Top things to do within walking distance

Within walking distance of Austin Proper Hotel (600 W 2nd Street) you can spend minutes at the 5th-floor rooftop pool and La Piscina, walk the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, and reach live-music venues like ACL Live at the Moody Theater and Sixth Street within a few blocks. Downtown museums, the Texas State Capitol, and several on-site dining and spa options are also an easy walk away.
In this guide
Rooftop pool and La Piscina (5th floor)
Austin Proper's rooftop pool and sun deck are on the 5th floor and are reserved for registered hotel guests and Proper Club members. Lounge chairs are first-come, and cabanas are reservable for three-hour blocks with full food and beverage service.
La Piscina Ceviches & Fajitas is the rooftop's poolside restaurant and bar, serving coastal Texas–influenced Mexican dishes and drinks from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Poolside food and beverage service is provided by La Piscina daily from 11:00 a.m. until sunset.
- Pool access: hotel guests and Proper Club members only
- Cabanas: reserve via the hotel (three-hour access, includes food/bev service)
- La Piscina hours: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (daily)
| Service | Times / Notes |
|---|---|
| La Piscina (pool deck dining) | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Pool (guest access) | Reserved for registered guests & Proper Club members; lounge chairs first-come |
| Pool cabana reservations | Three-hour blocks; contact hotel to reserve |

On-site restaurants and bars
Austin Proper offers several dining venues under one roof: The Peacock Mediterranean Grill & Bar (ground floor), La Piscina (rooftop), Goldie's Sunken Bar, The Quill Room (upstairs music lounge), and Kappo Kappo (French–Japanese).
The Peacock serves breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner with Mediterranean influences. Goldie's is the floral-walled cocktail bar that also offers Afternoon Tea (Friday–Sunday, by reservation). The Quill Room runs live music on select evenings and may be closed for private events on other nights.
- The Peacock Mediterranean Grill: Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch (weekend), Dinner — reservations via OpenTable or phone (+1 512-628-1410)
- Goldie's Sunken Bar: Cocktails & small bites, Wed–Sun 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.; Afternoon Tea Fri–Sun 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (reservation required)
- The Quill Room: Live music Thu–Sat evenings (hours vary; may close for private events)
- Kappo Kappo: Dinner service with a French–Japanese menu (hours vary; see concierge)
| Venue | Primary Service Hours |
|---|---|
| The Peacock Mediterranean Grill | Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (breakfast 7:00–11:00am; lunch 11:00–4:00pm; weekend brunch 7:00–4:00pm; dinner evenings) |
| Goldie's Sunken Bar | Cocktails Wed–Sun 4:00pm–12:00am; Afternoon Tea Fri–Sun noon–3:00pm |
| La Piscina | 11:00am–10:00pm (rooftop) |

Walks and outdoor activity: Lady Bird Lake and the Hike-and-Bike Trail
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail runs along Lady Bird Lake and is a block south of the hotel; it’s a common route for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Shoal Beach (at Town Lake Metropolitan Park) and kayak/paddleboard launch points on Lady Bird Lake are within an easy walk.
The hotel provides complimentary city bike rentals (subject to availability), which makes short rides along the trail convenient. Plan outdoor activity for cooler parts of the day during summer months when temperatures and humidity can be very high.
- Trail access: a short walk south from the Second Street District
- Activities nearby: walking, running, biking, kayaking and paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake
- Complimentary bike rentals: City Bikes and eLECTRA options (subject to availability)
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hike-and-Bike Trail | Block south of the hotel; popular with locals |
| Kayak / Paddleboard | Launch points and rental operators operate on Lady Bird Lake |
| Shoal Beach (Town Lake Metropolitan Park) | About a 5-minute walk |
Music, theaters, and nightlife within a few blocks
Austin Proper sits in the Second Street District within short walking distance of ACL Live at the Moody Theater and Sixth Street's live-music venues and bars. The Paramount Theatre and other downtown venues are also walkable for most guests.
If you plan to attend shows, check venue schedules and allow time for entry lines. The Quill Room at the hotel runs its own live-music programming on select nights if you prefer to stay on property.
- ACL Live at the Moody Theater: a short walk from the hotel
- Sixth Street entertainment district: about a 5-minute walk
- Paramount Theatre: within walking distance (roughly 0.7 miles)
| Venue | Distance/Notes |
|---|---|
| ACL Live at the Moody Theater | A few minutes' walk from the hotel |
| Sixth Street | About a 5-minute walk; many bars and live-music venues |
| Paramount Theatre | Walkable from downtown (about 0.7 miles listed by sources) |
Museums, the Capitol, and local sightseeing
The Texas State Capitol and several downtown museums (including the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum) are within walking distance or a short stroll; the Capitol is roughly a 20-minute walk from the hotel per mapping sources.
Photo stops near the hotel include the Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson statues along the lakeshore; ask the concierge for recommended walking routes and current exhibit hours before you go.
- Texas State Capitol: about a mile / roughly a 20-minute walk
- Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum: downtown walking distance
- Statues and photo sites: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson statues are nearby along the lake
| Attraction | Approximate walking note |
|---|---|
| Texas State Capitol | About 20 minutes on foot (roughly a mile) |
| Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum | Within downtown walking distance |
| Stevie Ray Vaughan / Willie Nelson statues | A short walk near Lady Bird Lake |
Verbena Spa, fitness center, and recovery sessions
Verbena Spa is on the 4th floor and offers custom treatments, steam room access, and a Recovery Room with cold plunges, infrared saunas, and red-light therapy; bookings can be made by texting or calling the spa. Some signature treatments and new offerings (for example, the OxyLight Facial) are listed on spa materials.
The fitness center is open 24/7, covers roughly 2,000+ square feet, and includes Peloton bikes, Tonal strength trainers, Woodway treadmills, Pilates reformers, and more. The Daily Destination Amenity Fee includes access to the 24-hour fitness center and group fitness classes such as Mat Pilates and guided run clubs.
- Verbena Spa: bookable by anyone; includes steam room, five treatment rooms, and Recovery Room sessions
- Fitness center: open 24/7; equipment includes Peloton, Tonal, Woodway treadmills, Concept2 rower, and Pilates reformers
- Complimentary fitness classes for guests: Sunday yoga and Mat Pilates; guided run clubs Tue–Thu
| Wellness Offering | What to Expect / How to Book |
|---|---|
| Verbena Spa treatments | Custom treatments; book via spa phone/text |
| Recovery Room | Cold plunge, infrared sauna, red-light therapy; private sessions available |
| Fitness center & classes | 24/7 access; classes included with amenity fee |



