Ultimate Guide to Austin - Netted
Guide • March 3, 2016

Ultimate Guide to Austin

Experience Austin with these 19 apps and services for going out and getting around ATX
Presented in partnership with
  • Favor

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    Usually, if you want toothpaste and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, you have to go to the store. But life is better in Austin, and here you can just have Favor get it for you. Make your request and a Runner will fetch it for a small fee. Plus, Netted readers get the delivery fee waived on their first order with code NETTED.

    Running errands on your own? Do it with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Buddytruk

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    You’ve finally relocated to Austin and decided to ditch that old couch for a new one. Too bad you don’t have a car big enough to haul it from the store. Use Buddytruk to get instantly matched with a driver and vehicle capable of moving that beautiful new chaise. Pay through the app and you’re good to go.

    Moving is more fun with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Spokefly

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    You tried, but you couldn’t quite fit your bike in your carry on. Not a problem! Use Spokefly to rent someone’s bike for 15 cents per minute. Reserve one in the app, get the code to unlock it, and ride all over town. When you’re done, lock it up again and leave it, and the app handles your payment.

    Find friends and check in to new places along your ride with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Foursquare

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    Be the person that knows all the insider spots in any city around the globe. Foursquare, the exploration app, is for discovering where to eat, drink, shop and play, with tips and insights from millions of users who are also always in search of the next great find. It’s your standard-issue city guide app on steroids, with recommendations curated just for you and tips and lists from the brands you trust most. You’ll be a local anywhere you go.

  • Austin 311

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    That pothole at the end of your block is large enough to swallow a small child, so make sure it gets fixed with Austin 311. This straightforward app lets you request all kinds of city services and repairs, from dead animal collection to sign maintenance and street sweeping.

    Stop playing “sidestep the pothole” and use Swarm to keep up with friends and know about all the popular spots in Austin. Get Swarm today.

  • Hooked

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    Listen up, all you cash-strapped college students: Grab Hooked to browse limited-time, student-only deals at various eateries around the UT Austin campus. Just pick your discount and show it at the register to claim your cheap eats. That means more money for your new beer pong table—er, textbooks. Yeah, textbooks.

    Be the mayor of your local cheap eats spot with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • SXSW Go

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    Heading to Austin for SXSW? Make sure you get SXSW Go, which has a full guide to all the concerts and events, and lets you save your favorites to plan out how you’ll spend your time there. Oh and keep an eye out for us, we’ll be the ones crowdsurfing.

    In Austin for SXSW? Find out which party your friends are at. Download Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • car2go

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    Buses and trains are great, but sometimes you need your own set of wheels. Luckily, getting a car in Austin has never been easier: The popular car-sharing service car2go is available here. Get the app to find a car and reserve one right from your phone, then drive where you like and park it nearly anywhere in the city—no return necessary.

    Once you get where you’re going, check in to show friends you arrived. Download Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Keep Austin Dog Friendly

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    Can’t go anywhere without Fido? We feel you. Download Keep Austin Dog Friendly, a free iOS app for locating dog-friendly bars, restaurants, and businesses in Austin. Sort by map or list and make sure your buddy can tag along wherever you go.

    Don’t forget to check in when you get there with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Splash

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    Hosting a party in Austin? From backyard BBQs to taco truck crawls, you have to make sure your event looks as awesome online as it will be in person. Splash can help with that. Plug in event details, choose a theme, customize the design, and within minutes you’ve got a beautiful, mobile-responsive event site. Sign up and host an event for free at splashthat.com.

  • Supper

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    Sometimes you want to sip an Old Fashioned and melt into a leather armchair. Other times you want to do Jaeger bombs and find some cheap pizza. Whatever kind of spot you’re in the mood for, Supper’s curated recommendations for Austin won’t fail you: Search for food, bars, and nightlife and filter by the kind of vibe you want, from “Classy” to “Party” and everything in between.

    When you go out to eat and drink, you’ll earn coins and stickers in Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Metropia

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    Driving is the best except for when it’s the worst. Use Metropia (for iOS and Android) to omit the guesswork in your commute. “Reserve” a trip ahead of time on less busy routes at less congested times for rewards (gift cards, a donation to your favorite charity, etc.). Create less air pollution, crowded roadways, and get rewarded for your efforts.

    Know where your friends are so you can take a break from your drive with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Byte

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    There are few food scenes better than Austin’s. Know where to visit with Byte (for iOS and Android). Unlike other food and restaurant review services, Byte requires customers physically visit an establishment to leave feedback, so you know the reviews are legit. Plus, customers can leave feedback on individual dishes so once you’re there you even know what to order. Did somebody say Red oil wontons?

    Check in at your favorite restaurants with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • 6th Street

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    Spending a night on Austin’s historic Sixth Street? Download the appropriately named 6th Street app to explore the best bars, live music, restaurants, and food trucks in the area. Even find parking or easily call a ride home.

    Claim Mayorship on 6th Street with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Swarm

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    Looking to add some fun into your every day? Swarm turns the daily grind into a game by allowing users to earn coins and stickers for visiting new places, hanging out with friends, and establishing routines like going to taco spots three weeks in a row. Banish FOMO: Keep up with your friends and see when they’re nearby, so you never miss out.

  • Green Map

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    Take a break from food trucks and SX (or don’t) with a visit to one of Austin’s wonderful parks. Browse comprehensive park map Green Map (on iOS and online). Search for spots with batting cages or skateparks and take a break from the city.

    Find your friends in the park with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Austin Monitor

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    Know why there’s no urban rail line running down Lamar and Guadalupe? Think you know about development and affordability in Austin? Want someone to tell you why people are upset with Lyft and Uber? We recommend The Austin Monitor for the inside scoop on life in central Texas.

  • Do512

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    Maybe you’re the kind of person who likes seeing all the options laid out in front of you. Get Do512 and discover all the art, music, and culture happening in Austin right now. Search by category or your location to see what’s going on nearby and create a profile to keep track of your upcoming events.

    Check in and earn points at your favorite cultural events with Swarm—the app that turns every day into a game. Get Swarm today.

  • Overnight

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    Need a cozy place to sleep for the night? Overnight is the fastest way to find reasonably priced last-minute accommodations during your visit, all from Austin locals. If you’re an Austin local, earn a $1000 signup bonus for hosting. Learn more here.

  • Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles

    Prev 20 / 20

    Visiting LA soon? Check our Los Angeles City Guide to live like an Angeleno.