Pillow Talk: Between The Sheets Of Hotel Magdalena Austin

This fresh stay from the homegrown Bunkhouse group distils the city’s colorful, creative essence in the heart of the bohemian Bouldin Creek ‘hood.

As a “blue dot in a big red state,” free-spirited Austin recurrently tops the best places to live in the US, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a cosmopolitan 21st-century city, with great parks and hiking trails on its doorstep. Big tech investment has poured in, but the “Keep Austin Weird” indie spirit is strong – buoyed by a world-class music and art scene. Tap into the vibe at Hotel Magdalena – the latest addition from Austin’s celebrated Bunkhouse group, of Hotel Saint Cecilia and Hotel San José, plus Hotel Havana in San Antonio and the Phoenix Hotel in San Francisco. Here’s how to plan a weekend in Austin, using Magdalena as your base…

1. Hotel Magdalena, Austin

Hotel

A swirly vintage neon sign sets the tone at this unashamedly retro-inspired hotel. But look around and you’ll see it’s much more than a nostalgia trip. Much of its carefully considered design references Austin’s 1970s culture. Elevated walkways and courtyards connect four distinct buildings, creating a treehouse-like feel inside grounds planted with native Texas flora. Adding to the vibe are warm earthy tones – especially the covetable serape-stripe robes – era-defining photos and Sangre de Fruta toiletries. A freeform pool echoes the city’s natural swimming holes, and it’s all just steps from always-buzzing South Congress Avenue. There are free bikes and yoga mats to rent and a program of events to tap into, too.

2. Bouldin Creek Cafe

Cafe, Vegetarian, Vegan

Interior of the Bouldin Creek Cafe in Austin, Texas, hipster bar and cafe serving vegetarian and vegan food

In a city with no shortage of veggie- and vegan-friendly restaurants, it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. But this award-winning spot with a meat-free menu has earned a loyal following among Austinites over the past decade – still with the same window signage from its previous incarnation as a tire store. Ingredients are sourced from other small local businesses, and the cafe fundraises for the local community. Most importantly, the food is always made from scratch and delicious enough to pull in plenty of omnivores, too.

4. Lady Bird Lake

Park, University

Austin, Texas Skyline and Tour Boat on Colorado River

Although a man-made reservoir – carved out of a stretch of the Colorado River – Lady Bird Lake sounds so much nicer. The bucolic name certainly suits this rather lovely central Austin oasis, where you can indulge in a raft of activities from hiking or biking its 10mi (16km) trail to water-based fun like kayaking and canoeing. From March to November, position yourself close to the Congress Avenue bridge to witness the remarkable scene of free-tail bat colonies swooping at sunset.

5. Home Slice

Restaurant, Bar, Italian, Vegetarian

Exterior of Home Slice Pizza with lit neon sign at night and outdoor barstool seating

Ask your average Austinite where to go for the best pizza in town, and chances are they’ll direct you to this neon-lit landmark. It has evolved over the years from a mom-and-pop pizza joint into the go-to spot for New York-style pizza. It really gets its mojo on at night when pizza-hungry crowds spill from tables to the curb to chow down on generous slices of piping hot pie.

6. Auditorium Shores

Music Venue, Park

Stevie Ray Vaughan sculpture in front of Downtown Austin and Colorado River

Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park together with the Butler Metro Park make up a great swathe of green space wedged between Bouldin Creek and the Colorado River. There’s loads to do here, whether it’s just flopping on the lawns with a picnic, strolling around the winding footpaths or attending one of the numerous outdoor shindigs often held here. As the name suggests, there are two auditoriums: one hosting regular events and the other dedicated to the performing arts.

7. The Continental Club

Music Venue

Justifiably dubbed the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin boasts the highest number of music venues per capita in the US. Few in the city come more hallowed than the Continental Club – an iconic nightspot that’s been running since the Fifties, and endures today as one of the top spots for rock, country, blues and rockabilly in the country. An intimate dive-bar vibe adds to its appeal, plus there’s no cover charge for most shows if you arrive early.

8. Güero's Taco Bar

Bar, Mexican

The bar area at Gueros Taco Bar in Austin

Locals have been getting their Mexican food fix at Güero’s Taco Bar for more than 35 years, and the family-run business is now in its second generation. You’ll find an old cantina vibe complete with paint-peel brick, well-worn floorboards and big collection of wall-mounted Mexicana. You’ll find everything from handmade corn tortillas to sizzling fajitas and frozen margaritas that will get you hitting the decked patio dance floor before you know it.

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.