09/28/2024
Austin, TX
Welcome to Austin
.png)
Travel
1 / By Air
The greater Austin area is served by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. We do not recommend flying into San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston and driving into Austin due to distance and traffic.
​
*Pro Tip: If you are flying with a budget airline such as Allegiant or Frontier, double-check which terminal you are departing from. The main terminal at AUS is the Barbara Jordan Terminal, but if you happen to be flying out of the much smaller South Terminal, you will need to navigate to it directly at 10000 Logistics Ln, Austin, TX 78719. The two terminals are NOT connected.
2 / By Land
Uber, Lyft, and sometimes even local taxis are plentiful at the airport and to/from the wedding venue. Public transportation within Austin consists of a limited bus system and a light rail. There is no underground metro, but city bikes and electric scooters are common in touristy areas. The public transportation routes do not go out to the wedding venue. Austin is known for heavy traffic during the day, so please plan accordingly.
​
Parking: Our venue has limited parking spots available, so please consider carpooling with friends and family where possible. We ask that no one drink and drive, so please utilize ridesharing services as needed.
​
*Pro Tip: Our venue is on Lake Travis (the Colorado River). There is no bridge connecting our side of the river to the areas across the water, such as Lago Vista, Jonestown, and Northshore. You can still access these areas by car, but it will increase your commuting time to the venue and to Downtown Austin because you have to go around north through Cedar Park. When in doubt, map the travel route before booking.
3 / By Sea
Sorry, but if this is your preferred method of transportation, we can't help you. Good luck.
AUS Barbara Jordan Terminal
AUS South Terminal
Lodging
- If you want a true Austin experience. Fun fact: We considered all of these hotels when deciding our wedding venue! -
The Driskill Hotel is easily the most iconic hotel in Austin. It opened in 1886 and was built by Colonel Jesse Lincoln Driskill, a cattle baron from Tennessee. You can (and should) read more about the Driskill's rich history on their website. As with any building of its age, the hotel is rumored to be haunted. Guests have reported sightings of many ghosts including Jesse Driskill himself and even President LBJ and his wife Lady Bird. The Driskill is located on 6th Street, the heart of Austin's nightlife. Definitely take a stroll down to Voodoo Doughnut for a sweet treat during your stay.
Austin Motel is another historic spot in town, directly on the South Congress strip. From here you can walk to locally owned shops, restaurants, and even the Congress Bridge to see the bats (see below in the "activities" section for more info). If you want to do some sightseeing while in town, this is a prime spot. It's also on a very robust bus route (the 801). If you stay at Austin Motel, definitely walk down to Big Top Candy Shop and stop by Jo's Coffee to get a picture with the "I love you so much" mural (Savannah recommends ordering the Iced Turbo while you're there).
The Austin Proper Hotel sits prominently in the 2nd Street district (which really just means you get the best of both worlds of being downtown and on the water). This is a great pick if you love artfully crafted spaces and the eclectic Austin style. Austin Proper was voted the #1 hotel in Austin by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2022. If you stay here, find time to take a stroll around Auditorium Shores or walk down to the Congress Bridge at dusk to see the bats. If you're looking for a quick bite, head across the street to Torchy's Tacos, or pop into JuiceLand down the block for the best smoothie you've ever had.
- If you want to be close to the wedding venue -
The Vintage Villas Hotel is only 6 minutes from the wedding venue by car and is located with a serene view of Lake Travis. Remodeled in 2023, the villas are nested on six acres and offer a quiet getaway without being far from the heart of Austin.
​
​
​
​
​
Sun Outdoors is right around the corner from the wedding venue, just 2 minutes by car. It is an RV park and campground, but also has cottages for rent. The property is dog-friendly with a dog park on site and is a great option if you like having some room to spread out when you travel. See the property's website for a full list of its amenities.
​
​
​
The LaQuinta Lakeway is conveniently located, just 11 minutes by car to the wedding venue, but also within walking distance of a number of restaurants and an H-E-B grocery store.
Food
- Our recommendations for exploring Austin's food scene -
1 / Can't-Miss BBQ
Stiles Switch BBQ - Super underrated spot with great sides.
Franklin BBQ - Be prepared to wait in line, but people say it's worth it.
Terry Black's BBQ - Take a pit tour!
The Salt Lick - Outdoors in the Texas Hill Country, all-you-can-eat, and BYOB.
Stubb's - Easily has the best BBQ sauce like, ever.
Green Mesquite BBQ - If you like a big menu with lots of options.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya or Michi Ramen - The best ramen you've ever had.
Kerby Lane Cafe or Magnolia Cafe - Late-night diner fare.
P-Terry's Burger Stand - Great for a quick bite & open late.
Casa Garcia's - Savannah daydreams about the tortilla soup.
Shoal Creek Saloon or Evangeline Cafe - Good Cajun food.
Amy's Ice Creams - Handmade and all the toppings you could wish for.
El Arroyo - You've seen their famous sign, come try the famous food.
Red Ash - Wood-fired Italian food downtown.
Summer Moon Coffee - Try the Blue Moon if you like lavender!
Jo's Coffee - We recommend the Iced Turbo.
Juiceland - Savannah's favorite is the Orange Kush with bee pollen.
Dutch Bros - Killian always has to order a chocolate chip muffin top.
Houndstooth Coffee - Probably the best roast in Austin.
CoCo's Cafe - For bubble tea (and really good Taiwanese food).
ACTIVITIES
- There's so much to do, but here's just a few ideas to get started -
1 / BARTON SPRINGS
Austin has a stunning natural spring swimming pool with a view of the skyline. The water stays about 68 degrees year-round, and the pool has natural rocks and plants. With lifeguards and a diving board, the springs do require an entry fee, but there are free hours in the early morning and late night hours. Be sure to check the website for up-to-date fees and schedules. Alcohol, food, and dogs are prohibited in the pool, but allowed on the free creek side of the springs beyond the pool walls, dubbed "Barkin' Springs". The best part of the creek side is definitely the dog watching.
The South Congress strip features local shops and restaurants including Jo's Coffee, Big Top Candy Shop, Allen's Boots, and more. If you're exploring SOCO in the afternoon, be sure to walk towards the skyline to see the Congress bats come out at sunset. The bridge is actually engineered to be an ideal habitat for Mexican Free-Tailed bats, making Austin home to North America's largest bat population. The Riverbats are even the local college's mascot. September is the perfect time to see the 1.5 million bats emerge, and some prefer to rent kayaks or a boat tour to view the bats from below.
6th Street and Rainer Street are the nightlife tourist hibs, but here are some other spots we recommend:
​
The Broken Spoke - A true Texas dance hall and historical site.
The Roosevelt Room - An upscale, seated cocktail room downtown.
Tiki Tatsu-Ya - Fun fact: Savannah's dad built the place!
Cheer Up Charlie's - Vegan LGBTQ bar with lots of colorful artwork.
Domo Alley Gato - Beautiful Japanese patio bar on 6th Street.
​
WORSHIP
If you are planning to attend Sunday service while in town for the wedding weekend, the Riddles family invites you to worship at the Church of Conscious Harmony. Savannah's paternal grandparents built and worked at CCH, and in 2001 she was christened at the church. CCH was designed to be beautifully balanced with the nature of the Texas Hill Country that surrounds it.
​
Sunday service 10a-11:30a.