Welcome to the blog! I love to share about travel, wellness, lifestyle. My favorite things to highlight on a travel post usually revolve around food, art, and my top magical moments.
This is a post about Austin from back in January 2023. My boyfriend and I were looking for a place to visit together before I went on a month long trip to Los Angeles. We used Trusted Housesitters to lower cost of our lodging, and to be able to have a kitchen to use and more space to work. Doing a general search with our specific dates and keeping in mind weather, we found a great opportunity in Austin!
Where to stay
We were pretty flexible on location as long as it was warmer than N.Y.C. in January. Austin Texas showed up with listings within our preferred date range. Nick has always wanted to go, and I was excited to visit again. So we submitted a request, had a video call, and were chosen to pet sit!
If you’re interested to sign up for Trusted Housesitters, use our referral link for 25% off your subscription! It is a great way to see a new area while having the company of pets to care for. Especially while working remote, this option cuts down costs and offers a home to work from. You still need experience and genuine interest to care for the animals as part of the exchange.
Something that had such a positive influence on our experience was the pet sit. The 3 cats we cared for were so sweet and entertaining as cats are. Nick and I both get so much fulfillment caring for animals. It was a lovely home that felt so comfortable to relax in at the end of the day. They even had a large monitor for Nick to set up his laptop!
We stayed in South Austin which was super accessible to amazing cafes, restaurants, and sites.
Transportation
We rented a car to get around from the Airport. There isn’t easy to use public transportation and we wanted the flexibility to get groceries and visit the city with ease. We also used Uber and Lyft in the evening and the prices ranged around $15-$20 for a 10-15 minute car ride. This was a good option for the occasional night out. Driving was more complex even for NYC standards. There’s a lot of traffic and getting around requires a lot of entering and exiting various highways even to go just 20 minutes into Austin.
Food
Before we got the rental car, we ordered groceries with Whole Foods delivery when we arrived. This is a great option for any place you visit for extended time. Having snacks and breakfast/lunch items lowered our costs and felt good to have on hand.
The food at restaurants and taco joints was really delicious in Austin. We haven’t had this much good Tex Mex in a while. My friend who is from Texas had an amazing list of recommendations we tried out. There is still so much we could go back and try. If you have a favorite spot that’s not listed, share below in the comments!
Breakfast
One of my favorite meals was at this place down the street from our stay. It could seem unappealing from the outside, with darkened windows and metal bars over the exterior. However, my heart was so happy with the latin flavors for breakfast. I love savory rice, beans, and eggs for breakfast. Nick and I love going to diners in NYC and this reminded us of a Mexican style diner. It was so fun to experience. It was a budget friendly meal that filled us up before our walk through Barton Creek Trail!
A great place to step out of the house and work remote. They have ample seating outside, with heat lamps on the colder nights. You can start the day with a coffee and pastry, and end with a beer! I would highly recommend the 512 IPA.
A first stop before walking around South Congress Street. They serve great coffee, matcha, and breakfast tacos! I was happy to get something savory to eat.
Lunch
A great spot for a quick bite. They had the most warm and top notch corn tortilla for their tacos. In just a small bite we were so satisfied with the flavors and seasoning of the various types we tried.
We found this place while walking around South Congress Street. There are so many restaurants to try out, but this one has some of the coolest decorations and interior vibes. It attracts a good time, because mid meal a gentleman with over 5 Pomeranians of different sizes sat in the outdoor seating. The food was nothing fancy or thrilling, but definitely a great experience overall.
Dinner
Tex-Mex Restaurant with a salsa bar! The food was delicious and the environment was casual and a great place to start our visit with.
Coming from New York City, we know good pizza. However, the idea of trying out Detroit style sounded fun! This place has various locations and we stopped at the one in East Austin. The pizza was pretty delicious! It was a longer than expected wait for food, but the environment was casual and welcoming. The server was so kind and gave that Texan hospitality experience you don’t get anywhere else.
We chose this place to get a break from Tex-Mex. They had a delicious menu with Italian and American style food. The bread pudding dessert is a must try!
Excursions
Going into Austin, we didn’t have a plan per se. Our main focus was to enjoy food, get a taste of Austin, and spend quality time together. The weather was also on the colder rainy side. We felt more inclined to take it easy and snuggle in with the cats and a good movie. There are plenty more excursions the Austin has to offer. However, the ones I share below are a great jumping off point.
South Congress Street
Start your visit with some coffee at Jo’s and wander through the shops on this walkable stretch. Things you’d only find in Texas such as a cowboy boot shop, and a customizable cowboy hat shop. The area also has an outdoor clothing market and a few vintage stores. A block West on S 1st Street is a favorite “Welcome to Austin” mural. We finished with lunch at Guero’s Taco Bar.
Bring cash and an open mind to getting on the dance floor. This place is a classic Austin attraction. I recognized it from the Queer Eye episode. (The lady is still there from that show!) We mostly watched, and then took a couple attempts on the dance floor. The space isn’t fancy, with a slight musty smell and low ceilings, but it’s all part of the charm! Live country music and a friendly fun atmosphere is guaranteed!
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail
Just off the highway this casual walk was a great place to move our bodies and be in nature after a day of remote work. It’s a simple trail and beginner friendly.
Thank you for joining along our adventure! Austin is a great place to visit for an extended stay. Our budget went mostly to the car rental since we were pet sitting and cooked some of our meals. Overall there’s a lot to do, great food, and amazing spaces for co-working while enjoying coffee or beer. Remote work travel is a great way to get out of the usual routine while exploring a new area. We will definitely be back to explore more of what Austin has to offer!
Have you been? Share below your favorite places to visit in Austin.
