Deven Wilson

Everyone wants to come away from their trip feeling like they saw it all and hope they never stumble across a TikTok post-trip highlighting a destination and making them ask, “Did I even go to [blank]?”  Austin’s bejeweled with treasured locals and hidden gems that can spur a first-timer to consider moving here to save on having to make frequent trips back. Natural wonders adjective to our lively downtown, Texan landmarks that’ll make any wannabe cowboy hoot n' holler and spots that buck all expectations of what a rising star of city hosts are listed below so your trip to Austin gets it right the first time.  RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from AustinThe best hotels in AustinThe best Airbnbs in AustinThe best spa hotels in Austin This guide was updated by Austin-based writer Deven Wilson. 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. 

With the recent recognition by Michelin, Austin is officially on the world’s main culinary stage, despite locals knowing its value long before the French came in to taste it. The scene might be a long way from its barbecue and Tex-Mex origins, but even as chefs rise to fame through their omakase skills or take on duck confit, the flavor of our foundation still shines through. Austin continues to cook up a food scene worth venturing for, and below are some of the best inside our city limits. Don’t be surprised if this list looks different down the road. This is only the beginning.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Austin

If your Austin loved ones are the types that have everything, or are one of the many new transplants struggling to decide how to connect with their new home, then your best bet is gifting them an experience. Electronic gadgets and bath sets can only bring so much happiness, and let’s face it: quite often they’re relegated to the back of the closet. It’s no wonder the world’s gone all Marie Kondo and folk are only keeping Facebook for Marketplace. Thankfully, Austin has a ton of stuff to see, eat and drink. So why not spark joy with a cherished memory instead of an overpriced trinket? Whether you’re looking for something adrenaline-fueled for your best bud, a relaxing spa day for your newlywed sibling, a cultural treat for your coworker or a class to keep your parents busy, we’ve got you covered. Here are all the very best Austin experiences to give as gifts on birthdays, anniversaries, Bach trips, weddings and holidays in Austin, Texas. Recommended: The best things to do in Austin

Austin hosts a festival, an art show, a live performance, or a farmers market on any given weekend, so expect a jam-packed calendar no matter the time of year. For a town that always has something going on, it can be difficult to decide what to do and when. To help nail down your plan post-workweek, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Austin this weekend. Besides the usual mix of museums and restaurant openings—plus all of the seasonal activities there are to look forward to this time of year—you’ll find fun, one-off events to get you out and exploring. Ready for the best weekend in Austin? Here’s what needs to be on your radar. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Austin 

Texas might be scorching in the summer, but you'll find that Austin is cool in more than one sense of the word. Despite conjuring images of golden sand and green cacti, Austin is a natural oasis under the brilliant rays of the Texas sun. Our city offers brilliantly blue lakes and refreshing spring-fed swimming pools for those needing a natural cool down. Our lush canopy of trees casts shade over campy activities, and our AC always stays cracked down to keep it chilled enough to get creative or kick back with a movie. There’s even space for those who feel the season is too hot to wear anything at all (more on that below). Whether it's going for a dip in your birthday suit or playing a round of mini-golf or pulling up to the drive-in, you'll find the best things to do in Austin this summer will keep you busy the next few months.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Austin

Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character. Streets are the heart of local life; they’re where communities come together, where new local businesses become go-to staples and where urbanites go out, hang out and have fun.  So what are the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now? To find the answer, we reached out to our global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. We then narrowed down the selection to create a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities. Over the last few years, street life has gone through something of an evolution. Outdoor drinking and dining, at one point a temporary measure, has become a staple on many of the streets on our hotlist; only bolstered by green initiatives like pedestrianisation and low-traffic avenues. In other words, these streets have become much more walkable and pleasant places to spend our time. On every street on this list, there are bold, creative new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture: from listening bars to repurposed heritage buildings, these streets are where you’ll find a city’s most exciting cultural trends. Ready for a wander?  RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The w

Fabrik is the vegan answer to those praying for something original in multi-course dining in a city overrun with omakase and meaty-tasting menus. As a seven-course celebration of the Earth's bounty, plants take center stage on each plate. Diners can exhale and know their preferences are not delegated to one or two menu items, but rather take their fork to each dish, knowing there's only a master class in the depth of flavor a chef can make with sustainable, locally sourced vegan ingredients. Fabrik is the hopefully first of many fine dining experiences whose only cruelty is that it ends.

We’ve got food, we've got wine, and we’re far from the summer heat. In order to prepare for the glutenous holidays coming up, why not spend a couple of days sampling some of the best of our culinary scene? Between bites, sample locally made spirits before or after catching live barbecuing at the fire pit.

