5 Great Guidebooks for Austin Travel

Feb 9

If you’re feeling cooped up, planning a dream vacation could be the perfect cure for your wintertime blues. These five guidebooks offer a slew of ideas on how to spend your time in bustling ATX.

Lonely Planet’s Pocket Austin

Covering a vast range of destinations, The Lonely Planet Pocket Series is known for its convenient, “pocket size” books. Pocket Austin is the perfect on-the-go resource for Austin’s endless array of attractions. Published in February of 2018, the guide features full-color, detailed maps and special insider tips for budgeting and experiencing ATX like a true local.

The book is color-coded; marked with user-friendly icons for quick and simple navigation. Pocket Austin‘s print version includes a free, full-size pullout map of the city, along with 15 individual neighborhood guides. Sample itineraries are also included to help you plan the highlights of your trip. Areas covered include the Warehouse District, the University of Texas campus and the 6th Street district.

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: San Antonio and Austin by Charlie Llewllin

Published in October of 2016, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles features 288 pages of guides on the best trails to be found throughout the Texas Hill Country. All trails are conveniently accessible from both Austin and San Antonio. The book focuses on lesser-known trails with lower traffic; providing serene and undisturbed looks at the beauty of Austin’s natural landscapes. Locations covered include the Gaudalupe River, the Lost Pines and the former LBJ Ranch.

Author Charlie Llewellin has called Austin home since 1991. His stories have been featured in Texas Monthly and Austin Monthly. 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles is available in paperback and eBook formats.

Birds of Texas by Stan Tekiela

A must-have for Austin-bound birdwatchers, Birds of Texas features over 170 species of birds native to Texas Hill Country. Published in April of 2004, the guide is filled with fun facts, habitat maps and detailed photographs to help birdwatchers identify their newfound feathered friends. The book is organized by a convenient color guide. See a blue bird? Simply navigate to the blue section of the book!

Author Stan Tekiela is a renowned naturalist and wildlife photographer with more than 25 years of experience in the field. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota, and has published over 100 books on the subjects of wildlife and wild plants found throughout the United States. Birds of Texas is available in print and eBook formats.

Austin Food Crawls by Kelsey Kennedy

This mouth-watering guide features 216 pages of famed Austin eateries and lesser-known hidden gems. Readers will embark on a culinary tour of ATX: a perfect resource for travelers new to the area, as well as locals looking to try something new.

Author Kelsey Kennedy is no stranger to Austin’s culinary scene. Kennedy launched a restaurant-review blog in 2016, which quickly grew to become a trusted reference for tourists and locals alike. Kennedy is a graduate of the University of Texas. Austin Food Crawls was published in August of 2019, and is available in paperback and eBook formats.

111 Places in Austin That You Must Not Miss by Nick Yeager and Kelsey Roslin

This 111-page guide focuses on unique, niche attractions not often found in more mainstream travel books. The book embraces Austin’s quirky, “weird” side, featuring full-color photos, business info and the history behind some of Austin’ most curious attractions.

Author Nick Yeager is an Austin native, committed to grassroots organization surrounding issues of social justice. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Wesleyan University and has penned a number of creative works about life in ATX. Co-author Kelsey Roslin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and Convergent Journalism from Denver’s Metropolitan State University. Her work has been featured in Bustle, Go World Travel and The Huffington Post. 111 Places in Austin is available in print format only.

Which of these Austin travel guides will you read first?