You know the text: “Hey, what should I do while I’m in Austin? I need recommendations.”

Next time that message rolls in, don’t sweat it — just send this list. It’s your go-to guide for showing off the best of the Capital City (and making any visitor an instant fan).

Food + drink

A spread of Texas-style barbecue and sides arranged on a table. At the center is a platter piled high with a variety of smoked meats, including brisket, sausage, pulled pork, and ribs, served with pickles, bread, and sauces. Surrounding the main platter are plates of colorful sides, such as coleslaw, chips and dip, vegetables, and potato salad.

LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue blends locally sourced ingredients with inventive “new school” flavors inspired by cultures from across the globe. | Photo by Jessica Attie

a patio with a small, above ground pool in the middle and people sitting at surrounding tables with umbrellas

Kitty Cohen’s patio is perfect for guests to sit on the edge of the pool and cool off.

Photo courtesy Kitty Cohen’s

Sightseeing

"I Love You So Much" spraypainted in red cursive on a green wall.

Can you even visit Austin without an obligatory photo at this wall?

Snap pictures at iconic photo ops like the “I Love You So Much” mural, or go hunting for lesser-known (and equally epic) murals around town.Spend your afternoon perusing art or learning something new at an Austin museum.

The front of the Texas Capitol, from the grounds

The Texas State Capitol is free to visit.

Step inside the Texas State Capitol — and be sure to take a look at the statue that adorns the top of the building.Watch Austin’s bat colony, which is estimated to be the largest urban bat colony in the world, take flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge.

Outdoors

A boat with a bar and barstools floats on Lake Austin on a sunny day.

This floating bar is around 25 feet long and can seat up to 10 passengers.

Photo by Floaties Floatin’ Saloon

Pack a picnic and set up in a local park — Auditorium Shores and Zilker Park both offer unbeatable skyline views.Take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring that’s been around for thousands of years, plus plenty of other swimming spots across ATX.Lace up your hiking shoes and discover hilltop views + shaded creek trails on one of these 15 hikes.

Crystal clear water with rock overhang, and hills in the background at Bull Creek Park.

Visitors to Bull Creek Park often swim, fish, or hike alongside the stream that cuts through the center of the park.

Nightlife

A concert at Stubb's Austin, with a view of the stage and a crowd.

Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater is famous for hosting large names on its small outdoor stage.

Outdoor patio area at P6 in Austin, Texas featuring rocking chairs, plants, and a beautiful view of Austin's skyline.

It’s hard to beat the views of Lady Bird Lake from P6.

Head to East 6th Street for a little bit of everything: time-honored restaurants, cocktail lounges, lively dive bars, music venues, food truck parks, and expansive patios.Live like a local by tracking down the password to one of the city’s secluded speakeasies.See a show in the Red River Cultural District, a live music hub with dozens of bars, venues, restaurants, and hotels.Don’t worry, be hoppy. Try craft beers made in ATX at a local brewery.

What would you recommend adding to this list? Let us know if the comments below.