You picked the right place.
Welcome to Double Down ATX. Austin is a perfect spot for your trip, with incredible food, world-class live music, amazing outdoor activities, and a vibe unlike anywhere else. This guide is packed with Kyle's personal recommendations, built over years of hosting friends here in ATX. Two homes, a cowboy pool, a fire pit, and the whole city minutes away. Have an amazing trip.
Essential Info
Check-in: after 4:00 PM. Check-out: before 11:00 AM.
Self check-in, with full arrival details sent before your stay. Keep an eye on your Airbnb messages.
Connect to the “Big Fun Stays” network and fill out the quick splash page. No password required.
1511 Summit St, Austin, TX 78741, just across the river in East Austin. You are minutes from Rainey Street, downtown, Sixth Street, and Lady Bird Lake, with the kayak launch practically around the corner.
Just two big ones from Kyle:
1. Respect the neighbors. Please wrap up outdoor time around 10:00 PM so you do not keep the neighbors up.
2. Have fun. Austin is a great city, so enjoy your time here and do not hesitate to reach out for recommendations or anything you need.
Double Down is two homes that together sleep up to 16.
Kyle built this guide over years of hosting friends in Austin. Call or text anytime at 727-481-5632 for recommendations, questions, or anything you need during your stay.
Property Amenities
Everything that makes Double Down the spot. Tap any item for how it works.
The centerpiece of the backyard, perfect for cooling off or hanging out all day. It can also be heated and used as a hot tub. Heating instructions are sent via Airbnb message on your arrival day.
String lights, sun loungers, and a fire pit make the backyard the place to be at night. Fire-pit lighting instructions are in the home.
A full grill setup with an outdoor dining area. Bring your appetite.
Arcade games plus two classic consoles, a Super Nintendo Classic and a Nintendo Classic Edition, each loaded with 30-plus built-in games. Perfect for rainy days or late nights in.
A Keurig and a standard coffee maker, so it is single serve or full pots, your call.
Spin some records and set the vibe.
A full set of board games and a poker set with chips, ready for game night.
🔥 Kyle's Hand-Picked Recs 🔥
Built over years of hosting friends in Austin, from the breakfast-taco spot five minutes away to the best night out on West 6th. Tap a category to jump in.
Tacos
Also worth a trip: De Nada Cantina on South 1st for the best margarita in Austin and killer tacos.
El Tacorrido
★ Kyle's Top PickRight off Riverside Drive, five minutes from the house. Some of the best breakfast tacos in Austin at a great price.
Torchy's Tacos
Austin-born (it started as a single food truck) and now beloved worldwide. Best queso in Austin per the Chronicle 2026, and the Trailer Park taco is delicious.
Tacodeli
Tons of locations make this one of the easiest picks. The Jess Special (avocado, egg, bacon) is legendary. A true Austin staple.
Taqueria De Diez
Tijuana-style street tacos that are simple, authentic, and absolutely delicious. A great local pick for something a little different.
Breakfast Tacos
Arguably the most Austin brunch move of all. Grab tacos from El Tacorrido, Tacodeli, or Torchy's for a quick, affordable meal that is genuinely one of the best you will have all trip.
Texas BBQ
Terry Black's Barbecue
★ Kyle's Top PickOur top pick for BBQ thanks to a faster-moving line and lots of seating. Outstanding brisket and the full Texas BBQ experience without a brutal wait.
Franklin Barbecue
The legendary pilgrimage. Obama was the only person ever allowed to skip the line. Arrive by 9 AM and it is worth every minute if you are up for it.
LeRoy and Lewis
Austin Chronicle 2026 Best BBQ and a Michelin Star. Creative, non-traditional BBQ where the bacon rib is one of the best bites in Austin.
La Barbecue
Michelin Star and a Franklin alum, with a shorter wait than Franklin and stunning brisket.
Interstellar BBQ
Michelin Star and worth the drive north. Consistently ranked among the best in the entire state.
Sit-Down Dinners
Reservations recommended. Book ahead for groups.
Uchiba
★ Kyle's Top PickChef Tyson Cole's Japanese izakaya, with inventive cocktails, incredible small plates, and the same magic as Uchi in a livelier setting.
Emmer & Rye
James Beard-nominated farm-to-table on Rainey Street, and one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Austin right now.
Perla's
Excellent seafood on South Congress with a great patio and a gorgeous raw bar.
Jeffrey's
Austin's premier steakhouse in the heart of Clarksville. Classic, upscale, and outstanding, with a private room perfect for bigger groups.
Sammie's
A great Italian spot right on West 6th, perfect for groups before a night out on the street.
Casual Eats & Pizza
Home Slice Pizza
★ Kyle's Top PickThe best option for a big-group pizza night. Order on DoorDash and do not skip the Italian sub, which might be the best sandwich of all time. Chronicle 2026 Best Pizza and Best Sandwich.
