Top 50 Instagram and TikTok Spots in Austin, Texas
The Texas capital city of Austin has quickly become one of America’s favorite vacation spots. It’s a city like no other with its vibrant music scene, diverse food options and laid-back atmosphere, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Austin is a melting pot for so many things that otherwise would seem completely unrelated. It's got the quirky hipster vibe of Brooklyn combined with the old west western vibe of Texas and then add the modern techie groove of San Francisco. They say "keep Austin weird" and an endearing version of weird is really the best word to describe it.
As you walk through the popular Austin neighborhoods and streets, you’ll see so many Instagrammable spots. Austinites (the official name of local Austin inhabitants) love colorful and ironic public art and murals. They also really love letter boards with whimsical and sassy quips and quotes.
For the foodies, the trendy Austin neighborhoods have so many Instagrammable restaurants, beer gardens, food trucks, coffee shops and more. There’s definitely a culture around eating and enjoying a meal with friends in Austin.
In this guide I will direct you to the best areas in Austin to take cute photos for Instagram and shoot Tiktok videos. Sharing is caring - by posting your travels and adventures on social media you are both inspiring others and helping to promote small entrepreneurs and businesses.
Finally, for first time visitors, if you think you know what Austin has in store for you, you will quickly find out that this city cannot be predicted!
Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin chapel and rainbow glass art installation is located in the Blanton Museum of Art.
Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin chapel and rainbow glass art installation is located in the Blanton Museum of Art.
The Best Time of Year to Visit Austin
If you like warm but mild temperatures for traveling, the best seasons to visit Austin are the spring and the fall. The springtime months in Austin run between March to May and the high temperatures average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The summer months can get hot and humid with temperatures up in the mid 90s, but the humidity makes it feel sticky. But if your plans are to spend most of your time swimming and enjoying summer activities, then this may not be an issue.
The autumn season begins in September and runs through November. The average temperatures range between mid-80’s to the 70’s by November. Which in my opinion is perfect weather.
Another thing worth mentioning that the first half of March is when SXSW is happening. During this time flights and hotels will be much more expensive and the city is overall much more crowded. I would avoid this time if possible for a calmer and cheaper experience.
Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin chapel and rainbow glass art installation is located in the Blanton Museum of Art.
Hillside Farmacy is a vintage cute American food cafe in East Austin.
Tau Ceti Mural by Josef Kristofoletti located in Downtown Austin.
The Cutest Hotels in Austin
When planning your vacation, the first step is to find the most Instagram-worthy hotel in a prime location. Austin has no shortage of hotels with modern design and killer amenities for guests.
The Austin Motel is very modern, bright white with touches of vibrant color. It’s located right in the heart of South Congress, walking distance to shopping and restaurants.
The Otis Hotel is very sleek and modern with a rooftop pool with views of the capital building. It’s located very close to the UT campus and walking distance to Guadalupe Street where there’s a lot of action.
You’ve surely heard about the famous bats that fly in Austin, and you can actually watch them from the outdoor terrace at The LINE Hotel. This modern and chic hotel is located right next to the river and walking distance to so many eateries and nightlife.
Tommie Hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Austin. The hotel vibe is ultra mid-century modern in a skyscraper high-rise. The pool is oh so glamorous on a rooftop with skyline views.
East Austin is the newest favorite area of Austin for all the cool kids. The East Austin Hotel embodies everything trendy and popular about the neighborhood - modern digs, lots of color and boho chic.
Views of the dome inside the Texas State Capital Building.
Street view of the Texas State Capital Building.
Pastel colored door from Elizabeth Street Cafe and Bakery in South Austin.
Most Photogenic Neighborhoods in Austin
South Congress
South Congress is known by locals as SoCo, and its filled with fun shopping boutiques and restaurants. You can walk along South Congress Avenue and find fashion boutiques, vintage and antique stores, coffee shops, restaurants and more. There’s many cute little corners and Insta-worthy walls and murals in this neighborhood.
Feathers Vintage Boutique in SoCo is a great place to find unique photo ops because they're filled with boho fashion, eclectic decor and fun props for photos. There’s also Maya Star boutique that sells fashion and quirky home decor like the Plaid Pigeon Dinosaur Planters you’ll see in this blog post. Right next to Maya Star is the famous costume store Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds. You’ll find all kinds of party wear and cosplay gems here.
