Austin, Texas Rental Guide

A big city with a small-town heart, Austin is a city of culture and creativity. Its the perfect mash-up of music, comedy, and filmmaking, as well as a favorite foodie destination. Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin boasts more live music venues than anywhere else, not just in the nation, but in the world! Aside from its buzzing live music and nightlife scenes, one of the main reason to visit is to enjoy the outdoors. With so many areas of interest, its likely that theres something for everyone in the capital of Texas. Whether youre a history buff, an art lover, a sports fan, or a budding musician, once you experience what Austin has to offer, you might be asking yourself: Why dont I live here? Since youve decided to visit one of the hippest and well-known cities of the USA, what better way to make it worth it than to stay in an accommodation that provides both the familiar comforts of home and the extra touches that can make your trip even more special!

SLEEP:

Owner Direct and the owners share a common goal to provide a welcoming and comfortable home where families and friends can meet, relax, reconnect, and explore together. The vacation homes are high quality and beautifully appointed with designer details that make them stand out. Vacation home rentals here on Owner Direct offer more amenities than any hotel room along with many comforts of home. Going on a business trip? Stay connected with the high-speed WiFi internet so you wont miss anything. Traveling with kids? Let them run around the spacious backyard or splash in the private pool. Relax with the whole gang by lounging on the comfortable furniture. Why not prepare some snacks from the gourmet-style kitchen and watch your favorite movie or TV show on Netflix from the HDTV or flat screen TV. If you want to try out the games room, let the kids play with the game consoles so everyones entertained. If you dont want to leave your dog or cat, choose a pet-friendly vacation home for your extended family. We assure you, youll find the perfect vacation home rental that matches your budget and style on Owner Direct.

SEE & DO:

Austins attractions cater to all ages and this is a city of doers. With an abundance of green space, people here get out to enjoy every single one of the 300 days of sunshine each year. Active travelers can run or bike in Zilker Metropolitan Park and swim in Barton Springs Pool. If you find yourself waking up to a rainy day, stay dry in one of Austins top-notch museums like the Bullock Texas State History Museum or the Blanton Museum of Art. Austin is also the perfect setting for year-round golfers. Some of the finest courses to one of the countrys premier golfing destinations are Austin Country Club, Avery Ranch Golf Club, and Balcones Country Club.

If youre looking to fully immerse yourself into what Austin can offer:

Downtown Austin is the heart of the city, where its non-stop activity day and night. Cultural attractions fill visitors; days, and nightlife shows and concerts keep them busy all night. The main district contains within its borders smaller neighborhoods for shopping, nightlife, eateries, and galleries.

South Congress or SoCo across the Colorado River is historically the more diverse section of the city. Its a length of the street surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, and other establishments brimming with personality. Its walkable and gives a pretty solid impression of the art community. Favorites are Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds costume emporium, Jos Coffee, and found item haven Uncommon Objects. For nighttime travelers, The Continental Room has live music most nights, which you can check out after taking in the massive flight of bats at dusk from under Congress Bridge, usually occurring March through November.

West Austin is the historic area of the city. The Balcones Uplift creates gorgeous panoramic views of the city. Its the go-to district for fine dining.

East Austin has great Tex-Mex, hip new restaurants, casual bars, and upscale mixology joints mixed in with artists studios, galleries, and reclaimed warehouses and strip malls.

EAT & DRINK:

A city formerly overrun with barbecue joints and chop houses, Austin has since welcomed a more diverse dining scene featuring more upscale restaurants as well as a wide array of international cuisine. If youre looking to dine like the Austinites, Second Street and Sixth Street are packed with saucy joints serving hearty portions of spicy ribs and savory beef brisket accompanied by live music. For a late night slice of pizza, head to Hoboken Pie on Red River Street. For a tasty meal on a budget, check out the restaurants near the University of Texas along The Drag. If its the fiery flavors of Mexico you crave, head to the East Side where Tex-Mex joints abound. If youre searching for fine dining, check out Qui or the new takes on classic Western food at Lonesome Dove.

You could spend multiple nights popping in and out of bars along Rainey and East 6th Street. Cheer Up Charlies serve freshly squeezed cocktails, local beer, and tons of live music. Kung Fu Saloon is where you can enjoy drinks while playing vintage arcade games, skee ball, Jenga, and more! Other favorites include Petes Dueling Piano Bar, San Jac Saloon, and Barbarella off of Red River. Within walking distance, youll find several establishments such as jazz bar The Elephant Room, hip standout HandleBar, and the speakeasy Red-Headed Stepchild (also known as Floppy Disk Repair Co.), thats only accessed by a code that changes every month. Bangers Sausage House and Beer Garden are popular stops for locals. Lastly, The White Horse is a bar that encourages country and social dancing and is a favorite among nightlife enthusiasts.

GO

The best time to visit Austin is from September to November and March to May, as these months offer comfortable outdoor weather and festivals. The Texas summer (June through August) is barely tolerable for unaccustomed visitors. Be prepared to deal with long, hot summers if youre visiting between May and September. Just dress accordingly, drink plenty of water, and do not plan on staying outside for long - unless youre taking a dip in any of the swimming holes in the area.

Austin is in Central Texas and is conveniently located inside of a 3-hour drive from Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Flying in via Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is just 6 miles southeast of the city center. Its also unique as most of the stores and restaurants are locally owned, plus, there are also live music acts.