Things to Do in East Austin

Free Afrobeat Sundays in the backyard — one of Austin's most eclectic music spaces

Afrobeat Sundays are free — African, Caribbean, and Latin rhythms in the backyard. Rest of the week: punk, garage, experimental, local acts. Low or no cover most nights.

1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721 · Nightly, shows typically start 8-9pm

The migas taco here is the best breakfast taco in Austin — fight me.

Started as a food trailer, now multiple locations. The migas taco is the one everyone talks about — eggs, cheese, tortilla strips, avocado, pico. Lines form early on weekends. East Cesar Chavez location is the original and still the best.

1704 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 · Daily 7am-3pm · outdoor

3-hour wait, maybe the best brisket on Earth. Arrive by 8am or don't bother.

The most famous BBQ joint in America. Brisket is extraordinary — bark like mahogany, fat rendered to butter. The line is real: 3-5 hours on weekends, 2.5 hours on a quiet Tuesday. Arrive by 8am or earlier. They open at 11am and sell out by 2pm most days. Cash and card accepted. Is it worth it? The brisket says yes. Your legs will disagree.

900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702 · Tue-Sun 11am-sold out (usually 2-3pm). Closed Monday.

45-minute wait and brisket that rivals Franklin. The local move.

The locals' answer to Franklin. Brisket is legitimately world-class — moist, peppery, perfect smoke ring. Wait is usually 45 minutes to an hour, which by Austin BBQ standards counts as fast. The sausage is house-made and excellent. Sides are above average. Cash and card.

2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 · Wed-Sun 11am-6pm. Closed Mon-Tue. · 512-605-9696 · outdoor

Rotating specials like smoked lamb and beef cheeks. Banana pudding is mandatory.

Small-batch, craft approach to BBQ. The daily specials rotate and they're always interesting — jalapeño cheese sausage, smoked lamb, beef cheeks. Brisket is in the conversation with Franklin and la Barbecue. The banana pudding is mandatory. Smaller operation, sells out faster. Get there early.

4602 Tanney St, Austin, TX 78721 · Thu-Sun 11am-8pm. Closed Mon-Wed. · 512-953-3549 · outdoor

The migas taco. Handmade tortillas. The green salsa. End of discussion.

The migas taco is the single best breakfast taco in Austin. Handmade tortillas, fresh ingredients, no shortcuts. Multiple locations now but the East Austin trailer is the original vibe. The green salsa is perfect. Cash and card. Lines move fast.

2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702 · Daily 7am-3pm (hours vary by location) · outdoor

Tiny East Austin roaster. Strong cold brew. The neighborhood spot.

Small East Austin roaster with a cult following. The space is tiny and charming. Pour-overs are excellent, cold brew is strong, pastries rotate daily. The kind of neighborhood coffee shop that makes you want to move to the neighborhood. Second location on Manor Road.

2427 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702 · Daily 7am-6pm · 512-212-7174

Coffee in the morning, tacos at lunch, mole stout at night. All excellent.

Community-focused brewery on East 6th with a killer taco program. Latin-inspired beers — a hibiscus saison, a mole stout, a Mexican lager that's crisp and perfect. The food is as good as the beer, which is saying something. Morning coffee, afternoon tacos, evening beers. They do it all.

1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 · Mon 10am-10pm, Tue-Wed 7:30am-10pm, Thu-Fri 7:30am-11pm, Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-10pm · 512-394-7620

Suadero tacos are the move. James Beard nominated. Lucky Hour for deals.

Mexican-inspired with Texas ingredients, executed at a level that earned a James Beard nomination. The suadero tacos are the signature — crispy, rich, perfect. The mole is complex. The cocktail program is excellent. Weekend brunch added in recent years. Lucky Hour 5-6pm Mon-Fri, 3-5pm Sat-Sun.

1800 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 · Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm · 512-522-3031 · indoor

Nature-themed playground with sound buttons — free trails along the Colorado River

Sprawling free park along the Colorado River with a nature-themed playground (4 slides, bridges, climbing structures, spinners, nature sounds buttons), paved trails for bikes and strollers, soccer fields, and disc golf. One of Austin's best playgrounds.

400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741 · Daily 5am-10pm · outdoor · Ages 0+

Free garden built for kids — whimsical paths, planting areas, and exploration

Free garden designed for kids with whimsical paths, hands-on planting areas, and shady picnic spots. Part of the Mueller development. Open daily, free admission.

