As the state capital, Austin, Texas is a large urban area with plenty of opportunities for tourism, fun, and adventure. Known for the city’s scene of enjoyable live music and large areas of greenery, there is no wonder why over 30 million people visit Austin each year.
Sustainability: Being sustainable in Austin is surprisingly easy when you know how to stay mindful and conscious of your choices. All it takes is a little research, and you can help reduce your impact on the environment and reduce your carbon footprint while traveling here!
Language: You can expect people in Austin to speak English, but a large number of residents also speak Spanish, making the city accessible for many, and you can find things to do in the city that are super affordable to incredibly luxurious!
Transportation: There are plenty of rideshare companies around the city, as well as buses and a metro system, making it easy to get around!
Climate: Also, the climate is pretty decent, especially if you’re travelling from colder areas, like the Northern part of the country, or elsewhere. Austin does fall in line with the seasons, but the summers are pretty hot, the springtime is amazing, and the fall and winter seem to have more milder temperatures.
Where to Stay
Airbnbs are often the better choices over hotels or resorts – because you are choosing to fund a local person or small business instead of a giant corporation. Contributing to the economy of the local people is one of the best ways to live a more sustainable life, and often it is cheaper than larger hotels and specialty chain restaurants.
When deciding where you’ll stay, make sure to read reviews and ensure that your host is top tier. You can also use sites like Tripadvisor to find sustainable and green options that reduce your carbon footprint and help you travel efficiently and enjoyably. Also, keep in mind areas that are near public transportation to limit your car use. Here are a few options to help you choose a place to stay that makes you feel good about your impact!
- Luxury | The Bloomhouse, Glass House near Lake Travis, Historic Casa Cartel
- Mid Range | East Side Beehive, Ramp House, Craftsman Cottage
- Budget | North Austin Tree House Studio Apartment (Superhost), Guesthouse Near Everything!
Also check out my 10 Best Hotels in Austin guide!
Many of the green hotels offer the choice to opt out of housekeeping, which saves energy and water, and conserves waste, and some choices like The W, choosing this option allows you to earn bonus points on your stay!
Where to Eat
While traveling I always try to eat from restaurants that are farm to table and use locally sourced ingredient. Here are a few great options to try:
Options | Farm to Table
Price | $$-$$$
In 2009, the owners were dedicated to creating a place to eat where all ingredients were sourced from local Austin farms. They have an option for everyone on the menu, from locally sourced pork and steak, roasted beets, and grilled fish tacos. They serve brunch, dinner, pastries and dessert, so there is a delicious meal waiting anytime.
Options | Farm to Table, V, VEG, & GF Friendly – All dishes customizable to Keto & Paleo
Price | $$
With 2 locations in Austin and delicious and carefully curated food designed to provide a mood boost and expand your palate, True Food Kitchen is passionate about their creative dishes and flavorful combos that nourish and sustain you! They aim to source with integrity, only partnering with growers that align with their values. Each ingredient is carefully sourced and chosen to make the perfect plate for every customer. With vegan spinach and mushroom pizza, edamame guacamole, grass-fed steak tacos, and GF lasagna bolognese, there truly is a place for any diet at the table.
3. Cafe Bon Appetit at St. Edwards
Options | V, VEG, & GF Friendly
Price | $$
Dedicated to being morally, ethically, and socially conscious in all forms of their business, Cafe Bon Appetit does everything from using both liquid and shell cafe-free eggs, addresses farmworkers’ rights, and supports local agriculture and humane practices. They are incredibly transparent and informative on their values, as well as focusing on plant-powered ingredients, with dairy, seafood, and meat as accents. They even have a weekly menu, demonstrating their mission while only using seasonal ingredients.
4. Casa De Luz
Options | V, VEG, & GF
Price | $$-$$$
Casa De Luz is more than just Austin’s one stop shop for an entirely plant based, organic, and gluten free menu. All of their food is even refined sugar and oil free, and they offer event spaces, a treatment center for counseling or therapy, and an auditorium designed for large meetings or fitness classes. Their meals are made daily and relatively affordable, and filled with hearty and delicious ingredients like fresh greens, nuts, mung beans, and seeds – as well as divine sauces like coconut curry and sunflower.
5. The Most Sustainable Meal: Bistro Vonish
Options | Farm to table, Vegan , Food Truck
Price | $
Easily, food trailers are the most sustainable option as they use less energy, space, and water as large restaurants. This food trailer, which is 100% vegan, uses fresh and in-season ingredients that creates their elevated cuisine. With brussels mac and cheese, seitan tacos, and cinnamon rolls, their menu is perfectly catered to anyone looking for sustainable and delicious southern comfort food.
What to do
Shop at locally owned sustainable stores! You’re more likely to find a unique souvenir at a small business rather than a popular chain, and Austin is full of amazing artists, designers, and shop owners to support. You can take a trip to Esby, an Austin-designed and USA-made clothing boutique, or Raven + Lily, a locally owned accessories boutique dedicated to providing products that will last, and supporting women in places traditionally upheld by men.
Travel by public transport! Consider taking the metro line when you can, hopping in a rideshare, or using bikes to get around town. There are several great bike and walking tours that will help reduce your footprint and get you out in nature. Outdoor Activities! As Austin has lots of greenery and beautiful days, there is no shortage of things you can do outside. Take a picnic to Zilker Park, or walk down the endless trails. Check out my guide to Nature Activities in Austin.
A few highlights are:
- Paddleboard at Lady Bird Lake
- Swim, bike, or hike at Barton Creek Greenbelt
- Get to know the local landmarks during a lovely stroll first thing in the morning.
Final Thoughts
Seek out authenticity– if you know any local Austinians, ask them what they recommend doing in the city that they love! Seek out local coffee shops instead of Starbucks’, read restaurant and hotel reviews before you go, and engage with the local culture. You can visit a museum or local art gallery, and explore what the city’s natives have to offer.
Before you support a business, identify their values to see if they align with your own. Consider traveling outside of peak times, like in the fall and winter, to avoid crowding the city. Visit places that rely on tourists to provide income, like local food trucks, restaurants, and shops near more dense areas. Once you put effort into being more conscious of your traveling, you’ll be able to enjoy your experience a lot more!
Traveling, as a system, is generally unsustainable, so when we do have the privilege and power to travel, it is always better to stay mindful of what we do and how we enjoy taking in new places when we can. If we want to see the system get more achievable and sustainable over time, it starts with small steps that we can take to be more mindful of our traveling approaches.
