South West Austin

Southwest Austin sets itself apart from the city’s other areas by being an eclectic niche of high-end luxury apartments, beautiful suburban neighborhoods, and “old school” Austin communities. It is more rural than its metropolitan counterparts, offering a mixture of urban and suburban vibes that appeal to its many residents.

Like many Texas Hill Country communities, Southwest Austin appeals to those seeking a home near the country while still being close enough to benefit from the amenities of Downtown and central Austin. You can appreciate city life while returning to a more quiet setting at any moment.

• Mixture of urban and suburban 
• Countryside
• SXSW
• South Congress shopping 
• Exemplary schools
• Family-friendly
• Hike and bike trails
  
  

Southwest Austin is an attractive area for families thanks to its suburban edge and proximity to the top-rated Lake Travis and Austin Independent School Districts. Bordered by Lakeway to the west and the Austin city limits to the South, Southwest Austin has seen a lot of growth and development over the past several decades, with an abundance of shopping areas, restaurants, and businesses cropping up.

Southwest Austin sets itself apart from the rest of the city because of its rolling hills and picturesque and relaxed Hill Country feel. You still get that classic Texan experience living here, but it's a little more low key and residential than other areas of this expansive, vibrant city.

 

• Loro is a unique smokehouse that fuses Asian cuisine with custom Texas flair in a rustic spot with patio dining, top-notch cocktails, and craft beers.
• For Austin-style Tex-Mex, Matt's El Rancho is a family-friendly staple drumming up business since the early 1950s. Stop by for margaritas or their famous enchiladas. 
• Plan your next night out or private party at Broken Spoke, a live music venue and neighborhood hotspot serving excellent food, like chicken-fried steak and other classic dishes. 
• Beyond its massive array of staple dine in and take out restaurants, Austin is home to dozens of food trucks where you can find just about any cuisine you want, from Greek to Asian to classic Philly cheesesteaks. Food truck parks and courtyards are prevalent throughout the city in places like East 11th, Rainey Street, Burnet Road, and East Riverside. 

 

• Just south of Lady Bird Lake is the popular South Congress area, sometimes referred to as SoCo by locals. South Congress has everything you could want in a walkable shopping district, such as eateries, galleries, event venues, and several unique boutiques. Visit Austin landmark Allen’s Boots to pick up a pair of classic cowboy boots, or stop into Cove Boutique to shop upscale, boho-chic clothing, accessories, and home goods.  
• Barton Creek Square is a bi-level shopping complex featuring more than 170 retailers, restaurants, and a 14-screen movie theater. This recently renovated mall is the city’s largest indoor shopping center and is a major shopping destination for Austinites. Highlights include the Apple Store, Nordstrom, Coach, the LEGO Store, Lululemon, Old Navy and Sephora. 

 

• South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual celebration of film, interactive media, and music in Austin. Starred in 1987, SXSW has become a massive event full of live music, film premieres, trade shows, and much more.  Every March, Austinites and visitors from around the world flock to downtown Austin to take in concerts, panels, keynote speeches, film screenings, workshops, and (of course) parties.    
• Austin is legendary for its live music venues and dance halls, and Southwest Austin is no different. Legendary local haunt The Continental Club plays host to a variety of intimate jazz, country and rock performances. Plan your next night out or private party at Broken Spoke, a live music venue and neighborhood hotspot for country-western dancing that also serves excellent food.
  
  

Things to Do

Lady Bird Lake is one of the primary recreational areas in Southwest Austin. Here, you'll find the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along the shoreline, and several nearby businesses offer watercraft services. The lake is a popular spot for canoes, dragon boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and more. The University of Texas rowing teams practice on the lake year-round.

Zilker Park, Austin's largest downtown park, sits adjacent to the lake and encompasses 350 acres of publicly-owned land. Significant Austin festivals like the Zilker Park Kite Festival and the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival are held here each year. ACL is comparable to California's Coachella. This massive music festival is hosted on two consecutive three-day weekends and features eight stages and musical groups from all genres.

Southwest Austin is primarily serviced by the Austin Independent School District and the Lake Travis Independent School District, both of which are top-rated. Private school options include both secular and religious institutions, such as the Austin Waldorf School, Regents School of Austin, Trinity Episcopal School of Austin, and Academy of Thought and Industry - Austin.