Mistakes Tourists Make While Visiting Austin

Austin, Texas, has lengthy appealed to tourists thanks to its are living songs scene, award-successful restaurants and exceptional attractions. In recent many years, it’s also turn out to be a major destination for bachelor and bachelorette functions.

Though locals welcome the inflow of travellers, they also simply cannot help but observe what readers get improper during their stays in the money metropolis. We asked people who stay in Austin to share the various fake pas they’ve noticed.

From missing out on the lake scene to picking the improper place for tacos, right here are 16 issues visitors often make whilst viewing Austin ― and some suggestions for avoiding these errors throughout your travels.

“If you stop by Austin in the summer months, prepare for 100 diploma days with humidity. … The very best months to appear are October through April if you want to avoid these sizzling days. There are methods to appreciate the warmth if you do pick out the summer season months ― be outside in the mornings and evenings, slip in one of our bodies of drinking water in the daytime, and lean into the food items scene as they’re all air conditioned and lots of have neat units on the patios!” ― Erin Ruoff, blogger at Hello Wonderful

“While Torchy’s Tacos was born here in Austin, the city has so quite a few extra dining establishments and food stuff vehicles that make unbelievable tacos. A handful of of my personalized favorites are Cuantos, Discada, Veracruz, Nixta Taqueria and Paprika.” ― Jane Ko, blogger at A Style of Koko

“I want that holidaymakers knew to find out some of the distinctive Austin taco trucks, but most men and women just go to Torchy’s! Absolutely sure, Torchy’s has tasty tacos and queso, but it’s a nationwide cafe chain at this issue. Most locals will place you to El Primo, Cuantos Tacos or Discada for some of the finest tacos in Austin.” ― Kelsey Kennedy, blogger at So Considerably Existence

“One mistake is having a photo by the ‘I Appreciate You So Much’ signal. Alright, I know it is iconic, but there are so a lot of other murals.” ― Rachel Thornton, blogger at Austin Foodsta

“Don’t just just take a picture in entrance of the ‘I Enjoy You So Much’ Jo’s Coffee mural or the Roadhouse Relics ‘Welcome to Austin’ mural. Do a little Googling and you are going to locate some amazing murals to jump in on! We have terrific artists to share all over downtown and beyond.” ― Ruoff

“Don’t only go to 6th Street! Yes, 6th Road is fun but there are other regions around city or a few blocks absent to investigate like West 6th, Rainey Road, 4th Road, East 6th and additional.” ― DJ Hella Yella, DJ and nightlife coordinator

“One error individuals make is contemplating the Austin occasion scene is exclusively 6th Avenue, which caters nicely to the ‘just turned 21 crowd’ and these seeking to have a rowdy night time. If you’re wanting a little something a tiny less raucous, head to East Austin for a Williamsburg come to feel. It’s culturally diverse and prides by itself on supporting local companies and resourceful expression. Appreciate a cocktail at Kitty Cohen’s, or catch a drag show on Sundays at Volstead. Clearly show up hungry as the food stuff on the east aspect is fantastic!” ― Larissa Lampitelli, style designer

“Think Austin tourism is only South Congress to the Capitol? Feel yet again. Head west for a splash. Lease a boat on Lake Austin or Lake Travis ― escape the warmth and bounce appropriate into some of the most stunning lakes! They are rock-bottom, so no awful, muddy lakes right here. The drinking water is chilly calendar year-round, which would make for a great exercise for summer time visits. They also are constructing up their have exclusive food items scenes so really do not just consume downtown ― check out the entire city if you can. And if Zilker Park is far too occupied, go off the overwhelmed route for excellent mountaineering and hidden waterfalls. Pack a lunch from a single of our local markets and discover the insane quantity of trails we have.” ― Ruoff

“Don’t skip out on paddleboarding for training at Barton Springs, pups bundled. Right after exercising, indulge in an incredible spa day at Lake Austin Spa Vacation resort or the wonderful, soulful Miraval resort.” ― Jo Placencio, blogger at Peace Enjoy Glam

