East Austin Estate's Guidebook
Sightseeing
See the largest urban bat colony in North America
It’s impossible to have a list of Austin oddities without mentioning the enormous Mexican free-tail bat population living under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Over 1.5 million bats roost in the crevices underneath one of the most popular roads in the city connecting South Austin to Downtown. If you’re lucky enough to visit between April and May, you have a good chance of seeing these little gals (it’s a maternity colony) emerge right at sunset. An even crazier sight comes in late July to early August during the peak season when you can observe the full population of moms and babies fly as the sun goes down.
286 recommandé par les habitants
Pont de la Congress Avenue
Congress AvenueSee the largest urban bat colony in North America
It’s impossible to have a list of Austin oddities without mentioning the enormous Mexican free-tail bat population living under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Over 1.5 million bats roost in the crevices underneath one of the most popular roads in the city connecting South Austin to Downtown. If you’re lucky enough to visit between April and May, you have a good chance of seeing these little gals (it’s a maternity colony) emerge right at sunset. An even crazier sight comes in late July to early August during the peak season when you can observe the full population of moms and babies fly as the sun goes down.
Tucked unsuspectingly in a suburban backyard in South Austin, is Vince Hannemann’s towering Cathedral of Junk.
Some 60 tons of discarded items, many of them bicycles, make up the skeleton and decoration of the structure. The construction of the Cathedral started in 1989, when Hannemann was in his 20s. For a few years he collected junk for his project, but it was soon unnecessary as people began to supply him with their unwanted goods.
110 recommandé par les habitants
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina DrTucked unsuspectingly in a suburban backyard in South Austin, is Vince Hannemann’s towering Cathedral of Junk.
Some 60 tons of discarded items, many of them bicycles, make up the skeleton and decoration of the structure. The construction of the Cathedral started in 1989, when Hannemann was in his 20s. For a few years he collected junk for his project, but it was soon unnecessary as people began to supply him with their unwanted goods.
With an elevation of 775 feet, Mount Bonnell mesmerizes visitors with its spectacular Instagrammable views.
Why You Should Go
Since the 1850s, Mount Bonnel has been one of the most popular places to visit in Austin. In fact, it’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was declared a Texas Historic Landmark.
And, did we mention that it’s an easy climb even for non-hikers?
What To Do
Hit the 102-step stairway to the peak, and enjoy breath-snatching views of the surrounding hills, Lake Austin and the city. Additionally, the overlook is a terrific spot to soak up a dramatic sunset in Austin.
1082 recommandé par les habitants
Mont Bonnell
With an elevation of 775 feet, Mount Bonnell mesmerizes visitors with its spectacular Instagrammable views.
Why You Should Go
Since the 1850s, Mount Bonnel has been one of the most popular places to visit in Austin. In fact, it’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was declared a Texas Historic Landmark.
And, did we mention that it’s an easy climb even for non-hikers?
What To Do
Hit the 102-step stairway to the peak, and enjoy breath-snatching views of the surrounding hills, Lake Austin and the city. Additionally, the overlook is a terrific spot to soak up a dramatic sunset in Austin.
Reservations required.
Barton Springs Pool is a recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby natural springs. It is located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists within the channel of Barton Creek and utilizes water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas.
****Be prepared for a little bare chestedness. It is legal to be topless at just at about any public outdoor spot in Austin but this is a fav for our hippie partial nudist friends.
2454 recommandé par les habitants
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrReservations required.
Barton Springs Pool is a recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby natural springs. It is located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists within the channel of Barton Creek and utilizes water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas.
****Be prepared for a little bare chestedness. It is legal to be topless at just at about any public outdoor spot in Austin but this is a fav for our hippie partial nudist friends.
Zilker's Great Lawn is the home to the infamous Austin City Limits Music Festival. Austinites flock to Barton Springs Pool to cool off on hot summer days. The Austin Nature and Science Center's dino pits are a big hit with families.
246 recommandé par les habitants
Parc Zilker
Zilker's Great Lawn is the home to the infamous Austin City Limits Music Festival. Austinites flock to Barton Springs Pool to cool off on hot summer days. The Austin Nature and Science Center's dino pits are a big hit with families.
