Come for the Conference, Stay for Austin
The NISOD Spring Conference can be a great opportunity to combine professional development with time away. Austin offers a wide range of family-friendly attractions, outdoor spaces, and cultural experiences that make it easy to extend your visit beyond the conference schedule.
To make planning even easier, attendees are encouraged to book from the conference hotel block to take advantage of special rates and stay close to conference activities in the heart of downtown Austin.
Bring Your Family
Whether you’re traveling with a partner, children, or other family members, there’s plenty to explore nearby—from parks and museums to live music and local dining. Reviewing the suggested itineraries below can help you plan a trip that balances conference participation with memorable time together in Austin.
Bring Your Team
The NISOD Spring Conference is even more powerful when experienced together. Colleagues can learn side by side, spark new ideas, and return to campus aligned and ready to act.
- Use the registration code TEAM2026 when registering five or more participants at the same time to receive the 10% group discount.
- Use the registration code 11TEAM2026 when registering eleven or more participants at the same time to receive the 15% group discount.
Register today to receive the best rate!
Exploring on Your Own—or Together
If you’re traveling solo, feel free to enjoy the conference your way. Whether that means exploring independently, joining group activities, or a little of both, the conference experience is what you make of it.
Many conference attendees make new connections and will explore Austin together. The Whova app is a great tool to make plans. In the discussion threads, attendees often invite others to join them for dinner, sightseeing, and group outings. You never know who you will meet!
Itineraries
Choose your adventure! Discover what Austin has to offer and make memories with family, friends, colleagues, or go on solo adventures. Explore the city between conference sessions or plan to add travel days before and after the conference if your schedule allows. Start planning your experience in and around Austin, Texas with the itineraries below.
Day 1 – May 23 (Saturday)
- Breakfast option: Jo’s Coffee – Coffee, pastries and breakfast tacos at Jo’s Coffee. https://www.joscoffee.com/south-congress-jos The iconic “I love you so much” mural is here. Live music on weekends.
- Activity Option: Explore South Congress Avenue –Shop and explore. Must visit- Allen’s Boots. https://www.allensboots.com
- Activity Option: Explore South Congress Avenue for free street music and murals.
- https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/blog/post/austin-mural-tour/
- Activity Option: Guero’s Taco Bar (Oak Garden Stage) on South Congress- live music, shade, margaritas (family friendly!) https://gueros.com
- Upscale Dinner Option: Lamberts Downtown Barbecue – upscale BBQ with live music in the lounge. https://lambertsaustin.com
- Casual Dinner Option: Stubb’s BBQ- enjoy BBQ at the iconic music venue. Check the schedule for shows.
- Evening Show Option: Catch Sports at Mohawk Austin (doors 7 PM). * https://mohawkaustin.com
- Evening Show or Late-Night Option: Drinks at The Continental Club, an iconic Austin music spot since 1955. https://continentalclub.com
Day 2 – May 24 (Sunday)
- Brunch Option: Stubb’s Gospel Brunch – buffet with live gospel music. https://stubbsaustin.com/gospel-brunch/
- Brunch Option: Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden – live music and craft beer. https://www.bangersaustin.com
- Lunch option: Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co (ABGB) – craft beer, pizza, and local bands. https://theabgb.com
- Activity Option: Walk along Lady Bird Lake or visit Barton Springs. https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/blog/post/austins-hike-bike-trail /https://www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool
- Activity Option: Blanton Museum of Art. https://blantonmuseum.org
Dinner: NISOD Awards Dinner
Or, if you’re not joining us for the NISOD Awards Dinner…
- Upscale Dinner option: Roaring Fork https://www.roaringfork.com/
- Casual Dinner option: Hopdoddy Burger Bar on South Congress. https://www.hopdoddy.com
- Casual Dinner option: Stubb’s BBQ- enjoy BBQ at the iconic music venue. Check the schedule for shows. https://stubbsaustin.com
- Evening Show Option: Demi Lovato – It’s Not That Deep Tour at Moody Center (7 PM). https://moodycenteratx.com/event/demi-lovato/
- Evening Option: The White Horse – honky-tonk – often has free or low-cost shows. https://www.thewhitehorseaustin.com
Day 3 – May 25 (Monday)
- Breakfast Option: Veracruz All Natural for breakfast tacos (downstairs at the Line Hotel) https://www.veracruzallnatural.com
