The Dome Guidebook
Sightseeing
The Pennybacker Bridge is an iconic Austin spot for picnics, hiking and sight-seeing. You get a lovely view of Lake Austin and it's usually less crowded than Mt. Bonnell.
209 locals recommend
360 Bridge
4801 Plaza on the LakeThe Pennybacker Bridge is an iconic Austin spot for picnics, hiking and sight-seeing. You get a lovely view of Lake Austin and it's usually less crowded than Mt. Bonnell.
This is one of the most popular sight-seeing locations in Austin. It's a bit of a hike, but at the top you can see the vast expanse of the Colorado River (which is dammed up to create Lake Austin). You can also actually see the Dome from Mt. Bonnell! It's right across the lake and a little to the right.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
This is one of the most popular sight-seeing locations in Austin. It's a bit of a hike, but at the top you can see the vast expanse of the Colorado River (which is dammed up to create Lake Austin). You can also actually see the Dome from Mt. Bonnell! It's right across the lake and a little to the right.
Coffee
Great coffee and pastries, with good Internet connection and outdoor seating.
371 locals recommend
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdGreat coffee and pastries, with good Internet connection and outdoor seating.
This is my personal favorite coffee shop in town. They also sell their coffee by the bag so feel free to take some home with you!
160 locals recommend
Cuvee Coffee Bar
2000 E 6th StThis is my personal favorite coffee shop in town. They also sell their coffee by the bag so feel free to take some home with you!
Some of the best coffee in town, and delicious pastries as well!
19 locals recommend
Crema Bakery & Cafe
9001 Brodie LnSome of the best coffee in town, and delicious pastries as well!
Outdoor Activities
The greenbelt is one of Austin's previously hidden gems. I grew up going there almost every weekend to hike and swim! It has recently become an extremely popular place, so try and get out there in the morning before the crowds show up.
If the greenbelt is dry (as it sometimes gets during the summer droughts), it's still a wonderful hike!
66 locals recommend
Twin Falls
3918 S MoPac ExpyThe greenbelt is one of Austin's previously hidden gems. I grew up going there almost every weekend to hike and swim! It has recently become an extremely popular place, so try and get out there in the morning before the crowds show up.
If the greenbelt is dry (as it sometimes gets during the summer droughts), it's still a wonderful hike!
The best place to swim in Austin. Also makes for fantastic people-watching!
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThe best place to swim in Austin. Also makes for fantastic people-watching!
Zilker is perfect for picnics, sand volleyball, soccer, yoga, hammocking, reading, hula hooping, or really whatever you want to do outside. The grass is super soft and there's plenty of shade, too.
Zilker is also where the city hosts ACL and Blues on the Green.
246 locals recommend
Zilker Park
Zilker is perfect for picnics, sand volleyball, soccer, yoga, hammocking, reading, hula hooping, or really whatever you want to do outside. The grass is super soft and there's plenty of shade, too.
Zilker is also where the city hosts ACL and Blues on the Green.
This is a cool place where you can rent paddle boards to take out on Lady Bird Lake.
9 locals recommend
SUP ATX
This is a cool place where you can rent paddle boards to take out on Lady Bird Lake.
There are all kinds of activities you can do at the lake! Zilker Park and Barton Springs are nearby, Barton Springs Rd has all kinds of food and beverage options, and you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles, or just hike around the lake if you want. There are also great views of the city from the trail!
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailThere are all kinds of activities you can do at the lake! Zilker Park and Barton Springs are nearby, Barton Springs Rd has all kinds of food and beverage options, and you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles, or just hike around the lake if you want. There are also great views of the city from the trail!
This is a beautiful BYOB par 3 course right next to the lake and in the heart of Austin! We've been playing here for years, and they just remodeled it so the greens are fresh and nicely groomed!
63 locals recommend
Butler Park Pitch & Putt
201 Lee Barton DrThis is a beautiful BYOB par 3 course right next to the lake and in the heart of Austin! We've been playing here for years, and they just remodeled it so the greens are fresh and nicely groomed!
Food scene
Kerbey has been in Austin for ages, and is an easy go-to for breakfast and brunch. Pancakes served all day!
