Austin is the place cowboys meet hipsters. Texas, with an edge!
Because the capital of the Lone Star State, this Texas metropolis boasts a wealthy historic previous, an modern meals scene, artwork, tradition, and numerous out of doors actions, sights, and venues. Lengthy a magnet for artists and musicians, Austin is also called the Dwell Music Capital of the World, with reside music discovered virtually in all places. The town has gained additional fame by internet hosting main nationwide occasions just like the Austin Metropolis Limits Pageant and South by Southwest (SXSW).
Though a go to to the nice state of Texas will not be in your record of gay-friendly locations, Austin boasts a welcoming, gay-friendly tradition with no scarcity of LGBTQ+ occasions, homosexual bars, golf equipment, and sights. Don’t imagine us? Head there and see for your self, even when it’s only for the weekend.
Desk of Contents
1. Normal Ideas
2. Transportation & Airport Switch
3. Homosexual Inns in Austin
4. Sightseeing & Actions in Austin
5. Eating places & Cafes in Austin
6. Austin Homosexual Bars and Golf equipment
7. Homosexual Occasions in Austin
8. Day Journeys from Austin
Normal Ideas
With over 300 days of sunshine annually, the most effective time to go to Austin is in the course of the shoulder seasons, spring (March–Could) and fall (September–November). That is as a result of very popular Texan summers (June–August), when daytime highs can soar effectively over 90°F. Winter is usually delicate and dry, with highs within the low to mid-60s. Since festivals are a well-liked purpose to go to, bear in mind that these massive occasions can restrict lodging availability and trigger costs to skyrocket.
Austin is a really LGBTQ+-friendly metropolis total, with the principle homosexual neighborhood in East Austin, positioned close to downtown. Within the downtown warehouse space, you’ll additionally discover the 4th Road Homosexual District, identified for its focus of homosexual bars and nightclubs. Different gay-friendly neighborhoods to discover embrace Clarksville and South Congress, every with its personal distinctive character and elegance. With a lot to see and do, you’ll positively wish to spend just a few days in Austin to completely expertise its distinctive vibe.
Transportation & Airport Switch
Austin-Bergstrom Worldwide Airport (AUS) is the principle airport serving the Austin metropolitan space. This mid-sized airport is positioned about 10 miles southeast of downtown and was awarded Runner Up for Finest U.S. Airport in Fodor’s 2019 Journey Awards. It has two terminals, with the first one being the Barbara Jordan Terminal.
You will have a number of choices to get to and from AUS, together with Capital Metro Bus Service, rideshare, taxis, and automotive leases. For the quickest and most handy choice, we suggest utilizing a rideshare service like Lyft, Uber, or Wingz. The rideshare pickup space is positioned on Degree G of the rental automotive facility throughout from the Barbara Jordan Terminal. In the event you’re planning to take a day journey, renting a automotive can be an ideal choice for simply getting across the space.
Whether or not you select a rideshare, rental, or taxi, the journey to downtown ought to take about quarter-hour, relying on visitors. The fee for a rideshare is round $15 USD, whereas a taxi is usually a bit extra. The Capital Metro Bus Service, Austin’s public transportation supplier, provides a high-frequency route 20 that travels to and from the airport, taking about half-hour one-way.
Homosexual Inns in Austin
There aren’t at present any completely homosexual motels in Austin, however there are various gay-friendly choices.
Luxurious
The Driskill – An iconic Austin lodge serving friends since 1886. Positioned in a major downtown spot off sixth Road, it’s close to Austin’s leisure district, meals scene, and nightlife. The Driskill options 189 luxurious rooms and suites with a mix of Texas appeal and trendy sophistication, in addition to a 24-hour health middle, enterprise middle, Pampered Pet Program, and a number of eating and drink choices.
W Austin Resort – A 4-star lodge within the coronary heart of Austin, providing 251 trendy and upscale rooms and suites geared up with minibars, espresso machines, and soaking tubs. Company can unwind on the rooftop terrace with a surprising out of doors pool and cabanas or indulge on the luxurious spa. Get pleasure from farm-to-table dishes on the signature restaurant, or loosen up with a cocktail on the lodge’s trendy lounge, tequila bar, or report room.
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Resort -Positioned on Congress Avenue within the coronary heart of town, this luxurious lodge provides magnificence with old-world appeal. Visitor rooms and suites characteristic authentic historic ground plans and decor with up to date facilities. The lodge provides an indoor pool and jacuzzi, health middle, laundry service, and valet parking, together with a number of eating choices, together with an out of doors terrace, bar, and restaurant.
