An Austinite’s Guide to Summer Travel

From cow cuddling to surfing to sliding down sand dunes, here are dozens of fun ways to explore Texas (and beyond!) this season.

By Madeline Hollern & Laurel Miller

May/June 2025

OVERNIGHT

No need to suffer through highway gridlock for a brief getaway. Book an overnight stay with the best view of the city at Loren Hotel Austin. Ascend the glass elevator for expansive views of Lady Bird Lake and downtown at its stylish rooftop restaurant, Nido, and enjoy bar snacks like bluefin tartare and octopus carpaccio on the breathtaking terrace. If you’re seeking a playful staycation, Downright Austin Hotel is just the place to keep cool thanks to its Swim Club, an aqua-and-peony-accented fever dream billed as a “historic pool turned social club.” Featuring a bar program designed by Travis Tober (Nickel City), the venue is essentially an ongoing pool party with live music and DJs. For those who want a hotel that doesn’t feel like one, head to Frame Hotel – SoCo, which eschews front desks and utilitarian decor in favor of zen water features, private lanais, and verdant gardens canopied by lush trees and greenery. thelorenhotels.com/austin; instagram
.com/downrightaustin; framehotel.com

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