Headed South for “one last rodeo” with your best friends before the big day? We’ve got you covered with recommendations for eats, drinks, stays & play in the funky, sunny city of Austin, Texas. Austin is known for it’s hot weather, live music, and delicious Tex Mex (and other food!). Not to mention the unlimited options of night life and the gorgeous trails and water of Lady Bird Lake – affectionately referred to as “Town Lake” by locals – right in the heart of the city. Grab your boots and your bathing suit and “Keep Austin Weird” for your bachelorette party!
Where to Stay
We suggest booking an Airbnb or Vrbo if you have a bigger group, so that everyone can stay together in one place. East Austin and South Congress are some of our favorite areas to get a house for their walkability and unique shops & food/drink spots – booking a house in one of these areas would allow everyone to walk to tons of places without having to drive or pay for Ubers. Here are a couple of non-Airbnb options with that great walkability, AND great pools/access to rooftop bars.
The Line
In the heart of downtown, The Line hotel is a beautiful “splurge” option if you and your gals are going for luxury. The hotel has a beautiful pool with a view of the skyline, as well as the pink-filled rooftop bar P6 overlooking the water – which has so many good photo spots for you and your bridesmaids to get pics for the ‘gram!
Staying on South Congress is going to help give you the classic Austin experience you’re probably looking for. The famous street has been a go-to shopping spot for locals and tourists alike ever since the city built a bridge over the Colorado River in 1910. Mint House is a unique Airbnb-like experience where you and your gals can book an entire apartment on SoCo to stay in. The rooms are bright and modern with a good base to decorate for a cute retro-cowgirl bachelorette aesthetic. There’s also a pool for you to use, and the stay is located walking distance to several places on our lists below.
We love the East Austin Hotel for it’s slightly retro vibes, pink tiles, and big pool. It’s also in a great location – walking distance to several bars on our list, and a quick Uber to other parts of downtown. The hotel has a poolside bar and the lovely Second Bar on the rooftop. You and your girls could never even leave the block if you didn’t want to!
Group Therapy at Hotel Zaza – beautiful indoor/outdoor rooftop bar 400 Lavaca Street
P6 at The Line – rooftop bar 111 East Cesar Chavez Street
Il Brutto –one of the best happy hours in the city with half off all alcohol (including bottles of wine) and yummy cheese and bread. *Free* house-made limoncello after your meal, too! 1601 East 6th Street
Go on a “hot-girl walk” on the gorgeous 3ish mile trail around the water – with lush greenery, smoothie & coffee shops along the way, and perfect backdrops for photos with the skyline. You can also rent paddle boards and kayaks to spend time on the water – which is a great group activity that can double as tanning time! Though Capital Cruises, you can book a dinner cruise or an evening boat tour to see the famous bats flying out from under the Congress Bridge.
Check out Live Music
Austin has been deemed the “Live Music Capital of the World” for a reason. In any area of the metro you can find dive bars and classic venues with cheap or even free shows. Stop in to The Continental Club, Hotel Vegas or Antone’s and try to catch a local act while you’re in town!
Zilker Park / Barton Springs
Austin is all about the outdoor spots, and Zilker Park is top of the list. This park has a clear view of the skyline, is always full of friendly dogs, and typically has DJs and dancers showing off at night. The 350 acre park is a great spot to have a cute picnic with your girls and walk next-door to then hop in the *refreshing* natural spring pool of Barton Springs.
Dancing at the Broken Spoke
As featured on season 6 of Queer Eye, the Broken Spoke is a classic Austin gem where you can take Two Step lessons with your friends. If you’re going to have a last rodeo, you should at least have one last dance!
Haunted Pub Crawl
Every major city in the South is at least a little haunted, right? Check out Nightly Spirits for a historical tour of downtown Austin, with some crazy stories thrown in AND some delicious drinks along the way.
Cocktail Cowboys
Hire Cocktail Cowboys to keep the fun going at home! Two *hot* cowboys will serve you, pamper you, and entertain you by serving up drinks, helping with party games, being Spotify DJs, taking and posing in pictures, keeping the party area tidy, and taking out the trash when they leave. They also bring games and brunch, so you don’t have to lift a finger by your Airbnb pool! Watch this video to learn more about one of our favorite southern Bachelorette additions –
Boots, boots, boots! If you want to party like a cowgirl, you have to look the part. For a true “last rodeo” bachelorette in Texas, you should have your gals bring cute dresses to wear with fun cowboy boots. Don’t have cowboy boots to bring? No worries! Stop by Tecovas, Allens Boots, OR Lucchese while shopping on South Congress and you’ll be set. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit or two and some athleisure clothing for all of the fun in the Texas heat you’ll be having!
Looking for more inspo for a destination bachelorette to the south? Check out our Nashville Bachelorette Guide! Yeehaw, Rocky Mountain Brides!