Mid-Vary
Omni Resort Downtown – This contemporary, subtle lodge options an expansive atrium and quick access to the Austin Conference Heart, Texas State Capitol, and sixth Road Leisure District. Company can take pleasure in certainly one of 392 well-appointed rooms and suites, in addition to the sauna, gymnasium, heated rooftop pool, and rooftop terrace. On-site eating features a restaurant, atrium lounge, and cafe.
Wyndham Backyard Austin – A 3-star lodge close to Woman Hen Lake, the Texas State Capitol, and South Congress Avenue. Rooms are easy but snug, that includes free Wi-Fi, plush bedding, and a mini-fridge. Facilities embrace an out of doors pool and sizzling tub, health middle, on-site dry cleansing, and an on-site bar and restaurant (dinner solely).
Embassy Suites Resort Austin Central – Positioned inside 5 miles of Downtown Austin and the Austin Conference Heart, this 3-star lodge provides 260 spacious, trendy rooms with all of the necessities. Company take pleasure in a free shuttle service inside a 2-mile radius, together with an indoor pool, sauna, gymnasium, and complimentary breakfast and night reception.
Residences – misterb&b
We’ve partnered with misterb&b to assist curate essentially the most LGBT+ pleasant homestays. misterb&b just isn’t a lodge or chain, however moderately a reserving platform for rooms, residences and houses and it means that you can e book from homosexual and gay-friendly hosts around the globe. They’ve hosts in additional than 200 international locations and territories with greater than 1 million whole listings. Understanding the homosexual scene is far more simply executed with the assistance of an area and home-sharing is without doubt one of the greatest methods to satisfy somebody dwelling within the metropolis who is aware of how issues work, the place and when are the most effective nights to exit, and what locations to eat at and which to keep away from. misterb&b is our best choice in case your precedence is exploring the native homosexual scene.
Particular Supply! Enroll with misterb&b and you’ll obtain a free $10 credit score to make use of in your first reserving!
Sightseeing & Actions in Austin
Texas State Capitol – The capitol constructing, with its well-known rotunda and underground extension, is about on 51 acres in downtown Austin. Guests can take pleasure in a free guided tour of the inside, customer galleries, legislative library, displays, important areas, the Agricultural Museum, reward store, and restaurant. E book tour →
Zilker Park – A 351-acre leisure park in South Austin the place Barton Creek branches off from the Colorado River. It provides picnic areas, the Austin Nature and Science Heart, Zilker Botanical Gardens, Zilker Hillside Theater, and hosts signature occasions like a kite competition, summer season musical, and the vacation Path of Lights, centered across the 155-foot Zilker Vacation Tree. E book tour →
Woman Hen Lake – This stretch of the Colorado River, created by the development of Longhorn Dam in 1960, appears extra like a river than a lake. It’s excellent for out of doors actions like mountain climbing and biking on the encompassing trails and boardwalk, in addition to stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and river cruises. E book tour →
Mt. Bonnell – One in all Austin’s highest factors and the place you will get the most effective views of Lake Austin and the encompassing Texas Hill Nation. Positioned in Covert Park, climb a brief however steep staircase to achieve the summit. Best for a serene outing, Mount Bonnell offers benches and shaded areas, making it a calming spot to take pleasure in nature and escape town’s chaos. Sundown visits are significantly magical, because the panorama is bathed in heat hues. E book tour →
Barton Springs Municipal Pool – Positioned inside Zilker Park, this 3-acre pool is fed by underground springs that keep a mean temperature of 68–70°F, making it best for swimming year-round. Depths vary from 0 to 18 ft, and it’s surrounded by grassy areas excellent for sunbathing and leisure.
Congress Avenue Bridge (Austin Bats) – This bridge spans Woman Hen Lake and is residence to Austin’s beloved Mexican free-tailed bat inhabitants from late March to early fall. The nightly bat flight happens round sundown, so arrive early to safe a spot and witness tons of of hundreds of bats withdrawing. E book tour →
Eating places & Cafes in Austin
Perry’s Steakhouse – From a modest meat market to areas past Texas, this stylish, upscale steakhouse is positioned downtown within the historic Norwood Tower. Perry’s is understood for its handcrafted cocktails, award-winning steaks, and its Well-known Pork Chop.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar – Not simply one other burger spot, Hopdoddy was established in 2010 with a dedication to high-quality components and distinctive burger creations. Get pleasure from hand-crafted burgers on freshly baked buns, hand-cut fries, craft beer, and boozy milkshakes.
Trudy’s – This no-frills Tex-Mex restaurant has been serving up dishes like enchiladas, nachos, and tacos since 1977 and was even voted greatest margarita. Begin your day with breakfast upstairs, take pleasure in a drink on the patio throughout blissful hour, or watch the sport on TVs inside and outside.
