Amber's Austin/RR/PFL Guidebook
Food scene
Definitely the best Pflugerville Ma-and-Pa-located-in-a-strip-mall BBQ. If you want to stay near-ish to home. This is the place.
21 locals recommend
Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue
15608 Spring Hill LnDefinitely the best Pflugerville Ma-and-Pa-located-in-a-strip-mall BBQ. If you want to stay near-ish to home. This is the place.
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdIf you are wanting BBQ in Austin -- this is our go-to!
We know. It's a grocery store, but it's the best grocery store. Our favorites --the tortillas they make in the tortilla shop in house, their homemade guac, Blue Bell ice cream (Cookie Two Step)
27 locals recommend
H-E-B plus!
5000 Gattis School RdWe know. It's a grocery store, but it's the best grocery store. Our favorites --the tortillas they make in the tortilla shop in house, their homemade guac, Blue Bell ice cream (Cookie Two Step)
Don't skip out on their creamy jalapeño ranch with chips. It's a local fav. There are multiple locations. This is the closest to us.
412 locals recommend
Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdDon't skip out on their creamy jalapeño ranch with chips. It's a local fav. There are multiple locations. This is the closest to us.
Pinthouse Pizza
2800 Hoppe TrailEasily fits large groups. Delicious pizza.
A must go. If you look up food in Austin area this will surely come up. Get kolaches (pigs in a blanket) and a Texas sized donut.
118 locals recommend
Round Rock Donuts
106 W Liberty AveA must go. If you look up food in Austin area this will surely come up. Get kolaches (pigs in a blanket) and a Texas sized donut.
Always at the top of the To-Eat list. Typically, you must wait hours to eat their BBQ but with Covid, you may get lucky and be able to place a curbside pick up order.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StAlways at the top of the To-Eat list. Typically, you must wait hours to eat their BBQ but with Covid, you may get lucky and be able to place a curbside pick up order.
Gourdough's Big. Fat. Donuts.
1503 S 1st StFood truck, fancy donuts. Need we say more.
Sightseeing
Thinkery
1830 Simond AveCute children's museum if it's hot and you need an indoor place.
If you're up for a drive (1 hour 20ish min), Waco is a good little morning trip. The home of Fixer Upper, we always take our visitors. I think it's a 1/2 day trip. If you're doing this, go straight to Magnolia Table, put your name on the list, then go to the Silos while you're waiting. The wait at the restaurant is often 2+ hours. See if you can put in a reservation online. Be sure to stop at Buccee's on the way home. If you need Texas souvenirs--Buccees is your place.
256 locals recommend
Magnolia Market Silos
601 Webster AveIf you're up for a drive (1 hour 20ish min), Waco is a good little morning trip. The home of Fixer Upper, we always take our visitors. I think it's a 1/2 day trip. If you're doing this, go straight to Magnolia Table, put your name on the list, then go to the Silos while you're waiting. The wait at the restaurant is often 2+ hours. See if you can put in a reservation online. Be sure to stop at Buccee's on the way home. If you need Texas souvenirs--Buccees is your place.
See if you can get a reservation and spend a morning or afternoon at Hamilton Pools! It's a fun swimming hole. I'd say that kids 2.5+ can handle the little hike in. Younger might need to be carried a bit.
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdSee if you can get a reservation and spend a morning or afternoon at Hamilton Pools! It's a fun swimming hole. I'd say that kids 2.5+ can handle the little hike in. Younger might need to be carried a bit.
The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceShopping. Food. Outside wandering. Jeni's Ice Cream.
Lake Pflugerville Park
18216 Weiss LnA 3 mile trail. Playground. Beach area.
We went here for Thanksgiving and loved it. Waterpark, arcade games, food (The Great Kahoo was delish for brunch).
99 locals recommend
Kalahari Resorts Texas
3001 Kalahari BlvdWe went here for Thanksgiving and loved it. Waterpark, arcade games, food (The Great Kahoo was delish for brunch).
A Texas "hike". You basically walk up some stairs and up and down a few rocks. Can be tricky with kids but our 3.5 year old could easily handle it.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
A Texas "hike". You basically walk up some stairs and up and down a few rocks. Can be tricky with kids but our 3.5 year old could easily handle it.
Zilker Park
Walk, bike, trails
Google Austin Bats and go stake out a place to watch them take off one evening. It's quirky, unique, and gets a crowd every single night.
286 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueGoogle Austin Bats and go stake out a place to watch them take off one evening. It's quirky, unique, and gets a crowd every single night.
Our favorite is to rent scooters (you'll see them all over the place downtown) and cruise around. There is a new park/splash pad across the street from Terry Blacks if you need to trade off while the kids play.
334 locals recommend
West 6th Street
West 6th StreetOur favorite is to rent scooters (you'll see them all over the place downtown) and cruise around. There is a new park/splash pad across the street from Terry Blacks if you need to trade off while the kids play.
Austin's waterpark. For the 4th of July they will have fireworks. You can park in their parking lot, Costco's parking lot, or the Stonehill Target's parking lot and have a pretty good view!
63 locals recommend
Typhoon Texas Austin
18500 TX-130 Service RdAustin's waterpark. For the 4th of July they will have fireworks. You can park in their parking lot, Costco's parking lot, or the Stonehill Target's parking lot and have a pretty good view!