Austin Texas: Cool Things To Do // Destinations Explained

once upon a time this city sat comfortably with half a million hippies affordable homes and a winning university football team sitting out on the porch with a shiner in your hand listening to willie nelson was the epitome of a good time here in the city of austin in the 2010s ward got out of their food trucks and chill vibes causing an influx of substantial growth despite arising as one of the fastest growing u.s cities the lone star capital is home to a booming tech mecca astounding restaurants and breathtaking landscapes [Music] hey i'm jacob and welcome to destinations explained a fun series we do diving into destinations from around the world if you watched before welcome back and if you're new here it's great to have you if you haven't already like this video watch till the end and down below recommend which destination we should do next here we go austin has been the site of human habitation since the ice age over 11 000 years ago but the lack of piles of electric scooters made it hard to get around fast forward to the 1830s where the state of texas fought in one independence from mexico rewarding them as an independent country that lasted longer than a viral cat video later in the 1800s the city flourished as a trading center for farmers after the arrival of railroads and the construction of a permanent bridge across the colorado river despite a few floods and expensive dam revisions people in texas began to realize that a bunch of dinosaur goo was underneath them creating tremendous economic opportunities austin then emerged as the high tech center for semiconductors and software while the university at texas at austin emerged as a major university today austin has a population of around 1 million people almost 200 000 more than a decade ago and we're part of that 200 000. located in austin in the greater texas hill country resides in numerous lakes rivers and waterways containing beautiful hiking trails and swimming holes that are perfect for summer speaking of weather high temperatures in july average at 90 degrees fahrenheit down to a cool 74 degrees fahrenheit while in january it averages at a high of 61 degrees fahrenheit to a low of 40 degrees fahrenheit besides keeping it weird austin is also known as the live music capital of the world with a vibrant live music scene with more music venues per capita than any other u.s city suck it nashville austin's music scene revolves around the many nightclubs on 6th street and the huge annual events like austin's city limits and south by southwest now get an order of breakfast tacos and grab your disc golf bag because it's time to see what austin has to offer let's start with something everyone can enjoy auditorium shores is accompanied by many neighboring amenities of lush green parks hiking trails and scenic skyline views there's the occasional live music and performances outside the long center during late march continuing through early fall watch over a million bats ascend into the sunset sky from under congress avenue bridge and you can't forget austin's most recognized recreational area lady bird lake offering 10 miles of hike and bike trail guided by an urban path that meanders along the water's edge and passes by skyscrapers and neighborhoods while you're walking around don't forget to snap a pic with the stevie ray vaughn statue honoring one of austin's greatest contributions to music zilker park is a recreational area in south austin that comprises over 350 acres of lavish terrain and an alluring view of the city after waiting through a vexation of traffic to park you'll be compensated with an endless field full of off-leash dogs locals playing various sports and picnickers laid out on a soft grass some popular establishments residing in zilker include the austin nature and science center a botanical gardens and a disc golf course on the other side of barton springs road lies well barton springs one of the crown jewels of austin this three acre pool is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68 to 70 degrees fahrenheit ideal for year-round swimming depths of the pool range from zero to 18 feet with surrounding grassy areas for patrons to lounge upon and there's a sweet diving board to impress people with your sick mid-air moves now dry off and put on your cowboy boots because we're taking a stroll down south congress avenue better known as soco soco oozes homespun characters and boasts the story of austin's yesteryear in its boutiques eateries galleries and music venues in the heart of the historic district you'll find lucy in disguise with diamonds an enormous outpost offering costumes and vintage clothing joe's coffee that's less known for its brown water and more notable 4-5 barely eligible words on its side restaurants like guerros and homeslice pizza that have appeared in major films like death proof and boyhood the avenue is a must-see lined with unique stores and restaurants offering a true austin feel mount bonnell is a great place to get your outdoor adventures started and witness some of the incredible views the city has to offer actually located in covert park mount bonnell is generally considered the highest point in austin at 775 feet now don't be intimidated after a daring 102 stair climb you'll quickly realize this spot is truly a tourist attraction and not a treacherous peak summit popular for sunsets romantic picnics and families of all ages you'll witness an incredible glimpse of the colorado river a peculiar skyline view and wait what's that well that's our next destination for our tour segment the penny backer bridge also known as the 360 bridge is an architecturally pleasant landmark on austin's west side that allows highway 360 and pedestrians to cross the colorado river the overlook is almost too good to be true