SXSW, Austin City Limits, the Texas State Capitol, incredible live music … there’s much to see and do when you’re in Austin.
Austin has so many hotels and locally owned businesses worth checking out while you’re in town, it can be hard to decide on a great itinerary — especially for a shorter trip when you’re hoping to sightsee in between business meetings (or SXSW events, for those in town for the annual conference). That’s why TPG and Capital One Business are teaming up to bring business owners everything they need to know to make the most of their next trip, from where to stay and eat to how to leverage the Capital One Venture X Business card to elevate your experience.
How to get there
It’s easier than ever to get to Austin, thanks to the continued expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The airport recently announced a multibillion-dollar expansion that will add 32 gates in the coming years, and multiple airlines have added direct flights from both domestic and international cities.
Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines are the two U.S. carriers with the most options flying in and out of AUS (Delta recently added multiple new routes and has made Austin a “focus city”), but you won’t be short of options from any of the main U.S. airlines.
TPG business owner tip: Use Capital One Business Travel
With so many options, you might wonder how to pick the best flights. For Capital One Business customers, the Capital One Business Travel platform can make it easier to compare your options while gaining access to benefits like price alerts, 24/7 support and more.
Capital One Venture X Business cardholders also earn 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and receive an annual $300 travel credit for bookings via Capital One Business Travel, a statement credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry every four years (up to $120), and access to Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and select Priority Pass™ lounges (for eligible cardholders; after enrollment).
Where to stay
Austin has no shortage of fantastic hotels to choose from, but make sure to check out Austin Proper Hotel (a Marriott Design Hotels property). It’s centrally located on Second Street in downtown Austin, which is a hot spot for local dining, shopping and live entertainment.
The hotel itself is a great home base for any Austin trip, with a little something for every type of traveler. With four unique dining spots, all featuring locally sourced menu items, it’s a foodie’s dream. Wellness-focused travelers can indulge in the Verbena Spa, the state-of-the-art fitness center (with personal training available upon request), wellness classes and even a recovery room outfitted with a sauna and cold plunge pool. You’ll also have access to a full calendar of events that ranges from afternoon tea to live music.
One of our favorite amenities? You can reserve a private cabana at the rooftop pool. Thursday through Saturday nights, live DJs play sessions on the pool deck.
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Other TPG-recommended hotels in Austin include:
- Hotel Van Zandt: A Rainey Street District hotel where you can borrow an in-room record player and a curated selection of vinyl records.
- Austin Motel: An iconic Austin mainstay on South Congress Avenue with a quirky, casual vibe.
- Miraval Austin: A wellness-focused resort with a luxurious spa that sits away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin — bookable with World of Hyatt points.
- The Driskill: A supposedly haunted hotel that’s one of Austin’s oldest accommodation options, perfect for thrill seekers who are looking for a story to go along with their stay.
TPG business owner tip: Capital One Premier Collection elevates your stay
For Capital One Business customers, Austin Proper and Hotel Van Zandt are both part of the Premier Collection — which means access to exclusive benefits when you book through Capital One Business Travel, like a $100 experience credit to use during your stay; complimentary daily breakfast for two; free Wi-Fi; and room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available.
And regardless of which hotel you book, you can earn 10 miles per dollar spent with your Capital One Venture X Business card when booking via Capital One Business Travel.
Where to eat and drink
Austin is home to incredible locally owned cafes, restaurants, bars and foodie-focused activities that deserve your attention while in town.
Make sure to hit up Praxis Coffee Roasters (it has an Eastside and a Southside location), where you can get coffee sourced directly from farms around the world. The honey lavender latte is a must-try — it uses local honey and organic lavender. Jo’s Coffee South Congress is also a great option for those in downtown Austin, and Summer Moon is a unique, Austin-based chain with multiple locations.
There are literally too many fantastic restaurants to list them all here, but one TPG favorite is definitely Odd Duck. It serves an eclectic, delicious dinner menu that honors the “Keep Austin Weird” ethos of the city with entrees like braised goat pizza and antelope tataki. Make sure you save room for dessert, so you can try the oatmeal icebox cake — Odd Duck’s take on the classic Southern chilled dessert.
Other spots we recommend include:
- Siti, a Southeast Asian spot with a menu inspired by the matriarchies across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, is near and dear to my heart.
- LeRoy and Lewis is great if you’re looking for a fresh take on Texas barbecue. It even sources its meats from local butchers.
- Jeffrey’s is a locally owned steakhouse that people rave about.
After a meal, hit up Small Victory in downtown Austin for intimate cocktails and conversation, or The Roosevelt Room for an upscale atmosphere. If you’re looking for more of a traditional honky-tonk vibe, check out The White Horse.
If you’re in the mood for a tasting experience, try Antonelli’s Cheese. You can sign up for a guided tasting of a full meal’s worth of artisanal cheeses expertly paired for the perfect bite. It has a full events calendar online where you can sign up for a standard tasting or a special event — just make sure to book in advance since slots sell out fast!
Things to do
Of course, there’s more to the city than just food and bev.
At TPG, we love finding shopping and activities that give you a real taste of a destination and a chance to take home souvenirs that actually speak to the local vibe.
With that in mind, you have to check out Maufrais Hat Bar, where you can customize your own cowboy hat. While this is definitely an investment piece, Maufrais gives you the chance to work directly with artisans to get the perfect fit and perfect accessories to make a truly one-of-a-kind hat to take home with you.
For a deeper look at Austin’s art scene, make sure to stop by Art for the People Gallery. This art gallery features local artists and rotating exhibitions, and you can even take home select prints and art pieces from the gallery’s storefront.
If you’re itching to get outside the city and into the great outdoors, we recommend Barkin’ Springs. It’s a free, dog-friendly alternative to the popular Barton Springs Pool. Barkin’ Springs is just downstream from its well-known neighbor, but you can get in without admission fees.
That’s just a small selection of TPG-favorite spots, but there is truly something for everyone in Austin:
- Tourists can visit the Texas State Capitol in Austin for tours.
- South Congress Avenue and South First Street are filled with local shops worth perusing.
- There are tons of hiking and biking trails at your fingertips, including the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
- We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention the live music scene, given Austin’s title as the Live Music Capital of the World.
And of course, if you’re in town during one of Austin’s iconic annual events, such as SXSW (typically held during the second week in March each year) or the Austin City Limits music festival (hosted over two weekends every October), you have to check them out. For small-business owners, SXSW can be an especially impactful conference where you can network, attend relevant conference sessions for your business and check out local Austin businesses all in one place.
TPG business owner tip: Use Venture X Business to earn double miles
When you’re bopping around all of TPG’s recommendations in Austin, the Capital One Venture X Business card makes earning rewards simple by earning unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all your purchases, everywhere. It’s a great way to earn rewards when buying souvenirs, shopping locally and booking all of the experiences that will make your trip great (especially those purchases that usually don’t earn bonus rewards with other cards).
The card packs plenty of valuable benefits that make it easy to offset the affordable $395 annual fee (see rates and fees) — like an annual $300 credit and elevated earning rates on hotels, rental cars, vacation rentals and flights booked through Capital One Business Travel; airport lounge access; 10,000 anniversary miles each year you have the card; and so much more.
