The Most Instagrammable Spots in East Austin
Prepare your camera! East Austin is packed with Instagrammable spots you can't miss. With diverse gems around every corner, your pastime will be truly unforgettable.
Nancy J. Hassler
Offering countless entertainment and places to visit, East Austin is one of the best areas to update your Instagram collection. Renowned for its stylish cafés, bustling streets, and iconic attractions, it allows you to fully experience the local vibe and create unforgettable memories. Let's explore some Instagrammable spots to build a unique itinerary.
Capture the Magic of East 6th Street
This historic area, rich with colorful stories, is considered one of the best Instagram locations in East Austin. Attracting both locals and tourists, 6th Street, which resides between I-35 and Congress Avenue, is an electric mix of countless highlights, including:
- restaurant and bars;
- live music performances;
- street art;
- pubs and clubs;
- food trucks;
- patio and lounges;
- events and festivals.
Notable spots include Hotel Vegas, Cisco's, Shangri-La, Latchkey, Practice Yoga, Zilker Brewing Company, Cielo Nightclub, Violet Crown Social Club, and Comedy Mothership — the list is endless. Moreover, accompanying your visits with SnapAds will allow you to earn rewards for exploring these stylish places! The vibrant food scene and lively entertainment venues will keep every nightlife enthusiast busy in this iconic district, which comes alive after dark. And don't forget to capture it!
Strike a Pose With the Majestic Giant Buffalo Sculpture
Inviting everyone to take a few exciting photos for their Instagram, this notable public art piece is located at the corner of East Cesar Chavez and San Saba streets before entering the store with unique goods, gifts, and other exclusives. Besides the buffalo's hand-painted features, such as its fur and eyes, a large "Welcome to the East Side" sign is displayed on a body part that is visually distinct from the rest of the animal.
Tau Ceti Mural As a Must-See Instagram Spot
The mural, which climbs 103 feet and references the star in the constellation Cetus, is the tallest artwork in Austin. Artist Josef Kristofoletti completed the project in 2018, intended to update the parking structure. A few years before the work was completed, there was a Tau Ceti installation, making it a public masterpiece.
It's difficult to pass by this mural without a few new photos in your gallery and Instagram Stories. Although the artwork's placement in an inverted corner creates a multi-dimensional experience, it is of interest to bystanders from any angle.
Craft Memories and Masterpieces at Blue Genie Art Bazaar
For over twenty years, the Blue Genie Art Bazaar has become one of the most anticipated markets in Austin and beyond. Each year, it gives several hundred applicants a chance to try their hand at selling exclusive handmade goods.
From the painted like a sultan's palace entrance into the spacious market, BGAB is filled with numerous paintings, sculptures, and the Blue Genie on the roof and here and there as an unrepeated mascot. In addition to the bustling sales, other events deserve a place on your Instagram.
Insta-Ready Vibes Await at Home Slice Pizza
Known for its delicious NY-style pizza by the slice or pie, Home Slice offers tasty dishes and numerous spots to take bright photos and publish them on Instagram. Cozy seating areas outside and inside lay the foundation for the exceptional style, complemented by eye-catching illustrations and graffiti, vintage photographs on the walls, and signs with inscriptions. The interior and exterior elements blended with delicious food and events make this neighborhood pizza joint special.
Snap the Perfect Shot at Deep Eddy Cabaret
Founded in 1951 by Raymond and Mickey Hickman, the Deep Eddy Cabaret is Austin's neighborhood bar, known for its cozy atmosphere and plentiful entertainment. The establishment's colorful and eccentric decor, including neon signs, numerous posters, photographs, and comfortable retro furniture, captivates the attention of Instagrammers.
The cozy beer joint's patio and pool, with cold cocktails and delicious snacks, are favorite spots for taking pictures. Moreover, theme parties and musical performances significantly energize them!
Love and Art Unite at the "Til Death Do Us" Mural
Painted at the Mexic-Arte Museum by local graffiti stencil artist Federico Archuletta, this eye-catching mural vividly represents Austin's street culture. Featuring two skulls facing each other over a heart and roses, it blends the best traditions of graffiti and muralism with Mexican motifs, making this colorful artwork popular and Instagrammable.
Resonating with the public, it carries a deep symbolic weight, becoming a favorite place for couples wanting to take romantic pictures and tourists exploring this striking emblem of the local cultural context.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya: The Ultimate Instagrammable Gem
A ramen shop on Research Boulevard is one of the most Instagrammable spots in East Austin, featuring a buzzing environment and flavorful dishes. The walls are lined with appealing illustrations and graffiti, often reflecting the unique aesthetics of Japanese culture. Created by local artists with their unique style, they boost the individuality of the establishment.
