The Ultimate Austin Bachelorette Party Guide

Get weird before you get hitched in a city you’ll love so much.

Austin has quickly become one of the most popular Bachelorette Party destinations in the United States and beyond. With its colorful murals, gorgeous nature, wild bars, live music, relaxed party vibe, and mind-blowing food, it’s no question why thousands of brides-to-be flock to the “weird” city every year to celebrate with their squad.

If the bride’s a party animal or someone who’s just looking to relax, Austin offers a range of incredible experiences for every type of bride. By the end of your Bachelorette weekend, you won’t want to leave this quirky and wonderful city. We’ve put together the perfect guide for you, dripping with delicious tips on where to stay, what to eat, what to pack, and so much more.

Read on, and get ready to plan the ultimate Austin Bachelorette Party. Soon, the bride-to-be will be screaming with gratitude. 

WHEN TO VISIT:

During the summer months, Austin can become unbearably, “can’t-step-outside-or-you’ll-feel-like-you’re melting” hot. Temperatures reach and exceed 100 degrees between June and August and the Texan summer humidity can be paralyzing and brutal.

In order to make sure that your bride tribe has the most fun possible, and is able to wander outside, we recommend avoiding the summer months. The best times to come to Austin are September to November or March to May. The temperatures during that time flow between the 70s and 80s and the city are sparkling, breezy, and gorgeous. 

If you do decide to come in the summer, make sure you plan for time cooling off in a hotel or Airbnb with a pool, making it to Barton Springs Pool and keeping in the AC other times.

Pro-Tip: If you’re going in March, be sure to look up in advance the dates of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival. It tends to happen in mid-to-late March, and it takes over Austin- hotels and AirBnbs book up quickly and many venues and restaurants are reserved for festival attendees. We recommend avoiding the SXSW week entirely so that your crew can freely explore the city. 

WHAT TO DO (WHILE THE SUN’S OUT):

–Barton Springs Pool: One of the crown jewels of Austin, this outdoor pool is filled entirely with water from natural springs. Put on your cutest swimsuits and spend some time splashing around in this stunning three-acre pool.

–Scavenger Hunt: A cool, fun, unique way to explore the city, is an app-led scavenger hunt. The app Let’s Roam will lead you to historic sites, cool murals, and hidden gems all around the city. Along the way, you’ll earn points and complete hilarious challenges. They also offer Bachelorette Party packages that include custom bride trivia and drink pit-stops. You’ve never done a scavenger hunt like this before, and you will never forget it! 

–Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding at Lady Bird Lake: Not too far from the city is the stunning Lady Bird Lake. Kayaks and stand up paddleboards can be rented at the lake so no need to worry about anything but fun in the sun. Get a little wet, have a little fun, and see the calmer side of Austin. 

–Party Boat on Lake Austin: Want to enjoy the beautiful nature of Austin, but don’t want to stop the party? Rent a party boat on Lake Austin and soak up the sun with a drink in your hand as you cruise the waters.

–Karaoke:  Belt 90’s classics and Disney ballads in world-famous karaoke rooms. The Highball is the best place to karaoke in Austin. Their room themes include: Circus, Super Mario, Haunted House, and Superhero. Sing it, girl!

–Horseback Rides:  About 30 minutes outside Austin is the perfect taste of rustic Texas life. The Southern Trails Ranch in New Braunfels can take you horseback riding, skeet shooting, and ax throwing. Put on your cowboy boots and take the squad on a country adventure.

–Wine Tasting: Got any winos in your group? We know just what to do. Head to the Austin Winery for a delicious wine tasting in a beautiful industrial space.

WHERE (AND WHAT) TO EAT:

-Tacos: Tacos are a cornerstone of Austin Cuisine. If you’re visiting Austin and not eating tacos, you’re doing it 100% wrong. Breakfast tacos were made famous in Austin, so you can eat delicious tacos for every meal. Choosing where to eat tacos in Austin can be overwhelming, so we’ve highlighted a few of our favorites for you:

• Torchy’s – Wherever you stay in town, you will never be too far from a Torchy’s. Make sure you order some chips or guac along with some Damn Good Tacos.
• Veracruz All Natural – Run by two sisters who honed their skills in their mother’s restaurant in Mexico, the tacos at Veracruz are fresh, organic, and delicious.
• La Condesa– This James Beard Award-nominated restaurant offers modern, creative taco dishes and mouth-watering sides.
• Vaquero Taquero – Known for their street-style tacos, the brother-and-sister team at Vaquero Taquero makes tacos you’ll be dreaming about long after the weekend is over.

