Vacation Rentals in Austin

1. Juan in a Million: Visit this taco joint for breakfast and get the legendary Don Juan taco, a warm tortilla with potatoes, egg, cheese, and bacon.

2. Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ: An all-day trailer serving smoked meat and tacos.

3. Veracruz All Natural: A permanent food truck serving some of the best migas tacos in Austin. The tortillas are homemade.

4. Franklin Barbecue: The most famous BBQ restaurant in town, with a crowd that includes celebs and politicians.

5. Odd Duck: This ex-food truck turned restaurant serves fresh food prepared with local ingredients. Try their pulled pork sandwich.

6. Justine's Brasserie: The best French restaurant in town, Justine's combines great food with live entertainment.

7. Launderette: A chic neighborhood café with a Mediterranean touch.

8. Uchi: The best Japanese restaurant in Austin, Uchi imports its fish from Tokyo. Be prepared to queue.

9. Dee Dee: This food truck sells flavorful Thai food from the northeastern region of Isaan.

10. Bufalina: Classic Neapolitan pizza with a modern twist.

The best time to visit Austin is from March to May, and from September to November. This is when a record number of cultural events play out, and the weather is extremely pleasant for the large part. Those planning a vacation between June to September might want to bring along some seriously light summer clothing, loads of sunscreen, flip flops and sunglasses. Austin vacation homes are a perfect way to beat the heat with air conditioning and thoughtful amenities.

The city takes its history very seriously, as can be seen by its well-maintained and frequently-visited museums. The Blanton Museum of Art houses European paintings, as well as modern and contemporary American and Latin American art. The State Capitol building dominates the city's skyline, much to the pride of locals. A visit to the UT Tower at the University of Texas at Austin is recommended for panoramic city views. Locals will be quick to remind you that the stunning pink granite Texas State Capitol building is taller than the one in Washington D.C.

For a more fun and offbeat experience, take the haunted ghost and bat Segway Tour. The classic hop on/hop off double decker tour is perfect to catch Austin's main attractions. After a hard day's sightseeing, unwind with a cool local Texas beer in your Austin vacation home.

1. Walking tours

Austin Visitor Center offers 3-hour walking tours of downtown Austin led by a local guide. Walk along Congress Avenue and learn all about Austin’s history before heading to Lady Bird Lake or discovering the city’s architectural styles.

2. Austin bike tours

Cycling is a wonderful way to discover the city's landmarks. Choose between historical tours focusing on monuments, the best parks and lakes, and beer tasting. You can also rent your own bike to travel around the city while you're staying at a vacation rental.

3. Music tours

With over 250 music venues and live music played everywhere, including at the Central Market, Austin prides itself as being “The Live Music Capital of the World.” To get an introduction to Austin’s music scene, join the Austin Live Music Crawl, a three-hour tour of music venues led by a local musician.

4. Beer tours

Austin is a craft beer paradise. The four-hour Austin Craft Beer and Brewery Tour will take you to three of Austin's over 50 breweries, where you can view the facilities and taste top-quality beer. Minivan transportation is included.

5. Food tours

Much of Austin’s history and culture can be discovered by tasting its food. Austin food tours are led by local foodies, who explain Austin’s gastronomic roots while you visit the city’s most legendary restaurants and food stalls. Food tastings are, of course, included.

1. Swim in Barton Springs Pool

What better to way to spend time in this temperate city than in a natural outdoor pool? Located on the beautiful grounds of Zilker Park, Barton Springs is a local go-to for swimming and tanning, and is best enjoyed when the sun is shining above this charming city.

2. Cycle along the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail

This trail in Downtown Austin is a popular local attraction that is perfect for outdoorsy types. If you want to leave your accommodation in favor of some fresh air, then rent a bike and enjoy more than 10 miles of trails that surround the city reservoir.

3. Discover the past at Bullock Texas State History Museum

If you're visiting the State of Texas for the first time, this informative museum gives you great insight into its fascinating history. The museum prides itself on its interactive exhibits and IMAX theater, perfect for kids.

4. Explore the LBJ Presidential Library

If your kid is a history buff, then look no further than the LBJ Presidential Library. This spectacular facility, specialising in documents relating to the 36th President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, has thousands of artefacts that appeal to both history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

5. Marvel at the State Capitol

Evocative of the White House, this striking building in Downtown Austin is home to the offices of the state government. The grounds and architecture are stunning, and the building itself is taller than the U.S. Capitol in D.C.!

The Live Music Capital of the World fully lives up to its reputation, as can be seen by the gigs organized across the city all year around. Don't be surprised to see local bands strutting their stuff at the international airport, to the joy of international and local travelers alike.

The Warehouse District and Sixth Street boast a fair number of bars. For local gigs by singer-songwriter musicians, the Cactus Cafe is popular. Next is Antone's, one of the best blues clubs in America, which has served as a launch pad for scores of budding musicians. For a fun night out dancing, the glamorous Club Elysium makes the cut.

There's more to Austin than music and art! Wake up in comfort at one of the many Austin vacation rentals, and then head to Barton Springs in South Austin, Big Stacy Pool, Hamilton Pool, Emma Long Park, or Hippy Hollow, where clothing is optional. Water babies can indulge in kayaking, canoeing and jet skiing at scenic Lake Austin or Lake Travis. Rock-climbing at the cliffs overlooking Barton Creek and biking are fun and adventurous options for the whole family.

How about an evening of bat-watching, anyone? The world's largest urban population of Mexican free-tailed bats camps out at the Congress Avenue Bridge. Join the hundreds of onlookers each day as they behold this stunning spectacle of nature and quiet urban chaos. The non-profit rescue Austin Zoo, a sanctuary to over 100 species, offers an educational, enriching experience.

Cultural activities take place perennially in Austin, which is good news for the culture enthusiasts. The year kicks off with Black History Month, where various venues commemorate poignant moments in Black history. The Austin Carnival in February brings with it the allure of samba costumes and nightlong parties.

March features the Zilker Park Kite Festival, and the South by Southwest festival which promotes film, music and new media. Soon after is the Star of Texas Fair and Festival and the Austin Fine Arts Festival in April. The Juneteenth festival is the oldest known Afro-American celebration, commemorating the abolishment of slavery. September's annual Austin City Limits Music Festival is a must for lovers of bluegrass, country, folk, indie, Americana, hip-hop and reggae. Those in town for Christmas shoudn't miss the annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. With a calendar as chock-a-block as this, it's best to make like a local and enjoy the city from the comfort of an Austin vacation rental.

Austin is city that won't disappoint. Choose an Austin vacation rental as a home base, and come on over!

1. Downtown

Austin’s central district has it all: great restaurants along the 2nd St. District; hipster bars in the warehouse district; museums, art galleries, and great shops on Congress Avenue; and historic buildings. With loads of accommodation options, Austin has plenty to offer travelers wanting to be in the middle of the action or kick back and relax.

2. East Austin

The fastest growing neighborhood in Austin, East Austin has transformed from a working-class residential area to a hipster hub. What makes this area special is the striking contrast between old and new, with traditional Mexican food stalls next to art-fashion-vegan boutiques. You'll find plenty of affordable vacation rentals in East Austin, too.

3. Barton Hills

If peace and tranquility within easy reach of the city are what you are looking for, Barton Hills is for you. The greenest neighborhood in Austin features the lush Barton Creek Greenbelt and the Umlauf Museum and Sculpture Garden, both perfect for a stroll. On a hot day, head to the natural spring-fed Barton Springs Pool for a refreshing swim. The four miles between Barton Hills and the downtown area can be covered by car, public bus, or bike.