offering an unobstructed view of the bridge river and faint skyline only after parking for free and a two-minute walk up an incline parking is available on the west side of the road immediately north of the bridge sunsets are perhaps the best time to go but there will be people taking couple shots and selfies all day every day now it's that part of the video where we bring in a local to get a different perspective of the city so let's transition to our friend brittany and see what she has to say about the city of austin hey brittany thank you for joining me on a call how are you doing today good how are you good good we are on the tourist section on austin and i need to just hear some recommendations from you a local what would you recommend for someone visiting austin well if you're in texas in general especially austin the capital um you have to go to a honky tonk and here we have a couple of places but the most well known is uh the broken spoke it is amazing for country music lovers if you want to get a taste of what two stepping is like they have two stepping lessons there's even a little museum little country museum inside and it's where you would find a lot of the og austin country people all right that place sounds awesome would you recommend anything similar like that there's a couple other places including the white horse and sagebrush is a newer one but there's a lot of good dancing music local acts there as well a nice big dance floor it's a great place to go have some cocktails with a big patio all right well thanks for those tourist suggestions those sound really good and i hope people viewing check it out let's transition to the nature section of the video we'll start with texas rowing center your one-stop shop for a unique kayaking or paddle board experience in austin run a kayak canoe or paddle board and treat yourself to a one of a kind view of the city like no other after paddling just half a mile east you'll find yourself at the intersection of the river and aforementioned barton creek typically you'll find large groups of people anchored in their kayaks and tubes enjoying the cool clear water take a detour up barton creek and watch the river water transition into the cool teal creek that flows from barton springs pool personally we like to get a nice workout down the river to the downtown area just a mile and a half east you'll find yourself past the first street bridge and under the previously mentioned congress avenue bridge where you might hear and smell the sleeping bats before they burst into the sunset sky the barton creek greenbelt which travels through south austin is the go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes in the city you can enjoy hiking biking rock climbing bouldering and even lazily passing a day perched in a hammock and when there's enough water in a creek there are several swimming holes locals like to enjoy the greenbelt offers all sorts of activities and landmarks along its seven mile stretch and there's a few common spots you need to know about violet crown is considered the trailhead and is on the backside of barton springs pool a mile down you'll find spyglass which includes campbell's hole for cliff jumping small but breathtaking slot canyons and a short steep hike to an incredible aerial view of the area itself further down is gustro providing a relaxing beach rock climbing and a rope swing lastly two and a half miles on lies a decent sized parking lot where you can access the double rope swing under mopac and take a mile and a half hike to twin falls and sculpture falls these days it seems like joe exotic has a better chance of being pardoned than finding the creek full of crystal clear water however it's still worth the visit 45 minutes west of austin you'll find what we consider an eighth wonder of the world hamilton pool this natural phenomenon was created when a dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago resulting in one of the most breathtaking scenes nature has to offer the natural pool and creek are not chemically treated so water quality is monitored regularly and swimming is occasionally restricted due to animal poop a unique natural area surrounds this pool with collapsed grotto and canyon formed by thousands of years of water erosion lush plant communities and a variety of wildlife species thanks to the internet and vloggers like ourselves we kind of turned this hidden gem into a hot tourist attraction so please check out their website for planning a reservation further into the hill country where the colorado river feeds into lake travis you'll find a state park on a peninsula known as pace bend another fantastic place for adventures to fish boat swim hike and bike you can also camp on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the lake along the nine miles of shoreline that are easily accessible by car you'll either find yourself at favorable swimming areas or 30 feet on top of a cliff you'll find these large cliffs on both sides of the peninsula offering a perfect view for sunrise and sunset but more importantly on the east side of the park lies the ultimate cliff jumping experience depending on the water levels this cliff can range from 20 to 40 feet and is completely legal to launch your fragile little body from i think it goes without saying that you need to be careful jumping and climbing back up the cliff krausey springs is an iconic camping and swimming site in the hill country located in spicewood texas approximately 45 miles northwest of austin this 115 acre property has 32 springs and several feed the man-made pool in the natural pool with an average temperature of about 70 degrees fahrenheit the water is perfect for those hot texas summer days the park does get to capacity quickly especially on the weekends if you're concerned about their capacity before arriving you