There’s plenty to explore beyond the conference venues! Whether you have a free afternoon or an extra day in town, here are some of the general and local chairs' favorite things to see or do in Austin. We hope that you can enjoy some of these recommendations from your hosts.
Yuke Zhu · General Chair
Take a swim at Barton Springs Pool — the spring-fed water stays around 68–70°F.
Stop by the Texas State Capitol — an easy way to learn a little about Texas history.
Rent a retro boat on Lady Bird Lake — really fun with a small group and a great way to see the city.
Catch live music in downtown areas for a taste of Austin’s music scene.
Peter Stone · General Chair
Visit Mayfield Park to see their free-roaming peacocks.
Visit Mt. Bonnell, one of the highest points in Austin at 781 feet.
Go stand up paddling at the Texas Rowing Center.
Get a ticket to Esther’s Follies.
See some jazz at the Elephant Room.
Get a drink at the piano bar at the Driskill Hotel - Austin’s oldest operating hotel.
Joydeep Biswas · Local Chair
Visit the Austin Central Library and read a book on the garden terrace (30 minutes to 1hr+)
Take a stroll through the research trails at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (1-4 hours)
See a life-size replica of the world’s largest pterosaur at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum, and then step inside a building that is itself a work of art at the Blanton Museum of Art: Austin, the only building ever designed by Ellsworth Kelly. (1-4 hours)
Try a prohibition-era cocktail or a modern twist at the Roosevelt Room. (1-2 hours)
Roberto Martín-Martín · Local Chair
See one of the first Gutenberg Bibles at the Harry Ransom Center (it also has the world’s first photograph and one of Frida Kahlo's self-portraits.)
Go up to Nido at the Loren Hotel and have a coffee or drink with amazing river views.
Go to a hidden speakeasy such as Firehouse Lounge or Garage.
Enjoy the new park at Waller Creek: The Confluence.
Try Terry Black's BBQ (not the best, but the closest to downtown.)
Enjoy music and a never-ending party at the (in)famous 6th Street.
Try Clay Pit Contemporary Indian Cuisine in a historic building.
Get coffee or drinks at The Codependent.
And to add to Joydeep’s recommendation above - the new cafe, Café Crème, at the Central Library is amazing!
April Cafaro · Local Chair
Grab a breakfast taco at Taco Joint - the migas is my favorite!
Stroll down South Congress Avenue and stop at Allen’s Boots for a bit of Texas flair.
Get a drink and enjoy the Austin views at P6 located at the LINE Austin hotel.
Explore the UT Austin campus and get some Longhorn swag at the University Co-op. You can also do a self guided tour and see all of the landmarks on campus.
We hope attendees will take time to experience Austin beyond the conference. Known to be the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin also has stunning outdoor experiences, a vibrant entertainment culture with local art, and has one of the country’s most distinctive culinary scenes.
Whether you explore a museum, walk along Lady Bird Lake, hear a local band, or share barbecue and breakfast tacos with fellow attendees, we hope Austin provides a welcoming and memorable backdrop for CoRL 2026.
For additional ideas, dining guides, maps, and visitor information, visit the official Visit Austin website.
Shared Electric Scooters and E-Bikes
Electric scooters and e-bikes, including Lime vehicles, are available throughout downtown Austin and can be a convenient option for short trips between the JW Marriott and the Hilton. Scooters and e-bikes may also be useful for traveling around downtown or to get to the Long Center. Please use these at your own discretion and follow all applicable traffic rules and operator instructions.
For information on how to operate a Lime e-scooter and Lime e-bike, please visit the official Lime website.
Experience Autonomous Transportation in Austin
Austin offers the chance to experience autonomous vehicles during and beyond the conference. If you are interested in trying a robotaxi during CoRL, here is how to check your options.
Waymo: Open the Uber app, turn on your autonomous vehicle preference under Account → Settings → Autonomous vehicles, and request an eligible ride. If a Waymo is available for your trip, Uber will offer you the option to accept it.
Tesla Robotaxi: Download the Robotaxi app and enter your destination to check whether a ride is available.
Zoox: Download the Zoox app to check whether you can access a ride in Austin and whether your trip is within its service area.
Availability, service areas, and pickup locations vary. Check the relevant app before making travel plans, and allow another way to reach your destination if a robotaxi is unavailable.