“Don’t only pay a visit to in the course of SXSW or Austin City Boundaries.To totally encounter Austin you need to have to go to not throughout a major competition weekend.” ― DJ Hella Yella

“A miscalculation travellers make is sporting all Western apparel and expecting to journey a horse.” ― Thornton

“Austinites are generally casual dressers, nonetheless we even now glance fashionably pulled collectively. We are a laid-again town: informal stylish fulfills great Western with a sprint of hipster along with denim and graphic tees. Do not get me improper, we have distinctive events and lavish occasions the place you will see attractive robes and tuxedos. However, really do not be shocked if you see luxurious ensembles paired with denims and boots. … We enjoy being Texans!” ― Michelle Washington, Tv set fashion specialist and manner stylist

“Standing in line for Franklin’s Barbecue is a slip-up. Franklin’s is great, but there’s superior BBQ you can get in town with a shorter wait time like the historic Sam’s Bar-B-Que.” ― DJ Hella Yella

“The food items vehicles have arguably the finest food stuff in Austin. Test LeRoy and Lewis for BBQ, Dee Dee for Thai food stuff and Rosita’s for tacos.” ― Thornton

“Always deliver swimming apparel. Austin and the surrounding areas have so numerous incredible watering holes (swim, dangle, examine) and they each are a small distinct from the other. And with 11 months out of the year getting heat sufficient to swim, there is in no way not a time to do it.” ― Travis Hallmark, photographer

“I propose not staying anywhere that is not in town or rather central (i.e., Round Rock or Buda). Site visitors will get you, and you won’t get a lot of the nearby Austin that helps make Austin Austin.” ― Shelby Sorrel, social media strategist and blogger

“Don’t remain exactly where you have to just take I-35 to go everywhere. Website traffic in Austin is lousy. Stay clear of I-35 as a lot as probable.” ― DJ Hella Yella

“The range-a single oversight I see readers earning is lacking out on checking out and procuring on South Congress. Store at regionally owned shops and boutiques like Texas staple attire Allens Boots.” ― Placencio

“One of the most important errors I see travelers make is anticipating to waltz into a very hot-ticket Saturday evening meal restaurant unannounced. The Austin foodstuff scene is Hot correct now! If you want to go to a well-known area like Sammie’s, Hestia or Suerte, make your reservation a thirty day period in advance.” ― Kennedy

“Make a reservation months in progress for Hamilton Pool.” ― Thornton

“Eating at The Oasis can be a miscalculation. It has a wonderful perspective, but the locals know this spot is overhyped and the food stuff just isn’t that fantastic.” ― Thornton

“If you like tacky but fun, head to The Oasis for killer lake sights. If you want to stay away from the vacationer vibes, attempt a different lake cafe ― similar sights, considerably less nuts, much better foods. Try out Shack 512, Steiner Ranch Steakhouse, Oasis Texas Brewing or County Line rather. Trust me, The Oasis watch is wonderful. The food items, not so much.” ― Ruoff

“Don’t go to Barton Springs on the weekend, if you can enable it. It’s absolutely packed on a Saturday, but pretty much empty on a weekday early morning.” ― Kennedy

“Tourists make the mistake of sporting far too lots of levels (or not enough) as an alternative of carrying merchandise for temperature readiness. Austin has fluctuating weather. We may perhaps get started off with a amazing morning by noon, the local weather could selection from pouring rain to blazing sun.” ― Washington

“When you arrive in the city, request locals for coffee, booze, tacos and BBQ. There are a good deal of lists on the world-wide-web, but men and women who live in this article know the places outside of the attractions.” ― Hallmark

“Avoid the big-box assessment sites and discover the neighborhood food stuff bloggers in town ― follower numbers really don’t make a difference in this article. They are your important to the very best foods in Austin. They’ll notify you exactly where to go, when to go, who’s popping in and what to stay away from.” ― Ruoff

Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and size.