Besides taking photos against this vibrant backdrop, visitors are eager to capture the menu highlights and their unique servingware. Rich colors, lighting, and furniture are also integral to Ramen Tatsu-Ya, creating a cozy and cheerful atmosphere.
Discover the Whimsical Cathedral of Junk
Located in the backyard of a small house on Lareina Drive, the Cathedral of Junk is an exceptional sight. An artist finds extraordinary use for donated junk, creating original artworks that reflect a unique vision and sense of humor. Visitors can explore a fascinating array of materials, including vintage TVs and speakers, stones with bottle bottoms embedded, a chair adorned with colorful tiles, crutches, wheels, a motorcycle, carts, etc. These locations make the eyes diverge, creating fantastic Instagram photos.
Taquero Mucho: The Pink Paradise of East Austin
Owned by Gabriela Alma Bucio, the newly minted Mexican restaurant on Burnet Road is a natural paradise for Instagrammers with numerous photo zones both inside and outside. For example, you can take a photo in front of the cute cherries that decorate the building or pose next to a phone booth full of beautiful flowers.
Wherever you look, there is pink! The playful and unusual design creates a relaxed atmosphere. Creative dishes and cocktails such as Elote, Mangonada, Salsa Sampler, and Pink Margarita Clasica match this eye-catching style, significantly boosting engagement.
Get Your Green on at East Austin Succulents
The premier cactus and succulent nursery, sharing its location with the Tillery Street Plant Company, is a favorite spot for diverse plant species lovers and those willing to take photos in an aesthetically natural setting. The knowledgeable growers will help you choose a unique plant arrangement. At the same time, a constantly improving webshop offers shipping directly to your home or free pick-up of selected cacti, topical, and other home or landscape plants.
The retail store is one of Instagrammers' favorite locations in East Austin. Photos in the greenhouse surrounded by hundreds of diverse succulents, cacti, and drought-tolerant plants will give beautiful pictures, while sculptures and artworks add exceptional charm to Instagram posts.
Crossing The Lamar Boulevard Bridge Over to Instagram Fame
A historic pedestrian and bicycle arch bridge spans Lady Bird Lake, carrying Texas State Highway Loop 343. With lush parks and picturesque streetscapes, this spot offers stunning views of the lake, making it one of the most Instagrammable locations in the area. The bridge's architecture and unique atmosphere make walking here an unforgettable experience, leaving passersby no choice but to capture the panoramas and stunning sunsets.
Unleash Your Style at Cute Nail Studio
A magic rainbow studio, located at the intersection of East 7th and South Congress, is a supportive LGBTQIA+ and joyful aesthetic hub that attracts even those who do not need nail salon services. The "mermaid-lead, anarcho-socialist feminist pastel crew," as they call themselves, are true masters of their craft, ready to amaze you with their extraordinary approaches to the following beauty procedures beyond just manicure and pedicure:
- tooth gems;
- tattoos and freckles;
- multiple waxing types;
- eyelash extensions;
- facials and skincare treatments.
In addition to the services, you can buy the cutest in-store products for both care and accessories. The colorful and whimsical interiors provide a lively backdrop for Instagram photos. Moreover, thoughtfully designed spaces allow clients to unleash creativity, complemented by extraordinary nail designs that perfectly capture the salon's vibe.
Discover History and Beauty at the Texas State Cemetery
As strange as it may sound, cemeteries can also be considered Instagrammable, attracting people with mystery, architecture, and the beauty of nature. Located just a mile east of the Capitol, TSC is one of the state's largest and most famous cemeteries. It is the final resting place of many notable Texans, including officials, veterans, and cultural icons. From its impressive entrance, the Texas State Cemetery draws visitors with its striking gravestones, the mesmerizing Crescent Pond, and beautiful surroundings.
The Sunset Mural: Among the Most Instagrammable Spots
This Instagrammable spot on Wood Hollow Drive is a standout mural painting created in 2018 by artists Angelone and Bingham. Its white, yellow, orange, and red color palette evokes feelings of energy and warmth, while the street art style highlights the beauty of nature found in unexpected places. Encountering the latter in the urban landscape motivates visitors to seek out East Austin's spectacular sunsets, prompting even more photo opportunities.
East Austin is a true treasure trove of Instagrammable spots. With its mix of attractions, coffee shops, restaurants, murals, markets, and noisy events, there's something for everyone to enjoy while capturing their time in photos. So, arm yourself with a charged camera or mobile and search for hidden gems!