A city that has pledged to keep itself “weird,” Austin is artsy, outdoorsy, progressive and Texan in equal parts. Here, pour-over coffee, Western wear, barbecue and even Mexican free-tailed bats (more on them later) all exist in perfect harmony. Rent kayaks or pedal boats and cruise along Lady Bird Lake. Indulge in retail therapy on South Congress. Eat your weight in tacos. Ogle colourful murals and contemporary art. And of course, listen to some live music. Austin may be a quirky outlier, but it’s also some of the most fun we’ve ever had.
A short round-up of Austin’s must-see sights…
Barton Springs Pool: This three-acre swimming pool fed by underground springs in Zilker Park is a favourite during Austin’s steamy summer months. Sunbathe, swim, picnic, repeat. (The pool’s renovated bathhouse opens this year.)
South Congress: This lively avenue, lined with restaurants, bars and shops, stretches for about 16 blocks, making it a popular Austin street-cum-neighbourhood to stroll and wander. Browse cowboy boots and Western goods galore at legendary Allens Boots. Peruse design objects at chic Noah Marion. Grab your morning brew and breakfast burritos at Jo’s Coffee, and snap a photo of yourself at the famous “I Love You So Much” mural around the corner.
Texas State Capitol: Dating back to 1888, this elegant red granite building, topped with a rotunda and dome featuring a Goddess of Liberty statue, is largely modelled after the U.S. Capitol. Learn more about the grand architecture and the surrounding grounds on a free 30-minute guided tour, or join Austin Detours, for a two-hour city tour that includes the capitol as well as other landmarks and neighbourhoods.
Blanton Museum of Art: Having just completed a major refresh of its entrance plaza (note the 12 fan-like pillars by Oslo-based design firm Snøhetta), this small but mighty art museum, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, houses some 21,000 works of Latin American, North American, European and contemporary art. The cornerstone of the collection is Ellsworth Kelly’s standalone Austin building, featuring mouth-blown stained-glass windows on three of the four façades that allow for colour and light to play throughout the day.
Rainey Street: In downtown Austin, this historic corridor is popular for its nightlife scene, specifically craftsman-style bungalow homes that have since been converted into laidback bars with live music. Grab a seat on a leafy patio, order a bite from a nearby food truck and watch as revellers come and go.
...and a longer look at Austin’s lesser-known spots
Congress Avenue Bridge
The largest colony of bats in the world, some one-and-a-half-million Mexican free-tailed bats have made the underside of this Austin bridge their home for decades. Around sunset, from mid-March through fall, the female bats emerge and take flight nightly in a sight that draws visitors and locals alike. Talk about a bat cave.
Zilker Botanical Garden
Set on 28 acres within Zilker Metropolitan Park, this downtown oasis features a multitude of themed green spaces from a serene Japanese garden with koi-filled ponds and fragrant roses to a butterfly trail and sun-loving succulents.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
If you’re visiting in early April, be sure to check out the beautiful bluebonnets in bloom at this nature center.
Continental Club
An icon dating back to 1955, this no-frills club endures as one of the best spots to listen to live music in town. From country to blues to rockabilly, sway and clap along into the wee hours of the night.
Ransom Center
An absolute hidden gem, the extensive collection at this University of Texas at Austin research center includes a wooden paint box belonging to poet E. E. Cummings; Jack Kerouac’s notebook detailing his writing of On the Road; Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird; and one of only 20 complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the world.
What — and where — to eat in Austin
There’s an embarrassment of foodie delights in the Texas capital, so start by sufficiently caffeinating yourself at Houndstooth coffee, which has several locations across the city.
Come lunch, dig into the whipped feta, dusted with crushed pistachios and Aleppo pepper, and oyster mushroom kebabs at Aba, a Mediterranean fixture. Alternatively, Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Nixta, helmed by chef Edgar Rico, serves up terrific tostadas.
Arrive at dusk to Nido, a gorgeous rooftop that looks across Lady Bird Lake to Austin’s shimmering skyline. Nurse a Lonesome Dove, made with Habanero tequila, grapefruit and prickly pear, and take in the sweeping views.
You know a place is fantastic when you are wowed even more by each subsequent dish. Lutie’s is exactly that place, from the house baked bread with brown butter to chickpeas with herbs to the okra with Creole-inflected curry.
Though it has since expanded to several U.S. cities, Uchi Austin is where James Beard Award‑winning chef Tyson Cole rose to fame. The restaurant’s nontraditional take on Japanese fare is nothing short of delectable. Finish with the beloved fried milk dessert.
Where to stay
Colton House Hotel... This residential-style property along South Congress Avenue sits in the heart of the action while still offering plenty of tranquillity and seclusion. The bright and minimalist suites, 79 in total, come in studio and multi-bedroom configurations with full kitchens as well as living areas. The outdoor pool and patio are perfect for beating the Texas heat. When you feel hungry, hit on-site food truck La Taquicardia for salsa-doused chilaquiles.
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