Blog > Best Self-Care Spots in Austin
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Austin, TX has quite a reputation. It is recognized as one of the coolest cities in the country, for lack of a better word. It’s got delicious food, live music on every corner, beautiful street art, glamorous architecture, a booming tech scene, and endless outdoor space.
Best of all, Austin has a free spirit and a heart full of love.
If you live here, you know all of these things to be true.
But, you live here.
That means you also have to experience the traffic on I-35 or Mopac. You have a job, perhaps in one of Austin’s top industries like tech, medicine, or advertising, none of which are low-stress. You might have a family or a house to keep up with.
You’re basically dealing with the not-so-cool parts of life in Austin.
At Pure Realty, we believe in the importance of taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Fortunately, Austin has plenty of great spots for a little R-and-R.
SPEND SOME TIME WITH MOTHER NATURE
If you’re looking to get out of the city and breathe some fresh air, Austin is not lacking. If you’re not feeling the crowds of Zilker Park or the Greenbelt, here are some nearby options:
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
This 227-acre preserve is just west of downtown off of Loop 360. It’s in the care of St. Edward’s University, and provides free access to some of the most striking views. There are plenty of creeks, steep climbs, and rocky paths for adventurous hikers or gentler trails for a pleasant walk.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park
Take a drive to Dripping Springs, west of Austin, to enjoy Reimers Ranch. For only $5/person or $10/vehicle, you could spend the entire day here away from everything and everyone.
The park is a 2,427 acres and has miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Some of these trails are not for the faint of heart. Steep and rocky, get ready to break a sweat. The views are completely worth it, though. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore: tiny streams of water pooling in a cool little pool, small caves decorated with foliage that looks like a fairy land, crevices in the rocks along the Pedernales where you can basically have a riverside hangout all to yourself…
Speaking of the river, you can absolutely take a swim. The water depth ranges from ankle-deep to well over-head, and it is blue.
If that’s not enough, there is also some pretty intense rock climbing.
Guess going this spot depends on your definition of self-care!
hAVE A GOOD CUP OF JOE
If reading in a coffee shop is more your style, try out these swanky shops in Austin. Bring a book, a journal, or craft, and savor those sweet coffee-scented moments.
Walton’s Fancy & Staple
Walton’s is a darling coffee shop, deli, flower shop, and gift shop in downtown, right on West Sixth. It started out in the sixties as a flower shop in Westlake, but has since moved to its current location, where it serves up delicious coffee and great bites. Walton’s can satisfy any craving, from rich desserts created by their pastry chefs to a cozy breakfast of scratch biscuits and gravy, or to a fresh salad– whatever you’re feeling!
The shop is still selling plants, just like the did back in the day. It’s part of what adds to the fun vibe of the shop. Plants, succulents, and flowers of all kinds line the walls in the dining area.
So if you’re looking for the ultimate Austin coffee shop morning downtown, check out Walton’s!
Bennu
If cute plants and fancy desserts aren’t your thing, there’s another spectacular option in East Austin. Open 24 hours, this coffee shop is one of the chillest atmospheres around. Specializing in fair-trade coffee and eco-friendly practices, you can stop by here at any time of day or not to get a good brew and some peace and quiet.
A TRIP TO THE SPA
Not much beats a classic day of pampering yourself, restoring your physical body after a stressful week or month– or even a year– of non-stop craziness.
Treat yourself and keep it local with these options:
Austin Lake Spa
“Where wellness meets the water.” That’s how Austin Lake Spa describes itself, and it’s not wrong. This resort– voted #1 Destination Spa Resort in North America and the World in 2019– is right on Lake Austin, and provides almost every spa service imaginable, as part of an entire well-rounded experience. Not only can you get a massage, but you can exercise, take part in water sports, and nourish your body with some of the best food in town.
Transformative Self-Care: Therapeutic Massage and Yoga
If you don’t want to hit up a major resort, there is another smaller, but just as local, option. With almost 200 five-star reviews, this studio is run by hometown therapist Danielle. She is a self-proclaimed “wellness warrior,” providing massage therapy and yoga to clients. Her business is in Pflugerville, too, so it gives you a chance to break free from the hustle and bustle of downtown a bit!
