Welcome to Austin!

We are so grateful you are making the journey to visit and celebrate our marriage in Austin, Texas! We hope you are able to make a trip of it and explore some of the incredible things Austin has to offer. We have made a list of some of our favorite places to visit and things to do below.

Our Favorites

Poeta

We’ve been to Poeta for brunch, dinner, or just for drinks — and it never disappoints. Delicious Italian inspired dishes and cocktails in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our dates here are numbered and always our favorites. The arancini and goat cheese cheesecake are must order items. Bon appetit!

First Light Books

First Light Books is a one stop shop for coffee, tea, books, wine, beer, snacks, and so much more. If you’re looking for a glimpse into Austin’s lively community, locally owned First Light Books is a must visit. Situated in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, you’ll find people quietly reading and others catching up with friends. You can also escape the heat under Austin’s iconic Live Oak trees on the front patio.

Uncle Nicky’s

Also located in charming Hyde Park is Austin mainstay Uncle Nicky’s. Uncle Nicky’s captures the charming and authentic atmosphere of Northern Italian cafes and brings it to Austin (can you tell we like Italian food?). The best reason to pay Uncle Nicky’s a visit? Their happy hour is unbeatable. Everyday from 2-5pm enjoy $5 house wine, $10 cocktails, and an all you can buffet included with the purchase of any cocktail. Uncle Nicky’s is a delicious neighborhood spot you can’t miss.

Explore

  • Barton Springs — This is arguably the most iconic Austin destination. Barton Springs is a natural swimming pool fed by underground springs that keep the water at a constant 70 degrees year round. Bring a blanket or towel to bask in the sun, take in the downtown views while you cool off in the water, and marvel at the tricks thrown off the diving board. If you are in Austin and don’t go to Barton Springs, you’re doing it wrong. Well worth the $5 admission.

  • Ann + Roy Butler Hike + Bike Trail — Just steps from The Line Hotel, this scenic 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake is perfect for morning runs, bike rides, or a quiet reset between wedding events. We love to take long Sunday morning walks around the water to connect with each other and our city. Along the trail, you’re likely to spot Austin wildlife like turtles, herons, and even parakeets, adding a touch of unexpected magic to your stay.

  • Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake — Take your adventures a step further by pushing out on the water with one of Austin’s many kayak rental vendors. Great for exercising, taking in the city from a unique vantage point, and channeling your inner Sean. This was Sean’s favorite activity when he first moved to Austin.

  • Bats on South Congress Bridge — Every night, locals and tourists alike gather around the South Congress bridge to witness the city’s most loved residents take flight. The bridge is home to a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats, who venture out at dusk most nights. The Line Hotel has one of the best vantage points in the city.

  • Blanton Museum of Art — University of Texas’s art museum is the best in the city. With over 22,000 works, you can explore countless eras, mediums, and exhibitions. The building itself is stunning, and a great place to escape the heat.

  • Paramount Theater — The Paramount Theater is an Austin landmark, most importantly because it was the site of our first date. We’ve enjoyed countless events there since, and can’t recommend visiting enough. Built in 1915, the Paramount has endured the many Austin transformations. It is still home famed Austin events, like the Moontower Comedy Festival and SXSW film premiers.

  • Live Music! — Austin is aptly dubbed the “live music capital of the world.” While you’re here, seek out a local show! Some great live music spots include: The Continental Club, Hotel Vegas/Volstead, Mohawk, Antone’s, White Horse (also great for two stepping), Elephant Room jazz club, and most bars along 6th Street.

  • ColdTowne Theater — Austin is a big comedy town! ColdTowne Theater is the best comedy venue in town, and home to Sean’s improv and sketch comedy troupe Father Figures. You might even get to see them live our wedding weekend!

  • Hyperreal Film Club — As you may know, Sean is a huge film buff. Always seeking out deep cuts on the big screen, he found this local gem. Known for showing local films, forgotten treasures, and cult classics, Hyperreal is a staple in the community.

  • Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center — The wildlife center is beautiful. There’s really not much more to say about it — you have to just see for yourself. Connect with nature, unwind, and say hi to the owl.

  • Deep Eddy — Like Barton Springs, Deep Eddy is a natural swimming pool. This one is a little off the beaten path, drawing smaller crowds and beloved by locals. Everyone raves about nearby Pool Burger.

Coffee + Tea

  • First Light Books — our favorite place in town!

  • Radio Rosewood — good drinks, good food, cool place

  • Jo’s Coffee — this is where the “i love you so much” mural is, take a picture and grab a coffee while you’re on South Congress

  • Quickie Pickie — coffee, food, market, a perfect neighborhood staple

  • Strangelove — cool coffee and wine bar on the east side

Shopping

  • South Congress — South Congress is Austin’s most popular shopping street, and it’s right down the road from The Line Hotel. Walk around and explore!

  • First Light Books — again, our favorite place in town. It’s perfect.

  • Take Heart — Gabie’s favorite place to peruse and buy gifts. It’s very cute

  • Vintage — Austin has great vintage shopping. Some of our favorite spots are:

  • Antone’s Records — this Austin staple has a record shop inside, go peruse

  • Waterloo Records — an Austin institution. Endless supply of records

  • Livra Books — Sean’s favorite used bookstore in town

Imbibe

Austin has great food, drinks, and nightlife. There are so many places you really can’t go wrong. We’ve provided a stream of conscious list of some of our favorites, but it is by no means exhaustive.

