Guidebook for Austin
Essentials
groceries, markets, cafes, yoga, libraries
Grocer / deli across the highway from Central Market. Sustainable, organic foods, great lunch soups and sandwiches. Locally owned and operated. www.wheatsville.coop
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Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StGrocer / deli across the highway from Central Market. Sustainable, organic foods, great lunch soups and sandwiches. Locally owned and operated. www.wheatsville.coop
Affordable, reliable yoga in a relaxing environment offers a variety of styles, times to suit your schedule. www.yogayoga.com/Westgate
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Yoga Yoga Westgate
4477 S Lamar BlvdAffordable, reliable yoga in a relaxing environment offers a variety of styles, times to suit your schedule. www.yogayoga.com/Westgate
You can walk or drive to Gold's, work out and be back in an hour, refreshed and de-stressed. Great gym with all the usual workout suspects. Check it out: http://www.goldsgym.com/austinsouthcentraltx/
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Gold's Gym
1701 West Ben White BoulevardYou can walk or drive to Gold's, work out and be back in an hour, refreshed and de-stressed. Great gym with all the usual workout suspects. Check it out: http://www.goldsgym.com/austinsouthcentraltx/
Great public library a 20 minute walk from the house! http://library.austintexas.gov/manchaca-road-branch
Manchaca Road Branch, Austin Public Library
5500 Menchaca RoadGreat public library a 20 minute walk from the house! http://library.austintexas.gov/manchaca-road-branch
Free, or drop-in, donation-based yoga classes; community-driven yoga offering a unique experience with luminous lighting, groovy music, and inspiring teachers to make yoga fun. blackswanyoga.com
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Black Swan Yoga
403 Orchard StFree, or drop-in, donation-based yoga classes; community-driven yoga offering a unique experience with luminous lighting, groovy music, and inspiring teachers to make yoga fun. blackswanyoga.com
Drinks & Nightlife
local iconic music venues, bars and restaurants
"12 Hottest New Beer Bars in U.S." - Zagat. Features Sumptown Fair Trade coffees, craft brews, live music, outdoor cinema, high speed internet and several great food trucks. www.radiocoffeeandbeer.com
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Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca Rd"12 Hottest New Beer Bars in U.S." - Zagat. Features Sumptown Fair Trade coffees, craft brews, live music, outdoor cinema, high speed internet and several great food trucks. www.radiocoffeeandbeer.com
All the greats have played here. Probably the most iconic Dance Hall in all of Texas and beyond. Always has great bands. If you don't two-step or know how to country-swing, it's an education and a hoot just to watch. Has it's own Texas music history museum.
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Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdAll the greats have played here. Probably the most iconic Dance Hall in all of Texas and beyond. Always has great bands. If you don't two-step or know how to country-swing, it's an education and a hoot just to watch. Has it's own Texas music history museum.
World class music venue featuring local and touring Country, Tejano, Americana and Texas Swing bands. Iconic music venue in Austin. A must-go for live music lovers.
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The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveWorld class music venue featuring local and touring Country, Tejano, Americana and Texas Swing bands. Iconic music venue in Austin. A must-go for live music lovers.
Dancing and Full Bar. East side honky tonk with a small but impressive dance floor, excellent Country and Bluegrass bands, plus hippies, hipsters, cowboys and pretty women. A local and tourist favorite.
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The White Horse
500 Comal StDancing and Full Bar. East side honky tonk with a small but impressive dance floor, excellent Country and Bluegrass bands, plus hippies, hipsters, cowboys and pretty women. A local and tourist favorite.
Six blocks of Restaurants, Bars, Live music venues and Food Trucks. A toned-down, more mature version of Sixth Street. Thirty-something and up. Street parking and walk to it. Great place to graze if you only have one night in Austin. If you get bored, the White Horse (honky tonk and dancing) is across the highway on Comal.
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Rainey Street Historic District
Six blocks of Restaurants, Bars, Live music venues and Food Trucks. A toned-down, more mature version of Sixth Street. Thirty-something and up. Street parking and walk to it. Great place to graze if you only have one night in Austin. If you get bored, the White Horse (honky tonk and dancing) is across the highway on Comal.
Full bar and world class music venue featuring blues, rhythm and blues, soul and rock. A must-go for live music lovers.
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Antone's
305 E 5th StFull bar and world class music venue featuring blues, rhythm and blues, soul and rock. A must-go for live music lovers.
Family-run Tex-Mex restaurant. Local favorite with a songwriter series every Monday night featuring Christine Gage with special guests. A local-musicians favorite with top notch players and artists sitting in every week. Get there early to get a seat. Show starts at 7 pm.