-Food Trucks: Austin helped start the Food Truck Revolution that swept the nation. You’ll see food trucks all over the city. If your squad is having trouble agreeing on a restaurant, head to the Food Truck Lot on Rainey Street – it hosts dozens of food trucks and a wide range of cuisines. Everyone can grab what they want, then sit together. It’s easy, it’s cheap, and it’s so much fun!

-BBQ: When it comes to barbeque, Texas doesn’t mess around. If you want famous, melt off the bone, richly flavored meat, then you won’t want to miss Franklin BBQ. Long lines form early for this lunch-only spot, but the lines are worth it. I still dream about this meat and it’s my first stop in Austin every time I visit now. The carnivores in your group with thank you for stopping by this Austin icon.

Insider tip: If you plan ahead, you can make a pickup order online. There is a 5 lb minimum, but that should not be a problem for a bachelorette party to handle.

-Brunch: Every bachelorette party weekend needs a good brunch or two. Austin is bursting with incredible brunch spots to help your I-Do Crew recover from a wild night and fuel up for a day of adventure. Here are some of our favorite spots that your crew will love: 

•  Cenote – Breakfast tacos, sandwiches, and veggies on one of the best patios in Austin. They support local farmers, and soon they’ll be supporting your bride tribe’s appetite.
• Elizabeth Street Cafe – Vietnamese food for brunch? Trust us, after trying this cute, mouth-watering spot, you won’t want to do it any other way.
• Hillside Farmacy – This adorable spot is owned by some of Austin’s oldest African-American residents. Originally a pharmacy/drugstore owned by Doc Young, this farm-to-table restaurant is just what the doctor ordered.

–G’Raj Mahal:  Mind-blowing Indian food in a converted mechanic’s shop? Yes please!

–Grizzelda’s: This insta-worthy, glamorous Tex-Mex place is equal parts beautiful and delicious. A few rounds of queso and margs here is the best way to start your night.

WHERE TO DRINK (NIGHTLIFE!):

Austin knows how to party. Whether you’re looking for a wild night on the town or a craft cocktail to sip in a classy lounge, there’s a bar for every type of person. Sixth Street, also known as “Dirty Sixth” is famous for its crazy bars and hopping nightlife. You can walk down sixth and go to whatever bar calls to you! For something a little less “Dirty”, we recommend exploring Rainey Street. It’s lined with a ton of incredible bars that will have your group dancing and drinking all night long. Here are some of our favorite party spots:

–Container Bar: This bar is a destination for a reason. Built out of old shipping containers, this enormous bar is visually stunning and guarantees a good time.

–Unbarleivable – It’s a circus-themed bar with a slide and colorful cocktails. Need we say more?

–Star Bar –a few steps away from “Dirty Sixth”, this West Sixth bar has delicious frozen drinks and a floor lined with astroturf. It’s quirky, it’s fun, it’s VERY Austin.

–The Blind Pig – This delightful dive is the place to go for live music, dancing, and rooftop patio (if you need some fresh air after crushing it on the dancefloor).

–Cheer Up Charlies – A gay bay with goofy cocktails and one of the best patios in Texas, it really will cheer you up!

–White Horse – Strap on your boots and head to this fun country bar. This is the best honky-tonk in town!

–The Elephant Room – For a more refined night out, head to this cool underground bar that has live jazz every night and an atmosphere that will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.

WHERE TO STAY: 

There are so many gorgeous places to stay in Austin, and so many cool, hip, stunning neighborhoods. Check out South Congress, Travis Heights, Clarkville, or Lake Travis for places that have made other bachelorette party groups VERY happy. Here are some of the best hotels for bachelorette parties, offering a range of “vibes”. Find yours!:

–South Congress Hotel: This boutique hotel has a stunning design and a rooftop pool. This hotel is for the fashionable, artistic, design-focused bride looking for a luxe experience. It is in one of the hippest neighborhoods in Austin, so you’ll be steps away from incredible shopping, restaurants, and bars.