Remaining Austin Dive Bars
Celebrate Christmas year-round at Lala’s
If you hadn't noticed, dive bars hold a sense of grandeur in this town, and only the ones with real character withstand the test of time. At Lala’s, every day is December at your quirky grandma’s house. String lights and ornaments cover the walls and ceiling, elves dangle over the bar, drinks are served in festive mugs, and Christmas trees abound. Lala’s underwent a slight facelift a few years ago under new ownership -- a good scrubbing lifted out the ancient stains and lingering cigarette smell -- but the jukebox is still killer, with the same yuletide ambiance they’ve had since the '70s.
93 recommandé par les habitants
Lala's Little Nugget
2207 Justin LnCelebrate Christmas year-round at Lala’s
If you hadn't noticed, dive bars hold a sense of grandeur in this town, and only the ones with real character withstand the test of time. At Lala’s, every day is December at your quirky grandma’s house. String lights and ornaments cover the walls and ceiling, elves dangle over the bar, drinks are served in festive mugs, and Christmas trees abound. Lala’s underwent a slight facelift a few years ago under new ownership -- a good scrubbing lifted out the ancient stains and lingering cigarette smell -- but the jukebox is still killer, with the same yuletide ambiance they’ve had since the '70s.
Sahara Lounge
1413 Webberville RdGreat live music and outdoor patio area
Skylark Lounge
2039 Airport BlvdBlues BAr
Kitty Cohen's is an eclectic patio bar in East Austin, Texas with a rebel-women theme. Great for afternoon cocktails by the pool.
153 recommandé par les habitants
Kitty Cohen's
2211 Webberville RdKitty Cohen's is an eclectic patio bar in East Austin, Texas with a rebel-women theme. Great for afternoon cocktails by the pool.
Fun shopping
Finding a whimsical little toy shop packed with cool vintage toys and novelties is harder than it might sound.
Toy Joy in Austin, Texas, is more than an obscure indie toystore. It’s a wonderland that makes visitors wish they were a kid again. The shop specializes in the sort of gag gifts and thingamajigs that hearken back to a childhood filled with flipping through those obscure mail order catalogs. But that doesn’t stop them from having a downright frightening assortment of Hello Kitty and anime paraphernalia.
32 recommandé par les habitants
Toy Joy
403 West 2nd StreetFinding a whimsical little toy shop packed with cool vintage toys and novelties is harder than it might sound.
Toy Joy in Austin, Texas, is more than an obscure indie toystore. It’s a wonderland that makes visitors wish they were a kid again. The shop specializes in the sort of gag gifts and thingamajigs that hearken back to a childhood filled with flipping through those obscure mail order catalogs. But that doesn’t stop them from having a downright frightening assortment of Hello Kitty and anime paraphernalia.
Amazing gifts and cures for what ails you.
https://www.theherbbar.com/
38 recommandé par les habitants
The Herb Bar
200 W Mary StAmazing gifts and cures for what ails you.
https://www.theherbbar.com/
Food scene
A gallery for Texas producers – a community tasting room with Bobo's featured cocktails crafted from the best regional spirits and local chef-made snacks.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Bobo's Snack Bar
3850 Airport BoulevardA gallery for Texas producers – a community tasting room with Bobo's featured cocktails crafted from the best regional spirits and local chef-made snacks.
The hot new celebrity sighting spot serving seafood & Mediterranean classics such as kebab, hummus & falafel, plus delicious cocktails. I recommend The Airplane.
115 recommandé par les habitants
Aba
1011 S Congress AveThe hot new celebrity sighting spot serving seafood & Mediterranean classics such as kebab, hummus & falafel, plus delicious cocktails. I recommend The Airplane.
Güero’s Taco Bar is a vibrant part of South Austin, where the locals flock for hand-shaken margaritas made in the original way with fresh-squeezed lime juice. ¡Muy peligroso! Just about any Mexican beer you name can be served up icy cold. Our bar will remind you of the great old cantinas you have visited in Mexico.
