East Austin moves at its own pace. East Austin moves at its own pace. It’s where locals run along lakeside trails, murals cover entire walls, and restaurant patios fill with people gathered around communal tables. Austin’s eastside community is gritty, creative, and sprawling with good food options and outdoor activity.
East Austin’s brand-new apartment community, Lirica, provides access to all the hot spots and hidden gems.
This is your itinerary to East Austin’s best: including creative centers, outdoor trails, athletic activity, and top restaurants and coffee shops.
Explore Arts & Shopping
Canopy Arts Complex
Austin’s east side is known for its hip, artistic vibe, which is why it’s worth exploring the Canopy, a Central East Austin arts complex featuring multiple galleries and studio spaces where local artists share their passion and creativity with the community. Each gallery has their own programming and hours, but the first Saturday of every month is an Open Canopy where visitors can tour the entire complex.
East Austin Market Sidewalk Shops
If you’re looking for a more casual art exploration, you can find it at East Austin Market, a quarterly outdoor sidewalk arts market hosting a curated mix of local makers and artists.
East Austin Mural Walk
Take a self-guided tour of the murals of East Austin while appreciating the color and beauty local artists bring to the community. Start at the “Creative Action Mural” on East 17th Street, make a stop at “We Are East Austin” on Chicon Street, and end at “Welcome to Austin” at Lott Pocket Park. In total there are eight murals to tour!
Boutiques on East 11th Street
For a little retail shopping, check out the boutiques and vintage stores on East 11th Street. Here you’ll find charming house decor, vintage clothing pieces, and fun bookstores that pair reading with wine!
Explore Outdoor Trails
Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail (East Austin access)
The Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail (also known as the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail) is where you’ll find Austin locals bike riding, running, or taking leisurely strolls. This 10-mile long trail winds through downtown and offers stopping points like the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue, Festival Beach Wildflower Meadow, and the boardwalk.
Boggy Creek Greenbelt
The Boggy Creek Greenbelt starts at an 89-acre park nestled in the heart of east Austin. This 2.5-mile trail winds through beautiful wide green spaces, park pavilions, and a community garden.
East Boggy Creek Greenbelt & Walnut Creek Trail
The East Boggy Creek Greenbelt is only a mile and a half from Lirica, our East Austin apartment community. It loops around a forested park right next to Walnut Creek Trail, another beautiful trail alongside Boggy Creek.
Delve Into East Austin’s Fitness & Wellness Culture
East Austin has a large fitness and wellness community. Along with outdoor hiking trails, you’ll find a diverse range of recreational facilities that are worth visiting not simply for the workout, but to discover the passion East Austin holds for activity.
Fitness Studios & Gyms
If you’re looking for a true workout in the area, these locally owned fitness studios and gyms are incredible representations of the community’s love for fitness.
- Lift ATX is a major hub for gym-goers. Its warehouse-style facility and passionate community attract powerlifters, bodybuilders, and competitive athletes. If you’re looking to visit a gym while in East Austin that strays outside the norm, this is the one worth checking out.
- East Austin Athletic Club, located on East Cesar Chavez, is a functional and strength-based training studio that also hosts classes as well as member events like pub runs and potlucks!
- Prana Wellness Yoga has a beautiful studio on East 11th Street leading yoga, breathwork, and pilates classes. If you’re looking for a class focused on wellness and mindfulness, this is the spot!
- Rise Kickboxing is a great workout to try for newcomers. These cardio-based workouts incorporate bag work, kickboxing drills, and strength training that work up a sweat! Plus, the studio encourages community and beginners.
- Fitcidence is especially distinctive. It’s a music-based workout offering strength, cardio, and dance classes with some themed classes that make movement fun! Plus, they offer beginner friendly classes – perfect for visitors who want to engage in East Austin fitness culture.
The Austin Bouldering Project
The Austin Bouldering Project is a 50,000-square feet facility housing a yoga studio, bouldering wall, open fitness space, and saunas. The Bouldering Project Springdale location is considered the world’s largest bouldering gym, plus, they offer climbing training, rotating climbing routes, and youth classes.
If you’re looking to be active during a trip to the East Austin area, visiting the Austin Bouldering Project is a must.
East Austin Paddle Club
Play pickleball with friends at East Austin Paddle Club! You can book either indoor or outdoor courts at this facility. Plus, they offer lessons and an open play where players can join pickup games.
East Austin Run Club
The East Austin Run Club starts at Yellow Jacket and often meets at Flitch Coffee or the Austin Bouldering Project, encouraging an inclusive, welcoming environment.
Other run clubs have sprouted up like Desnudo’s own run club and The East Side Beer Runners.
Restaurants & Coffee Shops
East Austin is home to some of the city’s best artisanal coffee shops showcasing unique flavors and innovative atmospheres. Here are some of our favorites.
Desnudo Coffee
Desnudo Coffee is one of East Austin’s most popular locally owned coffee shops. Operating out of a mobile trailer, they are most known for their innovative flavors like the Brown Sugar Miso Latte, and their value-focused supply chain model that prioritizes coffee quality and their partnered farmers.
Fleet Coffee
If you’re into specialty coffee and looking for a calm spot to bring a book or laptop, Fleet Coffee is a great option. The owners of this quaint cafe are championship-winning baristas and they partner with a rotating list of specialty roasters.
Lou’s Eastside
Lou’s Eastside is sort of a mix between a diner and a fast-food restaurant with a turfed outdoor patio, walk-up order and pick-up station, and a classic menu with burgers, fries, and milkshakes. It’s an awesome choice for a casual bite to eat in East Austin.
De Nada Cantina
De Nada Cantina is a trendy, laid-back taco restaurant on the East Side known for tasty margaritas in pink plastic buckets and awesome barbacoa tacos. Always buzzing with locals, De Nada is the perfect place to meet up with friends.
Micklethwait Barbecue
Any Texas itinerary isn’t complete without a stop for barbecue and Micklethwait Barbecue is one of the renowned Texas BBQ spots. Located in East Austin on Springdale Road, Micklethwait serves scratch-made, oak-smoked meats, sausages, and outstanding homemade bread.
Lirica Apartments: East Austin at Your Fingertips
East Austin isn’t just a neighborhood – it’s an entire feeling. If you’re looking to move at the pace of the East Side with proximity to outdoor activity, laid-back restaurants, and creative community, Lirica puts you right in the middle of it.
Explore Lirica’s brand-new studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and live-work homes located on East 7th Street. Here, we offer shared community spaces that bring together East Austin’s energy and modern, functional living.
Schedule a tour at Lirica and explore East Austin with this crafted itinerary to the neighborhood!