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El Mercado
1302 S 1st StFamily-run Tex-Mex restaurant. Local favorite with a songwriter series every Monday night featuring Christine Gage with special guests. A local-musicians favorite with top notch players and artists sitting in every week. Get there early to get a seat. Show starts at 7 pm.
The best jazz in Austin. Improvisational jazz jam every Monday night. Excellent musicians. A must-go for any lover of jazz.
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Elephant Room
315 Congress AveThe best jazz in Austin. Improvisational jazz jam every Monday night. Excellent musicians. A must-go for any lover of jazz.
Iconic bar just west of downtown on 5th Street. Live music nightly. Features Chris Gage every Monday night at the piano, singing classic hits from across the spectrum of popular music, and featuring guest artists. Nice-sized dance floor too. Get there early for a seat. Show starts at 9.
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Donn's Depot
1600 W 5th StIconic bar just west of downtown on 5th Street. Live music nightly. Features Chris Gage every Monday night at the piano, singing classic hits from across the spectrum of popular music, and featuring guest artists. Nice-sized dance floor too. Get there early for a seat. Show starts at 9.
Food Scene
Locally-owned Fair Trade coffee shop and renowned songwriter venue. Features fast, free Wifi; pastries, paninis & breakfast tacos in a clean, friendly, comfortable environment. strangebrewaustin.com
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Strange Brew
Locally-owned Fair Trade coffee shop and renowned songwriter venue. Features fast, free Wifi; pastries, paninis & breakfast tacos in a clean, friendly, comfortable environment. strangebrewaustin.com
Iconic South Austin eatery open 24/7, located on the ride home from downtown via Lamar Blvd. "Comfortable food at reasonable prices" served all night long. It's Austin. kerbeylanecafe.com
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Kerbey Lane Cafe
3003 S Lamar BlvdIconic South Austin eatery open 24/7, located on the ride home from downtown via Lamar Blvd. "Comfortable food at reasonable prices" served all night long. It's Austin. kerbeylanecafe.com
A "walk to" local favorite near Central Market. Consistently excellent food, great drinks, friendly staff. Live music on the patio on weekends. I love their craft drinks.
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Hyde Park Bar & Grill Westgate
4521 West Gate BlvdA "walk to" local favorite near Central Market. Consistently excellent food, great drinks, friendly staff. Live music on the patio on weekends. I love their craft drinks.
Always fresh, always good, iconic local Mexican favorite, known for its tacos and live music on the patio. Check out the Gospel Brunch on Sundays.
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Maria's Taco Xpress
1210 S Lamar BlvdAlways fresh, always good, iconic local Mexican favorite, known for its tacos and live music on the patio. Check out the Gospel Brunch on Sundays.
Food truck situated in front of Radio Beer. Named Top Food Truck in the city for its fresh, affordable tacos and Mexican fare. Open till Midnight.
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Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadFood truck situated in front of Radio Beer. Named Top Food Truck in the city for its fresh, affordable tacos and Mexican fare. Open till Midnight.
Biscuits made from an endless variety of biscuits and gravy and fantastic fillings. All menu items can be made Vegan or Vegetarian. Breakfast and lunch. Closes at 2 pm.
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Biscuits + Groovy
1210 Barton Springs RdBiscuits made from an endless variety of biscuits and gravy and fantastic fillings. All menu items can be made Vegan or Vegetarian. Breakfast and lunch. Closes at 2 pm.
Amazing place and often commented on by guests. A beloved favorite across the board. Open everyday 11:30 am-2:30 pm, and 5-10 pm.
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Launderette
2115 Holly StAmazing place and often commented on by guests. A beloved favorite across the board. Open everyday 11:30 am-2:30 pm, and 5-10 pm.
Farm to Table fare meets seasonal cocktails & beer, plus a large all-weather patio. Another consistently recommended place by guests. Located about 6 miles north and east of downtown. Serves dinner only.
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Contigo
2027 Anchor LnFarm to Table fare meets seasonal cocktails & beer, plus a large all-weather patio. Another consistently recommended place by guests. Located about 6 miles north and east of downtown. Serves dinner only.
High end, five star Steak and Seafood with exclusive dining rooms and a massive horse-shoe shaped bar with dinner seating and live music on the weekends. Upscale and worth it.
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Eddie V's Prime Seafood
301 E 5th StHigh end, five star Steak and Seafood with exclusive dining rooms and a massive horse-shoe shaped bar with dinner seating and live music on the weekends. Upscale and worth it.
Dinner: Tai, fresh, well regarded and local favorite less than a mile from my house. Open noon-ish to around 9 or 10 pm. Excellent and affordable.
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Tuk Tuk Thai Cafe
5517 Menchaca RdDinner: Tai, fresh, well regarded and local favorite less than a mile from my house. Open noon-ish to around 9 or 10 pm. Excellent and affordable.
