Vacation Rentals in Austin, Texas

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austin lodging guide

UT Tower Austin Hip downtown condos, luxury lake homes, comfy cabins, pet-friendly cottages – Austin vacation home rentals come in all shapes and sizes. Don’t stay in a teeny tiny hotel room with a big price tag. Book a roomy and affordable Austin vacation home instead. But before you arrive at your rental, check out this mini guide to the area:

What to Do

Looking for a laidback, yet well-rounded getaway? Austin really delivers, from a morning cup of Joe to an afternoon bike ride to an evening of bar hopping. With all the invigorating things to do in Austin, you may want to stay for a while. Hint: book one of our weekly or monthly rentals.

Outdoors & Sightseeing

Zilker Park: This “mega park” is home to Barton Springs pool, miles of green, open fields, winding, wooded trails, the Zilker Botanical Garden, the Austin City Limits music fest, and loads more.
Lady Bird Lake: Formerly “Town Lake,” this is Central Austin’s slice of the Colorado River – hikers, bikers, and kayakers are welcome!
Lake Travis: Flee from the busy downtown scene and hop on a boat or jet ski. Lakefront accommodations with a boat dock are available for rent.
Mayfiled Park: Peacocks freely roam these historic, immaculately manicured grounds.
Mount Bonnel: No mountain climbing skills required! Journey up the stone staircase to the top of this scenic peak, a magnet for local couples. (PS: If you’re visiting with your SO or spouse, don’t automatically think “hotel” – Austin villas are way more private and romantic.)

Texas State Capitol Building Austin

Museums

Austin Children’s Museum: Keep the kiddos entertained at this huge, interactive wonderland.
Blanton Museum of Art: Check out the largest collection of art in Central Texas.
Bullock Texas State History Museum: The exhibits and iMAX shows are always changing and always worth the cheap admission.
Capitol Building: Tour the “White House of Texas” for free.
University of Texas Campus: The hub of learning and creativity in Austin, UT is also beautiful and big enough for a daytime stroll.

Nightlife & Entertainment

6th Street: The “hippest” section of Austin is made for trying new drinks and meeting new people. You won't loiter around in any single bar for too long. Downtown accommodations are the best bet for night owls.
South Congress Avenue: Every first Thursday of the month, head here for a walk to remember, where cheap (and sometimes free) drinks, live music, and great deals on everything from food to clothes bellow out of every shop, restaurant, bar, and café.
Popular Bars: The list is a big one, but here are a few highlights: Rainey Street, south of Downtown, Barfly’s up North, and Maggie Mae’s on 6th Street.
Alamo Drafthouse: Enjoy Blockbuster movies and handcrafted special events (like singalongs), as well as lunch or dinner. Order appetizers, entrees, and beer throughout the show from the comfort of your own movie theater seat.
Stubb’s BBQ: Great barbecue and great live music makes a great combo.
Antone’s: Without this historic nightclub, the world might not know Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Emo’s: Where indie music comes to thrive.
The Elephant Room: This small, intimate jazz venue is a great date spot.
Paramount Theater: Movie screenings, standup comedy, and more, all with the backdrop of a gorgeous, classical-style theater.

Where to Eat

While Tex Mex and barbecue rule here (after all, you are in Texas), Austin will not leave anyone’s appetite hanging. A jalapeno burger at Hut’s Hamburgers, 24-hour breakfast at Magnolia Café, brisket at Rudy’s BBQ, New-York style pizza at Home Slice Pizza, cheesecake at Mozart’s, enchiladas at El Rancho, fancy five-course dinners at Hudsons on the Bend… even the snobbiest taste buds will find something to salviate over in Austin.

Remember, too, that Austin vacation homes typically offer up full kitchens and spacious dining areas, so save money by dining in for a change! You can stock up on groceries at the local HEB or Whole Foods.

When to Go

There’s never a “bad” time to book Austin vacation condos. There are cheaper and quieter times to visit, though. If crowds aren’t your thing, don’t visit during a popular event or festival, like SXSW.

Also, Texas summers are legendarily and often unbearably hot (think 100-degree temps). If you can’t take the heat, book your Austin lodging during the much comfier fall, spring, or winter.

Popular events in Austin:

Bat Migration at the Congress Avenue Bridge: March & April
South by Southwest Festival: March 8 – 17, 2013
Zilker Kite Festival: March 10, 2013
Austin City Limits: Oct 4 – 6 & 11 – 13, 2013
United States Grand Prix F1 Race: Nov 17, 2013

More Austin Vacation Guides

cheap austin vacations

Whether you’re looking for Austin beach houses on Lake Travis or something as specific as pet-friendly downtown accommodations (yes, you can bring your four-legged family member along!), there’s no reason to stretch your dollar too thin. With last minute deals, cancellation specials, and the all-around great value of Austin vacation rental homes, you can ditch the overpriced, undersized hotel room for a lot more space, a lot more amenities, and a lot less strain on your wallet. Browse deals on romantic Austin cabins outside the city, family-friendly lakefront pool homes, funky downtown condos, and more! Austin vacation deals are easy to find and book.

Here are some specific tips for saving money in Austin:

While nightly or weekend vacation rentals in Austin can be affordable, the longer you stay, the better the rate. Consider weekly or even monthly rentals.
Wait about a month before your departure to book, and you might land a great last minute deal.
Stay in a downtown vacation apartment in Austin and get around on bike, foot, or bus – much cheaper than cab fare or rental cars!