RETAIL THERAPY
Mystic Market at the Canopy
The Mystic Market at the Canopy is a monthly event hosted by Rituals Austin. Different makers and mystics come together for a day of healing, self-care, love, and fun. The last market featured these mystics and makers:
- MOOD BY MOSS: AURA PHOTOGRAPHY
- FAR OUT ASTROLOGY: MINI ASTROLOGY READINGS
- KARISSA EVE MEDIUM: SPIRIT GUIDE READINGS
- RANDI MARKS: MINI-HEALING SESSIONS
- LA MYSTICA | ELISE ENTZENBERGER: MINI-TAROT READINGS
- INTO THE MYSTIC | IRENE TAPIA: MINI-TAROT READINGS
- MEESHA FARZANEH
- JOY ORGANICS
- RUST & PEARLS
- THE PERIAPT
- RITUALS AUSTIN
- LITTLE PIECES OF HOPE
- URBANE OBJECTS
- THE GOOD HIPPIE
If that’s something you’re into, check it out!
Tillery Street Plant Co.
Plants have been proven to have emotionally-supportive properties. It’s said that surrounding yourself with nature can boost your mood, so go surround yourself! While Austin is full of nature and nurseries, this one has a little something extra-Austin-y about it. It’s nestled in East Austin off of Tillery Street and is booming with character and calm vibes. There are also some great coffee shops and dives near by!
Second Street District
The Second Street District of Austin is known for its top-of-the-line restaurants and boutiques. Grab a cup of coffee, a tasty lunch, or go from shop to shop and indulge yourself in some local shopping.
Uncommon Objects
If you’ve lived here for a while, you may not have visited the staples in a while. Or if you’re new to town, here’s something to add to your list! Uncommon Objects has been in Austin since the early nineties. It started out as a small antique collective but has no grown into the junk emporium it’s known and loved for today. Stop by to see what unique thing you can find!
Book People
Another Austin favorite for the bookworms. If your definition of “me time” is a good book and coffee, head to Book People for some local literary love. Browse two stories of shelves while you sip on a beverage from the in-house cafe.
Waterloo Records
One more Austin gem. Waterloo Records is on the corner of Lamar and West Sixth in Downtown. It popped up in the eighties, when Austin’s music scene was well established. Like most record stores, it sold a variety of music to its patrons. Unlike other record stores, it catered to true music lovers. You can listen to records in the store before buying them, and still return them later if you don’t like them. If you time your visit right, you may even get to meet a local musician doing an in-store performance or signing!
GRAB A DRINK
The local craft beverage scene is HUGE in Austin. Most local patrons have their go-to, but if you’re new or want to shake things up, get back to basics with some Austin favorites.
If you go to these or any other place where you consume alcohol, please be responsible about how you get home later!
Austin EastCiders
Craft brew is about more than beer. In Austin, we’re brewing up cider, the Texas way. Well, it’s more like the English way, as the owner is from England, and it’s brewed with a European style. However, many of the ingredients are from the great state of Texas. Nothing artificial, ever. So if you want to unwind with an adult beverage, shake things up by trying some local cider.
Family Business Brewing Co.
If you are feeling a refreshing beer, get out of town by heading to Family Business Brewing Company, a brewery nestled in the hills of Dripping Springs and owned in part by Supernatural star Jensen Ackles. They have a variety of beers to try, as well as live music, a play area for the kiddos, and food trucks! The drive is also spectacular.
The Austin Winery
The Austin Winery is the first full-fledged “grape-to-glass” winery inside the Austin city limits. Take a day to sample some of their wines in the tasting room!
Tito’s Vodka Distillery
Tito’s is known far and wide as “America’s Original Craft Vodka.” You may have had it before in a cocktail, but have you ever taken a day to get away and drink it where its made? What makes it so special is that it is “so smooth you can drink it straight” (according to Tito himself). Distilled in Texas’ oldest legal distillery, head out and relax locally!
HOW DO YOU UNWIND IN AUSTIN?
We love to add to add to our list of things to do in Austin, so we can help our clients, who are oftentimes new to the area, get settled in as quickly and comfortably as possible! Let us know on Instagram by tagging us @pure.realty and use the #PureLife
