Location: Austin
Top Things to do in Austin
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Top 10 Gift & Specialty Shops in Austin, Texas (TX)
Every year thousands of hipsters, groupies, and die-hard fans flock to Austin for the annual South by Southwest festival, which has catapulted the Texas city up the must-visit charts for many travelers. The sandstone Capitol building is symbolic of the Lone Star State’s "bigger is better" mentality, featuring a gorgeous whispering gallery rotunda and 22 acres of grounds. Cool off with a dip in Barton Springs, a huge natural limestone pool that’s fed by underground sources.
Restaurants in Austin
1. Waterloo Records
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By Travel742391 - Austin, United States
No better place to shop for music in the “Live Music Capitol of the World.” Amazing lay out of records, books, and other random music gets. This is on the level of Amoeba Music in LA or The Drama Book Shop in NYC. Both are treasures to their community as much as Waterloo is the treasure trove of ours.
2. Antonelli's Cheese Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
Antonelli’s Cheese Shop is at the heart of Austin’s cheese scene. We have a bustling cut-to-order cheese shop. We host weekly public and private cheese appreciation classes where a friendly cheesemonger guides you through the story behind each cheese; we usually carry up to 100 types. Partnering with artisans who are truly committed to managing their lands sustainably and caring for herds humanely allows us to source the finest local, domestic and international cheese. As Austin’s first specialty cheese shop, our cheese can be appreciated in person at the shop and in restaurants across town. A decade into life as cheese experts, we could never have imagined where life would take us and are excited to continue our cheese-y journey!
Reviewed By cherylt535
My family did a Gold Tasting from Antonelli's Cheese Shop - 7 kinds of cheese, 3 charcuteries, 3 chocolates - as part of a group event. Antonelli's was super accomodating and substituted all kinds of pickled beets, peppers, and veggies in lieu of the meat for us. The cheesemongers walked us all through the courses explaining the flavors, processes, terroir, and unique characteristics. It's just like fine wine! We learned a lot, had a ton of fun, and got to ask questions and get recommendations on food, wine, and beer pairings. I definitely recommend this for special events or group meetings. They also offer open courses and events. They offer specialty cheeses that you just can't find anywhere! We enjoyed some of these unique cheeses so much that right after our meeting, we went right back to the web site to order our favorites!
3. Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Founded in 2009 Con' Olio Oils and Vinegars is the first premium olive oil tasting bar to set up shop in Austin. The Con' Olio experience - influenced by Europe's unique food culture, street markets and small-town cafes - is available at two Austin locations: The Arboretum & in Bee Cave at the Gateway to Falconhead .
4. Austin Vintage Guitars
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By feric
One of the best selections of vintage Fender and Gibson electrics I have seen. They also have a few other brands, some acoustics, some pedals, large bass selection and a good sized collection of vintage amps. Also some non vintage but great quality used gear. Their inventory of electrics compares or exceeds the stores in Nashville or LA.. Yes, I have purchased from them and very satisfied with service and the time they allowed me (on an off for a few days actually) to demo and compare. Will return.
5. BookPeople
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By bluescrossroad - Havertown, United States
BookPeople is an incredible bookstore, staffed by knowledgeable people who are well read and able to make intelligent recommendations. More cities should have stores like this one. I could have spent the day there!
6. Texas Sake Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By jtbc558 - Hickory, United States
First visit to Texas Sake Company, a fun place to try the Sake flights and learn about the Sake making process. Our group of four shared two different Sake flights: regular Sake (4 different samples) and “bubbly” Sake (3 different samples). Definitely worth a visit. Plan to go somewhere else for your meal (before or after your visit) as no substantial food service is available...just enjoy the Sake.
7. Limbo Jewelry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Limbo Jewelry is a local boutique featuring eco-friendly and ethically sourced jewelry inspired by architecture and handcrafted with care in Austin, Texas. In addition to our locally designed and handcrafted jewelry, we also carry a variety of Austin based artists and artisans for a unique curation of gifts, accessories, apparel, and more. Our SoCo shop features our in-house original jewelry designs handmade from the finest materials. Inspired by architecture, modern and clean simple lines make our jewelry creations as unique as they are beautiful. Owned and operated by local designer Edson Enriquez and wife Anne Rutt, everyday Edson looks to his surroundings and transforms it into wearable well-designed jewelry, largely inspired by the clean lines of architecture, the organic shapes of nature, and travels to his homeland, Mexico. The seamless relationship between beauty and simplicity can be seen in each piece of Limbo Jewelry. Focused on the balance between clean lines and geometric shapes, Limbo is emerging in the slow fashion movement as a sustainable brand to watch. With attention to detail, every piece is hand-crafted in our Austin, Texas studio. We solder, fabricate, and forge semi-precious and precious metals with care. Limbo Jewelry is crafted with the highest quality materials and processes available. We believe the instant classic feel of our designs will stand the test of time in durability and style.
8. Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By tamjan2021 - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
A wonderful costume shop with tons of choice for Halloween. The dressing rooms are in a private section with full length mirrors and all the wigs are in another section with its own attendant. I loved all the jewelry and props — will defanitely go back!! the location is a prime location and the fact it opens until so late is a huge perk.
9. Austin Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Let our friendly volunteers guide your stay in Austin. Stop by our new downtown Visitor Center for information on tours of the city, events, can't-miss destinations . . . even dining suggestions. And while you're there, browse around Austin's official gift shop.
Reviewed By PCYC869 - Oxnard, United States
I almost always visit visitor centers when I travel , I called this place from LA even before I came ! This one is fun to visit, lots of information ‼️ You can learn about tours , just anything one can do in Austin and it’s surrounding area ‼️ It’s rt next door the Hilton, which has a delightful place to eat breakfast if you are meeting your tour group The staff was really helpful , would go there again
