Things to Do in Austin During Covid-19
October 6, 2020
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Austin has always been a creative city, and this creativity is being showcased now more than ever as local businesses find new ways to provide their services to the community during this unprecedented time.
As businesses have started to reopen (the Heywood included!), the message remains clear: Things may be different, but we’re still here!
From patio dining to museums to breweries and outdoor activities, there are plenty of things to do in Austin during Covid-19. Here are some of our concierge team’s top picks.
Patio Dining in Austin, Texas
We’re happy to report that nearly all Austin restaurants are open. Curbside pickup is ubiquitous and most places offer inside dining at reduced capacities. There are currently no restrictions on patio dining, and the beautiful fall weather makes this a great time to sit outside and enjoy a quick bite, cocktail or multi-course fine dining experience.
Located on Manor Road, Dai Due is a foodie favorite, known for their stellar wagyu cheeseburger and in-house butcher shop. As Dai Due is currently offering only outdoor seating and curbside pickup, reservations for its patio service are strongly recommended.
Tucked away on East Sixth Street in a quaint converted house is Licha’s Cantina. The naturally shaded patio area creates the ideal setting for sipping margaritas on a crisp fall evening. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are strongly encouraged.
Another nearby patio option and Heywood guest favorite is Launderette. The patio is the perfect spot to enjoy your meal at this James Beard-nominated restaurant. Walk-ins and reservations are welcome, but as a safety protocol, Launderette has removed their waiting area and bar seating.
See the Austin Bats
Watching the enormous colony of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge is a uniquely Austin experience that never gets old, and the experience is not significantly impacted by the Coronavirus. During early fall, the bats come out at sunset, typically around 7:30pm – 7:45pm.
Bat watching is a popular, free Austin activity. To stay socially distant from the crowds that line the bridge, consider watching the bats take flight from the Austin-American Statesman Bat Observation Center, on South Congress Ave. adjacent to the bridge. There are also several spots on the Butler Hike & Bike Trail with good visibility.
If you’d like to see the bats directly from the waters of Lady Bird Lake, the Heywood crew can arrange a private sunset kayak tour for bat watching.
Visit an Austin Museum
If you’ve been missing culture during these Covid times, a tried-and-true destination is a museum. First on your list should be the Blanton Museum of Art. The recently reopened museum is located on the University of Texas campus and is home to temporary exhibitions and permanent installations, such as Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin.” The museum is currently open Wednesday through Saturday. Reserved tickets are required in advance.
Located downtown, Mexic-Arte Museum is a small museum and gallery that presents traditional and contemporary Mexican and Latino art and culture–and it’s one of just a few Mexican art museums in the United States. The museum is currently open daily and walk ins are welcome.
About a 20-minute drive from the Heywood, The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria is an outdoor museum that offers a quiet and peaceful oasis just outside of the downtown area. We love the views of Lake Austin, the tree covered trails, and the modern sculptures located throughout this inviting space. The museum is currently open Thursday through Sunday. Advanced ticket reservations are required.
Visit Austin’s Best Breweries
October in Austin is always prime brewery season and this year is not too different. Make a reservation at Jester King Brewery, a beer lover’s dream destination! The brewery, which specializes in limited run “wild yeast” varietals, is located on a sprawling 200-acre farm, just under 20 miles from the hotel. Grab a made-in-house pizza while you are there; their ingredients are sourced from fermented or foraged ingredients and their dough contains 100% Texas grains and is leavened with the same wild yeast they use to ferment their beer.
If you are looking to stay in the neighborhood, check out the Heywood’s beer partner, Austin’s favorite Zilker Brewing on East Sixth Street. Known for their hoppy IPAs, a visit to this industrial taproom and outdoor patio is a must. And, if you can handle the heat, make sure to give the onsite food truck, Spicy Boys Chicken a go! We also love nearby Lazarus Brewing for beers, coffee, and tacos (their queso fundido is also a must-try!). Both breweries have ample, well-spaced outdoor seating, perfect for a beautiful and Covid-safe afternoon or evening.
Check Out Austin’s Best Barbecue Joints
If you’ve always wanted to see what the hype is about, but have been reluctant to stand in the famously long lines at Austin’s top barbecue joints, your moment has arrived.
To adapt to new dining protocols due to Covid-19, nationally-known spots like Franklin Barbecue and La Barbecue have implemented online ordering and curbside pickup while their dining rooms remain closed. This means that you no longer need to wait for hours to try some of the world’s best brisket, ribs and sausage. We recommend placing orders a couple of days in advance since these popular places still tend to sell out.
Enjoy the Beautiful Austin Outdoors
Austin is known as an outdoor city, so it’s no surprise that we’ve leaned on our parks, walking trails, and greenbelts over the last few months during the Covid pandemic.
Go for a walk or pick up some bikes (the Heywood provides them complimentary to all hotel guests!) for a ride along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail. This 10-mile long trail offers a little bit of everything: downtown views, water, and plenty of sight-seeing along the way.
Austin’s favorite green space, Zilker Park, is another iconic spot that also offers a safe way to spread out. Lay down a blanket and enjoy the Austin weather during October. This is arguably the best weather of the year, after all!
Another option is to enjoy a socially-distant picnic at Barr Mansion. The venue hosts a Wednesday evening picnic on their lovely tree-filled property, with plenty of delicious organic meal options including pizza, sweets, salads, picnic basket essentials (food is required in order to reserve a spot). Make reservations early as this event typically sells out fast!
Book a Covid-Safe Boutique Hotel in Austin
Of course, guests of the Heywood can also enjoy the fall weather from a private patio just a few steps away from their room. Our courtyard patio can be your own personal oasis in the heart of East Austin. Many of our guest rooms even feature their own personal outdoor spaces. Crack open a free beer from Zilker Brewing Company and truly relax and unwind!
If you are looking for more things to do in Austin during Covid-19, rest assured that the Heywood Hotel team is working like mad to keep up with all of the new re-openings and service changes. Guests checking into the Heywood can access our new digital concierge system for up-to-the-moment recommendations. All content has been selected by our stellar concierge team. The Heywood is dedicated to helping guests have the best possible time in Austin, now and always.
Featured image by @meganmarkham.