This isn’t your average Texas Capital and visitor center excursion. This is a plan for a little bit of this and a little bit of that, including indoor stops and outdoor stops. Spend two minutes snagging a photo or a few hours exploring each of these stops or do something else entirely. This is just a guide for my ideal single-day adventure tour in Austin. If you’re here in the summer – be sure to plan your outdoor stops early in the day before the sun becomes excruciating. If you’re here in the winter make sure you plan for the shorter daylight! Watch out for events in the downtown area that could cause traffic mayhem for you. This tour is best taken with a driver who can circle the block if there isn’t parking available.

First stop: Summer Moon Coffee

For the coffee lovers with a sweet tooth.

Recommendation: 1/2 winter moon latte with light ice.

Why this and not that: The moon milk is fantastic, coffee beans are roasted locally in Austin, and they are a Texas-based franchise.

 

Second stop: Breakfast tacos or kolaches

Kolaches can be sweet or savory but Austin is the “birthplace of the phrase breakfast taco” according to Eater Austin so take your pick. There are a number of well known and highly rated locations for both options.

Recommendation: Save room for lunch!

Third stop: Pease Park Treehouse and shenanigans (1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703)

An urban park with trails, picnic spots, a playground, basketball, volleyball and the cool treehouse open to the public

Recommendation: Go before it gets too hot or the 18 parking spots and limited street parking are taken.

Why this and not that: The large net on the second story makes this treehouse wonderfully interactive and peaseful.

Fourth stop: World’s Largest Longhorn statue (411 W 23rd St, Austin, TX 78705)

This fiberglass Texas statue is 12 feet tall and includes a viewing porch with stairs.

Recommendation: Stop for a quick picture while your driver circles the block as the pavement surrounding this cow was not accessible to cars when we visited.

Why this and not that: If ‘biggest’ of any type interests you, why not? It’s a roadside attraction, that’s all.

Fifth stop: Covert Park at Mount Bonnell (3800 Mt Bonnell Rd, Austin, TX 78731)

Put on your climbing shoes and ascend 102 stairs to reach Austin’s highest point at 781 feet. The lookout will be worth the effort!

Recommendation: Take it slow if you need to. This is a short hike with free views, free parking, and free exercise.

Why this and not that: A beautiful view of the city but you’ll have to skip it if you’re looking for a paved and accessible view. Stairs required.

 

Sixth stop: Interstellar BBQ (12233 Ranch Rd 620 N suite 105, Austin, TX 78750)

If you have to wait for BBQ – this one is the best value for your time.

Recommendation: Put on your patient shoes as the line moves slowly but it’s in the shade and one of the lovely employees will offer you a cold drink midway through. You can get a little bit of most everything as you pay by the pound as if you’re at the deli counter of a grocery store. Don’t skip the peach tea glazed pork belly and the mac & gouda (you can skip the free beans though). Don’t come too late because BBQ in Austin is only available until sold out.

Why this and not that: I’m sure you have your favorite local BBQ spot but of the essential BBQ restaurants in Austin that I’ve been to this one had my favorite tasting meats and sides. Unless you want to order the minimum 5 lbs at popular spots like Franklin’s, you’ll be stuck in that queue over there for hours. I’ve been to Interstellar BBQ 3 times around 12PM on both weekdays and weekends and the wait time was between 30-60 minutes.

Seventh stop: The Museum of Illusions (11010 Domain Dr #100, Austin, TX 78758)

Time to work off that post-lunch meal with an indoor exploration of wonder and mildly headache-inducing illusions.

Recommendation: reserve your time slot to guarantee admission or wing it (there’s always the outdoor mall at the Domain if you want to skip this museum). Watch out for kids running around (because they will be) and take your time to make the experience last because a walkthrough could be as quick as 30 minutes.

Why this and not that: It’s different, it’s indoors, it has air-conditioning, your kids will love it, and you’ll get some exciting photos that might boggle your mind.

Eighth stop: the Wall of Welcome (7100 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757)

Head back South towards the Capital for a few quick pit stops that include this neighborhood gem.

Recommendation: Wear your hat as you’ll be in the full sun if you’re following this itinerary. There are so many details that a 5-10 minute stop won’t do this one justice but it will leave a smile on your face.

Why this and not that: Easy parking in a quiet neighborhood where you won’t have to shove elbows to view this 120-foot-long community mosaic.

Ninth stop: Atown Store (5502 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756)

Grab a cold drink and find a nifty souvenir here.

Why this and not that: You can find both locally made artwork and novelties here. It is surprisingly huge inside.

Tenth stop: Happy Lemon (6406 N Interstate Hwy 35 suite 1301, Austin, TX 78752)

Bubble tea store.

Recommendation: My favorite and go-to drink is Boba milk tea with puff cream, 50%/75% sugar, and light ice. Skip the bubble waffle unless you’re hungry because the bubble tea is filling.

Why this and not that: There are a surprising amount of bubble tea shops in the Austin area but Happy Lemon is my absolute favorite.

Eleventh stop: The Cloverleaf Gnomes (1613 Cloverleaf Dr, Austin, TX 78723)

HOA nightmare or fun neighborhood attraction? You decide.

Recommendation: Play I Spy while here.

Twelfth stop: Before I Die Wall (206 E Elizabeth St, Austin, TX 78704)

Private residence with a chalkboard wall full of bucket list items.

Recommendation: don’t be rude or inappropriate.

Why this and not that: This street feels quite private but the chalkboard wall is open and inviting with a basket full of chalk and a towel to wipe away answers like “poop.”

Thirteenth stop: Purr-fecto Cat Lounge (2300 S Lamar Blvd unit 104, Austin, TX 78704)

Austin’s only cat lounge where you can adopt the kittens/cats.

Recommendation: Make a reservation as they only have so many slots and they might sell out.

Why this and not that: After two outdoor spots, being in this air-conditioned open room will feel like paradise. Surprisingly, I didn’t smell litterbox or disinfectant at all. It is bright, well lit, and the cats were very friendly.

 

Fourteenth stop: BookPeople (603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703)

Texas’ largest independent bookstore.

Recommendation: Check out their events page for cool events and maybe even catch a book club meeting.

Why this and not that: Downtown and they have parking! This bookstore is large, inviting, and has so many books!

Fifteenth stop: Austin bats

Arguably the most popular visitor attraction is when the largest urban bat colony in North America emerges from the Congress Bridge at dusk.

Recommendation: Pick your viewing location and plan your time accordingly. See them from the Pfluger Bridge, the shore, or even the P6 Bare at the LINE hotel rooftop bar.

Last stop: Music on East Sixth Street

Entertainment and Eating that is a staple in Austin’s history.

Recommendation: Darwin’s Pub & Piano Bar.