So You're Headed to Austin...
How to Get There.
You can easily fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is located approximately eight miles southeast of the city and 20 miles northeast from Buda, where the wedding venue is located. Driving from Dallas requires a simple three hours of smooth sailing.
Where to Stay.
*Please note - Springtime is a very busy wedding/sporting event/festival season in Austin. We encourage you to book your hotel rooms as soon as possible to ensure that you have a great place to stay during our wedding weekend.
There are tons of great options of places to stay in Austin. We recommend:
There are tons of great options of places to stay in Austin. We recommend:
- Hotel San José - This beautiful boutique hotel is located on South Congress Avenue. It is right in the middle of everything, and it may very well be Rachel's favorite hotel of all time. If you're interested in exploring the city of Austin, this spot is perfect for you - nearly everything is in walking distance. Hotel San José is located 17 miles (or 25 minutes) from the wedding venue.
- The W Hotel - This wonderful hotel is located in the heart of downtown Austin. There are so many restaurants and shops within walking distance, making it easy to explore Texas's capital. The W Hotel is located 18 miles (or 25 minutes) from the wedding venue.
- The Four Seasons Hotel - Relax in luxury in one of the comfortable rooms, most of which boast great views of Lady Bird Lake. The Four Seasons is located 18 miles (or 25 minutes) from the wedding venue.
- The Casulo Hotel - This affordable boutique hotel is located conveniently off of the highway, making it easy to get just about anywhere (but it remains quiet in spite of its proximity to the road). The Casulo Hotel is located 15 miles (or 20 minutes) from the wedding venue.
- Any Airbnb location - If you haven't used Airbnb before, this is the perfect time to give it a shot. There are so many good lodging options in Austin that are both cute and affordable.
- The Hampton Inn & Suites - This hotel is located the closest to our wedding venue in Buda. It's just over 5 miles (or 10 minutes) away from Le San Michele, making it a super convenient and cozy choice.
What to Do.
Sights to See
Spots to Eat & Drink
- The Texas State Capitol - Welcome to Texas, y'all! Plan your visit here.
- University of Texas - See where the Longhorns play and wander through the campus's beautiful grounds.
- Lady Bird Lake - A beautiful spot for an outdoor adventure. We love to run and walk along the path around the lake, and we have also rented stand up paddlebaords and cruised around the water, which was so much fun.
- Zilker Park - The home to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. A great place to read a book or take a walk.
- Barton Springs Pool - A gorgeous natural spring that's been converted into a pool/lounge-like atmosphere. There are lifeguards on duty and there are concession stands with all of your favorite poolside treats.
Spots to Eat & Drink
- La Condesa - This is one of Rachel's very favorite places for Mexican food in Austin. Try the fish tacos, the corn elotes, and, of course, the margaritas! Make sure to reserve a table in advance.
- South Congress Café - This is a great spot for brunch. Though the line for a table is always long, South Congress Café's staff will text you when your table is ready, allowing you to peruse the fun shops near the restaurant. Order the migas - we think they're the best around.
- Bufalina - Rachel visited this restaurant in November while having her wedding hair and makeup trials done, and she was absolutely blown away by the quality of food served here. The pizza is outstanding, and the salads, desserts, and wine are equally as delicious. The wait can be long (the restaurant is small yet oh-so-chic) but we promise that it's totally worth it.
- Jo's Coffee - This is a great spot to grab a deliciously-brewed cup of coffee. They serve breakfast tacos, too - until they run out.
- Hopdoddy Burger Bar - This may be one of the best places to get a burger in the history of ever. The combinations are so unique and flavorful. Don't forget to order a side of the Sassy Sauce with your French fries. Hopdoddy serves tons of local brews on tap, and their milkshakes are out of this world.
- Torchy's Tacos - There is certainly no shortage of tacos in Austin but if you ask us, Torchy's has some of the best. This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. Rachel loves the Mr. Orange taco and James always orders the Dirty Sanchez taco. They both agree that Torchy's serves some of the best chips and queso on the planet.
- Summermoon Coffee - Home of wood-fired coffee, Summermoon brews up some of the best beans we've tried in a long while.