Visiting Austin? Make your social feeds jealous with moments captured in iconic downtown locations. Enjoy your stay and be sure to tag us in your beautiful photos using #dtatx!
Famous Murals
Hi, How Are You: You know that adorable frog painted by Daniel Johnston to remove the stigma around mental health awareness? Everyone shares it when they want to show they’re in Austin! It can be found at 21st Street and Guadalupe. The Contemporary is also currently covered in a stunning collage of Daniel Johnston’s work.
Tau Ceti: This beautiful rainbow mural painted to represent the light spectrum was once the tallest mural in Austin. Find it on the parking garage at 2nd Street and Brazos.
Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman is what the locals have affectionately started calling The Beauty of Liberty and Equality mural on the Congress side of the Line Hotel. Be sure to check out this and other murals created as part of our Downtown Austin Alliance’s Writing on the Walls Project.
I Love You So Much: This mural is one of Austin’s most popular. The simple cursive script against the pale green wall of the South Congress Jo’s Coffee draws in dozens of visitors daily.
Historic 6th Street: On the east side of downtown, you can find a whole postcard on a wall created by Sanctuary Printshop. Send a picture of it to your friends from the historic entrance to 6th Street on the corner of 6th Street and I-35 Frontage Road.
Greetings From Austin: On your way into downtown on South 1st Street, you will find the famous Greetings From Austin mural, perfect for posing in front of, at the intersection with Annie Street.
Curate your own mural tour with our Downtown Mural Map.
Aesthetic Drink Spots
Firehouse Hostel: Looking to make a cool TikTok? Enter the Firehouse Hostel lounge through a bookcase and sip on some unique cocktails in the dim lights surrounded by red velvet wallpaper. Don’t forget to visit the dad wall while you’re there.
Higher Ground: You’ll step into a beautiful cathedral-themed bar when you visit Higher Ground. This place commits to its theme down to toilet paper holders in the bathroom. Enjoy a spiral staircase, stained glass, led lights in an organ and more with 7 Deadly Sin-themed cocktails that are pleasing both to the eye and the taste buds.
The Tipsy Alchemist: Enjoy an upscale lounge that is covered in artwork, including a ceiling covered in upside-down lamps, with beautiful views of Downtown and Rainey Street at The Tipsy Alchemist.
Coconut Club: Embrace the Warehouse District Vibes at Coconut Club. There is a different aesthetic around every corner: fun statues, a rooftop bar, pink unicorns floating under the ceiling, plant-covered booths and a curved bright yellow couch surrounded by an array of lights make it the perfect place for well-lit photos.
Group Therapy: Whether you are going for the rooftop pool cabana or the fancy library with drinks allowed, Group Therapy is an experience ready to match either vibe inside of Hotel Zaza.
Zanzibar: Welcome to the jungle with tropical drinks and beautiful views of downtown when you go to this plant-filled oasis of a rooftop bar seven stories above Austin known as Zanzibar.
Food Spots
Irene’s: Drag Brunches, frosé and a photo wall covered in greenery with a neon pink “Irene’s” sign- what more could you want? The food here is great and the aesthetic between the front of the restaurant, mural-covered back patio and bullet train style inner restaurant is not to be snoozed on.
TRACE: Paper lanterns and a jungle of plants make this patio one that dreams are made of. Enjoy an excellent menu in a beautiful space perfect for snapping great pictures at TRACE.
Taverna: Beautiful brunch plates the Baci Room? Yes, please! Taverna has a beautiful patio with flowers hanging from the rafters and the Baci Room has the perfect photo wall covered in plants.
Verbena: The inside of this place is beautiful, the outside of this place is beautiful, and the tables and food are beautiful, too. Enjoy a sleek bar and restaurant area inside or a giant fireplace and elevated koi pond on the patio at Verbena.
Upstairs at Caroline: Cute picnic tables, fire pits, a turf green, lawn games and plants cover this lovely rooftop patio. Upstairs at Caroline doesn’t just LOOK like a good time, it IS a good time.
P6 at the Line: Enjoy a beautiful view of Lady Bird Lake perfect for bat watching from the patio of P6 at the Line with delicious food and drinks while you observe.
Fun While Looking Good in Photos
The Blanton Museum of Art: The Blanton houses hundreds of breathtaking artworks, but its most noteworthy Instagramable spot is in Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin. This showstopper features rainbow-colored stained glass squares on a beautiful white stone-arched building.
The Contemporary: The inside of the Jones Center, AKA the Contemporary Austin, is gorgeous. This museum is not only full of beautiful art exhibits but also has incredible architecture. The staircase, rainbow hallway and rooftop are all perfect photo ops you don’t want to miss.
Smash ATX: Get a little competitive and have a lot of fun when you challenge your friends to get the best shot of you playing ping-pong in an aesthetically-pleasing bar at Smash ATX.
Punch Bowl Social: Want cute pictures of yourself playing arcade games or singing your heart out in a karaoke room? Try Punch Bowl Social! The drinks are also cute and delicious and the place is well-decorated.
Cheer Up Charlies: Looking for neon signs? You will not be disappointed at Cheer Up Charlies. There are neon signs before you even get inside! The pièce de résistance is an elaborate neon tarot card with a disco ball. Plus, there is almost always a live performance happening.
Great Places for Downtown Views
Zilker: This park is just a trip down the Hike and Bike Trail from downtown and has some incredible views of the skyline from the park and the Barton Springs Pool.
Auditorium Shores: Located directly across Lady Bird Lake from downtown, you can find close up and personal views of the downtown skyline from this adorable dog park.
The Long Center: Zoom out on your view from Auditorium Shores by taking a trip up to the Long Center. The view from the upper terrace is hard to beat but the lower level view is also something to marvel at.
Congress Bridge: Standing on the Congress Avenue Bridge provides a beautiful backdrop as you pose at one of the most notable entrances to downtown Austin.
The Boardwalk: Enjoy views of Austin’s skyline across the sparkling waters of Lady Bird Lake on the Anne and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Boardwalk.