What is the best area to stay in Austin?
By Adam Miezio. November 20, 2023
Visiting Austin, you’ll find out fast why “everything is bigger in Texas.” Austin calls itself the “live music capital of the world,” and it boasts the world’s largest, urban bat colony under the Congress Avenue bridge. The Texas state capitol building stands taller than the National Capitol in Washington D.C., and “big tech” doesn’t get any bigger than the likes of Facebook, Google and Tesla calling Austin home. The 10th biggest city in the country welcomes you with genuine, southern comfort- Texan style. Experience the friendliness through eating, drinking, and partying. Then you’ll stay longer for the shopping, outdoor sports, festivals, comedy and green spaces.
Downtown Austin makes the perfect vacation location. Nestled up along picturesque Lady Bird Lake to the south, the compact downtown allows travelers to reach everything in the area either by foot, or a quick Uber ride. The laid back vibe allows people to easily explore and get a feel for Austin without the hassle of driving. Whether taking in the scenic vistas, watching the bats swarm out at sunset or stand up paddle boarding on Ladybird Lake, there’s a little bit of something for everyone, even Willie Nelson fans. You can take a selfie with his statue downtown.On the map, which shows the best area to stay in Austin, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you are interested in where to stay in Austin, you may also be interested in where to stay in Dallas, where to stay in Houston and where to stay in Sant Antonio.
Why Downtown is the Best Place to Stay
First Time Visitors / Tourists / Music Lovers
In downtown Austin you can be the pulse of the city which is exciting for anyone. You can walk or take a short ride to many of Austin’s highlights. Explore Austin’s natural beauty by strolling along Lady Bird Lake. Cross the lake and take a walk in Zilker Park, and see the famous Stevie Ray Vaughn statue and where Austin City Limits music festival takes place.
Want to listen to live music? Head to ACL Live at the Moody Theater and catch a show in a cozy, intimate venue. Looking for a laugh? Visit Joe Rogan’s stand up club, the Comedy Mothership. If you’re parched after all this, choose from a bevy of bars and watering holes along well-known 6th Street or Rainey Street.
Hungry now? Check out world-famous Stubb’s BBQ on Red River, where you can eat and catch more live music. And you haven’t even left downtown yet!
Other Areas to Stay in Austin
East Austin
Eating / Drinking
East Austin may be Austin’s trendiest and funkiest neighborhood that appeals to hipsters and foodies. Go east on 6th Street, past I-35, to find some of the local, gastronomic and cultural hot spots.
On the hunt for Texas BBQ? Go a couple streets north to Franklin BBQ, Austin’s most famous BBQ joint. Don’t like waiting? A good, runner-up is La Barbecue on East Caesar Chavez. Once back on 6th, a ton of bars, lounges, clubs and watering holes welcome you for a drink. The Violet Crown Social Club and The Grackle are local institutions. If you’re craving a beer, this is the place to be. Have a cold one at Lazarus Brewing or Zilker Brewing Company.
Feeling a bit more German? Go to Easy Tiger. The German themed restaurant, bakery and brewpub has been an all-time favorite with Austinites for years. Besides awesome beer and bread, Easy Tiger is one of the best outdoor drinking venues.
South Congress
Shopping / Eating / Sightseeing / Music
South Congress Avenue, just across Lady Bird Lake caters to fans of artsy, bohemian vibes with fashion, style, fun and maybe a top-notch selfie for Instagram. All kinds of stores, shops and boutiques offer the latest in style and fashion, even for cowboys.
If you’re going to be on the range, why not get a nice pair of boots at Allen’s? Or if you don’t like old school cowboy boots, go to Tecova’s, Austin’s hottest, newest name in cowboy boots. Along the way, don’t forget to stop by the “I love you so much” mural and snap a selfie. It’s not a visit to Austin without one. When the shopping works up an appetite, try Austin’s dietary staple- tacos. Torchy’s Tacos is a always a good option, or sit outside at Guero’s, where celebrities sometimes stop to eat.
When you’re ready for more live music, go to The Continental Club or C-Boy’s Heart & Soul.
Rainey Street
Eating / Drinking / Partying / Music
The three to four block long stretch of Rainey Street is a drag way of drinking in a valley of high rises. If you’re looking to party, this might be the best place, especially for college kids to 30 something yuppies.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach though. Get here earlier in the day, when the vibe is still laid back and easy going. This is high time to visit Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden. Banger’s makes dozens of their own, delicious, house made sausages and touts an awesome craft beer list. They also have live music in the beer garden, which makes a fine place, to enjoy Austin outside.
Later at night, Rainey turns into a pumping and thumping, party scene. The pedestrian street buzzes with nightclubs, like Lustre Pearl and Half Step. Try a drink in a light bulb at The Tipsy Alchemist, and get your munchies on at a food truck after.
North Loop
Shopping / Eating / Drinking
The low-key, relaxed neighborhood of North Loop is a sanctuary for hipsters, creatives and bohemians alike. Blue Velvet and Ermine Vintage offer some of Austin’s best vintage clothes selections in town.
Monkeywrench Books will please bibliophiles and aficionados of independent bookstores. Double Trouble and Epoch Coffee are fine places to seek refuge from Austin’s hedonistic ways. Still, you can’t totally escape the eating and drinking scene here; it’s just quieter. The Tigress Pub and Workhorse Bar make quality, off-the-beaten path places for a drink. The burgers at Workhorse are good too. If you’re into vintage media, this is the area for you. Breakaway Records offers a fine selection of vinyl.
Last but not least, a beloved, Austin institution calls the North Loop home- We Luv Video. You can still rent movies here on DVD. If you want to take the edge off and get weird, check out North Loop.
Central Austin & University of Texas at Austin
Football / Museums / Large Shows
Two main things dominate this area- the University of Texas and St. David’s Medical Center. Although mainly a campus and business district, there are big draws here for college football fans, music and museum lovers.
From late summer until late fall, Longhorn fans pour into Memorial Stadium to see their beloved team and tailgate in the nearby parking lots. Just to the south is Scholz Garten a lovely German restaurant and biers tube popular with locals before and after games. However, football isn’t the only reason to be here. Austin’s largest music venue, the Moody Center, resides here. The Moody Center hosts larger, stadium venue acts and bands.
Don’t worry if football and music aren’t your thing. You’ll find Austin’s most notable museums and cultural attractions in this area. The Blanton Museum of Art, the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the LBJ Presidential Library are all located nearby.
Our recommended hotels in Austin
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in AustinNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
