Visitng Austin

Spend a weekend or more in the capital city and you’ll quickly find that Austin’s reputation as Texas’s marquee destination for all things hip, fresh, and out-of-the-ordinary well deserved.  But, for all of its renown as modern and alternative, Austin wears its historic roots and good ol’ Texas pride on its sleeve.  Founded as the capital of the Republic (yes, as in ‘independent nation’) of Texas in 1839, its cultural history goes back even further.  The city’s roots can most readily seen in its architecture.  Anywhere you go in Austin, keep a look out for the black plaques with the City of Austin seals designated for buildings considered historical landmarks.  (Some of these buildings, like the one’s in the historic, nationally registered Clarksville neighborhood, are accompanied by informational plaques detailing the historical significance of the sites. So if you see one, be sure to read it.)

The perfect mix of small-town, easy-going charm and new-school, cosmopolitan flair, Austin appeals to a wide range of interests and personalities.  When it comes to entertainment, Austinites have it down to a science, boiling fun down to its most essential elements—sight, sound, and taste.  And, you’ll find that the locals are quite intense in their preference for places where they can indulge in as many of the three elements at the same time as possible. Whether it’s music, film, or food, Austin is constantly exploring fresh ways to enjoy them that are both unique and, like its residents, distinctly laid-back. Wanna eat while you watch a movie? Check out the Alamo Drafthouse. Wanna get a peek at the brightest and best in film and music before they’re famous?  SXSW is the nation’s premier music/film festival.  And, if you like to jam to your music while you eat, then take your pick.  From downtown, to South Austin, to the Eastside, it’s almost harder to find an eatery that doesn’t host live music than it is to find one that does.   Sixth Street is famous, the world over for its sprawl of juke joints and jazz bars. But for more relaxed fare venture into the South Congress area and the Eastside, where places like yours truly serve up their delicious food with a side of smooth tunes. J.Kelly's offers good music, great food and so much more!

Another thing about Austinites, they don’t walk. Well, they do of course, but you’re much more likely to find them swimming, biking, jogging, or hiking.  For those who take any and every opportunity to get outside, Austin is your town.  From lakes (courtesy of the Colorado River) to hike-and-bike trails to botanical gardens and parks.  If you’re more of the indoors-y type, Austin has intriguing smattering of small galleries and art museums, including the newly built Blanton Art Museum.  When you’re finished there, you can walk across the street to the Bob Bullock Museum and learn more about Texas than you ever thought there was to know. Or head across I-35 and check out the George Washington Carver Museum (just down the street from J.Kelly’s); enjoy some beautiful visual art and bone-up on your Black History. 

Of course, then there are those who believe you haven’t truly been to a city until you’ve dropped coin at a place with mannequins in the windows.  Rest assured shopping junkies, Austin can more than satisfy your urge to splurge. Downtown, and its surrounding enclaves are home to a mouth-watering variety of  small, hip shopping districts teeming with independent boutiques, shops, and stores ranging in price, style, and atmosphere from high-end to thrift-shop, from ultra-chic to boho funky, from trendy to classic and everywhere in-between. For national high-end (think Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Texas’ own Neiman Marcus) boutiques head out to the newly built Domain shopping center or head downtown to the 2nd Street District for smaller, independent boutiques.  And for the hipster in you, be sure to peruse the South Congress strip. 

All-in-all if you ever find yourself bored or hungry in Texas, you’re not in Austin.