Live music almost every night on the outdoor stage. https://gueros.com/
398 recommandé par les habitants
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveGüero’s Taco Bar is a vibrant part of South Austin, where the locals flock for hand-shaken margaritas made in the original way with fresh-squeezed lime juice. ¡Muy peligroso! Just about any Mexican beer you name can be served up icy cold. Our bar will remind you of the great old cantinas you have visited in Mexico.
Live music almost every night on the outdoor stage. https://gueros.com/
The Beer Plant
3110 Windsor RdAmazing vegan fare and popular brunch spot.
Brunch time!
The Southern-Asian restaurant brought back its Sunday brunch menu. This includes cocktails, including mimosa kits, as well as Korean steak and eggs, a fried chicken sandwich with Japanese pickles and gochu sauce, and hashes. Pickups can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service too, and there is a patio. The menu is available starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
90 recommandé par les habitants
The Peached Tortilla
5520 Burnet RdThe Southern-Asian restaurant brought back its Sunday brunch menu. This includes cocktails, including mimosa kits, as well as Korean steak and eggs, a fried chicken sandwich with Japanese pickles and gochu sauce, and hashes. Pickups can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service too, and there is a patio. The menu is available starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Better Half’s weekend brunch is full of daytime-perfect dishes like breakfast sandwiches layered with a crispy hash brown, pastrami toast, oh-so-fluffy ricotta pancakes, and a hearty granola bowl. There are accompanying cocktails too, like cold brew with Fernet Branca. It’s available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Pickup orders can be placed online or in-person through its carhop system. The patio has reopened for reservations-only dine-in service. Brunch hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
85 recommandé par les habitants
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
406 Walsh StBetter Half’s weekend brunch is full of daytime-perfect dishes like breakfast sandwiches layered with a crispy hash brown, pastrami toast, oh-so-fluffy ricotta pancakes, and a hearty granola bowl. There are accompanying cocktails too, like cold brew with Fernet Branca. It’s available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Pickup orders can be placed online or in-person through its carhop system. The patio has reopened for reservations-only dine-in service. Brunch hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The East Austin bar’s Sunday brunch sticks to its Southern theme, with dishes like shrimp and grits, chicken waffles, and biscuits and gravy, Plus there are hearty poutine and rice puddings, and brunch-perfect cocktails. Pickup orders can be placed online. The bar has reopened for on-site service, with a patio. Brunch hours begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
17 recommandé par les habitants
The Cavalier
2400 Webberville RdThe East Austin bar’s Sunday brunch sticks to its Southern theme, with dishes like shrimp and grits, chicken waffles, and biscuits and gravy, Plus there are hearty poutine and rice puddings, and brunch-perfect cocktails. Pickup orders can be placed online. The bar has reopened for on-site service, with a patio. Brunch hours begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
The Govalle New Texan restaurant’s brunch is back, and the beefy entrees aren’t to be missed, from chicken fried steak and waffles with optional fried egg to steak and eggs. Elsewhere, there’s challah French toast, smoked chicken migas, and a croque-monsieur. Pickup orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, and there’s a patio. Brunch hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
197 recommandé par les habitants
Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile
3235 E Cesar Chavez StThe Govalle New Texan restaurant’s brunch is back, and the beefy entrees aren’t to be missed, from chicken fried steak and waffles with optional fried egg to steak and eggs. Elsewhere, there’s challah French toast, smoked chicken migas, and a croque-monsieur. Pickup orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, and there’s a patio. Brunch hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The indispensable restaurant is Austin’s brunch hero, doling out pancakes, omelettes, migas, and lunchtime dishes all day and night lunch. Pickup orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, and there is outdoor seating available. While pre-pandemic, the restaurant had been open 24/7, its new hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Be prepared to wait in line for this gem!
478 recommandé par les habitants
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveThe indispensable restaurant is Austin’s brunch hero, doling out pancakes, omelettes, migas, and lunchtime dishes all day and night lunch. Pickup orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, and there is outdoor seating available. While pre-pandemic, the restaurant had been open 24/7, its new hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Be prepared to wait in line for this gem!