Rainey Street
Rainey Street is a bunch of bungalow houses and shipping containers turned into bars and restaurants. At night there’s fire pits, twinkling lights and a special kind of ambiance you can only find in Austin. These houses turned into beer gardens have a special kind of homey feel, like hanging out at friend’s house. Two popular places on Rainey Street are Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden and the newly opened Clive stylish indoor and outdoor bar.
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin has both the Colorado River and the skyscraper skyline located side by side. There’s tons of streets to sightsee, walking trails along the water, restaurants and shopping. There’s also the state capital building which is open to the public.
East Austin
East Austin is a newer up and coming neighborhood with a notorious nightlife. The Dirty Sixth Street is a row of bars and nightclubs that come alive at night during the weekend. It is often compared to the boisterous Bourbon Street located in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Notable places in East Austin to check out are The White Horse Honky Tonk, Justine’s French cuisine, Revival Coffee and brunch at Hillside Farmacy. East Austin breweries include Zilker Brewing, Austin Eastciders, Lazarus and Hops & Grain.
Also, in East Austin there’s rock climbing at the Austin Bouldering Project.
The corner of San Jacinto Blvd and E 6th St in the Dirty Sixth Street nightclub district.
Most Instagrammable Restaurants in Austin
Hey Cupcake Airstream Food Truck
Instagrammers always love an airstream! The Hey Cupcake food truck has a giant pick cupcake on top and Napoleon pink, white and chocolate brown signature colors wrapped around the airstream. Take an adorable selfie pick holding one of their sweet cupcakes right in front of the bright and shinny silver airstream food truck. Winning!
Gourdough's Big Fat Donuts
Another popular airstream food truck is Gourdough's Big Fat Donuts which can be found inside a food truck park located just a few blocks away from South Congress Avenue. These guys take donuts to another level with donut sandwiches, donut burgers and they even have CBD donuts.
Revival Coffee
Located in East Austin, Revival Coffee is a super girly coffee shop completely adorned from top to bottom in that perfect shade of millennial pink we all love. Not only are the walls super colorful but the food and drinks are as well!
Fresh cold-pressed juices from Juiceland.
Fresh cold-pressed juices from Juiceland.
Fresh cold-pressed juices from Juiceland.
Standing on the Congress Bridge with the Austin city skyline in the background.
Standing on the Congress Bridge with the Austin city skyline in the background.
Bésame Ice Cream
Repurposed giant shipping containers are all the rage in Austin and nothing is cuter than the pink and royal blue painted shipping container that houses the Bésame ice cream shop. Located in the McKinney area of Austin, this ice cream walk-up trailer has ice cream sandwiches, memorable milkshakes and cool flavors like smoked peach ice cream.
Taquero Mucho
Another hot spot for lovers of the color pink! Taquero Mucho has two locations in Austin and they are both floor to the ceiling painted in our favorite millennial pink. One is a converted shipping container at 508 West Ave, and the second is a sit down restaurant at 11101 Burnet Rd A150. They serve pink margaritas, pink tacos and their famous anti-bitch juice.
Juiceland
Juiceland is a local Texas smoothie and juice chain, you can find them all over Austin. If you’re in the mood for something fresh and light, they make colorful smoothie blends and cold-pressed juice that will really quench your thirst on a hot Texas day. They also have plant-based meals for those who want a break from all the meaty BBQ.
Franklin Barbecue
Austin is home to some of the best barbecue in the country. Waiting in a long line for the famous Franklin Barbecue is a popular pastime in Austin. While this place is not traditionally cute and Insta-worthy, there’s plenty of memorable moments to capture. The food serving sizes are ridiculously huge and filled with their sought after BBQ meats.
Hey Cupcake airstream food truck.
Perla’s seafood restaurant located in South Congress.
“I love you so much” mural located on the side of Jo’s Coffee in South Congress.
josephine house
The Josephine House is an adorable cottage-style house converted into a restaurant. They’ve designed it in a style that makes it very homey but still modern and sophisticated. The countertops are made of the perfect light shade of marble, which makes for excellent foodie plate pics. Their cuisine is elevated American and on the pricier side by Austin standards.
