We've all been stuck in Austin traffic wondering why we didn't just ditch the car and walk.
To call Austin car-dependent is putting it lightly, but if you’re willing to put in the groundwork, you’ll find there’s so much Austin to explore on foot. Trade traffic for terrific neighborhoods brimming with soothing sites, savory bites, and local shops that’ll make you question why you didn't start walking sooner. Here are our suggestions for Walkable Itineraries in Austin, broken down by neighborhood.
Contributed by Deven Wilson
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NORTH
Photo via The Domain
The Domain
Skip the street, find a garage, and get ready to walk your wallet off. While you’ll likely spend your time weaving in and out of storefronts, you’ll find there’s plenty to do up north of the Q2 Stadium beyond shopping. If you prefer food to fashion, take your time going down Rock Rose Ave, sampling baked goods from San Antonio’s Bakery Lorriane, and deciding between JINYA Ramen or Velvet Taco. If you prefer to be active while actively drinking, there are plenty of adult playgrounds to crawl to. With Culinary Dropout in the hub and TopGolf, The Dirdie Birdie, and Punch Bowl Social on the periphery, you can add steps before some sips. Spend the last of your cash on tickets to the Museum of Ice Cream, and you’ll have finally dominated the Domain.
Photo via Antonelli's
Hyde Park
You’ll find that the borders between North Loop, Hyde Park, and Hancock blur as you’re walking between their charming streets. If you're starting in North Loop, explore the wonders and treasures of Room Service Vintage before grabbing a coffee at Epoch and digging through some vinyl at Breakaway Records. Head to Workhorse for a cheap margarita or opt for something fancier at drink.well. Top it all off with a big pizza from Home Slice. If you're closer to Airport Blvd, enjoy a flight of fantastic spots to grab a bite. Live the big burger dream and bite into a JewBoy Burgers. If you want to live your Red Oaks fantasy, head out to Hancock Golf Course for a round of golf or to walk through the Stepford-quality greenery. It would be sacrilegious not to mention visiting the many hole-in-the-wall eateries tucked on Duval. See how Austin gives Paris a run for their euros by sampling cheese and buying wine at Antonelli's Cheese Shop, or savor the Italian flavors cozied up on the counter at Uncle Nicky's. Head down the street a little and you'll find some newer additions, like First Light Book Shop, Tiny Grocer, and Bureau De Poste.
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EAST
Mueller
If you can walk from your car to your gate at the airport, you can walk Mueller with no problem. Roam this slice of New Urbanism with its curb-appealing streets, and find yourself questioning how all of this could have been an actual airport at one point. Sample a platter of vegan cheeses at Rebel Cheese, or binge on Bao at Bao’d Up. Mueller Lake Park will steal your heart with its endless emerald allure. Try to see the various sculptures tucked around the neighborhood or watch town and country collide at the Texas Farmers' Market on Sundays. Take a break and stop by the to-go window at Colleen’s Kitchen for an impromptu picnic or grab a salad from Sweetgreen or Dish Society. Finish the day with dinner at Veracruz Fonda & Bar or L’Oca d’Oro, then catch a flick at Alamo Drafthouse. No matter what you choose, you'll enjoy a nice day in Austin's newest area.
Photo via Shangri-La
East Austin
Holly, East 6th, East 11th, Cherrywood, MLK, Cesar Chavez - the list of great walkable spots can feel endless on the East Side. Tour the various neighborhoods to see the architectural drama of brand new modern townhomes juxtaposed against the original bungalows, or cure your morbid curiosity by exploring the various historic cemeteries dotting East Austin. Embrace the educational side by visiting the George Washington Carver Museum or touring the Huston–Tillotson campus. Experience the bustling bar scene along East 6th by stopping into local favorites like Shangri-La or Yellow Jacket Social Club. Sample a cup of coffee under the shade at any of the myriads of cafes like Pershing East. The shopportunity in East Austin is boundless with local boutiques like take heart and Treasure City Thrift to nurseries East Austin Succulents and Tillery Street Plant Co. Wherever you drop your pin and decide to start, there are endless things to do on the East Side.
