Austin, Texas

I can’t wait to tell you all about our trip to Waco, Texas (!!!) — but first, we spent three days in Austin! HUGE thank you to my mother-in-law for taking a week off work to stay with our kids — I hope I’m as awesome of a grandma as you someday!

The reason for our trip was because Eric was attending a conference for work, and even though we’ve been to Austin together twice before, I immediately knew I wanted to tag along! I love joining Eric on his business trips because it gives me some much-desired alone time as well as date nights. Plus, financially it just makes sense because the hotel is already paid for and we just need to cover airfare and food for me. Someday I would also like to bring the kids along, but at this stage I will take all the “me time” I can get!

One of the reasons I was so excited about going back to Austin is because our friends Alex and Jesse Coulter live in a suburb and we cherish the few times we have gotten to hang out with them. Eric and I first met Jesse at the Texas Style Council in 2013. She will tell you that she stalked me and made me be friends with her, but the truth is she is one of the nicest, funniest and most hospitable people you will ever meet — you can’t help but want to be around her. Jesse picked us up from the airport, took us to her new house and showed us around The Domain Northside, which is a cool new shopping and dining plaza on the north side of the city. It was so fun to meet their 3-year-old twins; talk with Alex and Jesse about finances, careers and the realities of parenthood; and play football with their son Turner, who was less than a year old when I first met him. Jesse is a true gem and was a wonderful tour guide!

Austin is such a quirky, cool city. Here’s a guide to my favorite spots, in case you’re planning to go! I’d also highly recommend the book Koko’s Guide to Austin Texas, which Jesse gifted me and was the perfect pocket-sized reference when I found myself in a new area of town.

EATS

Yes, that is In-N-Out Burger…we had never been there! We don’t have them in Iowa and so many people rave about it, so we were excited to give it a try! Unfortunately, we didn’t love it … Shake Shack for life!

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille was definitely the best meal we had in Austin. The pork chop is cooked for 6-8 hours and tasted more like brisket than anything else. The bread/butter and mac & cheese are fantastic as well. 10/10 would recommend if you’re looking for an upscale spot! I was still in my travel outfit (sweatshirt and leggings) and didn’t feel out of place, so it’s not fancy, but definitely a nicer place.

Iron Works Barbecue was located right across the street from our hotel and made it easy for Eric and I to meet up for lunch between his conference sessions. This Iowa girl even gives their corn on the cob two thumbs up!

Via 313 Pizzeria: My favorite night was ordering pizza from this food truck and listening to live music with Eric and Jesse at Craft Pride. The pizza is definitely worth the wait! You get four square slices — I loved the crust!

Torchy’s Tacos was the best budget-friendly meal we had — I would love one of these in Iowa! Had we not waited until our last meal to eat there, I would have gone more than once. Get the queso!

Honorable mention: I have never forgotten the steak pizza we ate in 2013 from Cru Wine Bar!

TREATS

Best cupcake: Sprinkles

Best ice cream: Lick

Best donuts: Little Lucy’s

Jeni’s is opening up at The Domain Northside and South Congress Avenue this year as well — it is the BEST ice cream ever!

STAY

We stayed at the Fairmont Austin which was where Eric’s conference was, and it was gorgeous. Eric and I definitely vacation very differently. He set his alarm for 4:45 am so he could do a 60-minute Peloton workout while I slept for 9 hours and then went to lay by the pool, which was a slice of paradise!

The LINE Hotel Austin also looked like a really nice place to say and is more centrally located for about the same price.

We have also stayed at the Hyatt Regency Austin, which is in a great location and less expensive.

I also noticed a few smaller, locally owned hotels on South Congress Avenue that would be fun to stay at, too!

DO

Milk & Honey Spa: While Eric was at his conference, I experienced my first facial and 90-minute massage — it was a wonderful way to spend the morning!

South Congress Kayaks: If the weather is nice, I highly recommend kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. It was a fun adventure and you get an up-close look at all the turtles! We kayaked two-ish miles to Barton Springs Pool, which is a three-acre pool fed by underground springs with a year-round temperature of 68-70 degrees. There were lifeguards and people swimming laps — just a neat thing!

Bat Bridge: The Congress Avenue Bridge is home to 1.5 million bats! It was redesigned in 1980 and the crevices on the underside of the bridge unintentionally became the perfect home for bats. From March to October, you can see them emerge 20 minutes before sundown when they swarm out to get food. Unfortunately we didn’t get a good viewing as we were a little late in the season, but if you are there in the spring or summer, you should check it out!

South Congress Avenue: Be sure to head to South Congress for shopping, eating and all the iconic murals. Grab a cup of coffee at Jo’s, try on some cowboy boots at Allens and check out the TOMS Store/coffee shop.

Rainey Street: This cute little area was once a residential street and is now a row of bungalow bars. It was located just a couple blocks from our hotel — we ended up on the back patio at Craft Pride, enjoying the live music. It was my favorite night!

Have you been to Austin? What’s your favorite things to eat, see, do?