Salvation Pizza
Right on Rainey Street, a perfect group dinner before hitting the Rainey Street bars. Great pizza, great vibe, and an easy night planned.
Pool Burger
A tiki bar with great burgers and tropical cocktails, right next to the best dive bar in Austin, Deep Eddy Cabaret.
P. Terry's Burger Stand
Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Burger. Classic Austin fast food that will not break the bank.
Loro
An Asian smokehouse from chef Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Aaron Franklin (Franklin BBQ). Smoked meats with Asian flavors, and uniquely Austin.
Brunch & Coffee
Mattie's
★ Kyle's Top PickStunning brunch on the grounds of a historic estate in South Austin. A beautiful outdoor patio, incredible food, and a vibe unlike anywhere else in the city.
Paperboy
Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Brunch. The cheddar hash brown is cult-level good, with a manageable wait compared to most Austin brunch spots.
Josephine House
Upscale brunch with a beautiful Clarksville patio that captures the essence of Austin perfectly.
Kerbey Lane Cafe
Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Late-Night Dining, open 24 hours. Pancakes at 2 AM? Yes.
Mozart's Coffee
A classic Austin institution perched on the water, with incredible views of Lake Austin, great coffee, and a relaxed vibe.
Bars & Nightlife
West 6th Street
★ Kyle's Top PickOur number one spot for big groups going out in Austin. Favorites: Marfa Lights (country bar), Buford's (a massive two-story bar with DJs, games, and sports), Bull & Bowl (mechanical bull, bowling, karaoke, and great food), and Rustic Tap (tons of TVs and live music). You can easily spend the whole night here.
Rainey Street
A stretch of converted bungalows turned into some of the best bars in the city. Favorites: Banger's Sausage House (a massive beer garden with 100-plus taps and live music) and Victory Lap (an indoor-outdoor sports bar).
East Austin Bars
The coolest, most eclectic strip in Austin, more local and creative than Dirty 6th. Highlights: Whisler's (award-winning cocktails with a hidden mezcal bar upstairs), Chalmers (a laid-back outdoor sports bar), Cosmic Saltillo (a lively outdoor venue that is great for an early cocktail and is dog-friendly), and White Horse (a honky tonk with free line-dancing lessons).
Red River Cultural District
Austin's live-music heartbeat, and where you go for real Austin music culture. Favorites: Mohawk (the best outdoor stage in the city) and Barbarella (a retro dance bar that gets going after 11 PM).
Sixth Street (Dirty 6th)
The classic Austin party strip: loud, lively, and always a scene. It is best late night when the energy picks up. Favorites: Pete's Piano Bar (dueling pianos with a sing-along all night) and Blind Pig (an outdoor rooftop).
On the Water
Boating on Lake Austin
★ Kyle's Top PickRent a pontoon boat and ask to be picked up at Walsh Landing or the Hula Hut dock, then dock up at Ski Shores for food and drinks, one of the coolest places in Austin.
Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake
Live Love Paddle on Riverside (1610 E Riverside Dr) is our recommended rental spot, and it is super close to the house. They often have a live DJ in the middle of the lake on weekends. BYOB.
River Tubing Trip
Perfect for a hot day. We recommend AustinTubingTrips.com for a party atmosphere with transportation for your group, AC vehicles, and the closest, most popular venue.
Barton Springs Pool
The most popular Austin swimming hole, spring-fed and 70 degrees year-round.
Lake Travis
A 45-minute drive for boating, water sports, and zip lining. The Oasis restaurant has the best sunset views in Austin.
Parks & Austin Icons
Barton Creek Greenbelt
★ Kyle's Top PickHiking and swimming holes, with the best spots being Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls off Hwy 360. Park at 3918 S Mopac Service Road.
Mount Bonnell
A short, easy hike with stunning hill-country and skyline views.
Zilker Park
A great park for hanging out, frisbee, or catching a concert. It is the site of the Austin City Limits festival.
Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
1.5 million bats fly out at sunset. It is free and absolutely unforgettable.
South Congress Avenue
The heart of Austin, with eclectic shops, great restaurants, and pure Austin energy.
Play & Pints
Butler Park Pitch & Putt
★ Kyle's Top PickMy favorite course in the world. A nine-hole par-3 right in the city where you can rent a wedge and putter, play in a larger group, and go first-come, first-play with no tee times. Very laid back, and you can buy drinks on site. Swing easy.
Peter Pan Mini Golf
An Austin landmark that is cheap, BYOB, and always a blast.
Holey Moley
Indoor mini golf on the East Side with a full bar and arcade games. A one-stop fun spot.
Meanwhile Brewing
One of Kyle's favorite breweries, with a great play area and awesome food-truck options. A perfect afternoon hang.
Central Machine Works
A craft brewery on the East Side, part of Austin's fantastic beer scene and an easy afternoon activity close to the house. Lazarus Brewing nearby is another great East Side option.