East Austin Urban Inn Guidebook
Outdoor Activities
Head six blocks south on Comal street to access the running trail around Lady Bird Lake. The trail is a 10 mile loop and good for all skill levels. The trail is an amazing place for stroller walks, runs, or bike rides. If you take the trail west it will lead you straight to Rainey Street or the heart of downtown Austin with some amazing river views along the way!*
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailHead six blocks south on Comal street to access the running trail around Lady Bird Lake. The trail is a 10 mile loop and good for all skill levels. The trail is an amazing place for stroller walks, runs, or bike rides. If you take the trail west it will lead you straight to Rainey Street or the heart of downtown Austin with some amazing river views along the way!*
Cruise through downtown Austin on Lady Bird Lake in a vintage fiberglass boat with Retro Boat Rentals. The boats are adorable and it provides the perfect way for the whole family to experience the city together.
10 locals recommend
Retro Boat Rentals ATX
74 Trinity StCruise through downtown Austin on Lady Bird Lake in a vintage fiberglass boat with Retro Boat Rentals. The boats are adorable and it provides the perfect way for the whole family to experience the city together.
A beautiful state park, McKinney Falls, is only a 20 minute drive from the house. This is a great spot to hike with a variety of trail options for all skill levels and two sets of beautiful falls (Upper and Lower).
376 locals recommend
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyA beautiful state park, McKinney Falls, is only a 20 minute drive from the house. This is a great spot to hike with a variety of trail options for all skill levels and two sets of beautiful falls (Upper and Lower).
1000ft long natural spring fed limestone pool in the middle of Zilker Park. An iconic Austin activity for locals. Make sure to bring everything with you (blanket/towels/snacks/drinks)!
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton Dr1000ft long natural spring fed limestone pool in the middle of Zilker Park. An iconic Austin activity for locals. Make sure to bring everything with you (blanket/towels/snacks/drinks)!
Great kid-friendly public pool with a lawn area to lay out your blanket and a shallow end for toddlers to walk around in. There is also a delicious spot for burgers, tiki drinks, and homemade soft-serve down the road called Pool Burger.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveGreat kid-friendly public pool with a lawn area to lay out your blanket and a shallow end for toddlers to walk around in. There is also a delicious spot for burgers, tiki drinks, and homemade soft-serve down the road called Pool Burger.
Grab a day pass to the Austin Motel pool and order lunch from Joann’s Fine Foods next door. The queso, chips, and margaritas are our favorite in town!
14 locals recommend
Austin Motel
1220 S Congress AveGrab a day pass to the Austin Motel pool and order lunch from Joann’s Fine Foods next door. The queso, chips, and margaritas are our favorite in town!
Coffee Shops
Right around the corner is Flat Track coffee, a specialty coffee roaster where you can pick-up breakfast tacos, pastries, and your favorite coffee drink. *
127 locals recommend
Flat Track Coffee
1619 E Cesar Chavez StRight around the corner is Flat Track coffee, a specialty coffee roaster where you can pick-up breakfast tacos, pastries, and your favorite coffee drink. *
Cenote is a delicious East Austin cafe and coffee shop with a large outdoor backyard and covered front patio. There is a cake bakery onsite as well!*
379 locals recommend
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez StCenote is a delicious East Austin cafe and coffee shop with a large outdoor backyard and covered front patio. There is a cake bakery onsite as well!*
Here you will find a Medici Coffee truck and Veracruz taco truck- two Austin favorites in one place! Also includes a turf play zone for kids with blocks and an outdoor chalkboard.
14 locals recommend
Littlefield's Tacos + Coffee
2401 Winsted LaneHere you will find a Medici Coffee truck and Veracruz taco truck- two Austin favorites in one place! Also includes a turf play zone for kids with blocks and an outdoor chalkboard.
Freewheelin’ Coffee, is a full service coffee bar, with espresso drinks, matcha teas, custom flavored drinks, and some of the best cold brew and baked goods, sold out of a 1971 Airstream.*
6 locals recommend
Freewheelin' Coffee
1910 E Cesar Chavez StFreewheelin’ Coffee, is a full service coffee bar, with espresso drinks, matcha teas, custom flavored drinks, and some of the best cold brew and baked goods, sold out of a 1971 Airstream.*
Dining
Walk to Laundrette for outdoor brunch or to pick up some to-go cocktails. We love everything from here and the birthday cake ice cream sandwiches are always the cherry on top.*
397 locals recommend
Launderette
2115 Holly StWalk to Laundrette for outdoor brunch or to pick up some to-go cocktails. We love everything from here and the birthday cake ice cream sandwiches are always the cherry on top.*
You can’t stay in Austin without trying some amazing barbecue. Come here for mouth watering brisket, pulled pork, and sausages.*
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StYou can’t stay in Austin without trying some amazing barbecue. Come here for mouth watering brisket, pulled pork, and sausages.*
Looking for a quick lunch or outdoor happy hour, Lou’s is the place! They have a great turf backyard with mister fans and a ping pong table.*
55 locals recommend
Lou’s
1900 E Cesar Chavez StLooking for a quick lunch or outdoor happy hour, Lou’s is the place! They have a great turf backyard with mister fans and a ping pong table.*
Notorious in Austin for the best smoothies! There is one location off of Cesar Chavez (VEZ) and one off 5th street (SAL), both in walking distance.*
519 locals recommend
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdNotorious in Austin for the best smoothies! There is one location off of Cesar Chavez (VEZ) and one off 5th street (SAL), both in walking distance.*
Amazing Detroit style pizza and salads just a 12 minute walk from the house. They have a great outdoor patio with misters or pick it up to go!
