8 Must-See Austin Neighborhoods and How to Visit

Since the city was established in 1839, South Congress Avenue has been the center of the action, home to classic music venues, bars, stores, hotels, and restaurants. Starting at the Colorado River, the street features the iconic Texas Capitol building, which is even taller than the US Capitol building. From there, South Congress (SoCo) stretches a few miles south of the river. The first mile is the best area to explore, packed with everything a traveler could want: Southern-inspired clothes, old pickup trucks, handcrafted goods, and souvenir shops.

Food trucks, galleries, restaurants, vintage shops, and murals line every block of this neighborhood. Although Bouldin Creek has much to offer, it’s small enough to cover on foot or by bike. Discover kitschy shops and street food as you admire the vintage bungalow homes unique to this Austin neighborhood. Arrive in about 30 minutes on foot from the main drag of South Congress.

Just across the highway from Downtown is one of the youngest and most bustling spots in the city—think the Brooklyn of Austin. Lined with breweries, coffee shops, eclectic restaurants, and trendy cocktail bars, you can spend an entire day exploring East Austin. A rich blend of old houses, hole-in-the-wall dive bars, and newly-built highrises, this area straddles the line between historic and modern. The neighborhood is rapidly gentrifying, so make sure to visit the new and shiny businesses, but also plan to get your cowboy boots dirty in the authentic, old-school spots.

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If you’re looking to do some second-hand shopping, look no further. Vibrant clothes and accessories, vinyl, furniture, and handmade goods are readily available in this area, which makes sense given its close proximity to one of the biggest colleges in the country, the University of Texas.

Highrises and upscale restaurants are the foundation of the Downtown district. Head here to eat delicious food and briskly stroll through the big city streets. Separated from SoCo by Lady Bird Lake, water activities are popular among both tourists and residents, especially in the summertime. And make sure to hang out either on the bridge or under it any evening from March to October at sunset to watch thousands of bats descend from their caves into the night sky.

The early-1900s architecture and modern bungalows in this area are serene enough to offer a quiet residential experience. But Hyde Park is only a short drive from the University of Texas, making the area ideal for both families and college students. It’s super walkable and home to a small art museum, Elizabet Ney. This neighborhood is one of the oldest suburbs of Austin, equipped with everything that makes a small town feel like home: a bakery, coffee shop, a couple of restaurants, and some small parks. Having a car or bike will be handy as this area is a few miles north of Downtown.

Quaint, residential, and nestled between Downtown and the MoPac Expressway, the historical significance of this neighborhood runs beyond its charming homes. Charles Clark purchased two acres of land in Clarksville after emancipation in 1865 and created a community where formerly enslaved people could live freely. Now considered a contemporary, upscale neighborhood, Clarksville is easily walkable from Downtown and makes for an enjoyable night out. Get there mid-afternoon to see the Hezikiah Haskell House, an original building that stands as a reminder of the region’s history.

If you want to spend some time outdoors, look no further than Barton Springs and Zilker Park. Between paddle boarders, kayakers, runners, picnickers, bikers, and sun seekers, if it’s a beautiful day in Austin, this is where you’ll want to be. After a few hours of basking in the sun, refuel at the food trucks and Southern BBQ joints in the area. Barton Springs is a natural spring that weaves throughout the city and is lined with hiking trails. You can also pay (up to $8 for non-residents) to access Barton Springs Pool, a massive swimming pool filled with natural spring water that’s open year-round.