Highly rated by guests. Liquid nitrogen ice cream made with organic, sustainably sourced ingredients.
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SPUN Ice Cream
1912 E 7th StHighly rated by guests. Liquid nitrogen ice cream made with organic, sustainably sourced ingredients.
Highly guest-recommended. Hip scoops with unusual and local flavors made from local, natural and sustainable ingredients.
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Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdHighly guest-recommended. Hip scoops with unusual and local flavors made from local, natural and sustainable ingredients.
Great Tex-mex restaurant at the heart of the South Congress Avenue strip south of the river. Offers live music on the patios on weekends. Very happening place. Loud, but the food is awesome.
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Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveGreat Tex-mex restaurant at the heart of the South Congress Avenue strip south of the river. Offers live music on the patios on weekends. Very happening place. Loud, but the food is awesome.
Vibrant, retro chain serving a seasonal menu of creative breakfast and lunch fare, plus cocktails. Guest-recommended favorite.
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Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdVibrant, retro chain serving a seasonal menu of creative breakfast and lunch fare, plus cocktails. Guest-recommended favorite.
Iconic coffee shop situated along the South Congress Avenue strip south of the river. Sumptown coffee, baked goods and more form a colorful kiosk with outdoor seating and graffiti. Open 7 am to 9 pm.
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Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveIconic coffee shop situated along the South Congress Avenue strip south of the river. Sumptown coffee, baked goods and more form a colorful kiosk with outdoor seating and graffiti. Open 7 am to 9 pm.
Best BBQ in town. You can get in line early (9 am) for lunch, and hope they don't sell out. Or you can order ahead if you buy 5 pounds or more. I'm told it's worth the wait. I believe it.
Open 11-3 pm Tuesday-Sunday.
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Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StBest BBQ in town. You can get in line early (9 am) for lunch, and hope they don't sell out. Or you can order ahead if you buy 5 pounds or more. I'm told it's worth the wait. I believe it.
Open 11-3 pm Tuesday-Sunday.
Best Pizza in town, located on the South Congress strip a half-mile south of the river. Kiosk (no seating). Award-winning Pizza that does it right one slice at a time. Open Friday and Saturday 11-midnight, Sunday 11 to 11 pm. Open late for take-out on weekends as well.
If you only have a day and an evening in Austin, it's a good place to hit if you take in the Congress Avenue strip and then head to downtown or Rainey Street in the evening. See "South Congress Avenue" under Sightseeing for more.
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Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveBest Pizza in town, located on the South Congress strip a half-mile south of the river. Kiosk (no seating). Award-winning Pizza that does it right one slice at a time. Open Friday and Saturday 11-midnight, Sunday 11 to 11 pm. Open late for take-out on weekends as well.
If you only have a day and an evening in Austin, it's a good place to hit if you take in the Congress Avenue strip and then head to downtown or Rainey Street in the evening. See "South Congress Avenue" under Sightseeing for more.
Parks & Nature
Large, outdoor natural spring provides instant relief from the Summer heat. Not far from the heart of downtown, and fed by the mighty Colorado River. Within walking distance to many points of interest!
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrLarge, outdoor natural spring provides instant relief from the Summer heat. Not far from the heart of downtown, and fed by the mighty Colorado River. Within walking distance to many points of interest!
Local, spring-fed pool off Lake Austin Blvd, a stone's throw from downtown and Mozart's Coffee. Local favorite for swimmers. Great place to cool off in Summer.
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Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveLocal, spring-fed pool off Lake Austin Blvd, a stone's throw from downtown and Mozart's Coffee. Local favorite for swimmers. Great place to cool off in Summer.
Hiking trail which wraps the city on both sides of Ladybird Lake, one of the seven "chain-of-lakes" bodies of water that runs through the city as part of the Colorado river. Great for the whole family, lovely views, lots of dog walkers, cyclists and joggers. Check the House Manual for more details and maps.
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Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailHiking trail which wraps the city on both sides of Ladybird Lake, one of the seven "chain-of-lakes" bodies of water that runs through the city as part of the Colorado river. Great for the whole family, lovely views, lots of dog walkers, cyclists and joggers. Check the House Manual for more details and maps.
Quick trip, 7 minutes by car: In town, easy access hiking along Ladybird Lake. Quiet, peaceful and a nice break! Great place to walk your dogs or take your kids! Free!
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Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayQuick trip, 7 minutes by car: In town, easy access hiking along Ladybird Lake. Quiet, peaceful and a nice break! Great place to walk your dogs or take your kids! Free!