–The Line Hotel: The Line offers bachelorette party packages and an epic pool you’re encouraged to bring your own floaty to. It has restaurants, bars, gorgeous city views, and a dancefloor with groovy DJs.This hotel is for the contemporary, sleek, bougie bride.

–Hotel Saint Cecilia: Created in honor of the patron saint of music and poetry, the Saint Cecilia takes inspiration from the great era of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. It’s colorful, it’s cool, and it’s very Instagrammable. This hotel is for the eclectic, rock n’ roll bride with an old soul.

–Native Hostel: This bumpin’ hostel with a prime location has quickly become a favorite among tourists, locals, and of course, bachelorettes. And here, your group doesn’t have to go to separate rooms. Book their ‘Romper Room’ that sleeps up to 20 partiers. This hostel is for the free-spirited, earthy, social butterfly bride. 

-AirBnb: A great alternative to hotels, AirBnb allows you to rent large homes so that your crew can spread out and have their very own party headquarters. Austin has AirBnbs of all sizes and styles available. Some of them are true works of art. Bonus: a lot of the AirBnbs in Austin come with pools, so bring a floaty shaped like an engagement ring and get ready to splash!

Pro-Tip: AirBnbs can serve as a great gathering place for large groups. Get the crew together for bride-focused games, and save money by cooking at the house one night. The house can also be a nice place for people to rest and reset before the next “weird” Austin activity.

UNIQUE-TO-AUSTIN MUST-SEES:

-’i love you so much’ Mural: This mural, which is simple in its message and design, has become iconic to Austin.  While in Austin, you and your Bride Tribe must get a photo with the sign. Show the world just how much you love each other. Find it in the South Congress neighborhood on the exterior wall of Jo’s coffee shop. The area is flooded with fabulous shops and restaurants so you can keep exploring after you pose.

Bonus Backstory: Curious about how the mural came to be? The owners of Jo’s Coffee Shop, who are a lesbian couple, got into a big fight one night and broke up. One of them wrote ‘i love you so much’ on the wall so that the other one would see it when she opened the shop the next day. They’ve been together ever since and whenever they repaint the wall, they rewrite the love message.  

-Bats: Many people may not think of bats when they think of Austin, but it is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world! Over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in Downtown Austin, under the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. Your crew won’t want to miss the awe-inspiring sight of the bats flying out from under the bridge at dusk. Pack a picnic and sit on the nearby lawn, or stand on the bridge to see the spooky, stunning flight close-up.

WHAT TO PACK:

The eternal question: What do I wear? What do I pack? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

-Swimsuit and Coverup (matching optional): Whether you’re going to a lake or a pool, a swimsuit is essential on a trip to Austin. There’s many websites that make matching suits or even bach-themed options, make sure the bride stands out no matter where you go.

-Comfy Walking Shoes: Save the heels for when the sun sets, you’re gonna be doing a lot of exploring during the day.

-Cute “Going Out” Outfit: Pack a dress or jumpsuit that makes you look and feel GREAT when you hit the town.

-Cute Daytime Outfit: Austin has a casual vibe, so throw on a floral sundress or cut-off jean shorts when you’re wandering during the day. 

-Matching Shirts/Accessories/Other Bride Swag: Get the bride tribe to match or coordinate for some extra cuteness.

-Polaroid Camera: Capture the Austin fun in a tangible way – bring a Polaroid or Instax camera and let the group take home their favorite shots.

-Recovery Kit: Make the I-Do crew feel a little better after a wild night. Include Advil, Gatorade, Emergen-C, and Pepto Bismol. 

-Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses: Protect yourself from that Texas sun!

-Decorations: Make the bride feel extra special by decorating her hotel room or the AirBnb.

-Optional Penis Paraphernalia: Because it’s a bachelorette party! Did you know they make delicious penis pasta?

You now have all the tools you need to plan an epic, unforgettable Bachelorette Party in Austin. Now get out there, celebrate the bride-to-be, and don’t forget to “Keep Austin Weird”!