372 locals recommend
Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StAmazing Detroit style pizza and salads just a 12 minute walk from the house. They have a great outdoor patio with misters or pick it up to go!
Sausage House & Beer Garden off of Rainey Street. Plenty of outdoor space, beers on tap, live music, and a mouth watering selection of homemade sausages.
264 locals recommend
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey StSausage House & Beer Garden off of Rainey Street. Plenty of outdoor space, beers on tap, live music, and a mouth watering selection of homemade sausages.
Innovative northern italian inspired restaurant with specialty cocktails. If you are looking for a nice sit down dinner within walking distance from the house, this checks all the boxes! *
99 locals recommend
Juniper
2400 E Cesar Chavez StInnovative northern italian inspired restaurant with specialty cocktails. If you are looking for a nice sit down dinner within walking distance from the house, this checks all the boxes! *
Convenience Store
Looking for beer, wine, ice, or a curated selection of locally focused grocery items? Quickie Pickie is three blocks away on Cesar Chavez and covers all the above.
352 locals recommend
Quickie Pickie
2027 E Cesar Chavez StLooking for beer, wine, ice, or a curated selection of locally focused grocery items? Quickie Pickie is three blocks away on Cesar Chavez and covers all the above.
A gas station called East 1st Grocery at the corner of Chicon and Cesar Chavez that has drinks, snacks, and a good selection of local beer. *
30 locals recommend
East 1st Grocery
1811 E Cesar Chavez StA gas station called East 1st Grocery at the corner of Chicon and Cesar Chavez that has drinks, snacks, and a good selection of local beer. *
The closest grocery store is a natural and organic grocery store, Whole Foods, in Plaza Saltillo off of East 5th street.*
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdThe closest grocery store is a natural and organic grocery store, Whole Foods, in Plaza Saltillo off of East 5th street.*
This Target is just a few blocks away in Plaza Saltillo on east 5th Street. Perfect place to grab snacks or any toiletry items you forgot to pack! *
Target
This Target is just a few blocks away in Plaza Saltillo on east 5th Street. Perfect place to grab snacks or any toiletry items you forgot to pack! *
Toddler Recommendations
A 10 minute walk from the house and right by Lady Bird Lake. The playground has swings, slides, and climbing equipment. You can easily stop here on the way to the trail to take a walk around Lady Bird Lake. We use this park quite a bit and find it to be one of the nicest ones in the neighborhood.*
46 locals recommend
Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach in Town Lake Metropolitan Park
2101 Jesse E. Segovia StA 10 minute walk from the house and right by Lady Bird Lake. The playground has swings, slides, and climbing equipment. You can easily stop here on the way to the trail to take a walk around Lady Bird Lake. We use this park quite a bit and find it to be one of the nicest ones in the neighborhood.*
A 15 minute walk from the house, this park has play equipment, a picnic area, and a splash pad (splash pad closes at the end of Sep for the season). *
15 locals recommend
Metz Neighborhood Park
2407 Canterbury StA 15 minute walk from the house, this park has play equipment, a picnic area, and a splash pad (splash pad closes at the end of Sep for the season). *
A brand new park in the heart of downtown Austin that includes swings, slides, climbing equipment, turf areas, foam pits, a splash pad etc.
13 locals recommend
Alliance Children's Garden
1000 Barton Springs RdA brand new park in the heart of downtown Austin that includes swings, slides, climbing equipment, turf areas, foam pits, a splash pad etc.
The state botanical garden and arboretum of Texas. Features 900 sources of native Texas plants and a 4.5 acre dedicated family garden including a shrub maze, grotto with waterfalls, and turf area. They also have ‘Sprouts Story Time’ where you can bring children ages 5 and younger for an outdoor nature themed story reading.
252 locals recommend
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveThe state botanical garden and arboretum of Texas. Features 900 sources of native Texas plants and a 4.5 acre dedicated family garden including a shrub maze, grotto with waterfalls, and turf area. They also have ‘Sprouts Story Time’ where you can bring children ages 5 and younger for an outdoor nature themed story reading.
This botanical garden is nestled inside Zilker Park and includes a variety of different themed gardens (Rose, Japanese, Prehistoric) My son loves the Koi ponds here.
429 locals recommend
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdThis botanical garden is nestled inside Zilker Park and includes a variety of different themed gardens (Rose, Japanese, Prehistoric) My son loves the Koi ponds here.
A large park on the shores of Lake Austin and a perfect spot to go with the family. It offers room for swimming, including a sandy beach area for kids to play in, and roped- off shallow waters for taking a dip. The park also has lots of picnic tables, grills, and hiking trails.
