Ever walk past a restaurant every day without knowing the story behind it? Or stop to admire a mural without knowing who painted it or why? Locals Know ATX tours invites guests to slow down, look a little closer, and experience Austin through the stories that make its food, art, and neighborhoods so memorable.
The tours are built around the details not found by simply pulling up a map. They’ve spoken with restaurant owners, managers, artists, and local experts to uncover the history, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories that bring each place to life. Along the way, guests get to skip the lines, try curated bites, and let someone else worry about the route, timing, and what to order.
“We are all about creating unforgettable memories, and this experience makes room for strangers to become friends, coworkers to connect on a deeper level, or people to celebrate milestones in a unique way.”
-Ashley Bowling
Then there’s the social side of the tour. A friendly, knowledgeable guide helps make those first introductions easy and keeps the conversation flowing. Tour-goers usually start with the basics, but by the second stop, they’re swapping stories, laughing, and getting to know one another. Sometimes, a few hours with strangers turns into new friends and plans to meet up again.
That’s one of the best parts of exploring Austin this way: getting to discover something new while sharing the experience with people who are just as curious about the city. In fact, cofounder Ashley Bowling states that about 70% of Locals Know ATX tour-goers are from the Austin area.
Austinites are especially prone to sticking to familiar routines of visiting their usual spots, but there’s always a new bite worth trying, hidden menu gems all over town, and another slice of the city waiting to be noticed. “And more importantly,” Ashley notes, “we are all about creating unforgettable memories, and this experience makes room for strangers to become friends, coworkers to connect on a deeper level, or people to celebrate milestones in a unique way.”
Central & East Austin, eastsideatx.com/foodtours, @localsknowatx
Count Me In!
Locals Know BBQ Tour
Locals Know Taco Tour
Locals Know Art & History Tour
Locals Know Secret Menu Tour
Tours run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with corporate and private tours bookable during the week. Stay tuned for new launching soon! The Ultimate Guy’s Weekend, The Ultimate Girl’s Weekend, and The Ultimate Texas Tour are all in the works.