Brunch

  • Paperboy — our favorite brunch, everything on the menu is good

  • Joanne’s — cozy diner at the Austin Motel on South Congress. Start your day here and then explore SoCo

  • Veracruz — multiple locations, including inside The Line Hotel! Incredible breakfast tacos

  • Bird Bird Biscuit — biscuit friend chicken sandwiches that will bring you back to life after a night out

  • Bouldin Creek — vegan + vegetarian friendly, delicious for everyone

  • Rockman Bagels — tear and dip bagels, pastries, coffee

  • Rockstar Bagels — really good bagel sandwiches

  • Juiceland — start our day with Austin’s best smoothies and juices

  • Toasty Badger — really cute diner on South Congress

  • Avenue B Grocery — more a little lunch place, sometimes it’s just not open when it’s supposed to be, but it is really cute and an Austin landmark

  • Cuantos Tacos Food Truck — Gabie used to live right across the street, so this was a staple for us for a long time. Some of the best tacos in town

Eats

  • Il Brutto — Italian, delicious, great patio, limoncello!

  • Loudmouth Pizza — feels like your grandma’s house, solid food, good martinis, beautiful at sunset. Where our welcome party is Thursday night! See you there !

  • June’s All Day — our favorite restaurant on South Congress. French, fantastic burger, lots of wine, great atmosphere, get the pot de creme!

  • Lenoir — on South 1st Street near our house, amazing food, great patio and service

  • Franklin’s BBQ — we’ve never been here?? But it’s an Austin staple for a reason. Award winning BBQ — you’ll have to wait in line all day but supposedly it’s worth it

  • Neighborhood Sushi — incredible sushi, cozy booths, feels like a speakeasy, walking distance from our house which gives it extra points

  • Carpenter Hall — the best burger in town! Or so we think

  • De Nada Tacos — Eastside staple, good tacos, dangerous margaritas. Opening a new location right near our house and downtown!

  • Kinda Tropical — Quintessentially Austin patio, killer food (get the yucca fries), and top notch vibes

  • Homeslice Pizza — best pizza in town and right next to our house, what’s not to like? Subs are also supposed to be really great. You can sit down at the restaurant or order from their window while you shop on South Congress

  • P6 — Inside the Line Hotel! Best place to view the Congress Avenue bats take flight, and watch the sunset. Get the patatas bravas (spicy potatoes)

  • Gelato Paradiso — Gabie’s mom’s favorite spot in town! Delicious gelato tucked away on South Congress

  • Amy’s Ice Cream — an Austin staple with delicious, interesting flavors

  • Foodie + Tina — up and comers to the food scene here, check them out

  • Elizabeth Street Cafe — our neighbor! Beloved noodles and banh mi

  • Justine’s — Austin staple! French, cool, delicious, words do not do it justice

  • Poeta — our favorite! This Italian spot has moved locations many times, and honestly just keeps getting better. We are loyal fans and promotors.

  • Ramen Tatsuya — delicious ramen in a casual atmosphere, right on East 6th Street. Get a cold cap at Domo Alley-Gato, their outdoor bar right next door

  • Birdie’s — award winning grub, so good, but you have to wait in a long line

  • Nixta — we’ve also never been here! Award winning, everyone raves

  • Allday Pizza — fun, community pizza spot! Try a slice of the pickle pizza

  • Uncle Nicky’s — go for happy hour!

  • Bufalina — Neapolitan pizza, doesn’t take reservations but is really delicious

  • Sawyer & Co. — one of Sean’s faves, southern comfort food

  • Loro — incredible food, relaxed communal atmosphere, huge patio. You should go

  • Buenos Aires Cafe — on East Sixth, good wine and empanadas

  • Dovetail Pizza — a neighborhood staple for us

Drinks

  • Nickel City — On one of our favorite streets, a perfect local dive bar, best sliders in town

  • Elephant Room — jazz bar downtown, best martini — it has a rosemary brine!

  • Low Down Lounge — oh Low Down, my Low Down. Wait to go here for our after party. Experience it with us!

  • White Horse — live country music everyday, two stepping, beers. Famously Austin. They give free two stepping lessons Thursday - Saturday at 7pm. There’s a cover after 7:30pm

  • Hotel Vegas/Volstead — so much great local live music, multiple bars, multiple stages, dancing, huge patio, really everything you are looking for and a fave

  • Watertrade — fancy speakeasy on South Congress. You need reservations but it’s worth it if this is your vibe

  • La Perla — NOT Perla’s. La Perla is a tiny local bar on East Sixth. Order the Armodelo. Enjoy.

  • Jester King — if you want to explore the Hill Country breweries, go here! Gabie’s favorite beers. You can pet the goats!

  • Central Machine Works — brewery on the east side, good for large groups

  • Frazier’s Long and Low — one of the best dive bars in town. Get a corndog and kick back.

  • LoLo Wine Bar — friendly, delicious wine, inviting patio, great location

  • Hotel San Jose — stop for a drink while shopping on South Congress