144 locals recommend
Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central
3704 Kerbey LnKerbey has been in Austin for ages, and is an easy go-to for breakfast and brunch. Pancakes served all day!
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveLiterally the best pizza in town.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdIf you want delicious ramen, this place does it right!
True Food Kitchen
222 West AvenueA delicious, healthy place to get a bite.
Delicous, melt-in-your-mouth burgers. And definitely get the truffle fries!
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveDelicous, melt-in-your-mouth burgers. And definitely get the truffle fries!
A really great place for pizza that specializes in Detroit-style deep dish. If you haven't had this square pizza, definitely give it a try. The crust is amazing!
372 locals recommend
Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StA really great place for pizza that specializes in Detroit-style deep dish. If you haven't had this square pizza, definitely give it a try. The crust is amazing!
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdGreat BBQ place with really delicious brisket.
A more upscale Mexican restaurant with delicious cocktails.
151 locals recommend
Fried and True Food Truck
1308 E 6th StA more upscale Mexican restaurant with delicious cocktails.
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdA great place to wine and dine!
If you crave raw oysters, this is your place. They also have a great burger!
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveIf you crave raw oysters, this is your place. They also have a great burger!
This is a little lesser-known Tex-Mex place with fantastic food and my personal favorite Mexican martini in town (I've tried a lot of them).
24 locals recommend
La Mancha Tex Mex Tavern
2203 Hancock DrThis is a little lesser-known Tex-Mex place with fantastic food and my personal favorite Mexican martini in town (I've tried a lot of them).
A classic Austin Tex-Mex place with amazing queso and great margaritas. Try and get there early to beat the crowds, or check out one of their other locations which might not be as crowded as the one on Barton Springs!
412 locals recommend
Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdA classic Austin Tex-Mex place with amazing queso and great margaritas. Try and get there early to beat the crowds, or check out one of their other locations which might not be as crowded as the one on Barton Springs!
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StGreat bread and great beer.
This is a casual place with relatively healthy food and house-brewed beer! Get a Vulcan if you like IPAs.
Black Star is also dog-friendly, and they have lots of board games to play while you wait and/or hang out. It's right next to the train station, too!
132 locals recommend
Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind DrThis is a casual place with relatively healthy food and house-brewed beer! Get a Vulcan if you like IPAs.
Black Star is also dog-friendly, and they have lots of board games to play while you wait and/or hang out. It's right next to the train station, too!
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StGreat tacos, queso, and margaritas.
Breweries
Great pizza and house-brewed beer. The Electric Jellyfish IPA is literally the best beer I've ever had. It's so good that they started canning it and selling locally! Look for it at the store if you can't make it to the actual brewerty.
175 locals recommend
Pinthouse Pizza
4729 Burnet RdGreat pizza and house-brewed beer. The Electric Jellyfish IPA is literally the best beer I've ever had. It's so good that they started canning it and selling locally! Look for it at the store if you can't make it to the actual brewerty.
ABGB is a fun, casual place to get a drink and a bite. Lots of outdoor seating, and it's pet-friendly.
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StABGB is a fun, casual place to get a drink and a bite. Lots of outdoor seating, and it's pet-friendly.
Austin Beerworks
3001 Industrial TerraceGood beer and good vibes.
It's kind of far away, but well worth it for the great beer, delicious food, and interesting scenery!
298 locals recommend
Jester King
13187 Fitzhugh RdIt's kind of far away, but well worth it for the great beer, delicious food, and interesting scenery!
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th StA local favorite for a good, solid beer.
Bars
Kitty Cohen's
2211 Webberville RdA fun place to get a drink or two.
A cute place to get a drink with lots of outdoor games to play.
118 locals recommend
Lustre Pearl East
114 Linden StA cute place to get a drink with lots of outdoor games to play.
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StDelicious cocktails!
An upscale place to get a drink. If you haven't tried a cocktail with egg whites before, you totally should!
93 locals recommend
Péché
208 W 4th StAn upscale place to get a drink. If you haven't tried a cocktail with egg whites before, you totally should!
The White Horse
500 Comal StA cool place to drink and hang out.