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SOUTH
photo via The Herb Bar
South Congress
Most visitors to South Congress stick to the main stretch, and for good reason, but don’t be afraid to start there only to move east or west to see the quiet side of South Congress. Go east, and after you admire the Victorians sitting pretty under live oak canopies, head to Little Stacy Neighborhood Park. Offering tennis courts, a playground, and a creek to explore along with the two pools anchoring both ends, this little slice of nature punches above its weight. Head west of Torchy's and find a magical herb shop hiding behind a wall of ivy. The Herb Bar is wicked cool and is practically aromatherapy with all the great smells wafting from its wares. If all this walking has you hungry, we hope you bring someone decisive, because the choices up and down the street make for strong competition - like June's, Lucky Robot, Perla's, and Aba - to name a few. Finish the day with karaoke at Austin's best secret spot, Ego's.
Photo via Loro
South Lamar
If the most you’ve walked along South Lamar is P. Terry's to Peter Pan Mini Golf, you’re missing out on miles of potential. Set your sites south and sample something healthier than a burger at the vegan darling ATX Food Co. With a colorful menu, it’s competing with the eye-catching rainbow building that houses Pavement. Inside that, you’ll find a treasure trove of vintage finds waiting for you to discover them. Head up the hill and find a hideaway under a massive live oak tucked beside Treadwell St. at Sanctuary Yoga for a serene escape from the city. Leave reality for a tropical fantasy at Tiki Tatsu-ya or play outside at Bouldin Acres or Butler Pitch and Putt. Take a turn West into Zilker for another chance to get lost looking at houses you’ll dream of affording, then satisfy your sweet tooth with one of the greatest cookies of all time found inside Throroughbread. Life can be sweet if you sweat it out walking on South Lamar. (PS: Never skip Loro.)
Photo via Bouldin Creek
South First
Hitting all the trademarks of a beloved Austin neighborhood with thrift shops, coveted eateries, and that small-town look with a big-city sensibility, South First is a postcard of Austin living. Meander from a satisfying brunch at Bouldin Creek Cafe towards the hidden away entrance to the East Bouldin Creek Greenbelt, passing by the iconic "Greetings from Austin" mural if you need to snap that classic Austin photo. Take your time on the trails as you soak in the wilderness hiding just out of reach of the city. Make your way to Mary Street and find some of the best Thai food in the city at Thai Fresh. If you’re looking for something out of a Southern Gothic, wander over to Mattie’s. A breathtaking manor on lush green grounds serves up an elevated take on Southern comfort food. Even if you only go for one drink, the peacocks perched above the lawn will leave you wanting to come back for more. The danger of walking around South First? You’ll grow an addiction to spotting those peacocks wandering around the neighborhood. For dessert, we recommend Sugar Mama's Bakeshop or a big ol' churro from Churro Co.
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WEST
Photo via Nau's
Clarksville
If you took a small town from a Hallmark Channel movie and put it in Austin, it would be Clarksville. Its heart features five-star restaurants backed up to magnificent mansions all under the shadow of a giant red & white radio tower. Start by eating in the navy blue house of lemon ricotta pancakes that is Josephine House. If you’re a glutton for a post-brunch punishment by hiking, check out the newly redone Kingsbury Commons. You can debate between taking a midday nap on the observation pod or burning off brunch along the trails. Be sure to head down Enfield Road for the always-changing pocket park, BEPI Park. It rarely repeats a theme and is the perfect turnaround point on any adventure around Clarksville. Mosey back to the heart of Clarksville and pursue the plants at Sledd Nursery as you wait for your table at Jeffrey's or skip the wait and go to Taco Flats - because tacos and margs are always a happy ending to any day out.
Photo via Littlefield's
Tarrytown
There’s more to see in this sleepy suburb than just Mayfield Park or Laguna Gloria (though you should definitely hit those, too). Take a swing at Lions Municipal Golf Course and take advantage of Austin’s first public golf course. After a few rounds, head up Exposition for a few rounds of beer with a side of buffalo cauliflower wings at the vegan taproom The Beer Plant. For those looking for a patio scene, trek the extra mileage east to Littlefield's Tacos + Coffee. Kids get a kick out of the faux natural playground while the adults relax with a Veracruz taco in hand. It’s the perfect place to rest and reconsider how often you spend stuck in traffic on MoPac. End your day at Flo's Wine Bar, and you'll get 10% off your order just for walking or biking there.
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What's your favorite way to do Austin on foot?