can always give them a call we recommend you bring a six pack of canned beer in a quirky tube from urban outfitters to fully maximize your experience here enchanted rock is a pink granite mountain between the towns of fredericksburg and llano offering 11 miles of hiking trails rock climbing and camping perfect for stargazing the huge texas night sky it's also the largest pink granite mononok in the united states whatever the hell that means after walking a mile up an equivalent of 14 flights of stairs this weary track will get you to a sea level of 1825 feet gifting you some unbelievable views of the hill country there's also a 5 mile trail loop that wraps around the whole park guaranteeing you a closer look at the beautiful flowers and wildlife don't forget all links to these destinations and some trails are going to be down in the description below once you're back from exploring central texas you're going to be hungry and it doesn't even matter what time you arrive because the first restaurant is one of austin's most cherished cafes kirby lane this city offers vibrant gourmet 24-hour diners like magnolia and 24 diner but kirby lane just seems to check all the boxes offering farm-to-table comfort food at all hours of the day this is a place to go when you want to slam mimosas and pancakes in the morning or stuff your drunk shameless gobs with queso and green chili mac and cheese torchy's tacos is the must-have tacos in austin what started as a food truck now has over 70 locations in nine different states if you haven't had them at this point it's time taking central america's greatest gift to the world and combining it with the freshest ingredients in a hipster twist you'll understand why people make such a big deal out of this place even though it's overpriced the trailer park and the green chili pork are classics and don't forget about the unironic debate between the democrat and republican tacos speaking of debates many are had over the reign of torchy's signature queso accompanied by sweet corn and other classic taco pairings uchi is home to one of the few american sushi masters tyson cole who marries global ingredients with traditional japanese flavors resulting in inspired combinations of flavor texture color technique and style visiting here you'll experience seafood and small plates in a way you've never tasted before your wallet may also have its own experience because this place is pricey however the value is worth it be prepared to have the best sushi of your life like their crunchy tuna roll five nigeria and hama chili but you don't have to settle for cold uncooked fish there's also foie gras wagyu beef pork belly and savory desserts as mentioned in our nashville video the united states prides itself in its regional barbecue culture and texas ranks highly as a favorite terry blacks captures everything that represents texas style barbecue from its rustic western interior country-style sides and fall off the bone smoked meats texans like their meat in two ways packed with meat of choice on a bun with pickles and onions or on a tray loaded with meat sides and texas toast basically any highly rated barbecue joint in austin is worth a visit and if you did just a quick little google search before watching this video you may have come across a little place known as franklin barbecue this is objectively the best barbecue in the world and that's why you need to wait hours in line if you want to one-up terry blacks the choice is up to you when you think texas ramen probably doesn't come to mind but with local dj's turned chefs you'll think again with three locations spread over to austin area ramen tatsuya is a must for locals and tourists alike who doesn't want to slurp noodles while listening to a mix of hip-hop and 90s pop in a dimly lit comedo-style setting the staff is friendly the space is buzzing and the ramen is phenomenal along with their killer broths don't forgo their katsu sliders sweet and sour yodas and satisfying desserts the tatsuya team also runs kamurai tatsuya where texas meets japan with the lone star influence izakaya that focuses on small plates the lively restaurant is full of fun dishes like a take on frito pie made with octopus hot pockets with brisket and brisket paired with uuni and of course ramen some of austin's most popular establishments reside on the edge of the river taking advantage of the sweet patio view and mozart's is no exception roasting beans on site mouth watering baked goods into live music this is one of the grooviest coffee shops you'll ever visit every year the coffee shop's massive patio is transformed into a magical wonderland of lights and bright holiday scenes at the top of every hour from 6 to 11 pm the audience armed with coffee hot chocolate and baked goods is treated to the festive pageant with jolly music and moving light display now we can't be visiting texas without trying some authentic mexican food so let's bring back our friend brittany to see what her go-to places for taco plates and margaritas hey brittany just had to have you back for one more suggestion we are on the restaurant portion of the video and we need your go-to spot for tex mix ooh tex-mex good choice if you're in tejas gotta get some mexican food there's this place called mats el rancho and they have amazing queso they are very well known their food is fabulous it's a huge restaurant they always have lots of people there enjoying their cocktails because their margaritas are strong and they're amazing so only have a few okay all right well thanks again for joining us brittany see you later bye next let's talk coffee cosmic coffee is a low key spot in south austin that's perfect for visiting at any time of the day basically any coffee shop that you visit in austin goes from a peaceful study scene in the morning to a vibrant chick space to drink