Amy’s Ice Cream
Amy’s Ice Cream is a local Texas chain with stores in Austin, Houston and San Antonio as well. Amy’s iconic shops are the perfect place to cool down on a hot Texas day. They have a wide selection of flavors to choose from, and they even have vegan options. They are known for zany and eccentric flavors, along with tried and true classics done very well. They say that their Mexican vanilla ice cream is probably their most popular flavor. They also have alcoholic boozy flavored ice cream for adults.
Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos can be found all over Austin and they’re definitely a local favorite. They’re known for using fresh and unusual ingredients in their tacos, paired with quirky and off the wall names for their entrees. At Torchy’s you can expect tacos stuffed with fun things like fried avocados, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, bacon bourbon marmalade and all kinds of cheeses, peppers and sauces.
Palomino Coffee Shop
For those Instagrammers who love minimal, natural and neutral toned esthetics, then you’ll really dig the vibe at Palomino Coffee. They are a super dog-friendly cafe on 4136 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78721.
Hillside Farmacy
The Hillside Farmacy is cute as a button with vintage country farmhouse style, but with a modern touch. The building is very old and historical, it was once a pharmacy (get the play on words with Farmacy? lol). The food is classic American and their brunch menu has a long list of all types of drinks, including CBD beverages.
Tesoros Mexican imports store in South Congress.
The famous Austin Motel letter board in South Congress.
The famous Austin Motel letter board in South Congress.
The famous Austin Motel letter board in South Congress.
Hey Cupcake airstream food truck.
Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger has three Austin locations and they’re all pretty dang cool and trendy. They are both bakeries and large outdoor seating patios - similar to beer gardens. They serve a menu centered around their baked breads and they have a very long drinks menu with craft beer, wine and cocktails. They are also kid-friendly with a kids menu and even a little cub park.
Elizabeth Street Cafe
Elizabeth Street Cafe is a charming little restaurant in South Austin. Their menu is a unique blend of Vietnamese cafe dishes and a French bakery. Although this is an unusual mix of global cuisines, they somehow make it work seamlessly (leave it to Austin to blend all kinds of cool things together). Patrons not only love the food but also the bright and colorful interiors.
Home Slice Pizza
Home Slice Pizza is always packed and for good reason – the pizza is delicious! The home slice pies are huge and come topped with your choice of toppings. And if that’s not enough, they also have a wide selection of craft beers to choose from.
The County Line on the Lake
The County Line on the Lake is an Austin BBQ joint, but it’s also a beautiful outdoor venue right next to a flowing lake. My sister had her wedding here and there were literally swans coming down the river during the ceremony. On the outdoor patio they have twinkle string lights, music and overall great ambiance.
The County Line on the Lake BBQ joint outdoor patio with lake views.
The County Line on the Lake BBQ joint outdoor patio with lake views.
The County Line on the Lake BBQ joint has swans swimming in the water next to the dock.
The County Line on the Lake BBQ joint has swans swimming in the water next to the dock.
The County Line BBQ ribs and fixin’ sides on a plate.
The County Line BBQ restaurant serves margaritas and cocktails.
The County Line on the Lake BBQ joint has swans swimming in the water next to the dock.
The County Line BBQ restaurant has night ambiance with twinkle lights on the outdoor patio.
Insta-Worthy Murals in Austin
“I love you so much” Mural
This green mural has the sweet words “I love you so much” casually written in red cursive on the side of Jo’s Coffee building in South Congress.
Tau Ceti Mural
The Tau Ceti Mural is the tallest work of public art in Austin and you could argue the most colorful as well. The mural stands 103 feet tall which is about 10 stories in a building. It can be best described as a kaleidoscope of vibrant rainbow colors. The artist is named Josef Kristofoletti and it’s located in downtown Austin at 201 E. 2nd Street on the corner of a parking garage.
You’re My Butter Half Mural
This popular mural is located in East Austin in a residential neighborhood. You’ll definitely have to make a special trip for this one because there’s not much to see around it. You’ll find it at 2000 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Love From Austin Mural
This simplistic black and white mural says it all inside an outline of the state of Texas. Located outside the Prima Dora boutique store on South Congress Ave. Scroll through their Yelp photos to see which mural I’m talking about.