Drive past Austin’s city limits and cross over into a slice of Germany deep in the heart of Texas. With two weekends' worth of brats, beers, and bands, New Braunfels becomes Bavaria for those with international taste, but a local budget. 

Every first Sunday of the month, slip into a sinful showcase of drag artistry with a corrupt cornucopia of performers at Oilcan Harry’s. Expect the unexpected and to look up the closest confessional the following Sunday for those who still indulge their guilty conscience. 

Everyone’s favorite personification of anger, Lewis Black, brings his hysterical antics to the Moody Theater as a stop along his Goodbye Yeller Brick Road tour. Experience the cathartic act of watching Black rage on stage during his one night in Austin.

As close as you’ll get to seeing the moon up close without stepping into a rocket, this detailed scale model with hyper-realistic imaging from NASA will orbit around the Domain Northside shopping district. With a rock orchestra performance, the moon comes alive on the lawn for the weekend. 

Shake up your Sunday scaries with some laughs at the humor speakeasy East Austin Comedy Club inside Tiger Den. Complete with a cash prize raffle, audience members could make a profit out of posting up in the venue while enjoying rising names in the comedy scene. 

A reason to celebrate the days getting shorter and nights growing longer, the illumination based art installations along Waller Creek at the Creek Show bring out the spectacular beauty of one of downtown’s waterways. For this 10-year anniversary show, all-star artists come back to the creek to celebrate a decade of light shows. 

The best-selling author, comedian, and activist is coming to the Moody Theater to deliver a captivating comedy set. As a phone-free experience, guests will check their phones and smart watches for an analog laugh along without any digital distractions.

Formerly the Austin Psych Fest, Levitation keeps psych rock alive in the musical capital city with four whole days and nights of performances. Check out artists from across the psych, dream pop, punk, indie, metal, darkwave and electronic worlds for a long weekend of killer sets.

Embrace a European approach to grocery shopping and plan a dinner or two with ingredients from local producers at one of the SFC Farmers' Markets across town. One is downtown at Republic Square, and another is in Sunset Valley, both on Saturday.

For its 15th year, this art exhibit, a reminder that soldiers have souls, encompasses a collection of pieces made by various military members. Over 32 artists will showcase their work for civilians to enjoy, capturing their distinct views on life. 

Many Houstonians argue that the choice of getting to New Orleans is clear (plane, of course), but after taking the mode less traveled, I'd say that the more time spent getting to New Orleans, the better.  The speed at which we reach our destination doesn’t always need to be a significant factor in deciding how to get where we’re going. Even when upgraded, flying can be more of a chore than a delight, especially on routes too short to get the good stuff that makes a premium cabin worthwhile. Not to mention, the ever-more needed time spent before boarding to make it through security should a system shutdown happen, baggage claim backups or any other airport lunacy pop-up. While trains can be subject to the same delays, they allow you to feel like a prioritized passenger without being punished before boarding, which is why I embarked on a seven-hour train ride with Sunset Limited, wishing it took longer. My Sunset Limited train experience  While the Houston station is far from impressive, the entire process—from getting dropped off to boarding the train—requires little time to be spent in the station anyway. Amtrak advises arriving no more than (not less) than thirty minutes before departure, as passengers typically board 30 minutes prior if the train is at the station. Since I didn’t have to check any bags, I went straight from my Uber to the train car. Checking bags might be the only reason to get to the station with time to spare since it takes a minute to do and had a small

The opinionated French tire company came to Texas and crowned several Austin restaurants with stars and accolades for their latest guide covering the state. They awarded Austin the most stars in the Lone Star State, along with several Bib Gourmands, recommendations and two of their new rank, green star. The food scene had been buzzing since it was revealed that their inspectors were leaving no plate units, and now that the list is out, there are plenty of opinions on who still deserves to be recognized by Michelin. With a guide coming next year, there’s a chance these perceived “snubs” could come back and claim their place in the coveted guide that has long been considered the world's tastemaker.  While we do our research, we are not wizards and can’t promise they’d ever make it on the guide. But we think these places deserve recognition, and people should hit the road to try them out for themselves.  Canje Countering the classic cuisines of Tex-Mex and barbecue and one of the most beloved recent additions to the Austin food scene, Canje delivers a modern taste of the Caribbean in a former post office. Since its debut,  Canje has cemented itself in the pantheon of must-do’s. For what you pay, you get a comprehensive taste of the islands, considering you can sample Oxtail Beef Patties, Haitian Griot, and Jerk Chicken without having to leave Texas. Canje should easily conjure up a Bib Gourmand award, at the very least, in upcoming guides for Texas.  Fonda San Miguel An institut