Travel to the hill country out 71 west, 45 minutes by car: One of the many LCRA-run Recreation Parks on the Colorado River in the hill country, this one near Spicewood. The lakes are all full as of this writing (2016) -- for the first time in 50 years. The parks in the Western district region are great places to camp, boat and spend time with family. Local to some award-winning barbeque like Opie's, and It's All Good BBQ. I used to work at this particular park, and it's lovely.
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Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area
2820 Co Rd 414Travel to the hill country out 71 west, 45 minutes by car: One of the many LCRA-run Recreation Parks on the Colorado River in the hill country, this one near Spicewood. The lakes are all full as of this writing (2016) -- for the first time in 50 years. The parks in the Western district region are great places to camp, boat and spend time with family. Local to some award-winning barbeque like Opie's, and It's All Good BBQ. I used to work at this particular park, and it's lovely.
Getting Around
types of transit for a variety of settings ... so many to choose from!
During SXSW bus schedules change. Please check the websites. Check also the websites of festivals you're attending, for the best transportation options to, from, and around downtown.
Here are the Bus stops in my neighborhood:
#3-Burnet/Manchaca-NB (0.1 mile from house)
#5-Woodrow/South 5th-NB (0.3 miles from house)
#30-Barton Creek Sq-SB (0.5 miles from house)
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Capital Metropolitan Transportation
2910 E 5th StDuring SXSW bus schedules change. Please check the websites. Check also the websites of festivals you're attending, for the best transportation options to, from, and around downtown.
Here are the Bus stops in my neighborhood:
#3-Burnet/Manchaca-NB (0.1 mile from house)
#5-Woodrow/South 5th-NB (0.3 miles from house)
#30-Barton Creek Sq-SB (0.5 miles from house)
Austin's bikeshare system: Check out a bike from any of several stations around town, and return it to any other station. Have not used them but is recommended as a bike-share option.
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Austin B-cycle Station
499 E 4th StAustin's bikeshare system: Check out a bike from any of several stations around town, and return it to any other station. Have not used them but is recommended as a bike-share option.
Arts & Culture
museums & historic centers; daytime activities
Harry Ransom Center
300 W 21st StTexas History Museum, excellent displays.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress AveGreat museum. Guests love it!
Renaissance to 20th-century American paintings, Latin American art, plus Greek & Roman sculpture. Great museum!
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The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardRenaissance to 20th-century American paintings, Latin American art, plus Greek & Roman sculpture. Great museum!
Austin’s original performing arts venue turned 100 years old in 2015. This live theatre/music venue offers world-class comedy, music and film. The classical revival style structure was built in 1915 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Paramount is a uniquely Austin community and the cultural destination.
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Paramount Theatre
713 Congress AveAustin’s original performing arts venue turned 100 years old in 2015. This live theatre/music venue offers world-class comedy, music and film. The classical revival style structure was built in 1915 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Paramount is a uniquely Austin community and the cultural destination.
Sightseeing
A good hike to the top up a long set of stone steps, walk along the ridge overlooking the Colorado River's Chain of Lakes and beyond to downtown Austin. Spectacular views. Must be able-bodied to make the climb.
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Mount Bonnell
A good hike to the top up a long set of stone steps, walk along the ridge overlooking the Colorado River's Chain of Lakes and beyond to downtown Austin. Spectacular views. Must be able-bodied to make the climb.
Two mile stretch of Congress Avenue about a half-mile south of the river features iconic restaurants and clubs, shops, thrift stores, cafes and live music venues. If you'e only got a day and a night in Austin, it's a great place to check out during the day, or catch an early dinner and then cross the river to downtown or Rainey Street for dancing or clubbing.
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South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueTwo mile stretch of Congress Avenue about a half-mile south of the river features iconic restaurants and clubs, shops, thrift stores, cafes and live music venues. If you'e only got a day and a night in Austin, it's a great place to check out during the day, or catch an early dinner and then cross the river to downtown or Rainey Street for dancing or clubbing.
Near downtown and 6th street, 15 minutes by car: "This is one of those Austin gems that really showcases what the city is all about. It’s one of the largest graffiti walls in Austin, full of life, character and charm. The girl I used to babysit and I would always go to the “castle & art wall” for an adventure because it was such a unique thing to do." - excerpted from "365 Things to Do in Austin." -- All true. A great place to explore if you like street art and want a sense of connection to the Austin spirit.
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Graffiti Park at Castle Hill
1008 Baylor StNear downtown and 6th street, 15 minutes by car: "This is one of those Austin gems that really showcases what the city is all about. It’s one of the largest graffiti walls in Austin, full of life, character and charm. The girl I used to babysit and I would always go to the “castle & art wall” for an adventure because it was such a unique thing to do." - excerpted from "365 Things to Do in Austin." -- All true. A great place to explore if you like street art and want a sense of connection to the Austin spirit.