Before I Die Wall Austin TX
There’s an interactive mural wall in South Austin known as the Before I Die Wall. It’s made of chalk board and you can write in chalk what your hopes, dreams and goals are to achieve before you die. It’s a bit tucked away from the main hub but we had no problem finding it at the address 206 E Elizabeth St, Austin.
Greetings from Austin Postcard Mural
This vintage style postcard mural is definitely one of the most popular photo spots in Austin. You can find it located at 1720 S 1st St near South Congress. You can see photo examples of the Greetings from Austin Postcard mural here.
If your group of friends are really into taking fun mural photos (like maybe for a bachelorette party per se), you can book a fun tour where they drive you around in a tricked out bus and take you to the cutest murals in Austin.
Torchy’s Tacos is an Austin favorite Texmex food spot.
The Republican taco with jalapeño cheddar sausage, pico de Gallo and poblano sauce from Torchy’s Tacos.
The Democrat taco with barbacoa, avocado, cotija cheese and tomatillo sauce from Torchy’s Tacos.
Amy’s Ice Cream is open late which makes it perfect for date nights or after party sweets.
Amy’s Ice Cream menu filled with fun flavors.
A scoop of Amy’s Ice Cream flavor Saturday Morning Cartoons with sprinkles.
Amy’s Ice Cream menu filled with fun flavors.
You’re My Butter Half Mural in East Austin.
Greenhouse filled with plants inside The Natural Gardener Nursery.
Little succulent plants from The Natural Gardener Nursery.
Canopy filled with plants inside The Natural Gardener Nursery.
White gazebo inside the Zilker Botanical Garden.
The Butler’s Window is a key hole shaped brick art installation inside the Zilker Botanical Garden.
Outdoor Recreation and Nature Inspired Instagrammable Spots in Austin
Barton Springs
Barton Springs is a huge outdoor swimming pool inside a natural park. This spot is like the epitome of the happy and lazy days of summer, splashing in the water on a hot day. Grab your crew and take some cute swimsuit pics while floating on colorful pool floats.
Hamilton Pool
The Hamilton Pool is one of the wonders of Travis County, but sadly it has been closed for quite some time due to safety hazards. This natural pool preserve has very pretty turquoise water and it located inside a half dome cave. Keep checking their website for possible updates.
Zilker Botanical Gardens
The Zilker Botanical Gardens spans over 28 acres and is comprised of several different types of gardens. You’ll find lush green landscapes, rose gardens, a Japanese garden, a waterfall and even a fairy garden. This is a popular place for family and wedding photos.
Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake is a section of the Colorado River that flows directly through the heart of downtown Austin. This natural beauty is a popular place for photos and there’s several vantage points for photos. You can walk along the the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk that runs adjacent to the lakeshore. Or you can stand on the Congress Ave Bridge which spans over the water.
And finally the third option is to kayak around the lake on a guided tour. At sunset your guide can show you where the famous bats fly out from under the bridge.
The Natural Gardener
For anyone who loves or creates content about plants and home decor, The Natural Gardener is a really fun place to both take photos and shop for plant babies. This huge nursery has all kinds of gardens and even animals living there. You can shop for succulents, cactus, potted flowers and many other popular house plants.
Bluebonnet Flower Fields
The bluebonnets are the state flower in Texas and every spring they bloom in great numbers. They have a bluish purple hue and given the right conditions they can turn an entire grassy field into a blanket of colorful blooming flowers. Get all the details on where and when to see the Austin bluebonnet flower fields here.
The 360 Bridge / Pennybacker Bridge Overlook
After you’ve driven up the hill to the Lake Austin 360 Bridge Overlook trailhead and parked your car, you can hike up a short trail to a lookout point where you can see panoramic views of Austin Lake and the half circle 360 Bridge.
Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell (also goes by the name Covert Park) is a popular short hike and lookout point over Lake Austin. The panoramic city views from the top of Mount Bonnell are absolutely stunning and definitely worth a visit.
The Barton Spring’s pool.
Field of bluebonnet flowers blooming in the spring.
Hamilton’s natural pool preserve which sadly is now closed to the public.
