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Austin, TX, fondly known as the Live Music Capital of the World, is a bustling city packed with incredible entertainment venues, sophisticated restaurants, and fascinating museums. It’s the perfect destination for a cultural getaway because it offers a combination of modern and historic attractions. Plus, it’s home to some gorgeous sprawling green spaces to satisfy fans of the great outdoors.
Austin is an enormous city comprised of countless neighborhoods so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to deciding where to stay. Let’s take a look at some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods and highlight some of its top hotels to help you choose the perfect base for your visit.
Downtown Austin for First-Time Visitors
Photo Credit: MACH Photos
Highlights: Sixth Street, Texas State Capitol, Austin Convention Center, Blanton Museum of Art, The Contemporary Austin, Bullock Texas State History Museum
Downtown Austin is the very city center and is where many of the biggest entertainment venues can be found. You can expect theaters, clubs, bars, and concert halls with a variety of live performances taking place every night. There’s a mix of old and new architecture Downtown, but the historic district surrounding Sixth Street is where much of the action takes place. It’s lined with bars, live music venues, and luxury hotels, so if you’re looking for lively nightlife, you’ll find it here.
There are lots of popular attractions in Downtown, most of which lie within easy walking distance of one another. Take a tour of the Texas State Capitol to admire its impressive architecture. Check out a variety of artworks, including ancient works, at the Blanton Museum of Art, or admire modern art sourced from all over the world at The Contemporary Austin. You can learn about Texan history at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
If you want to be at the heart of Austin’s entertainment district with convenient access to music venues and other attractions, it makes sense to stay Downtown. Many first-time visitors opt to stay here because it’s relatively easy to get around on foot. Keep in mind that it’s big, busy, and noisy at night. There are plenty of hotels to choose from, but rates are higher here than in neighborhoods further away from the city center.
Where to Stay in Downtown Austin
Check-in at one of these popular Downtown Austin hotels:
- Fairmont Austin is a landmark luxury hotel that lies right at the heart of Downtown Austin. It has award-winning in-house restaurants, an indulgent spa service, and 24-hour front desk and concierge facilities for total convenience. Plus, its rooftop swimming pool is the largest in the city and offers incredible views over Austin’s skyline.
- Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin lies within walking distance of 6th Street and Austin’s best music venues, and the city’s music scene heavily inspires its decor. Amenities include free WiFi, concierge and laundry services, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant and bar.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Austin-Downtown/Convention Center offers easy access to Austin’s thriving nightlife. It’s a pet-friendly hotel with a fitness center and a rooftop pool, and it provides free WiFi and free hot breakfasts.
- Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown University is a pet-friendly IHG Hotel that lies within easy reach of the University of Texas. It has great amenities to ensure a comfortable stay, including a fitness center, an in-house restaurant, and an outdoor pool.
South Congress Avenue for Shoppers
Photo Credit: Fotoluminate LLC
Highlights: Continental Club, quirky bars, vintage stores, “I love you so much” mural
South Congress, known by locals as SoCo, is the area surrounding South Congress Avenue, a trendy strip that lies south of Downtown on the other side of the Colorado River. It’s packed with cool vintage clothing stores, chic furniture stores, and cool art boutiques. Plus, it has some excellent restaurants, beloved taco trucks, cozy coffee shops, and lively bars.
The nightlife in SoCo has a quirkier vibe than in Downtown. There are lots of specialist and themed bars, such as the Jade Room lounge in C-Boy’s, which replicates the style of 1950s Japanese GI bars. You’ll also find cool music venues, including the renowned Continental Club, which has been one of Austin’s leading music clubs since 1955.
If you love shopping, dining, and dancing, you’ll love staying in SoCo. Although there are fewer hotels than in Downtown, they are a little more affordable.
Zilker and South Lamar for Outdoor Access
Photo Credit: Alizada Studios
Highlights: Zilker Park, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Barton Springs Pool
Zilker and South Lamar, often known as SoLa, lie south of Downtown and south of the river. They both offer easy access to two popular green spaces — Zilker Park and Barton Creek Greenbelt — where there are copious hiking and biking trails and opportunities to kayak, canoe, and paddleboard. Zilker Park is home to Barton Springs Pool, which is the perfect place to cool down on a hot day, and Zilker Botanical Gardens, where a huge array of native and exotic plants thrive.
Zilker is a great neighborhood for families, but South Lamar is a little more lively at night and better suited to couples and groups of friends. There are some great music venues here, such as the Broken Spoke Bar, which is a renowned honky-tonk dance hall. You can also expect to find great restaurants and food trucks.
Where to Stay in Zilker and South Lamar
The Carpenter Hotel is a popular place to stay close to Zilker Park. It’s a comfortable hotel with a relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding after a busy day. Guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, and an in-house restaurant, as well as free WiFi and private parking.
Central Austin for Sightseers
Photo Credit: f11photo
Highlights: University of Texas, Harry Ransom Center, Elisabet Ney Museum, Victorian architecture
Central Austin is comprised of multiple smaller neighborhoods, including North Loop, Hyde Park, Brentwood, Allandale, and the area surrounding the University of Texas campus. The university is home to some great museums and art galleries, with a highlight being the Harry Ransom Center, where you can discover insights into the creative process of countless artists, writers, makers, and musicians.
