Welcome to my travel blog for a girls trip to Austin, Texas! Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin is the perfect destination for a fun and exciting getaway with your best girlfriends. From its delicious food and bars scene to its outdoor activities, Austin offers something for everyone. This 3-day itinerary is packed with fun and exciting things to do, from indulging in some retail therapy, bar hopping, to exploring the outdoors and relaxing with your best friend(s), without the need for renting a car. So grab your girls (in my case it was my 20-something daughter) and get ready to have the ultimate girls trip in Austin!
>> Got a question about Austin that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending.
Where To Stay
I love Embassy Suites, primarily for its made-to-order breakfast. Along with all rooms being suites, I enjoy the evening reception/happy hour, where all drinks and snacks are on the house. In Austin, another reason we chose the Embassy Suites was its convenient location on South Congress Avenue. The hotel is within walking distance to many shops, restaurants, and bars, making it easy for us to explore the area without needing a car. Plus, public transportation options like buses and ride-sharing services were easily accessible from the hotel.
Evening Reception menu at Embassy Suites Austin
Day 1
Texas Capitol Building
A visit to the Texas State Capitol building in Austin is a must-see for any trip to this vibrant city. It is less than a mile from Embassy Suites, and is an easy walk along South Congress. The historic building, which serves as the seat of government for the state of Texas, is an impressive architectural masterpiece that is sure to leave a lasting impression. One of the highlights of our visit to the Capitol was a tour of the inside of the building. Guided tours are offered Monday through Friday and last approximately 45 minutes. You'll learn about the history of the building and the state of Texas, as well as get a glimpse of the legislative chambers and other important rooms. The tour also provides an opportunity to see some of the beautiful artwork and sculptures that decorate the interior of the building.
The central dome of the Capitol Building. Note the Texas 5-point star at the center.
Taquero Mucho
Once we were done exploring the Capitol, we made our way to Taquero Mucho for lunch. This restaurant, made popular for its pink theme on TikTok and Instagram, is an easy 1 mile walk from the Capitol building. Austin is known for its vibrant and diverse food scene, and the city's taco culture is a big part of that. Many taqueros in Austin have their own unique twist on traditional Mexican tacos, and Taquero Mucho is one such restaurant with a pink theme. EVERYTHING, and I mean, EVERYTHING is pink here - the chairs, tables, the walls, their tortillas, and even their restroom! For drinks, we had a Paloma and Mango Mami. The latter was especially unique, as it came with a tamarind stick to suck on in between sips. We also ordered Queso Flamendo, which was as yummy as it was cheesy, and came with pink tortillas! The vegetarian enchiladas were equally delicious, but by then, we were already stuffed. The restaurant also has numerous photo ops, beckoning the selfie-seekers amongst us.
The all-pink Taquero Mucho. Even the tortillas were pink! And so was the restroom!
Auditorium Shores
Auditorium Shores is a public park in Austin located along the shores of Lady Bird Lake. The park features a large open lawn, a stage for live performances, and a dog park. Less than a mile away from the hotel, it has great views of the Austin skyline and perfect spot to watch the city lights come up as the sun goes down.
View of the skyline from Auditorium shores
Zilker Park Trail Of Lights
If you visit Austin during the holidays, like we did, Zilker Park Trail Of Lights is not to be missed. This is an annual event held in December, featuring a 2-mile long trail illuminated by holiday lights, as well as live music, food vendors, and other entertainment. The Trail of Lights has been a Austin tradition for over 50 years, and is a popular event for families and visitors during the holiday season. The number of displays in the park is truly overwhelming, and we had seen nothing of this magnitude in the SF Bay Area, where we reside.
Whataburger
Whataburger is a fast food restaurant chain that was founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas. The chain is known for its signature "Whataburger" sandwich, which is made with a large beef patty served on a five-inch toasted bun. Having heard so much about it in California, daughter dearest and the meat eater amongst us had to give it a shot. Her verdict - it is almost close to In-N-Out burger, and is worth all the hype. As for the vegetarians, there was little to no option for us, other than a shake and fries.
Whataburger sandwich
Day 2
Bike at Lady Bird Park
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we started our second day in Austin with some physical activity. Just outside Embassy Suites is ATX Metrobike station, where we rented bikes by the hour. We decided to bike down 10-mile Lady Bird Lake Trail, which runs right next to the hotel. The trail is a popular spot for hiking, biking, running and walking, and offers stunning views of the Austin skyline and the Texas Hill Country. The trail is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible for people of all fitness levels. The trail was so well maintained throughout and made for a very enjoyable and fun morning out.
