We miss you, Austin! Our two years living there gave us that dose of city living that we craved.  Don’t get me wrong; we enjoy where we live now, but we’ve decided every now and then, we need to take a staycation and visit you…unless, of course, we are having such fun that it turns into a vacation!

STAY

We believe that a hotel isn’t just where you sleep; it sets the tone for your entire trip. Based on location, its trendy vibe, and the fact that Cava (a sparkling Spanish wine, similar to champagne) has been served in the lobby from 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. during each of our visits, we’ve chosen the Canopy by Hilton Austin Downtown as our favorite hotel. 

Upscale, yet not excessively expensive (a recent article cited Austin as the third most expensive city in Texas, based on its lodging costs), the indoor-outdoor feel of the Canopy makes it feel more like a retreat.

FYI: We check a hotel’s website for their rates and compare them with Hotels.com. We’ll book at the less expensive price, but we prefer to use Hotels.com when possible, as they offer a loyalty rewards program called “OneKeyCash.” Shared by Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo, it can be used as a form of cashback for future bookings. 

PLAY

Sure, there are the tried-and-true tourist spots, but these are just some of the ways we like to while away our time in Austin:

• Walk all or some of the 10-mile path around Lady Bird Lake or paddle a rented kayak on the lake. 
• Head to SOCO – South of Congress to shop and people-watch; sign up online, and Kendra Scott will help you celebrate your birthday month with 50% off one item. Or, take a photo at the famous “I Love You So Much” mural at Joe’s Coffee: 1300 South Congress.  
• Visit the lovely Umlauf Sculpture Gardens and Museum  Check out their event schedule for information on Family Days and After Dark, which features live jazz and cocktails. 
• Tucked away in the Hyde Park neighborhood, the Elisabet Ney Museum is currently closed for renovation until Summer 2026, but is worth keeping on your radar for a visit. Her home and museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, chronicle her interesting life and amazing work as a sculptor. 
• Mozart’s Coffee Roasters has a spectacular view of Lake Austin, and features live music and art exhibits. 

HIGH LEVEL HAPPY HOUR

Do cocktails taste better when they are served at a rooftop bar? We think they do! I’m not talking about the Sixth Street, loud music, standing room only bars. I’m referring to an elegant venue with the added treat of a view. Here are our favorites:

• Located on the fifth floor of the swanky Proper Hotel, La Piscina could very well transport you to a Mediterranean hideaway with its chic ambiance.
• Who would have guessed that P6 was originally the parking garage for its hotel The Line! The space has been transformed into lovely sitting areas with views of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin skyline.

FYI: Both bars are also restaurants, so reservations for cocktails are a must. 

DINE

• Lin Asian Bar & Dim Sum Restaurant has been a long-time favorite. Be sure to start with the soup dumplings (complete with a quick lesson as to how to enjoy them) and end with the hot sake for “dessert;” anything you choose in between will be great. 
• As the next-door neighbor to the South Congress Hotel, Café No Se shares its trendy and downtown chic vibe. After recently enjoying an amazing kale salad and a salmon burger for lunch there, we’ll be back. 
  One of the first places we dined as new Austinites, Taverna, will always have a soft spot in our hearts. Brunch favorites are Avocado Toast and Eggs Benedict. For dinner, we love the sautéed mussels and dream of the Cacio e Pepe. It’s prepared tableside in a large cheese rind. Though it’s no longer on the menu, they will happily accommodate you.  
• Did you know Walton’s Fancy and Staple is owned by actress Sandra Bullock? It’s conveniently located across the street from the Canopy Hotel and great for breakfast and lunch. My favorite is the spinach and arugula salad with candied walnuts, cheddar cheese, and apples.
• We were delighted that the popular Chicago restaurant group, Lettuce Entertain You, added an Austin restaurant to their success stories. The restaurant aba in SOCO is a Mediterranean wonderland that artfully combines its indoor and outdoor spaces into the WOW factor. Choose any hummus or any kebab; actually, choose anything on the menu!

FYI: A reservation is a must for both lunch and dinner at most restaurants – Walton’s is the only place where you can walk in. Reserving using the Open Table app allows us to make changes and keep tabs on our booking, plus each reservation earns us points. On our last wedding anniversary, we were able to utilize $75 towards our dinner!

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Image by Achim Thiemermann from Pixabay