Uchi – Translating to “home” in Japanese, this modern spot is about in a refurbished South Austin bungalow. James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole provides a non-traditional tackle Japanese delicacies. Benefit from the day by day sake social and savor the core and vegetarian menus.
Austin Homosexual Bars and Golf equipment
Cheer Up Charlie’s – This vegan bar embraces the queer neighborhood, providing day by day blissful hours, natural juice cocktails, and kombucha on faucet. Chill out within the massive out of doors house with a parachute-shaded patio, take pleasure in music, and take a look at nightly occasions.
Rain on 4th – Positioned in Austin’s historic Warehouse District, this well-liked upscale homosexual lounge has been serving signature cocktails and small bites since 2004. Keep watch over their Fb web page for updates on themed events like karaoke, Thursday night time bingo, and weekend drag reveals.
The Iron Bear – A bear-owned and operated bar welcoming everybody. Identified for its relaxed vibe, it provides themed nights like Saturday home and electrical music, karaoke, Sunday Fundays, and Musical Mondays.
Neon Grotto – Referred to as certainly one of Austin’s Coconut bars, Neon Grotto stands out with its vivid, flashing exterior lights. Inside, discover neon couches, strobe lights, and fluorescent tunnels. The rooftop bar provides views over Fourth Road, with DJs and occasional drag reveals.
Highland Lounge – A homosexual lounge and nightclub that includes visitor DJs, a big dance ground, mild reveals, and an out of doors patio. Open Wednesday by Sunday, it hosts late-night karaoke, weekend drag reveals, and different themed nights.
Oilcan Harry’s – Austin’s oldest homosexual bar, open seven days every week. Count on stylish cocktails, go-go boys, a spacious dance space, and blissful hour specials. Highlights embrace trivia nights, the Tremendous Sunday Divas present, and different occasions.
Lesbutante and the Boss – Austin’s premier lesbian occasion organizers, Kelly Frances and Mitch, host month-to-month LGBTQ+ occasions like women’ night time each second Friday, pop-up blissful hours, and the Official Ladies’s Pleasure Get together.
Guerrilla Queer Bar – Identified for taking up straight bars and venues, these queer grrrl promoters create inclusive queer-friendly areas with blissful hours and dance events. Verify the Austin Chronicle’s Homosexual Place on Fridays for updates.
Homosexual Occasions in Austin
Austin Pleasure – Organized by the Austin Homosexual and Lesbian Pleasure Basis, Austin Pleasure takes place in August at Fiesta Gardens, drawing tons of of hundreds to the competition and parade that marches all through town. Dates: 25 August, 2025.
Austin Worldwide Drag Pageant – Each Fall/Early Winter, this competition transforms a lodge into The Drag Village with performances and panels to help and promote the drag neighborhood. The occasion contains sources, showcases, and alternatives for drag artists. Dates: 18-21 September, 2025.
Day Journeys from Austin
San Antonio – About an hour and a half drive southeast of Austin, you’ll discover a big trendy metropolis with a wealthy colonial previous. This features a UNESCO world heritage website of Spanish colonial missions and the well-known Alamo in downtown. A storied historical past is matched with a confluence of celebrated cultures with heritage occasions all year long. From a cruise alongside the San Antonio River to breathtaking views from the long-lasting Tower of the Americas, San Antonio has a bit one thing for everybody. E book tour →
Fredericksburg – Simply over an hour and a half west of Austin, this small city within the Texas Hill Nation is understood for its wineries and German heritage. Study its European roots on the Pioneer Museum, stroll by the city sq. referred to as Marktplatz, go to the duplicate of a nineteenth century German church and go to the Nationwide Museum of the Pacific Struggle that includes WWII displays. Whether or not you wish to benefit from the nice outside or store the Major Road boutiques, you are certain to seek out an exercise, restaurant or occasion that speaks to you E book tour →
Waco – An hour and a half drive south of Austin, this central Texas metropolis close to the Brazos River was based in 1849. Sights embrace the Cameron Park Zoo, Texas Ranger Corridor of Fame and Museum, Dr Pepper Museum (the place it was invented), Texas Sports activities Corridor of Fame and Waco Mammoth Nationwide Monument (a 100-plus acre stretch of wooded parkland alongside the Bosque River). For followers of Chip and Joanna Gaines, your go to wouldn’t be full with no journey to Magnolia Market on the Silos. E book tour →
Featured picture credit score: “Austin Texas” by adactio is licensed underneath CC BY 2.0
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