The beautiful Austin skyline all along the biking trail
Lunch at Torchys
The bike ride helped build a good appetite for lunch, and so we headed to the popular Torchy's Tacos. Torchy's Tacos is a popular taco restaurant chain that originated in Austin. The flagship location on South Congress Avenue is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. The menu features a variety of creative and delicious taco options. We had the Trailer Park, which was a fried chicken taco, and the airstream salad. The salad was, by far, the most delicious salad I have had in a long, long time. Just thinking about it as I write this blog makes my mouth water. The restaurant has a quirky and playful decor, which adds to the fun and lively atmosphere.
Sunset at Congress Ave Bridge
Start the fun evening by walking up to Congress Avenue bridge, which is right across from the hotel, to view the sunset, with the city's skyline in the background and the natural beauty of the lake. The bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America and during the summer months, hundreds of Mexican Free-tailed Bats can be seen emerging from the bridge at sunset to hunt for insects. The best place to view the sunset from the bridge is from the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, the pedestrian walkway that runs along the north side of the lake, under the bridge. Visitors can also take a boat tour to see the bats and the sunset. There are several boat tour companies that operate on the lake, which offer guided tours of the bat colony. The emergence of the bats is dependent on the season and the weather. When we went in December, we were unable to witness this spectacle.
Bar Hopping at Sixth Street
After sunset, make your way down South Congress towards Sixth Street, which is known for its bar scene and nightlife. It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with a variety of bars, clubs, and live music venues to choose from. Some popular bars on Sixth Street include The Jackalope, Handlebar, and The Blackheart. The street is closed off to traffic on weekends and during special events, making it a great place to walk around and explore. Before hitting Sixth Street, we also visited the "Secret Bar" in the W, and the Edge Rooftop bar at JW Marriott.
Day 3
Murals
Begin Day 3 with what Austin is famous for - murals! Austin is home to a vibrant mural scene, with many street art pieces scattered throughout the city. Most of the popular mural locations lie in the South Congress Avenue and East 6th Street area. They are created by local artists and reflect the city's diverse culture and history. Some notable murals in Austin include the "Greetings from Austin" mural and the Tau Ceti mural across from the JW Marriott hotel.
South Congress Shopping
As you explore the murals along South Congress, combine it with some retail therapy. South Congress Avenue, also known as SoCo, is lined with unique boutiques, vintage shops, and specialty stores that offer a wide variety of clothing, accessories, home decor, and more. Some of the popular shops on South Congress include ByGeorge, Uncommon Objects, and Feathers Boutique. The area is also known for its art galleries, antique shops and thrift stores. Along with shopping, South Congress is also known for its food trucks, street performers, and live music.
Lunch at ABA
SoCo is also home to a number of popular restaurants, cafes and bars. The mot popular restaurant of them all is ABA, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. The menu features a variety of dishes inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, including mezze, grilled meats, and seafood, with a focus on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails. The interior of the restaurant is designed to evoke the feeling of dining in a Mediterranean courtyard, with a mix of modern and traditional elements. Being one of the most popular restaurants in town, reservations are highly recommended. We booked our table more than a week in advance.
Top L : Aba special hummus platter - to die for! Top R: Unplugged mocktail
Bottom L : Entrance to the restaurant Bottom R: Green falafel hot mezze
Shopping at 2nd Street District
The 2nd Street District in Austin, Texas is a popular shopping destination known for its unique boutiques, specialty stores, and local businesses. The area is located in downtown Austin, less than half a mile from the hotel, and stretches from Congress Avenue to Nueces Street. Some popular shops in the 2nd Street District include ByGeorge - A luxury fashion and lifestyle store, The Little Market - A shop that features handmade goods and gifts created by local artisans and Allens Boots - A store that specializes in cowboy boots and western wear. The 2nd Street District also features a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes, making it a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.
If you have more time...
Based on the time of year you visit Austin, and if you have a car to drive around, do check out :
graffiti art at the HOPE Outdoor Gallery
Austin Museum of Art or the Blanton Museum of Art
Live music at venues such as the Continental Club or the Cactus Cafe
The natural beauty of Mount Bonnell
Community swimming at Barton Springs
Keep in mind that Austin is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Texas Book Festival, which can offer a wealth of additional things to see and do in the city.
>> Got a question about Austin that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @SolaraStills and I’ll be happy to help! I only accept DMs from followers, so hit the follow button before sending.
As our girls trip to Austin comes to an end, we can't help but feel grateful for the memories we've made and the bond we've strengthened. The city's natural beauty and friendly locals made it easy to fall in love with it. We can't wait to come back and explore more of what this wonderful city has to offer. Austin, you've stolen a piece of our hearts, and we'll be back for more. To all the readers out there, we highly recommend a girls trip to Austin, it's a perfect destination for a fun and memorable getaway with your besties. Until next time Austin, cheers to new adventures and lasting memories.
Keep Austin Weird!!
