Austin

Zilker Park

Outdoors

★★★★★

Austin’s backyard: 350 acres for picnics, kite flying, and views of the skyline across Lady Bird Lake.

Barton Springs Pool

Outdoors

★★★★★

A three-acre, spring-fed pool that stays 68 degrees year round. The perfect answer to a Texas summer.

Franklin Barbecue

Food

★★★★★

The most famous brisket in the world. Get in line by 9am with coffee and folding chairs — it’s part of the experience.

Houndstooth Coffee

Coffee

★★★★★

The gold standard of Austin coffee. Meticulous pour-overs and a “pattern of coffee and people” worth settling into.

Gourdough’s

Dessert

★★★★★

Big. Fat. Donuts. Served from an Airstream trailer on South Lamar and roughly the size of your head.

Rainey Street

Drinks

★★★★★

A whole street of bungalows turned bars. Start at Banger’s beer garden and drift porch to porch.

South Congress Avenue

Shopping

★★★★★

Boots at Allens, vintage at Uncommon Objects, and the classic “I love you so much” mural along the way.

Texas State Capitol

Attractions

★★★★★

Taller than the U.S. Capitol, because Texas. Free tours daily and beautiful grounds for a shady walk downtown.