Austin is so much more than the live music capital of the world: It’s a foodie paradise, a natural playground, and home to a rich culture of keeping it weird. Whether you’re planning your destination wedding in the beautiful hill country or simply having friends and family fly in from outside the area, you want to make sure your guests have an outstanding weekend outside of your wedding festivities. With a city as dynamic and lively as Austin, that won’t be too hard! We’ve compiled a handy guide of some of our favorite food, sights, and activities that you and your guests don’t want to miss while you’re in town. Keep reading to learn how to experience Austin like a local with one-of-a-kind tours by Access ATX!
What to do in Austin for your Destination Wedding
Austin Food
Breakfast Tacos at Torchy’s Tacos
Start your day out the Texas way with breakfast tacos at the Austin-native Torchy’s Tacos. We’ll take any excuse to incorporate tacos into all three meals of the day!
Queso at Kerbey Lane Cafe
You can’t travel to Austin and not indulge yourself in the melted gold that is queso. Many Austin natives will defend Kerbey Queso until their dying day, so you know you’re in good hands at Kerbey Lane!
Burgers at Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Discover the gourmet side of burgers and you’ll never look back. You may have to wait in a bit of a line for this Austin treat, but it’s well worth it. Don’t miss out on the truffle fries!
Pizza at Home Slice Pizza
Grab a slice at Home Slice before strolling along the shops of South Congress. Sit in or take out!
Sushi at Uchi
Sushi lovers, rejoice! Splurge a little on some of the best sushi in Texas. This is one meal you won’t be able to forget.
Southern Comfort Food at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
Put a smile on your face with some Southern classics. Our favorite part of this local eatery? Popcorn as a starter instead of bread or chips! It’s as weirdly delicious as it sounds.
Local Eats at Odd Duck
If you pride yourself on eating fresh, local food, Odd Duck is for you! They offer a unique variety of dishes you’ll probably want to Instagram before eating.
Seafood at Perla’s
Got an oyster craving? Treat yourself to some of the best seafood around. If the weather’s nice, enjoy their patio seating!
Gelato at Dolce Neve
Forget everything you know about gelato, and then visit Dolce Neve. Their ingredients are raw, natural, local: and you can tell. Che delizioso!
Ice Cream at Lick Honest Ice Creams
Can you tell we’re fans of frozen desserts? Homemade artisanal ice cream in some of the most uniquely delicious flavors you’ve ever heard of. They even have vegan options! We suggest trying the Goat Cheese, Thyme & Honey flavor – just trust us.
Doughnuts at Gourdough’s
Donut burgers?! Yes, donut burgers. We like our donuts like we like our tacos: the more meals the better! Finish off this tasty meal with a decadent donut dessert.
Coffee at Jo’s Coffee
Stop by this South Congress staple to grab a good cup of jo. Don’t forget to snap a picture with your sweetie by the iconic “I love you so much” mural!
Austin’s Outdoor Activities
Kayak or Paddleboard at Lady Bird Lake
Rent out a kayak or paddleboard at Lady Bird Lake for a lazy day floating on the water, soaking up the sun, and getting some killer views of downtown Austin!
Swim at Barton Springs Pool
This natural pool boasts 68-70 degree water year-round. It’s our favorite way to cool off on a hot day!
Hike at Barton Creek Greenbelt
Get a little cardio in at the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Bike, hike, run, and swim along almost 8 miles of lush trails!
Catch a great view at Mount Bonnell
Just a small hike up Mount Bonnell and you will get the most rewarding, picturesque view of Austin! Take in the Colorado River and beautiful hill country and marvel at what a beautiful city you’re in.
Other Austin Must-Do’s
Austin Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, the Sustainable Food Center puts on a truly wonderful farmer’s market. Grab a baguette and some local jams and cheeses, then head over to Zilker Park to enjoy a little Austin-centric picnic!
Becker Vineyards Wine Tasting
Get a taste of Austin’s local wine at Becker Vineyards! Bring a picnic along with you and enjoy the view of their stunning lavender fields.
Take a tour of Austin with Access ATX
One of our favorite ways to give your wedding guests a one-of-a-kind, stress-free experience of Austin is taking a tour with Access ATX. This can be an excursion for your bachelor/bachelorette party, an event for you and your wedding party, or a fun treat for your out-of-town guests! Access ATX is a group of passionate people with a true love for all things Austin, so you know you’re in good hands. Let them know exactly what you want from your tour, and they will make it happen for you. Whether you’re an Austin native or completely new to the area, you and your guests will thoroughly enjoy everything Access ATX has to offer!
“From wine tasting in the Texas Hill Country to delicious BBQ in Lockhart, Access ATX has the perfect itinerary for your wedding party. All tours are private and hand-crafted for your group’s interests and activity level. Each experience includes complimentary pick-up/drop-off, luxury transportation, a fun and professional local guide, and VIP experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Tours are filled with memorable photo-ops, behind-the-scenes experiences, and the pampering your group deserves. We take care of all the details, leaving you to have all the fun!”
Some of their most popular tours of Austin:
- Complete Austin Experience: The ultimate city tour, covering all of Austin’s must-see attractions as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of a BBQ smokehouse and a craft cocktail-making demonstration.
- Texas BBQ Trail Tour: Taste test four famous Texas BBQ joints on this trek out to Lockhart, “BBQ Capital of the World!”
- BBQ and Brewery Adventure
- Wine Tasting in the Texas Hill Country: Visit three of our favorite wineries, including food and wine pairings, a gourmet picnic lunch, and a private cellar tour with exclusive barrel tastings.
- “Bucket-List” Austin Food Tour: Includes our iconic food trucks!
We hope that you not only have a beautiful Austin wedding, but that you and your guests also get the best experience of Austin possible!
Planning an Austin destination wedding? Check out this Chicago couple who took on an Austin destination wedding with a little help from our wonderful coordinators!
