Exploring Austin & the Texas Hill Country:
Welcome to Austin! Coming in for a wedding at Rose Haven Event Venue? You’re in for a treat. Austin is known for its quirky charm, live music, and the beautiful Texas Hill Country. We have so many destination weddings here, and we love to show off our wonderful Central Texas charm to all of our guests visiting from afar. Many guests purposely choose to come in a few days early or hang around for a while after the wedding, purely to enjoy visiting Austin. Here’s a guide to the most fun things to do around Austin—our best attractions, eateries, and adventures to explore before and after the wedding.
Pre-Wedding Adventures in Austin
Austin has it all—music, outdoor fun, FOOD! – and plenty of places to unwind.
Music and Nightlife
- ACL Live at The Moody Theater: Catch a live performance at this iconic venue, home to the famous Austin City Limits show.
- Rainey Street: Explore bungalow bars, enjoy live music, and grab bites from food trucks.
- Sixth Street: the original street that kept Austin weird. Home of the famous Pecan Street Festival (6th was originally known as Pecan Street) With everything from dive bars to shows like Esther’s Follies, 6th has enough to keep you entertained for days.
Cultural Must-Sees
- Texas State Capitol: Take a free tour of this stunning historic building that showcases Texas pride. It’s taller and bigger than our nation’s capitol, because everything is bigger in Texas, right?
- Cathedral of Junk: A backyard art installation made entirely from recycled materials—pure Austin weirdness!
Outdoor Fun
- Lady Bird Lake: Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and enjoy the city skyline. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride.
- Barton Springs Pool: A natural spring-fed pool in Zilker Park that stays 68°F year-round—a must-visit!
Explore the Texas Hill Country
A quick drive from Austin, the Hill Country offers wine, scenic views, and small-town charm.
Fredericksburg
- This German-inspired town is full of history, wine, and shopping. My personal favorite is the burger on a Jalapeno Cheddar bun at Fredericksburg Brewing Company. Visit Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for hiking, and explore the dozens of wineries, distilleries and breweries. Fredericksburg is renowned for its peaches in the summer, and Oktoberfest in the fall.
Wimberley
- A laid-back, artistic haven. Swim at Blue Hole Regional Park or visit Jacob’s Well, a natural spring with an underwater cave. The town square and historic strip has fantastic restaurants and tons of boutiques and eclectic shops. Don’t miss all the big decorated cowboy boots! Market Days is the first weekend of every month and is an incredible local market full of anything and everything you could imagine.
Dripping Springs
- Known for distilleries and breweries, like Deep Eddy Vodka and Twisted X Brewing. Historic Mercer St. features great boutiques, cafes, and music at Hudson’s On Mercer. Don’t miss the nearby Hamilton Pool Preserve for a stunning natural grotto or Reimers Ranch for great hiking.
Gruene
- Home to Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall. This charming town offers live music, river tubing, and boutique shopping.
Marble Falls
- Enjoy the scenic Highland Lakes, visit Sweet Berry Farm, or have a slice of the famous pies at the iconic Bluebonnet Cafe in downtown.
South Congress (SoCo): Austin’s Coolest Street
SoCo is Austin’s trendiest neighborhood, full of iconic spots, and one of the MOST fun things to do around Austin:
- I Love You So Much Mural: Snap a selfie at this famous mural outside Jo’s Coffee.
- Allen’s Boots: A legendary boot shop where you can find your perfect pair of cowboy boots.
- Uncommon Objects: A one-of-a-kind antique shop with quirky treasures.
- Home Slice Pizza: Satisfy your cravings with some of the best pizza in town.
- Big Top Candy Shop: A whimsical, retro candy store featuring old-fashioned sodas, chocolates and nostalgic candies.
- Tesoros Trading Company: This eclectic shop has been a SoCo staple for decades, offering unique artisan goods, handmade jewelry, and gifts from around the world.
Post-Wedding Relaxation
After the wedding, unwind with these activities:
Spa Time
- Lake Austin Spa Resort: Pamper yourself with luxurious spa treatments while enjoying serene lake views, indoor and outdoor pools, and delicious healthy food.
- Milk + Honey Spa. This highly rated spa offers a wide range of services, including therapeutic massages, customized facials, body treatments, and nail services.
Family-Friendly Fun
- Austin Zoo: This rescue zoo is home to animals from around the world.
- Austin Nature & Science Center: Great for kids, with hands-on exhibits and outdoor trails.
- Museum of Ice Cream: Yes! There is ice cream! There is also a sprinkle pool and so much more.
Weird Austin
- Museum of the Weird: Dive into Austin’s quirky side with oddities like shrunken heads and ghost stories.
- Peter Pan Mini Golf: A funky mini-golf course with larger-than-life sculptures.
Enjoy your stay in Austin and the Hill Country!
Whether you’re looking for live music, outdoor adventures, or Hill Country charm, Austin has it all. Enjoy the wedding and all the fun things to do around Austin. If you need more tips, just ask! I’m always here to help, and love sharing about my favorite local small businesses, restaurants, and the wonderful area that I call home.
Cheers,
Christy Seguin, Owner, Rose Haven Event Venue
About Me:
My name is Christy Seguin. I created amazing cakes in Austin, Dripping Springs and the Texas Hill Country for over 10 years as the owner of Cakes ROCK!!!. But I recently retired from cakes and am now passionately working on my new venture–the most unique and charming event venue in Central Texas, Rose Haven Event Venue!
For Rose Haven Event Venue Information, please contact us HERE.
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