By Expedia Team, on August 6, 2015

The Austin Local’s Guide

Austin, Texas is one of the hottest must-do destinations in the USA. Combining southern warmth and a cosmopolitan vibrancy, it’s fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for travellers to North America. Move over LA and New York – I’m hitting the south to see what this crazy, weird city is all about!

A City by the River

At the heart of Austin lies its shimmering centre piece – Lady Bird Lake. A reservoir on the Colorado River, the lake is a great spot for kayaking, rowing and paddle boating. Its banks are always busy with eager joggers, sweating it out. For cyclists, a 16 kilometre track around the lake is a great way to see the best of the city from all angles.

Downtown Austin sits on the northern banks of the lake, and is a thriving central part of the city. Home to endless cafes, restaurants and hotels, it’s a paradise for foodies and music junkies alike. Most of the city’s most convenient accommodation options are located within a five kilometre radius of downtown Austin. Expedia’s Aussie travellers spend 2-3 nights in the city and stay central to enjoy all the action.

The Driskill Hotel is one of the most iconic locations in downtown Austin. The grand building has a highly recommended café, with a chocolate cake made from the original recipe used when the building opened 130 years ago. I can’t go on without mentioning the stunning bar, where you’ll be served home made beef jerky with your cocktails.

Texas Barbecue

Speaking of food, Austin is proud to boast some of the best barbecue in the United States – a claim they’re very proud of. In fact, the standard of barbecue in the city is so high customers literally travel half way across the globe just to feast on some of the slow cooked goodness.