10 things we love about Austin
IT’S AMERICA’S FASTEST GROWING CITY FOR A REASON
America’s next boom town, Austin has one of the fastest-growing populations in the US, and many alternative residents, including a stack of vegans, cyclists and hybrid car drivers. Many are drawn to the Texan capital because of the city’s liberal views, the tech industry, its fantastic food, world-renowned festivals, and enduring love affair with music. It’s home to the Texas Longhorns, Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Andy Roddick and film director Robert Rodriguez.
Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World and certainly lives up to its reputation. Willie Nelson pioneered Austin’s legendary music scene, which even put Janis Joplin on the map. Even on a school night, you’ll find more than 30 bands playing; on weekends at least 100 acts perform across the city. It started with country and the blues, but now there’s every type of music imaginable.
DIRTY SIXTH
Sixth Street, colloquially known as “Dirty Sixth,” is where most of the action happens. There’s live music on practically every street corner, and it has the feel of New Orlean’s Bourbon Street, albeit decidedly cleaner and safer. Typically, the street is closed to traffic (weekends and special events) at night making it fun to stroll past drinking dens full of college sophomores downing cheap drinks. You can watch guys and girls ride mechanical bulls, and grab yourself a beer at any number of watering holes. If serious cocktails are more your style, head to Midnight Cowboy, a modern speakeasy housed in a former brothel. Be sure to read up on the house rules before you go (two drink minimum) and make a reservation online.
IT ALSO HAS RAINEY STREET
Decidedly more laid-back, and where you can actually hear the conversation while you drink, Rainey Street is the more upmarket place to bar hop. It offers a strip of historic homes cum bars, many of them bungalow style, in downtown Austin. Grab a seat in the alfresco courtyard of the Drafting Room and enjoy a glass of Prosecco. Container Bar meanwhile, is constructed of repurposed metal shipping containers, and is another terrific late night spot with live music and outdoor movies.
THERE’S A TACO FOR EVERY OCCASION
Tacos are a staple of the Austin diet. From fish tacos to classic Mexican, there’s a taco for every persuasion. Forget your usual bacon and eggs for the big night hangover cure, here it’s all about breakfast tacos. Try the city’s famous breakfast at El Alma with its bright Mexican artwork, cool, tiled floors and bottomless cups of coffee. Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ serves up pork carnitas, beef fajitas and to die for brisket tacos from a silver food trailer. It’s the ultimate fusion of the city’s most popular food staples – tacos and barbecue.
