What’s the deal with Austin?
Far from being an old-school, boot-scooting kinda place, Austin is home to mega music festivals South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. And with country and cumbia in its veins, it’s hardly a surprise that the city has earned itself the title of ‘Live Music Capital of the World.’ Seeking out its sounds is a young crowd of locals, students and settlers from the US’s coolest cities, many of whom respect the mandate to "keep Austin weird." Find them whizzing around on motorized scooters – more readily available than cabs—between the best spots for brisket, thriving dive bars and buzzing daytime hangouts (this city sure knows how to brunch). While taking in Downtown and South Congress Avenue’s quirky boutiques and Instagrammable sights is well worth your while, Austin also offers an annual party for Winnie-the-Pooh fans and a chance to try your hand at street art. There’s never a dull moment in this city full of sights and sounds.
If you only do one thing
You’d better catch a gig, given that music is in Austin’s DNA. If you’re not in town for SXSW or ACL, check out The Mohawk on Red River, a vibrant haunt hosting local acts across its indoor and outdoor stages. Or sample country at its best at The White Horse—the atmospheric East Austin saloon is great for a taste of two-step. Two left feet? Arrive at 7pm for a free lesson and you’ll be dancing like a Texan in no time.
The Mohawk, Red River
Dine in style
Get a table at Suerte, a modern Mexican restaurant honoring Austin’s hispanic influence—the goat tacos are unmissable (as is the Paloma on tap). Or go the whole hog at Stubb’s, one of the best BBQ spots that’s also home to gospel brunch on Sundays. Praise be to brisket and grits.
Eat on the cheap
Early birds, grab a breakfast taco at Cenote, where heavy-duty fans on a parasol-laden patio take the edge off that Texan heat. But ATX’s food truck scene is where it’s at for truly cheap eats. Hit up hubs in South Congress, Rainey Street and East César Chavez for Tex-Mex and fried fast food. Or find Arlo’s, a plant-based burger truck whose patties taste like the real deal.
Dinner at Suerte © Visit Austin
Drink like a local
If you’re a hophead, you’ve come to the right place. Austin produces some amazing craft beer. Swing by Zilker Brewing Company’s taproom on East 6th to get some real insight into those suds—its coffee milk stout is a whole new kind of buzz. Fancy a crawl? Hops and Grain and Blue Owl breweries are also worth calling in on while out east.
Stay up late
While East 6th Street (what the locals call Dirty Sixth) can get lively, take a trip to Rainey Street—although a touch studenty, this pedestrianized road filled with bungalow bars makes for a memorable (or maybe not!) crawl. Sample from an extensive beer list at Banger’s or settle for a session on the front porch at Icenhauer’s to feel like you’ve set up an actual home in Austin.
Rainey Street’s bungalow bar scene © Visit Austin
Soak up the vibes
South Congress (aka SoCo) is a strip filled with photo-worthy neon signage flagging old and new boutiques. Allen’s Boots has all the apparel you need for a night at the rodeo while Tesoros Trading Company stocks gorgeous artisanal goods imported directly from Mexico. Fuel your shopping spree at Amy’s, an ever-popular ice cream stand that’s well worth the queues. While in line, you’ll be sprayed with a gentle mist; a trip here is the ultimate cool-off.
Trying on for size at Allen’s Boots © Visit Austin
Get cultural
Although many rave about Austin’s street art (get a family-friendly intro at HOPE Outdoor Gallery), take it indoors at The Blanton on University campus. It’s home to the biggest permanent collection of art in Texas and focuses on output from across the Americas. The entry fee is waived on Thursdays, making works here as free as the stuff out in the streets.
Take a day trip
Zilker Park is the start-point of Barton Creek Greenbelt, an ideal place for rock climbing, hiking and biking. The park is geared up for family outings—you’ll often find free live music or shows at the Zilker Hillside Theater for entertainment aside from flying a kite. Or take a dip in natural waters—the iconic Barton Springs Pool should help you cope with those Texan temperatures.
Barton Creek Greenbelt © Jakob N. Layman
Hang out in this ‘hood
East Austin is a great place to base yourself. You’ll have Downtown within easy reach, and even closer access to the coolest bars, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and studios—many of which open up for free during East Austin Studio Tour in November. Stay at the Heywood Hotel, a cute converted bungalow.
Only in Austin...
ATX is also known as "Bat City," home to the world’s largest urban bat colony. And they look pretty good against a sunset backdrop—visit Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk in the hope of spying a swarm of the little critters (March to October is peak time for sightings). For more animal-related weirdness, time a trip to coincide with Eeyore’s birthday party (typically the last Saturday in April). Winnie-the-Pooh’s gloomy ass gets a one-day festival thrown in his honor in Pease District Park, it's a hippyish vibe that's been helping "keep Austin weird" since the ’60s.
Bat spotting at Congress Avenue Bridge © Shutterstock
Time Out traveled courtesy of Visit The USA