- Lunch option: Fareground Austin (Downtown Food Hall) Multiple local vendors under one roof. 11am-9pm. https://www.faregroundaustin.com
- Activity option: ACL Live Tour- at Moody Theater- get a behind the scenes look at ACL Live. Tours are approximately 90 minutes. https://www.acllive.com/tours
- Activity Option: Texas State Capitol Tour-https://tspb.texas.gov/plan/tours/tours.html
- Dinner option: La Condesa- Modern Mexican. https://lacondesa.com
- Dinner option: Bill’s Oyster https://www.billsoyster.com
- Evening Show Option: Antone’s – historic blues venue. * https://antonesnightclub.com
- Evening Show Option: Echo & The Bunnymen at ACL Live at The Moody Theater (8 PM). https://www.acllive.com/event/2026-05-25-echo-the-bunnymen-at-8-pm
- Late night option: C-Boy’s Heart & Soul- Drinks and live music on South Congress. * https://www.cboys.com
- Late night option: Sagebrush- lively honky-tonk. Old-school dancehall feel. Has outdoor space with picnic tables, vendor markets and a few food trailers. https://sagebrushaustin.com
Day 1 – May 23 (Saturday)
- Breakfast Option: Veracruz All Natural for breakfast tacos (downstairs at the Line Hotel) https://www.veracruzallnatural.com
- Activity Option: Typhoon Texas Water Park- in Pflugerville- slides, lazy river, wave pool (day passes available) https://typhoontexas.com
- Lunch option: Hat Creek Burger- near the park-https://hatcreekburgers.com/restaurants/round-rock
- Activity Option: UT baseball game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field (check schedule- likely will be an SEC playoff game). If baseball is not scheduled, consider a campus tour. https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/baseball https://admissions.utexas.edu/explore/visit-campus/
- Activity option: Bouldin Acres- Pickleball and several TVs for viewing games. https://bouldinacres.com/south-lamar/
- Dinner option- Uptown Sports Club- New Orleans vibes at Aaron Franklin (Franklins BBQ) eastside spot. https://www.uptownsports.club
- Dinner option: Vaquero Taquero – famous al pastor tacos near DKR stadium. https://www.vaquerotaquero.com
- Evening activity option: Bat Watching from the South Congress Bridge at dusk. https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/outdoors/bat-watching/
- Evening activity option: Book a bat watching boat cruise with Capital Cruises https://capitalcruises.com/bat-watching/
Day 2 – May 24 (Sunday)
- Activity option: Kalahari Resort in Round Rock: a massive African-themed destination featuring one of America’s largest indoor waterparks, complete with thrilling slides, wave pools, and family-friendly attractions. Day passes are available. https://www.kalahariresorts.com
- Activity option: Speed City/COTA Karting- go-karts and mini-golf at the iconic Circuit of the Americas. https://circuitoftheamericas.com/speedcity/
- Lunch option: P.Terry’s Burger Stand- several locations – https://pterrys.com/
- Lunch option: Hopdoddy Burger Bar – Several locations. Creative, chef-inspired burgers, house-cut fries, and craft cocktails. https://www.hopdoddy.com
- Lunch option: True Food Kitchen- vibrant, health-focused restaurant. https://www.truefoodkitchen.com/locations/austin/
- Lunch option: Terry Black’s BBQ- iconic Austin BBQ spot. https://terryblacksbbq.com
- Activity option: Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill-bowling in an underwater-themed setting with casual dining inside Bass Pro Shops. https://www.unclebucksfishbowlandgrill.com/
- Activity Option: Punch Bowl Social- Several locations. Bowling, karaoke, arcades and more. https://punchbowlsocial.com
- Activity Option: Butler Pitch & Putt- 3 par course, 9 holes. Food trailer Gimme Burger and drinks can be purchased in the club house. https://butlerpitchandputt.com
Dinner: NISOD Awards Dinner
Or, if you’re not joining us for the NISOD Awards Dinner…
- Dinner option: Hopfields – French-inspired gastropub near UT campus with craft beer and hearty plates. https://hopfieldsaustin.com
- Casual Dinner option: Hula Hut- Tex-Mex with a Hawaiian twist; great views of Lake Austin. https://www.hulahut.com/locations/austin/
- Evening activity option: Bat Watching from the South Congress Bridge at dusk. https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/outdoors/bat-watching/
Day 3 – May 25 (Monday) *
- Breakfast option: Jo’s Coffee – Downtown location. https://www.joscoffee.com/downtown-jos
- Breakfast option: Caroline- All-day eatery. Hearty breakfast. https://www.carolinerestaurant.com
- Activity option: Kayaking & paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake. Rental options
- Texas Rowing Center: https://www.texasrowingcenter.com
- Austin Rowing Club: https://austinrowing.org
- Rowing Dock: https://www.rowingdock.com/
