Growing up in West Texas, Austin was always a destination for weekend trips and mother daughter getaways. Since then, Austin has grown tremendously and quickly become a destination for bachelorette trips, weddings and a true travel spot. From ACL to SXSW to Austin Wine and Food Festival, there are so many excuses to make a trip. But, if you’re just wanting a quick weekend getaway to soak up some good weather, eat, drink and be merry, follow this itinerary of hot spots and hidden gems!

Hotels

Here are my top 5 hotels in Austin. There is something for every budget and every style!

South Congress Hotel - Very modern, hip and right in the middle of South Congress. This is the cutest hotel with a really fun vibe. There is a really cool coffee shop below, Mañana, two amazing restaurants, Cafe No Se and Central Standard, and my favorite boutique of all time, Sunroom. There’s also a really cute rooftop pool that’s perfect for laying out and afternoon cocktails!

San Jose - Also right on South Congress. This hidden hipster hotel is super small and very Austin! There is a very laid back vibe and the hotel itself is very small. There is a cool courtyard bar that connects to a small but intimate pool area. If you want to feel like you’re in the Austin scene, go to Hotel San Jose.

Austin Motel - So Austin! Austin Motel was just redone and it’s just about as colorful as it gets. One of my favorite new restaurants, Joanns, is connected to the hotel and it’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just cocktails. This place screams “instagrammable!”

The Line - The Line opened this year and has quickly become one of my favorite hotels in Austin, It’s downtown and sits right on top of Lady Bird Lake. You have access to the trail and lake if you’re wanting to bike or paddle board! There’s an Alfred coffee shop attached to the hotel and a really swanky restaurant, Arlo Grey. Another really cute hotel with a great pool! They just opened their rooftop bar, P6, that’s absolutely adorable and has great views.

Hotel Saint Cecilia - This is a great really small and swanky boutique hotel that is more for your sophisticated bunch. It’s located behind South Congress and almost feels tucked away from the Austin hustle and bustle. This place is truly one of the cutest hotels I’ve ever been in. It’s on the pricier side, but absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for Le Labo products and a luxury boutique hotel experience, this is the place for you!

Weekend Itinerary

Friday

Lunch

Go to Josephine House and sit outside. This quaint little White House has farm to table dishes, sparkling rosé and and atmosphere that will just make you happy! Order their burger, rice bowl and burrata for a family style lunch. Also not to be missed is their assortment of baked goods. I’m drooling just thinking about it... Last tip, order the green juice and add tequila to start your weekend off with a healthy kick. ;)

For the outdoorsy girl group - 

After lunch, grab a bottle of sparkling rosé and head to Lady Bird Lake to rent a couple of canoes at the Texas Rowing Center. Spend a couple of hours soaking up that Austin sunshine and giggling with your GFs while you canoe or paddle board down the lake. OR take a walk on the trail around the lake and get a good sweat in before you hit the town later that night!

For the shopping ladies -

After lunch, head to South Congress and walk up and down the street popping into the cutest boutiques Austin has to offer! Start with the Sunroom below South Congress Hotel and then head down to By George and end across the street at The Cove. After your shopped out, pop into San Jose Hotel for a cocktail in the courtyard. Is your inner hipster coming out? Head across the street to Maufrais hat shop next to Allen Boots to snag a hat to wear for the weekend!

Dinner

After your fun filled Friday afternoon, head back to your hotel and spruce up fore dinner at Elizabeth Street. This is one of the coolest restaurants in Austin! It’s a French Vietnamese fusion with the cutest atmosphere and the BEST food. Start with their spring rolls, spicy wonton soup and chili oil dumplings. Order a couple noodle dishes for the table to split and then decipher weather you’re in the mood for pho, ban mi or bun. You can’t go wrong!! Don’t forget to end your meal with their Vietnamese coffee and macaroons.

For the party girls

After dinner, head to west 6th! Start at Star Bar and see where the night takes you. Walk up and down the strip of bars and pop into Little Woodrow’s and Rattle Inn. After you’ve had your dose of nightlife, head to Ranch 616 for a nightcap with a shot of “fire in the hole”. 

For the live music bunch

After dinner, head to the Continental Club for a hole in the wall bar with live music or head to Stubbs for a slightly larger atmosphere. End your night with a nightcap at This Driskell Hotel.

Saturday 

Brunch

For the boozy brunch girls 

Wake up, get ready for Mattie’s for brunch! This old plantation home has southern charm and happy atmosphere that will make you want to drink mimosas and brunch all day long. You have to order their biscuits with seasonal butter for the table! You can’t go wrong with any of their cocktails but the fried chicken and pimento cheese is a must! 

For the laid back ladies

Wake up, put your athleisure wear on and head to Jo’s on 2nd street for coffee and breakfast tacos. Their iced Belgium bomber is absolutely delicious and you can’t miss out on their potato, egg and cheese taco from Taco Deli. After, head to Laguna Gloria to tour the sculpture garden. Wanting more of a gallery vibe? Head to The Contemporary Austin downtown. Or if you’re feeling really culturally inspired, head to tour the Texas State Capitol!

Afternoon Activities

Head to Rainy Street to bar hop! This is a different type of bar scene. Rainy Street is a strip of old houses turned into really cool and unique bars with food trucks on the side streets. Pop into Lucille’s for yummy cocktails and laid back vibes. Needing a snack? Head to Eat, Drink, Anthem for their guacamole and brisket rangoons!

Dinner

For the Tex Mex group

Head to ATX Cocina for the best Mexican food with the cutest atmosphere! Their margaritas cannot be beat and their queso is out of this world!! Order a couple ceviches for the table and split a few entrees.

For the cutesy group 

Head to Clark’s Oyster Bar for a quaint environment with delicious food. Trust me, you won’t want to leave this place! You must order the shells and cheese, Parmesan grits and Brussels sprouts for the table. Have fun trying their fresh oysters and don’t miss out on their scallops for your main dish! Have that one friend who doesn’t like seafood? Order the burger! They have one of the best burgers in town.

After dinner you’re either really tired or ready to pop it out depending on what type of group you are. Tired? End your night at The Driskell downtown for a nightcap and piano music. Wanting to go out on the town? Head to the White Horse on the east side for craft cocktails and plenty of mixing and mingling.

Sunday 

You can’t end your weekend in Austin without one last brunch! Head to Jacobys on the east side before you head to the airport. It’s on your way! Jacobys has everything you would want in a  good ole southern brunch. Biscuits that are delicious, homemade cinnamon rolls, deviled eggs, quiche, and chicken fried steak and waffles!

I hope you enjoy your weekend in Austin! If you have any questions or spots I didn’t cover, please let me know! I would love to hear from you!

xx,

CKS