Romantic Austin

Our Local Expert Says:

This historic home turned boutique hotel houses one of the city's most intimate and romantic restaurants with only 15 linen-draped tables.

Description:

Uncompromised comfort coupled with legendary Texas hospitality makes for a beyond boutique experience at the Mansion at Judges' Hill. From the moment you step foot on our property, you know you're in store for something extraordinary. Each of the 48 guest rooms features custom-made bedding with 310-thread count Egyptian cotton linens, deluxe bathrobes and L'Occitane and Gilchrist & Soames bath products. Complimentary high-speed internet access and on-site parking are also provided. With standard rooms starting at $129 per night and deluxe rooms ranging from $219-399, an affordable luxury experience is well within reach. The Mansion is conveniently located three blocks west of the University of Texas campus and has easy access to all of Austin's hotspots.

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Description:

Quality takeout is available for a business meeting in the office or for dinner with your family at home. The shop itself has a casual takeout feel with a reach-in case carrying a variety of options. There are a few seats to eat in, but most customers are on the go. The breakfast menu is full of croissant variations, eggs, and hormone-free sausage patties. Be sure to request the complimentary salsa with roasted red peppers. For lunch, several sandwiches are offered, including a vegetarian selection. Soups are made fresh daily along with focaccia and flatbreads. Pizzas are also on the menu. If you are interested in trying all types of hot dogs and sausages, this is a great place to start. You can create your own or try one of the specialties, including sauerkraut and bratwurst.

Our Local Expert Says:

Mount Bonnell is one of Austin's most obviously romantic spots, so if you're planning something super special, aim for less popular hours, which tend to be late afternoon and, of course, sunset.

Description:

Known for its beautiful, unobstructed view of the Austin area since the mid-1800s, Mount Bonnell hosts family photos, sunset picnics and romantic marriage proposals on a regular basis. Visitors park at the base of the hill and work their way up nearly 100 stone steps -- a 190-foot elevation gain -- to the wide open outcropping overlooking the southern side of the city and Lake Austin below. It's a fairly easy climb, but elderly relatives might find it challenging. A short gravel trail leads slowly downhill and to the left, offering up quiet spots for personal reflection with a clear view of the massive Pennybacker Bridge. Look left from Mount Bonnell to find the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas Tower on the University of Texas campus. A number of nearby radio towers detract from the beauty of some of the views. At night, the towers' red lights give the spot an otherworldly feel.

Our Local Expert Says:

Visit this stunning museum on weekdays to enjoy the quiet beauty of the grounds.

Description:

Driving up the gated circular path to the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria is breathtaking. The stately Italian-style villa perches on the banks of Lake Austin, showcasing a handful of AMOA's permanent collections within its three stories. The house was built in 1916 by Clara Driscoll and her husband Hal Sevier, who owned The Austin American newspaper. Driscoll was an author, playwright and an avid gardener. The well-kept grounds include outdoor sculptures, strutting peacocks, an intimate stone amphitheater and the Art School, a small facility offering painting, ceramics, and sculpture classes for children and adults. Weddings, private parties and other celebrations frequently take place on the lushly landscaped 12 acres, a site featured on city, state and national registries of historic places. In 2011, AMOA announced it will close its museum downtown and focus more resources on Laguna Gloria. A new sculpture park and nature trail are planned for the Laguna Gloria site.

Our Local Expert Says:

Inventive chef Tyson Cole was chosen as one of Food & Wine's best new chefs in 2005 and has challenged the best on Food Network's "Iron Chef America."

Description:

Rated as one of the 'Top Five New Restaurants in Texas', Uchi is very romantic with dim-lit lanterns. If you want some privacy, the sushi bar is for you. In appetizers, try the muscovy duck and the baby bok choy and shiitake mushrooms. Make sure you leave some place for desserts; regulars rave about the chai tea creme brulee. Reservations are a must. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

Description:

The most reliable indicator of a high-quality dance hall in Texas is the presence of old people, particularly old people who skillfully dance and spin and seem unaware of anyone other than their partner. On some nights, the Broken Spoke is bursting with lively seniors who dance circles around the novices. Most of the time, there's a mix of young and old, cowboys and hipsters, locals and tourists. The massive wooden dance floor splits the room in two, with seating areas on either side. The bands, whether they're young or old, play mostly traditional country music. Because that's the kind of music owner James White likes, he's been doing things this way since 1964, and he has no intention of changing. Another fan of traditional country music, a certain red-headed stranger, has been known to hang out here when he's not touring.

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Starlite features yummy new American cuisine. Don't miss the warm spinach salad. It's a great spot for Sunday brunch, when natural light fills the room.

Description:

milk + honey is Austin's premier day spa, offering men and women a full range of treatments, including massages, facials, body treatments, and natural nail therapy in a hip, yet relaxed downtown atmosphere. Some treatments are designed to relax, some to invigorate, and others to heal.

Description:

With fusion food on the rise and the word "bistro" thrown around willy-nilly, it is comforting to find an authentic one of the French variety. Homemade pate, roasted chicken and crepes, wonderfully executed and served in a cozy, dimly lit dining room dominated by a long bar. Rich, toothsome dishes such as escalopes de veau aux noix can be accompanied by an appropriately Gallic wine from the well-populated wine list. Try the salade Chez Nous, and do not miss the crepe du jour.

Description:

One of the best ways to learn about scenic Austin is from the back of a Clydesdale-drawn carriage. Romance, historical and family fun tours are available by appointment; or if you are a wayward evening traveler on Sixth Street, take in a tour of downtown. See the Capitol, Governor's Mansion, and the famous Fourth Street "Warehouse District." Custom tours and event rentals, including full wedding packages, are also available.

Our Local Expert Says:

This historic home turned boutique hotel houses one of the city's most intimate and romantic restaurants with only 15 linen-draped tables.

Description:

Uncompromised comfort coupled with legendary Texas hospitality makes for a beyond boutique experience at the Mansion at Judges' Hill. From the moment you step foot on our property, you know you're in store for something extraordinary. Each of the 48 guest rooms features custom-made bedding with 310-thread count Egyptian cotton linens, deluxe bathrobes and L'Occitane and Gilchrist & Soames bath products. Complimentary high-speed internet access and on-site parking are also provided. With standard rooms starting at $129 per night and deluxe rooms ranging from $219-399, an affordable luxury experience is well within reach. The Mansion is conveniently located three blocks west of the University of Texas campus and has easy access to all of Austin's hotspots.

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