61 locals recommend
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
1600 City Park RoadA large park on the shores of Lake Austin and a perfect spot to go with the family. It offers room for swimming, including a sandy beach area for kids to play in, and roped- off shallow waters for taking a dip. The park also has lots of picnic tables, grills, and hiking trails.
A sculpture garden inside Zilker Park that offers a free family day the second Sunday of every month. Free family day includes art making activities, sculpture searches, and performances. They also have a story time on the third Saturday of every month.
235 locals recommend
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton RdA sculpture garden inside Zilker Park that offers a free family day the second Sunday of every month. Free family day includes art making activities, sculpture searches, and performances. They also have a story time on the third Saturday of every month.
Local Farm and Farmers Market just a five minute drive from the house. The farm has chickens for the kids to look at, toy trucks in the dirt to play with, flower fields, and local produce for sale.
48 locals recommend
Boggy Creek Farm
3414 Lyons RdLocal Farm and Farmers Market just a five minute drive from the house. The farm has chickens for the kids to look at, toy trucks in the dirt to play with, flower fields, and local produce for sale.
A farm 1 hr outside of Austin that has a corn maze, pick your own flowers, goats to feed, pony rides, and pumpkin picking. Perfect for all the festive Fall activities!
56 locals recommend
Sweet Berry Farm
1801 FM1980A farm 1 hr outside of Austin that has a corn maze, pick your own flowers, goats to feed, pony rides, and pumpkin picking. Perfect for all the festive Fall activities!
The museum has a family friendly day time experience that is free for kids under 2 years old.
https://www.museumoficecream.com/austin
25 locals recommend
Museum of Ice Cream
11506 Century Oaks TerraceThe museum has a family friendly day time experience that is free for kids under 2 years old.
https://www.museumoficecream.com/austin
An amazing children’s museum in Austin with tons of different interactive activities. There is a special program called Baby Bloomers where the museum is only open to kids 0-3 years old with activities specifically curated for them.
https://thinkeryaustin.org/
272 locals recommend
Thinkery
1830 Simond AveAn amazing children’s museum in Austin with tons of different interactive activities. There is a special program called Baby Bloomers where the museum is only open to kids 0-3 years old with activities specifically curated for them.
https://thinkeryaustin.org/
An imaginative indoor “tiny” playtown for young children and even includes a parent lounge.
https://www.pikopyestown.com/
Pikopye’s Town
2919 Menchaca RoadAn imaginative indoor “tiny” playtown for young children and even includes a parent lounge.
https://www.pikopyestown.com/
This zoo is a 1 hour drive outside of Austin in Johnson City and is a privately owned and operated safari park where the kids can feed and interact with the animals. There is also the option for a 100% drive through experience so you can interact with the animals from the comfort of your own car.
https://www.zooexotics.com/
50 locals recommend
The Exotic Resort Zoo
235 Zoo TrailThis zoo is a 1 hour drive outside of Austin in Johnson City and is a privately owned and operated safari park where the kids can feed and interact with the animals. There is also the option for a 100% drive through experience so you can interact with the animals from the comfort of your own car.
https://www.zooexotics.com/
An outdoor museum dinosaur park with realistic life size dinosaur exhibits. Also includes a fossil dig, playground, and picnic area. Children 23 months and under are free.
https://www.thedinopark.com/
32 locals recommend
Dinosaur Park
893 Union Chapel RdAn outdoor museum dinosaur park with realistic life size dinosaur exhibits. Also includes a fossil dig, playground, and picnic area. Children 23 months and under are free.
https://www.thedinopark.com/
A toy lending library and play space that also hosts different types of classes. Their website has a ton of detailed information on free kid-friendly events around Austin as well!
https://toybraryaustin.com/
Toybrary Austin
2001 Justin LnA toy lending library and play space that also hosts different types of classes. Their website has a ton of detailed information on free kid-friendly events around Austin as well!
https://toybraryaustin.com/
Kid-Friendly Breweries
A kid-friendly brewery nestled on 165 acres in the Hill Country 30 minutes west of the house. The brewery has a goat barn that the kids can go in, a big pasture to run around, an outdoor beer garden, and delicious pizza and beer!
298 locals recommend
Jester King
13187 Fitzhugh RdA kid-friendly brewery nestled on 165 acres in the Hill Country 30 minutes west of the house. The brewery has a goat barn that the kids can go in, a big pasture to run around, an outdoor beer garden, and delicious pizza and beer!
A brewery in Southeast Austin (11 minute drive from the house) that includes a big beer garden, food trucks, Children’s playground and turf soccer field!
53 locals recommend
Meanwhile Brewing Company
3901 Promontory Point DrA brewery in Southeast Austin (11 minute drive from the house) that includes a big beer garden, food trucks, Children’s playground and turf soccer field!
Some of our favorite local beer (20 minute drive north from the house) and they have a small but nice dedicated turf play space for kids!
87 locals recommend
Austin Beerworks
3001 Industrial TerraceSome of our favorite local beer (20 minute drive north from the house) and they have a small but nice dedicated turf play space for kids!