- Activity Option: Spectate the CapTex Triathalon at Auditorium Shores. https://by.supertri.com/austin-triathlon/
- Lunch option: Lou’s – near Barton Springs. Burgers, chicken, and cocktails. https://www.lousaustin.com/barton
- Lunch: Taco Deli- Local favorite for breakfast and lunch tacos with award-winning salsa. https://www.tacodeli.com/
- Activity Option: Butler Pitch & Putt- 3 par course, 9 holes. Food trailer Gimme Burger and drinks can be purchased in the club house. https://butlerpitchandputt.com
- Activity Option: Topgolf Austin- a high-energy sports entertainment venue where guests play interactive golf games in climate-controlled bays while enjoying a full-service restaurant, bar, and lively social atmosphere. https://topgolf.com/us/austin/
- Activity Option: Swimming at Barton Springs. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool
- Dinner: Pool Burger- Next to Deep Eddy Pool and the iconic dive bar Deep Eddy Cabaret. https://www.poolburger.com and https://deepeddycabaret.com
- Dinner option: Honey Moon Spirit Lounge – chic spot for elevated comfort food and cocktails near campus. https://honeymoonspiritlounge.com
- Evening activity option: Bat Watching from the South Congress Bridge at dusk. https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/outdoors/bat-watching
*CapTex Triathalon will be taking place Monday morning, road closures may be in effect
Day 1 – May 23 (Saturday) Classic Austin & Zilker Fun
- Breakfast option: Kerby Lane Café- Long time Austin favorite with multiple locations. Visit the original Kerby Lane location in Central Austin. Waits can be long, consider joining the online waitlist https://kerbeylanecafe.com
- Breakfast option: Magnolia Café- Classic Austin breakfast spot on South Congress- open late night as well. https://www.magnoliacafeaustin.com
- Activity option: Zilker Park Playground- Burn off energy here at the large, shady playground. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park#ParkFeatures
- Activity option: Take a ride on the Zilker Eagle Mini Train- take a 10–15-minute train ride through Zilker Park. Not to be missed with little ones! https://www.zilkertrain.org
- Lunch option: Chuy’s Tex Mex- Original Barton Springs location-Classic Austin Tex-Mex. https://www.chuys.com/home
- Lunch option: Phil’s Icehouse + Amy’s Ice Cream- Large burger menu paired with Amy’s Ice Cream shop inside. Bonus: Each location has a playground! https://www.philsicehouse.com
- Activity Option: Austin Nature and Science Center – hands-on nature exhibits, education programs, and recreation activities for adults, families, and children of all ages. https://www.austintexas.gov/ansc
- Activity Option: Deep Eddy Pool- great for swimming with small children. https://www.deepeddy.org
- Dinner option: Matt’s El Rancho- Austin institution for Tex-Mex. On most weekends, balloon animals are made for kids in the waiting area. Menu item not to be missed- Bob Armstrong Dip- queso at its finest! https://mattselrancho.com
- Dinner option: Pool Burger. https://www.poolburger.com
- Activity + Dinner option: Alamo Drafthouse: Several locations. Dine while you watch one of the latest releases. https://drafthouse.com
- Post dinner treat option: Amy’s Ice Cream- several locations. https://amysicecreams.com
- Evening activity option: Bat Watching from the South Congress Bridge at dusk. https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/outdoors/bat-watching/
- Evening activity option: Broken Spoke from 7:30pm-9pm offers two-stepping lessons for $10. Family friendly until 9pm. https://www.brokenspokeaustintx.net
Day 2 – May 24 (Sunday) Museum & Downtown Fun
- Breakfast option: Whole Foods Market Flagship Store- Many different options for breakfast including smoothies and bakery. There is a playground and picnic area on the rooftop. https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com
- Breakfast option: Veracruz All Natural – breakfast tacos at the Line Hotel. https://www.veracruzallnatural.com
- Activity Option: Thinkery- Stay cool inside Austin’s premiere children’s museum. https://thinkeryaustin.org
- Activity Option: Laguna Gloria- outdoor sculptures and plenty of space for kids to explore. There are peacocks on the property too! https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/visit/
- Activity option: Blanton Museum of Art – https://blantonmuseum.org
- Activity Option: Bullock Museum – 3 floors of dynamic exhibitions. Check out the IMAX Theatre for current Texas themed films. https://www.thestoryoftexas.com
- Lunch option: Littlefield’s Tacos + Coffee- Has outdoor picnic tables. https://www.littlefieldsatx.com
- Lunch option: Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse- near the Thinkery. https://aviatorpizza.com
Dinner: NISOD Awards Dinner