900 Lydia St, Austin, TX 78702 · Daily dawn to dusk · outdoor · Ages 0+

22,000 sq ft free skate park with a beginner area — helmets required under 18

A 22,000-square-foot outdoor skate park with bowls, rails, and street features for all skill levels. Free to use — no admission charge. Helmets required for kids under 18. A separate beginner area makes it accessible for younger kids learning to skate or scooter. One of the largest free skate parks in Texas.

8500 FM 969, Austin, TX 78724 · Daily 5am-10pm · outdoor · Ages 3+

Redesigned in 2023 and it shows. 18 holes through big oaks along the river, completely free. Park at the end of Grove Blvd or you'll walk forever.

18-hole course redesigned in 2023 by Mike Olse. Wooded layout with large oaks and river views. Technical shots, elevation changes, all skill levels. Free to play. Park at the end of Grove Blvd, not off Pleasant Valley. Gets busy on weekends. One of the best free courses in Texas.

400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741 · Daily 5am-10pm · outdoor

No ropes, no harness, just climb. The East Austin location has a patio, sauna, and cold plunge. More like a clubhouse than a gym.

Massive bouldering gym in East Austin's art district. Indoor walls, yoga studio, weight room, co-working space, outdoor patio, sauna, and cold plunge. Day pass $25, shoe rental extra. Monthly $95. No ropes — bouldering only, so beginners can just walk in and start climbing. Free parking.

979 Springdale Rd #150, Austin, TX 78702 · Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm · 512-645-4633 · indoor

6 courts, permanent nets, free. The East Austin pickleball community basically lives here. Go midday on a weekday if you want to actually get on a court.

6 outdoor pickleball courts with permanent nets, free, first-come first-served. One of the most active outdoor pickleball spots in Austin. Morning and evening are packed. Midday weekday is your best bet for an open court. Also has a pool, playground, and basketball court.

2100 E 3rd St, Austin, TX 78702 · Daily, dawn to dusk · outdoor

Every class is donation-based. Hot yoga, 90 degrees, pay what you want. Four locations across Austin. No reason not to try it.

Donation-based hot yoga studio. Every class, every location, pay what you can. 90-degree heated room. Multiple locations across Austin (Anderson Lane, Orchard/Downtown, Westgate, Cesar Chavez). The East Austin studio on Cesar Chavez is the most central. No excuses not to go when it's donation-based.

913 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 · Class schedule varies, check website · 512-960-4026 · indoor

Free outdoor courts with lights, plus a full indoor gym. Summer evenings are the real scene — East Austin pickup basketball at its best.

Two lighted outdoor basketball courts plus a full indoor gym with 6 hoops at the Givens Recreation Center. Free. One of the best pickup basketball spots in East Austin. Summer evenings are when it gets competitive. The rec center also has programming for kids and teens.

3811 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78721 · Outdoor courts: daily dawn to dusk. Rec center hours vary.

Small studio, real instruction, not a yoga factory. Buy the 8-pack and it's under $15 a class.

Neighborhood yoga studio on East 11th. Drop-in single class $33, 4-pack $79 ($19.75/class), 8-pack $119 ($14.88/class), unlimited monthly $149. Vinyasa, yin, restorative, and meditation classes. Small studio, personal feel. Not a factory.

1050 E 11th St #150, Austin, TX 78702 · Class schedule varies, check website · indoor

They sell dog bandanas and treats alongside the beer. East 6th patio, tacos, and your dog is part of the plan.

East Austin brewery with a large dog-friendly patio, dog treats available for purchase, and dog swag. Tacos and beer — the patio is spacious and shaded. They sell branded dog bandanas and treats alongside the beer.

1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 · Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm · outdoor

Dogs inside the taproom, not just the patio. East 6th brewery row — walk your dog to multiple dog-friendly taprooms in one afternoon.

Dogs welcome inside the taproom and on the street-side patio. Industrial-chic space with consistently good beer. The Marco IPA is the bestseller. East 6th location puts you in the middle of Austin's brewery row.

1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 · Wed-Fri 3pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm

Open 24 hours with a dog-friendly patio. Coffee at 7am, beer at 7pm, both with your dog. Campfire vibes.

24-hour coffee shop and bar with a spacious outdoor patio that welcomes dogs. Coffee by day, craft beer and cocktails by night. The patio has a campfire vibe — wood, string lights, and space. Open 24 hours, so your midnight dog walk can include a drink.

1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741 · 24 hours daily · outdoor