics and I just felt comfortable and easily able to crack a joke.
Walking along the riverfront was a lowkey great activity. I will say I wasn’t dressed accordingly which was a personal issue but I was pleasantly surprised with the number of people working out and getting active. It also felt great getting some sunshine as a northerner trapped in the grey.
Luxury shopping was an unexpected treat of Austin too. I didn’t realize they had a luxury shopping mall until we came to the area for a comedy show. Financially glad we went at night when the shops were closed because I would’ve wanted to buy something but I loved looking in the windows and getting inspiration for upcoming seasons.
Visiting a Bucc-ees! Oh my goodness I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough and heading over to a Bucc-ees. These giant gas stations are worth a stop especially if you’re a foodie like me. They had amazing snacks like the fresh jerky and fudge. You also got a delightful dose of southern hospitality and I just had the time of my life exploring the isles. I got so many snacks plus a cute postcard to remember the trip by!
Austin Food:
It’s not a Lauren blog post without some food recommendations. Here are the spots I’d hit again!
The biggest stand out for me was Terry Black bbq. I didn’t even know I liked brisket until I stopped by this restaurant. Making smoked meats in house, this was an elite dining experience. I loved the ribs and brisket but also enjoyed their mac and cheese along with a plethora of other sides. I would honestly prepare to do family style dining next time so you can split amongst a bunch of mains and sides. Well worth a stop and wait!
Another fun food spot was Kolaches! These pastries were popularized in Texas from European immigrants and they were so yummy! I tried a savory and sweet version and thought they were such a smart snack or easy breakfast. One of my favorite parts about travel will always be exploring the local cuisine and learning about the history of the place.
My most memorable dining spot was the one and only Waffle House. I’ve wanted to go for YEARS because we don’t have them in Washington and damn it was worth the wit. While our well house experience went very dramatic, I just loved the hash browns and gravy. It was fresh, rich and great after a night out. I’d choose that over a burger anytime.
Friends on 6th street was a hidden gem! This bar had a taco stand inside and it was the best of both worlds, delicious drinks and food. They had live music which initially brought us in but the bites were what kept me there for awhile. The greatest item which I didn’t get a picture of was their chips and queso. Instead of a traditional corn chip I think they cut up flour tortillas and fried them up. It was absolutely delectable and I’ll be thinking about them for awhile.
Where to Stay:
1505 Coriander in Austin TX
We absolutely lucked out with our Airbnb. We went as a group of 3 couples and found a cool house near the airport. This house had a pool, hot tub, lounge chairs and ample room for everyone to spread out inside. It also had a fun musician theme inside with regard to the decor and my music heart ate that up. I would totally stay there again it was clean and I felt safe the whole time! Plus look at that pool!!
Safe travels
If you’re headed to Austin this year, I hope this blog post inspired you! There is so much to do out there and going with an open mind and sense of adventure will set you up for success. I absolutely love exploring the US and Texas marked my 11th state! I can’t wait to continue exploring and seeing where the wind takes me in 2026.
Until next time,
Lauren