Or, if you’re not joining us for the NISOD Awards Dinner…
- Dinner option: Austin Beer Garden Brewing (ABGB)- Off South Lamar. Live music and from 4-7pm free two-stepping lessons. Kid friendly! https://theabgb.com
- Dinner option: Central Market- North Lamar location. Pick up dinner inside the market and dine on the shady patio next to the playground. Often there is live music outdoors on the weekends. https://www.centralmarket.com/locations/austin-north-lamar
- Dinner option: Torchy’s Tacos – Creative tacos under $6 each. https://torchystacos.com
- Post dinner treat: Inside Central Market there is a gelato counter
- Evening activity option: Bat Watching from the South Congress Bridge at dusk. https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/outdoors/bat-watching/
Day 3 – May 25 (Monday) SoCo (South Congress) and Lady Bird Lake Fun
- Breakfast: Daymaker Café- serves diner classics. https://daymakeratx.com
- Breakfast option: Toasty Badger- diner classics on South Congress. https://www.loboshospitality.com/venues/toastybadgeratx
- Activity option: rent paddleboards or paddle boats on Lady Bird Lake
- Texas Rowing Center: https://www.texasrowingcenter.com
- Austin Rowing Club: https://austinrowing.org
- Rowing Dock: https://www.rowingdock.com/
- Activity Option: Peter Pan Mini Golf- Classic Austin mini golf within the true spirit of “Keep Austin Weird”! https://peterpanminigolf.com
- Activity option: Butler Park- interactive play area. Observation Hill provides panoramic city and Lady Bird Lake views. https://austin.com/winner/butler-metro-park/
- Activity option: Explore SoCo shopping and keep the kids happy with these stops…
- Big Top Candy- Old-fashioned candy store. https://www.bigtopcandyshop.com
- Allen’s Boots- Iconic boot store with kid sizes and fun for photo ops and souvenirs. https://www.allensboots.com
- Monkey See Monkey Do- Quirky gift shop. https://shopmsmd.com
- I Love You So Much Mural at Jo’s Coffee. https://www.ilovesouthcongress.com/i-love-you-so-much-mural/
- Amy’s Ice Cream https://amysicecreams.com
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream- https://jenis.com
- Activity Option: Cidercade: Over 150 arcade games with unlimited play for $10. Family-friendly until 8pm, then 21+. https://cidercade.com/austin/
- Lunch option: Sandy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers – Burgers under $10 https://sandysaustin.com/menu/
- Lunch option: Homeslice Pizza- South Congress. Has outdoor ping pong table. https://homeslicepizza.com
- Dinner option: Fresa’s – modern take on classic Mexican chicken al carbon. Kids menu available. Large outdoor patio dining and play area. https://www.fresaschicken.com
- Dinner option: Hula Hut- Tex-Mex with a Hawaiian twist. Great views of Lake Austin. With adult supervision, kids can explore the marina and watch the fish. https://www.hulahut.com/locations/austin/
- Evening activity option: Bat Watching from the South Congress Bridge at dusk. https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/outdoors/bat-watching/
- Post dinner treat option: Mozart’s Coffee- on Lake Austin near Hula Hut. Cookies and pastries. https://mozartscoffee.com
- Breakfast option: Kerby Lane on Guadalupe- Classic Austin breakfast spot- this location puts you right near campus to start the day. https://kerbeylanecafe.com/locations/university
- Activity option- Blanton Museum of Art: Features diverse art collections, including Latin American and modern works, with a popular outdoor space. https://blantonmuseum.org/
- Activity option: Harry Ransom Center: A humanities research center with significant holdings like the Gutenberg Bible, early photography, and literary manuscripts. https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/
- Activity Option: LBJ Presidential Library & Museum: Explores the life and presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. https://www.lbjlibrary.org/
- Activity Option: Texas Science & Natural History Museum: Showcases Texas’s natural history with fossils (like the Mosasaur) and wildlife dioramas. https://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/
- Activity option: Dolph Briscoe Center for American History: Home to unique archives and artifacts related to Texas and American history. https://briscoecenter.org/
- Activity Option: Bullock Museum: A larger, state-run museum focusing on Texas history, featuring an IMAX theater. https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
- Lunch option: Dirty Martin’s Place- Historic campus burger joint since 1926. https://www.dirtymartins.com/
- Lunch option: El Patio- Classic Austin Tex-Mex. https://www.elpatioaustin.com/
- Evening activity option: Donn’s Depot- gritty, historic Austin bar in a converted railroad depot known for strong drinks and classic live country and swing music. https://donnsdepot.com/
