Cynthia J. Drake

There’s just something a little extra luxurious about booking a hotel with a hot tub. Spend your day exploring the best Austin has to offer, and at night, pour yourself a glass of something fun and join your significant other or your friends at the hot tub for a night of chats and laughs under the stars. Many Austin area hotels offer hot tubs in some seriously swanky environs: on the rooftop overlooking the city, in a secluded spa relaxation room or even in your private hotel room. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Though Austin has grown up appreciably from its 1970s counter-cultural roots when Willie Nelson and friends first made their mark here, you can still find pockets of “weird” Austin throughout the city’s old school honky tonks, beer gardens and restaurants. Likewise, welcome additions to the city over recent years mean it’s also a great place for a leisurely Sunday brunch, a walk through the dog park, a shopping trip on South Congress and a place to relax at the day spa. We’ve pulled together a guide to Austin’s different neighborhoods with some notes on where to eat, drink, visit and stay when you’re in each part of town. RECOMMENDED: 🍳 The best brunch in Austin🏨 The best boutique hotels in Austin🍹 The best bars in Austin This guide was written by Texas-based writer James Wong. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

Though in many meaningful ways, Austin has grown up from its hippie heyday when Willie Nelson first took the stage at Austin City Limits (ACL), you still don’t have to roam very far to find incredible live music in the Live Music Capital of the World. Music is around every corner—walk through a secret bookcase at a hostel or head into the local bodega, and you might just find your next favorite band performing on a real or makeshift stage. Though many visitors come in for the biggies like ACL, SXSW or reunion gigs at COTA, it’s equally (if not more) fun to seek out the charming little venues that host excellent musical notes night in, night out, throughout the year. They are where local legends are made, international artists tour and where good ol’ Southern nights are spent. Whatever your tastes; pop, rock, country, classical or EDM, here are the best spots to catch quality live music in Austin, Texas. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Austin 

Though for the right couple, date night can be anything from a night of Netflix to a round of drinks at the neighborhood bar, splurging a little on a special restaurant can lead to some wonderful memories. Whether you’re celebrating something special like a birthday or anniversary (or even looking to pop a special question), we’ve got you covered from appetizers to dessert at some of the sweetest spots in ATX. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Austin

Perhaps it’s not surprising that in this casual, young capital city, family-friendly activities abound in Austin. From plentiful outdoor spaces that are perfect for letting little ones run free, swim and climb, to family-friendly restaurants and museums, raising kids in Austin is an enriching experience for the entire family. The city is peppered with parks full of amenities, hiking trails with scenic wonders, and swimming holes for a day of splash. And when the weather gets too unbearable (i.e. summer and cedar fever in spring), well, the indoor offerings aren’t too shabby either.  Choose to cool off at the Museum of Ice Cream, where the samples keep on coming, or connect with your inner bookworm at ATX’s best bookstores and libraries, which carry periodicals for all ages. Whether you’re a local looking to keep your children entertained over the holidays or you’re visiting from afar with the whole squad, these awesome family-friendly things to do in Austin won’t disappoint.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Austin🌮 The best restaurants in Austin