Contributed by the Texas Collegiate DECA Officer Team
So, you’re headed to Austin, Texas for Engage? Well, welcome to Texas, y’all!
We’re excited to see you here. We’ve put together a list of some local favorites for you to check out while you’re here!
THINGS TO DO/SEE
- Escape Game Austin – Features 6 different escape rooms and is just around the corner from the Hilton Austin 1 min walk
- Austin Visitor Center – Stop in to learn more about Austin’s history and culture, unique restaurants and activities. You can also find Austin and Texas-themed gifts and oddities here! 1 min walk
- The Museum of the Weird – All things unusual, bizarre and freaky. 3 min walk
- Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching – If you’re lucky, you may be able to catch the end of the ‘bat watching’ season. Head to the bridge around sunset to see hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade over Lady Bird Lake. 3 min walk
- Waterloo Park – Even though it will be mid-November, the weather will still be perfect to experience the great outdoors. The weather will likely have highs in the low 70’s with lows in the mid to high 40’s. 5 min drive; 15 min walk
- South Congress Avenue (SoCo) – Some favorites include: Parts & Labour (handmade work by Texas-based artists); South Congress Books; Big Top Candy Shop (old school candy shop and soda fountain); Allen’s Boots (because who doesn’t love the smell of leather boots?!); Tesoros Trading Company (folk arts and crafts from around the world) 6 min drive
- “Howdy Austin” Mural – Visit some of the most Instagram-able spots in Austin, the murals. 601 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 4 min drive/15 min walk
- “I love you so much” Mural – 1300 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 5 min drive
- “Greetings from Austin” Mural – 1720 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704 7 min drive
- “Love from Austin” Mural – 1912 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 7 min drive (Find more Austin murals)
- Peter Pan Mini-Golf 9 min drive
- Lady Bird Lake 10 min drive
- Zilker Park 10 min drive
WHERE TO EAT
- Voodoo Doughnut – 2 min drive; 5 min walk
- Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – 2 min drive; 6 min walk
- Velvet Taco – 2 min drive; 8 min walk
- Cooper’s Old Time Bar-B-Que – 3 min drive; 8 min walk
- Rainey Street Food Truck Lot – 4 min drive; 10 min walk
- Torchy’s Tacos – 5 min drive; 15 min walk
- Taquero Mucho – 4 min drive; 18 min walk
- Via 313 Pizza – 5 min drive; 20 min walk
- Amy’s Ice Cream – 5 min drive
- Homeslice Pizza – 7 min drive
- Terry Black’s BBQ – 7 min drive
- Tumble 22 – 8 min drive
- Chuy’s Tex Mex – 8 min drive
- The Green Mesquite BBQ – 8 min drive
- Trudy’s Texas Star Tex Mex – 9 min drive
- The Picnic – Food Truck Park – 9 min drive
- Find more Austin Food Trucks here
WHERE TO GET COFFEE
- Houndstooth Coffee – 2 min drive; 5 min walk
- Good Things – 4 min drive; 4 min walk
- Jo’s Coffee – 3 min drive; 12 min walk
- Cuvee Coffee Bar – 5 min drive
- Flat Track Coffee – 5 min drive
- Mañana – 6 min drive
- Greater Goods Coffee – 6 min drive
HOW TO GET AROUND AUSTIN
- Uber/Lyft
- Rent an Electric Scooter
- CapMetro – Public Transportation day pass is $2.50
Whatever you end up doing while visiting Austin there are three staples that you don’t want to miss: visit at least one of the murals, eat some BBQ and try some delicious Tex Mex. And remember, Keep Austin Weird!
We can’t wait to see you in November!
*Due to the constantly changing environment, restaurants and other places of business may have modified hours or limited capacity. Please contact individual businesses directly for more information.