Other Attractions & Landmarks - The UT Tower: Offers panoramic views of the campus and city from the observation deck. https://tower.utexas.edu/
- Landmarks Program: Public art installations scattered across the campus, like Austin by Ellsworth Kelly. https://landmarks.utexas.edu/ and https://blantonmuseum.org/permanent-collection/austin/
- Visual Arts Center (VAC): Hosts contemporary art exhibitions from students and emerging artists. https://utvac.org/
- The Drag (Guadalupe Street): The bustling street bordering campus, filled with shops and eateries. Don’t miss the University Co-op for all things UT. https://www.universitycoop.com/
- The Littlefield Home & Campus: Historic university building. Not open for tours, but the exterior is stunning. Rumor has it that it’s haunted! https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/campus/buildings/information/nlogon/ maps/UTM/LFH/
- Dinner option: Hyde Park Bar & Grill- American Bistro in charming Hyde Park neighborhood close to campus. https://hpbng.com/
- Dinner option: Allday Pizza- Some of the best pizza in Austin. Sandwiches and salads are available too. https://allday.pizza/
- Dinner option: Bureau de Poste- an old post office was converted into this casual French bistro. https://bureaudeposteatx.com/?utm_source=google
- Sweet treat option: Zed’s Real Fruit Ice Cream-New Zealand-style ice cream with 3 Austin-area locations. https://www.zedsicecream.com/
- Sweet treat option: OMG Squee- Soft-serve ice cream with a changing rotation of unusual flavors and toppings- always gluten-free. Don’t miss the mochi donuts! https://www.squeeclub.com/about
Family-Friendly Activities Outside Austin
Water Parks and Play
- Kalahari Resort – 30 minutes from downtown Austin- in Round Rock, TX- Indoor and outdoor waterparks. Day passes are available. Dining options onsite. https://www.kalahariresorts.com
- Rock’N River Water Park- in Round Rock, TX- 30 minutes from downtown Austin. Slides and play areas. Great price points for entry. https://www.roundrocktexas.gov/city-departments/parks-and-recreation/facilities/pools/rock-n-river-water-park/
- Typhoon Texas Waterpark – 35 minutes from downtown Austin in Pflugerville, TX. Slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. Onsite dining options available. https://typhoontexas.com
- Volente Beach- 45 minutes from downtown Austin- Lake Travis beachside waterpark. Slides, rope course, lake/beach. https://www.volentebeach.com
- Schlitterbahn- 60 minutes from downtown Austin in New Braunfels, TX- 1 hour from Austin. Huge waterpark. Trams are available to travel between 2 sides of the park. https://www.sixflags.com/schlitterbahnnewbraunfels
Nature & Outdoor Adventures
- McKinney Falls State Park – 20 minutes from downtown Austin. Hiking trails, geocaches, and waterfalls. Can swim in Onion Creek. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls
- Mount Bonnell: 15 minutes from downtown Austin. Panoramic views from one of Austin’s highest attractions. https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/blog/post/mount-bonnell-for-beginners/
- Hamilton Pool Preserve- Dripping Springs, TX- 50 minutes from downtown Austin. Stunning natural pools. Reservations required for swimming. https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/parks/hamilton-pool-preserve
- Pedernales Falls State Park- 60 minutes from downtown Austin-scenic river views, hiking and swimming spots. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls
- Krause Springs- Spicewood, TX- 50 minutes from Austin. Shady natural swimming hole/spring fed pool. https://www.krausesprings.net
- Speed City/COTA Karting- about 30 minutes from downtown- go-karts and mini-golf at the iconic Circuit of the Americas. https://circuitoftheamericas.com/speedcity/
Animal Encounters/Interactive Fun
- Austin Zoo- 15-20 minutes from downtown Austin- rescue-focused zoo with lions, tigers, monkeys and more. https://austinzoo.org
- Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (Near San Antonio) – 1.5 hours from Austin- Drive-thru safari experience. https://www.wildliferanchtexas.com
- Dinosaur Park – Bastrop – 40 minutes from Austin. Life-size dinosaur replicas and nature trails. https://www.thedinopark.com
- Inner Space Cavern – Georgetown – 30 minutes from Austin. Guided cave tours with prehistoric fossils, zip rides and more. https://innerspacecavern.com
- Tickets: Book early for ACL Live and Moody Center shows.
- Transport: Use rideshare or walk between downtown venues.
- Weather: May averages 66°–86°F, perfect for outdoor patios.
- When possible, make reservations.
- Group up with other attendees in the Whova app to explore together!
Download a print-friendly version of these Austin itineraries here.