with the homies at night cosmic has it all live music fresh cocktails plus food trucks on a killer patio leroy and lewis barbecue tommy want wingy and pueblo viejo taco truck all reside along a garden setting for an ultimate vibey dining experience they're open late most nights but remember that it's only 21 plus after 9 pm for you miners out there north of austin in the suburb heavy city of round rock you'll find delicious cavity spawning flower cakes better known as donuts in this staple restaurant round rock donuts doesn't rely on quirky hipster monstrosities like voodoo donuts they get the attention of millions with their signature one and only glazed donut the donut shop first opened in 1926 where they developed their signature orange colored delicacy that is an absolute must try when visiting austin for dessert we have gordo's big fat donuts food truck which purveys over-the-top donut creations that satisfies every sweet tooth in your mouth gordo's flagship restaurant just two miles down the road offers grub for any occasion brunch appetizers and entrees i personally love this place but i find it a bit funny that on the same menu you can order a kale caesar salad and your friend across from you can order the abomination that is known as a donut burger that's why we're just gonna recommend stopping by their food truck for a tasty and memorable dessert mama's cake fat elvis hot chocolate and son of a peach are just a few of the insane creations this place has to offer lastly we have the nightlife portion of the video austin ranges from your standard dive bars to eccentric arcades to your classic outdoor live music venue all great cities have their districts that attract a certain type of crowd and a lot like bourbon street new orleans or beale street in memphis we're going to start with 6th street better known as 36. among the many compressed smelly downtown bars on 6th street you'll find casino el camino come in early for a loaded bloody mary and try their famous amarillo burger or come at night and catch a live performance of a logo band and slam some pilsners before bar hopping to a neighboring bar for something more tame and local nearby continue east down 6th street on the other side of the interstate to find e6 and east austin the vibe in this area will most certainly be different next up you'll find an area full of renovated houses turned into bungalow bars down on rainey street amongst these you'll find a huge beer garden named bangers sausage house day or night you'll find relaxed bar goers strolling from bar to food trailer to bar again and bangers is always the place to stop by go inside for abundant sausages and beers on top in a rustic cottage or chill outside in a leafy beer garden enjoy big ass mimosas southern style favorites and more than 100 exclusively craft beers on tap at one of the lone star state's widest and most innovative bars one more district worth mentioning is the domain austin's premier destination for fashion and dining with 100 plus stores in a killer bar scene including wonderbar get your triple phobia-provoking phones out because this place is begging for your instagram stories and tick tocks with several colorful rooms with themes like disco space and clouds with accompanying neon signs this is a perfect place to capture the perfect photo but wait this is also a bar mixing palatable cocktails with all your favorite liquors and local brews heading back downtown four blocks away from texas's capital we'll cap this video off with upstairs at caroline this is austin's premier urban backyard party the cocktails are flowing jacuzzi beer is in one hand and a brisket taco is any other catch the game or pick your game giant jenga foosball shuffleboard and of course cornhole all of this of course resides on top of their sister restaurant caroline a somewhat pricey place for breakfast brunch lunch and dinner so that just about wraps it up austin is truly a perfect destination offering a little bit of something for everyone if you're a local and like to leave passive aggressive comments like you do in our other videos knock yourself out don't forget to like this video and subscribe and hit that bell so you can catch our next destination before you go i just wanted to let you know we make our living creating free content and resources for you and it's made possible by you viewers supporting us through sponsors like audible if you sign up for a free trial through our link www.audibletrial.gov forward slash venture you'll get any audio book of your choosing for free and we'll get a small commission so we can keep making these entertaining videos and if you end up canceling your free trial and not going for the full membership it costs you nothing and you get to keep the audiobook so at the end of the day you could get a free audiobook support us and not have to pay anything if you try it out through our link my current favorite title is tools of titans by tim ferriss which was actually just released in audiobook form it's all about the habits and rituals of some of the world's most successful people so if you wouldn't mind go get a free book through our link it helps more than you know and we very much appreciate it see you guys later [Music] foreign

Channel: Venture Addicts

Views: 195,273

Keywords: austin texas, austin tx, austin texas tour, austin texas vlog, austin texas nightlife, austin tx tour, austin tx vlog, austin, texas, austin texas things to do, things to do in austin texas, things to do in austin, texas austin, texas austin tour, what to do in austin texas, what to do in austin, what to do in austin tx, zilker park austin, barton springs, barton springs austin texas, south congress austin texas, mount bonnell, pennybacker bridge, torchy's tacos, rainey

Id: 18M-JhCV6x8

Length: 24min 21sec (1461 seconds)

Published: Sun Feb 14 2021