Vacation rental houses in Austin
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Top-rated houses in Austin
Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.
Stay and Enjoy The Austin Texas House South CongressEntire private House! Our Texas-Sized living room is complete with European leather furniture. We also feature unique items such as Pottery Barn bed sets, and one of a kind gun barrel night stands. There is plenty of space in this classic 700 square foot bungalow to experience Austin like a local. The Austin Texas House is in a Fantastic location. Located off South Congress Avenue in the heart of the SoCo Shopping and Entertainment District. Unwind on the shaded front porch or side deck and enjoy the views of the 100-year old oak trees and Bouldin Creek. Hosting travelers since 2011.
Stylish, comfy and pet-friendly home by the DomainThis newly renovated home is located: - 7 min from the "DOMAIN" - Austin's tech hub (F@cebook, Apple, Amazon, IBM), luxurious outdoor shopping mall with rich nightlife - within 10 min to other major employers (St. David's North Austin Medical Center, Microsoft, Dell) - with easy access to major highways in Austin (Mopac and I-35) -20 min away from Downtown
Elm Street Bungalow - private bath & entranceOur home is a 1928 bungalow in the historic Clarksville neighborhood, just west of downtown. Our guest bedroom has a queen-sized bed, with a private bath, a separate living room with a refrigerator and microwave and entry to the outside. Walk a few blocks to parks, shops, restaurants, and access to trails.
Stay near Austin's top sights
The pink-granite building is the centerpiece of downtown Austin, perched on a hill at 12th Street and Congress Avenue. Free guided tours are held daily, starting in the South Foyer, but brochures are also available on the first floor for self-guided tours. The Texas Legislature meets every two years, so you’ll have to check the schedule if you want to see an actual session in progress.
A must-do, this famous lake is home to a wide variety of outdoors activities. Pro tip: rent a kayak, paddle board, canoe or boat around sunset time to watch 1.5+ Million bats go out from under the South Congress bridge! You may also make a reservation at a bat sightseeing boat which includes a guided tour.
Top-rated things to do in Austin
Unique activities hosted by local experts vetted for quality
- Welcome to Austin's #1 booked tour! I can say with confidence this is the best group on the water. Let's meet up for an epic night of kayaking. It's 4 incredible trips in one. 1st you paddle the length of downtown during the day, then we catch the sunset over the water. The bats are the main event and we end with downtown paddle at night! Add in a full moon or bright stars occasionally and this trip is one not to miss! If trip is sold out, ask if I can fit you in. Book through me because: I'm a traveler and Airbnb host as well so I know what you want out of the trip. On top of bat facts, i'll give you more freedom to kayak, make sure to take great photos of you on the tour, and make sure you meet other like minded travelers in the group who can share their tips or even join you for a night out afterwards. I've got good travel stories for days and lots of local insight to help you build out the best plan for the rest of your stay. Bad weather = full refund. You won't find a guide who tries harder to make sure you have the best night possible. You'll also be given high quality photos at the end of your trip! Need one more reason to book? My auto reply to your booking confirmation comes with my custom "Must do" in Austin link to help you plan the rest of your triFrom Price:$55 / person
- We'll start by heading to the Capitol building where you can get off the pedicab and walk the grounds. Next we'll head to the Governor's mansion. Stops also include the Driskill hotel, the new Austin Public Library, South Congress Bridge, Willie Nelson statue, Austin City Limits studio and much more. This is a private tour and customizable. Great for couples, families and large groups. Other things to note This tour moves at your own pace...we can stop at sites along the way.From Price:$55 / person
- Find several hidden-face/speakeasy style bars downtown - stashed inside parking garages, behind bookshelves, down alley ways, pass-code protected and private clubs. We'll have drinks at three! Meet downtown and we'll sit and chat for a few minutes at introducing ourselves and you'll get an idea of what to expect from the places we'll visit. Then, we walk to the first bar. All the bars are located within a few blocks of downtown. We'll spend 30-45 minutes in each of three bars, having drinks, learning about the place, and appreciating the aesthetic. Throughout the night we will continue on past a total of seven hidden-face/speakeasy style bars, stopping in some and just stopping to talk about others. The night ends once you get into the third and final bar and get your drinks ordered. We do not to include drinks to give you a lower price and more choice. Please bring cash. Prices vary by venue but $10-20 per drink (including a 20% tip) is a good ballpark.From Price:$48 / person
- This is the best way to experience the bats hands down. The journey on the 5-6 person giant paddle board starts with epic downtown views during the day, continues with the sunset, then observing the 1.5 million bats fly out and ends the night paddling back after dark in the city glow. Booking this tour for the sunset and bats puts you along side Austin's #1 experience "kayaking w/ the bats" only you're on a board! Its the same trip just a different vessel. I also host daytime paddles using the same boards so message me if you want to take a custom trip on the boards to a secret island or the springs Don't let the word "Paddleboard" fool you. This is 15 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. It is ultra stable. You will not get wet unless you choose to go for a swim. You can sit down, stand up, or even lay down. It's impossible to fall into the water on accident. It takes 2 people to paddle a giant board so single travelers may be asked to join another group. The mega paddle boards make for an excellent family or group option cause you get to stay together and share the experience. As a bonus, as soon as you book, my auto-reply welcome message has my personal guidebook to Austin that can help you plan the rest of your Austin vacation.! View my IG: @boatsandbatsFrom Price:$48 / person
- This Segway experience is the perfect activity for transitioning from day to night in Austin. Segway training takes place before dark then we'll cruise to some key vantage points for watching the sun set on Austin's amazing skyscrapers. As the city comes to life your Tour Guide will fill you with interesting facts and quirky details about why almost 27 million people visit Austin each year. A brief stop can be made at Austin's newly built Central Public Library (time permitting). It's a state-of-the-art facility and a true testament to our city's creative & technological environment. Cruising down 2nd St. shopping district is a highlight of this trip and making a visit to Willie Nelson's bronze, life-size statue. The finale of this tour is watching Austin's Mexican free-tailed bat population take flight. Best of all, you get to leave traffic & parking behind w/ this small-group Segway Tour getting up close for the best views. Other things to note: All participants must be at least 12 yrs. old and weigh less than 260 lbs. All guests will be provided Segway training & be able to pass a basic skills test. Waiver must be signed prior to touring.From Price:$65 / person
Tips from Austin locals
Get advice about the city from the people who know it best. Local hosts share their tips and recommendations for travelers like you.