Additional Instagram Spots in Austin
Cute Nail Studio
The Cute Nail Studio name says it all! The outside of the building is pained in rainbow pastel colors and inside you can get your nails done with all kinds of trending designs. You can even get tooth gems, yep you read that right! You can also get waxing, facials, tattoos, eyebrows and eyelashes done.
Whole Foods ATX Sign
Whole Foods was founded in Austin and their flagship store is enormous. It feels more like a Whole Foods mall with various sections, classes and restaurants. It’s a great place to pick up some snacks and enjoy a healthy lunch from their hot food buffet. Located at 525 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78701.
Secondly, there’s the famous rainbow Whole Foods atx sign that makes a lot of appearances on Instagram. You can find it outside the Whole Foods parking lot on the corner of W 5th Street and N. Lamar Blvd.
Wine Tasting in Hill Country
Much of the Texas landscape is very flat, but Hill Country is the big exception. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Texas Hill Country are vineyards which offer tasting and tours to the public. Book a tour with friends or for a romantic date day trip here.
SXSW
South By Southwest (abbreviated to SXSW) is a series of conferences and festivals that takes place every March in Austin. There’s a film festival, music festival, exhibitions, speaker conferences and more. This is a popular event for social media influencers to attend, making it also a popular place for Instagram photos.
Austin Central Library
The Austin Central Library is a modern design marvel with lots of glass walls, light wood features and colorful art installations. It stands several stories tall and overlooks the Colorado River. This is an excellent place to kick back and get some work done or read a book in a beautiful space. Located at 710 W. César Chávez St. in downtown Austin.
Wonderspaces Austin
Wonderspaces are a collection of museum-like visual art installation collections for trippy and cool experiences. This kind of art is made for interaction from guests and invites you to physically enter the art space. You’ve likely already seen photos and videos of the Submergence light installation art on Instagram and TikTok. Wonderspaces also have locations in Scottsdale and Philadelphia.
Blanton Museum of Art
Have you seen photos of the popular white stone dome building with the rainbow stained glass art installation? This chapel art installation is called Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin and there’s 3 different arrangements of shapes of rainbow glass. If you haven’t seen it for yourself yet then scroll through my photos to see a few pics of the famous art inside the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin. This smaller modern art museum embraces the humorous and lighter side of the art world while still providing a moving experience.
The Contemporary Austin
The Contemporary Austin is another eye-catching modern art museum in Austin. It has bright and airy buildings, filled with light and colorful modern designs.
Texas Capital Building in Austin
Next up is the Capitol Building. This stunning building is a symbol of Texas and its beautiful architecture is perfect for photos. You can get some great shots of the Capitol Building from all around downtown Austin, and you can also go inside to photograph the impressive dome from the inside.
UT Tower at the University of Texas
The city of Austin is a big college town and UT plays a significant role in making the population young and hip. Another must-see spot in Austin is the UT Tower. This iconic tower is located on the University of Texas campus and it has a very collegiate presence to it.
The Barton Spring’s pool.
Views of the dome inside the Texas State Capital Building.
Whole Foods colorful atx sign.
Cocktail lounges on East 6th Street, known as the Dirty Sixth Street for its rowdy club scene.
Before I Die interactive mural.
Into the Breath is an art experience at the Wonderspaces Austin.
Submergence is an arty light installation at the Wonderspaces Austin.
Cowboy mural in East Austin.
Dia de los Muertos skeleton figurines from Tesoros Mexican imports store in South Congress.
Quirky dinosaur planters from boutiques in South Congress.
Quirky dinosaur planters from boutiques in South Congress.
Quirky dinosaur planters from boutiques in South Congress.
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is an eclectic costume shop in South Congress.
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is an eclectic costume shop in South Congress.
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is an eclectic costume shop in South Congress.
Shop For Your Trip to Austin:
Austin has laid back and casual vibes, which means you’ll find plenty of places to sport your favorite Austin sweatshirt. Plus it’s perfect for running around at night time.
Walking through the Austin neighborhoods with an ice cream cone or Juiceland drink in hand is the best part of this Texas vacation. Go hands free with a cute mini backpack.
Another cute and trending way to schlep all your things around is with a modern fanny pack. Which can also double as a crossbody bag - both are still hands free!
