A Solo Traveler's Guide To Austin

Austin is quickly becoming the city where everyone wants to be. You’ve heard about the bats, the weird, and you can’t wait to take it all in. No one blames you. Austin is growing every day and still has the perfect mix of innovation and old-school culture. It is known for the live music, but you’ll find so much more than that if you’re open to it.

1. Crash A Café

Cafe, Diner, Fast Food, American

In need of a morning coffee to get you ready for your day? Austin has some of the coolest cafés in the country. In fact going to a café here isn’t just for your morning cup. Cafés are rocking late into the night, and some have live music and others have full bars. Austin has its own spin on what a café atmosphere should be. Take Café Java as an example. This café in North Austin has the coolest interior design you’ll find. The crazy art on the wall? You can take one home for a price.

Catch A Show, Of Course

Here in Austin, there are so many venues so you’ll never have to stand in a crowded room just to hear great music. Some of the best shows are held in nightly jam sessions at old Austin hotspots. No lines, no flashing lights, just good music. Austin is a prime location for mainstream artists all the way down to homegrown acts. You don’t need a ticket for ACL because you might be able to catch your favorite singer in a small venue off the beaten path.

Carousel Lounge, 1110 East 52nd Street, Austin, TX, USA +1 512 452 6790

The Hole In The Wall, 2538 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX USA

See The City

Just walking down the street can be an adventure here. Hit up South Congress to see Austin at its finest with quirky shops and restaurants. Just because you came alone doesn’t mean you have to see it alone. Take a tour with a guide to get the most out of your trip. Austin is a beautiful city, and no matter what, you are always moments away from more excitement around the next corner.

Uncommon Objects, 1512 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX, USA +1 512 442 4000

Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, USA +1 512 974 6700

Grab A Bite, Or Two

Austin didn’t miss out on the food truck explosion that has been happening for the past years. Great food isn’t hard to come by here, and once you’ve had the perfect mix of Tex-Mex from a local Austin food truck, you’ll never want to eat anywhere else again. Keep your eyes open for trucks around the city or just follow the rest of the people looking to get their grub on. If you don’t come across a few random trailers while walking around the city, you can always visit a food truck park.

The Picnic, 1720 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, USA

Midway Food Park, 1905 South Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, TX, USA

Enjoy The Weird

This is when the fun starts. Being weird in Austin is the only way to truly be accepted by the locals. Embrace your inner weirdo, and you will find some very interesting spots. There are many museums dedicated to the supernatural, thousands of bats flying from the South Congress bridge, and a never-ending list of spots where the strange and unusual go to spend their time. Embracing the fun of it all is what keeps this city alive.

Graffiti Park at Castle Hill, 1008 Baylor Street, Austin, TX, USA

Statesman Bat Observation Center, 305 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX, USA +1 512 327 9721

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.