What should I pack?
What should I pack?
“Always bring water Hopefully you don't buy plastic water bottles still, but definitely bring water wherever you go. i'd invest in a yeti - b/c they're cool and they stay cold for forever!”
What's the best way to get around?
What's the best way to get around?
“Uber/lyft and local favorite ride austin are all easy to catch from our house. Taxi service is less reliable. all very economical since we live so close to austin's main attractions. public transport consists of buses. go to capmetro website if interested in bus routes.”
“Getting around -ride sharing would be the best way to get around if you don't have a car. -rent a car? download the park atx app so you can add time to the meter while you're out and about -the nearest metro (local bus) stop is 1.5miles from our hourse”
“Get to know the major street names in south austin. Manchaca, lamar, south congress, ben white (aka hwy 71) and mopac (aka loop 1 north) ---- if you get familiar with where these roads are on the map, you'll have an easy time finding your way around. also, it may be helpful to know "manchaca" is pronounced like "mancheck"”
“Uber and lyft are great for austin Download the apps and start riding”
What should I not miss?
What should I not miss?
“The bats under congress bridge! Head down to the congress bridge, or rent a canoe and park it under the congress bridge around sunset any day and prepare to be amazed with hundreds of thousands of bats as they head out for the night to feast!”
How can I save money on this trip?
How can I save money on this trip?
“Great travis county park (free!) Great primitive trails just ten minutes up 71 toward austin. southeast metropolitan park!”
What are some local customs?
What are some local customs?
“Matthew mcconaughey, famous austin native & resident says, "we don't honk in austin." We do drive very fast! so, plan ahead a little and it won't be too bad!”
“If you want to bbq on the porch, go to the food locker for farm fresh beef, pork & bacon.. They close at 6pm sharp..”
“If you see a tip jar, anywhere, it means the hourly wage is tragically low. please be generous. It's not just service staff. from sandwich-makers to counter clerks ($5/hour), tip jars alert you to the underpaid population of our town. don't forget the musicians!”
Your guide to Austin
All About Austin
The Texas capital is a mecca of everything the state does best: inventive cuisine served from its food trucks; live entertainment celebrated at festivals touting music, tech, and extreme sports, and of course the all-essential SXSW; and plenty of outdoor experiences that call for biking, hiking cycling, swimming, bouldering, and kayaking year-round. Downtown Austin is the center of it all, with a thriving arts and shopping scene by day and lively nightlife after the sun sets, especially on Sixth Street and in the Warehouse District. Take a step back in time in South Austin, where beloved restaurants and classic architecture surround the biggest city park. The fast-growing neighborhood of East Austin, an eclectic enclave of food and boutiques, is another great spot to explore.
How do I get around Austin?
With hundreds of daily flights to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), it’s easy to fly deep into the heart of Texas from more than 70 domestic and international destinations. It’s just about a 10-mile drive into Downtown Austin, with busses, shuttles, and rideshares all making the trip. Renting a car is always a good choice for exploring the areas around Austin, but public transportation options are plentiful too. The city’s extensive Capitol Metro Bus System has 83 routes and more than 1,600 stops, and the MetroRail runs along 32 miles from downtown to the city of Leander. Cabs and rideshares are also easy to request, and for shorter distances, there are bike and scooter rentals, as well as pedicabs.
When is the best time to stay in a vacation rental in Austin?
Austin boasts 300 sunny days a year, but there’s no denying that the city sizzles in the summer, with July being the hottest month. Average high temperatures are in the 90s Fahrenheit from June through September, with lows only getting into the 70s. Winter is a far more temperate season, with highs in the upper 50s to low 70s and lows dipping into the upper 30s. Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons, with highs usually in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 50s to 60s. The clearest skies arrive between July and November, with the highest average days of rain in May.
What are the top things to do in Austin?
Texas Capitol
The Texas state house is as grand in stature as the state is in size, earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and being declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Made of sunset red Texas granite, the three-story capitol building is the largest in the nation — yes, it’s more than 14 feet higher than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. But the true beauty is in the details, such as the ornate oversized brass door hinges and chandeliers with light bulbs that spell out “T-E-X-A-S.” Take a free half-hour tour or pick up a map to take a self-guided tour.
Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
No bat signal needed! One of the most stunning sights in town is this fascinating natural phenomenon as between 750,000 and 1.5 million bats — the largest urban colony on the continent — fly out from under the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge every night at dusk.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes in 1982, the 284-acre University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to preserving the state’s native plants, with more than 900 species on site. There’s also an arboretum with more than 70 kinds of Texas’ native trees.