Hyde Park is a must-see neighborhood because it’s one of the city’s oldest areas. It has charming Victorian architecture on pretty tree-lined streets and is home to the historic Elisabet Ney Museum. Since Hyde Park, Brentwood, and Allandale are primarily residential areas, they’re somewhat short on accommodation. Most of the hotels lie closer to the university.
If you plan to check out the city’s historic attractions, it makes sense to stay in Central Austin. There are also good public transport links to Downtown from here.
Where to Stay in Central Austin
Colton House Hotel is one of the best hotels in Central Austin. It’s a spacious, comfortable property with 79 luxurious rooms that suit a range of travelers, including families, couples, business guests, and solo travelers. The boutique hotel is decorated with bespoke furnishings and unique artworks created by talented local artists.
East Austin for Creatives
Photo Credit: Manda via Flickr CC 2.0
Highlights: French Legation Museum, George Washington Carver Museum, Tejano Walking Trail, Austin Bouldering Project, street art, art galleries.
East Austin is an artistic neighborhood known for its street art, galleries, and boutique stores. It also has great bars and breweries, excellent taco joints, and some of the city’s most fascinating museums. The French Legation Museum offers insights into the historic Republic of Texas. The George Washington Carver Museum is centered around the history and culture of African Americans in Texas. You can also learn about the state’s Hispanic history and culture when you walk the Tejano Trail through the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood.
There’s plenty to do in East Austin both during the day and at night. It’s a great base for creatives who want to get to know Austin’s artistic side.
North Austin for Couples
Photo Credit: Roschetzky Photography
Highlights: The Domain shopping center, luxury stores, high-end restaurants.
North Austin is a classic neighborhood that offers copious opportunities for luxury shopping and dining. There are several outdoor shopping centers to choose from with The Domain being one of the most popular. It has 100 stores and restaurants with both independent and chain retailers represented, including luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. The Arboretum is a great family-friendly alternative that lies in a park-like setting.
There are some good hotels and apartment hotels available in North Austin. Some of them are very luxurious and expensive, so if you’re planning an indulgent romantic getaway, this is a great base.
North Loop for Foodies
Highlights: Vintage boutiques, cafes, restaurants, bars
North Loop is a vibrant area known for its cool street art, record stores, bookshops, and vintage clothing boutiques. It has a bohemian atmosphere and a friendly local community which you’ll experience when you visit the independent restaurants, bars, and cafes here. Some of the best food in the city can be found in North Loop’s eateries.
Although there isn’t a wide range of accommodation in North Loop, the boutique hotels, B&Bs, and apartment rentals here are fairly affordable. Public transport links are great for reaching other parts of the city, and the university’s museums are within walking distance. If you want great food and laid-back nightlife, North Loop is a great base.
South Austin for Families
Photo Credit: Jacqueline F Cooper
Highlights: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park, Thicket Food Park, The Cathedral of Junk
The leafy neighborhood of South Austin is an excellent base for families because it has lovely green spaces for the kids to run around in. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a charming botanical garden that specializes in native Texan species and has interactive features and playgrounds to help kids learn about plants. Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park is a great place to burn off steam because it has extensive biking and hiking trails and a disc golf course.
There are lots of great art galleries, jewelry stores, and independent fashion boutiques in South Austin, particularly around South First Street. Don’t miss The Cathedral of Junk, a weird and wonderful structure constructed from more than 60 tons of trash.
South Austin doesn’t have many hotels, but you will find some private vacation rentals here. If you’re looking for self-catering accommodation in a family-friendly neighborhood, this is a great base.
West Austin for Nature Lovers
Photo Credit: Skylar Dawn
Highlights: Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, Lake Travis, Deep Eddy Pool, Hill Country
West Austin stretches from Lady Bird Lake out to Lake Austin and Lake Travis. There’s extensive outdoor space to explore here, but even the portion of West Austin that lies close to Downtown offers lots of great outdoor space. Deep Eddy Pool is a popular swimming spot that happens to be the oldest man-made pool in Texas. Fishing, swimming, and boating are also popular pastimes right along the Colorado River.
If you plan to get out into Hill Country during your visit to Austin, West Austin is a great base. There are many wonderful wineries, distilleries, microbreweries, and restaurants to explore in Hill Country, not to mention scenic rolling hills to admire. You might feel a little cut off from the main city here, but if you want easy access to nature and plan to get around by car, this won’t feel like much of a problem. If you want a restful vacation, consider staying in one of West Austin’s peaceful spa hotels.
Where to Stay in West Austin
These are some of the best places to stay in West Austin:
- Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake is an IHG Hotel set on the pretty Lady Bird Lake. It has a fitness center, a business center, and a rooftop pool with lake views. Guests can enjoy room service, free WiFi, and free parking.
- Hilton Austin Airport is a convenient base if you’ll be taking a short trip to Austin. It’s close to the attractions of Downtown with convenient access to major highways for traveling further afield. The guestrooms are comfortably furnished, and the hotel has excellent amenities, including a free 24/7 airport shuttle service.
Book Your Austin Accommodation
Staying in one of these Austin neighborhoods is sure to help you have an incredible trip to this Texan metropolis. Now you’ve decided where to stay, you can get started booking your accommodation and look forward to an awesome Austin adventure.
