Austin

my pals and me in front of the famous austin mural

my pals and me in front of the famous austin mural

 

I’ve been to Austin twice; once for a friend vacay and once for my buddy Beth’s 30th bday. I loved it both times. I really get the appeal of Austin. The weather is nice (just don’t go in the summer), the food is bonkers good, the music scene is supes fun and the swimming spots are killaaa. As you read my notes, you’ll see I need to go back many more times to eat at all the restaurants I have written down.

Things to see and do:

  • Barton Springs pool

  • Bars on Rainey Street

  • The Austin Mural and the I Love You So Much graffiti (for picsss)

  • Congress Ave bridge (bats come out at dusk!)

  • Alamo Draft House movie theater 

  • Graffiti Park (12th + Baylor)

  • East 6th St

  • Mozarts for coffee and a view of lake

  • Mellow Johnny's bike shop 

  • Billsmap for show listings 

Where to stay:

  • Hotel Saint Cecilia (this one seems real nice)

  • Hotel San Jose (really great spot, easily my fave)

  • Austin Motel (relaxed place, cute shop in the check-in area)

Restos I liked:

  • Lambert's BBQ 

  • Torchy's Tacos (get the breakfast tacos!!!)

  • Fresa's South First (the best queso of my whole life)

  • El Chile Cafe (mexican)

  • Sway (cool asian fusion spot)

  • Mrs P's Electric Cock (fried chicken)

  • Gordough's Donuts

  • Sandy's (custard, old school spot)

  • Launderette (this place was greaatt)

  • El Naranjo

  • East Side Pies

  • Perla’s

  • Amy’s Ice Cream

Restos I want to try:

  • Olamie

  • Franklin BBQ (lunch only, not open mondays)

  • Uchi

  • Rosita's Al Pastor

  • Emmer & Rye

  • La Barbecue

  • Magnolia Cafe

  • Tacodeli

  • Odd Duck

  • Bufalina

  • Hillside Farmacy

  • Via 313

  • Veracruz All Natural

  • Paperboy

  • Las Trancas

  • Elizabeth St Cafe

  • Micklethwait Craft Meats

  • Cooper's (uber driver reco)

  • Epicerie (for beignets)

  • Salt Lick (for bbq, I think its outside of town?)

  • Gordough's Public House

  • Matt's El Rancho (get Bob Armstrong dip)

  • June's

  • Josephine House (pricey)

  • Ramen tatsu-ya

  • Justine's (french)

  • Chuys (texmex)

  • The Mighty Cone (fried chix truck near Barton Springs)

  • Papalote (bfast tacos)

  • Taco mex (bfast tacos)

  • Hopdoddy (burgers)

  • El Arroyo

  • Las Cazuelas (tex mex) 

  • Cisco's (migas, bfast + lunch only)

  • Curra's grill (avocado marg, 7.4)

  • Swift's Attic (tapas)

Live music spots:

  • Broken Spoke (honky tonk)

  • Elephant Room 

  • Continental Club 

  • Bangers on Rainey st 

Night time spots:

  • Rio Rita (for bloodys and Palomas)

  • The Jackalope

  • The Driskill Hotel (fancy/pretty)

  • The Grackle 

  • Hotel Vegas 

  • The Liberty

  • Clive Bar on Rainey st

  • The Longbranch Inn ($2 pbr)

  • Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon (for chicken shit bingo)

Shopping:

  • Shops on South Congress (faves include Uncommon objects, Lucy in disguise with diamonds, Prototype vintage, Off the wall vintage, Big top candy shop and Allens boots)

  • Piñatas on the east side 

  • Vintage on South 1st

  • Heritage Boot

  • Friends of Sound 

  • Waterloo Records

  • Book People

  • Breakaway Records 

  • Turquoise Door 

Things to do outside of Austin:

  • Hamilton Pool Preserve (need a res!)

  • Wineries outside town 

  • Salt lick BBQ

  • The Oasis on Lake Travis​