Visit Austin: weird & weirder
23 Mar 2015
It may be known as ‘The live music capital of the world’, but the local ‘Keep Austin weird’ movement has ensured that the quirky and creative culture has been thrust into the limelight.
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Even when the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the music/ film/interactive juggernaut South By Southwest are out of season, there’s live music all hours of the day. Float between the Continental Club (1315 S Congress Ave), Saxon Pub (1320 Lamar Sq), and C-Boy’s Heart & Soul (2008 S Congress Ave) to enjoy everything from country to rock to Texas swing. Head to the legendary Broken Spoke (3201 S Lamar Blvd) for line-dancing, and catch a performance at the Paramount, (719 Congress Ave) or Moody Theater (310 Willie Nelson Blvd) – Austin’s most visually and sonically stunning venues. Tour the quirky shops on South Congress Ave, then at sunset, go to the Ann Richards Bridge (305 S Congress Ave) to see the world’s largest urban bat population take flight. Feeling sporty? Canoeing through downtown on Lady Bird Lake or cannonball into Barton Springs, a chilly spring-fed pool located in Zilker Park (2100 Barton Springs Rd). Marvel at the Cathedral of Junk (4422 Lareina Dr), an artistic wonder south of town, then take in a show at the Zach Scott Theater (1510 Toomey Rd) or Esther’s Follies (525 E 6th St).
Eat
A pioneer of the food truck revolution, Austin will certainly meet your needs for cheap eats. From cupcakes to crepes, Italian to Thai, roasted beets to mac ’n’ cheese – for every craving, there’s a food truck. Remember, this is a city of unlimited BBQ and taco options. Try the “Mr. Pink” at Torchy’s Tacos (1311 S 1st St) and if the line at Franklin Barbecue (900 E 11th St) is too long (around three hours), head up the street to Micklethwait Craft Meats (1309 Rosewood Ave) instead. Hunger pangs can strike at odd hours, but Kerbey Lane Cafe (3704 Kerbey Ln) and Magnolia Cafe (2304 Lake Austin Blvd) are the staple 24-hour diners, featuring the often imitated but never duplicated gingerbread pancake. The upscale palette will feel at home at Qui (1600 E 6th St) or Uchiko (4200 N Lamar Blvd). For an innovative spin on Mexican fare, do not miss the authentic street corn at La Condesa (400 W 2nd St).
Stay
“So close, yet so far-out” is the slogan of the Austin Motel (1220 South Congress Ave), your best bet for an affordably unforgettable lodging experience. Each room is decorated in an outlandish style from any particular time period. Feeling homesick? The aforementioned ships on South Congress are in the neighborhood of Travis Heights, characterised by classically stylish houses privately rented on airbnb.com. Enjoy a wine sampling while dipping your feet at the Hotel San Jose (1316 S Congress Ave) or gaze up at the twisting oak trees at the secluded Hotel St. Cecilia (112 Academy Dr), named after the patron saint of musicians herself. For high-end accommodations in a more traditional setting, look no further than The W Hotel (200 Lavaca St). In addition to the W actually standing for “What you want when you want it,” this gem is conveniently located within an arm’s reach of a larger than life statue of Austin’s hometown hero, Willie Nelson.
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