Austin Neighborhood Starter Pack: Part 2
Continue your tour of the highlights of ATX
We’re continuing our locals-only tour of Austin this week and hitting up two neighborhoods most tourists never hear about, let alone visit. #1 and #2 on this list are a bit further north than many people bother exploring, but they’re well worth an afternoon, especially if you’re a Richard Linklater fan. We’ll also get into why you should still hit South Congress - and why you shouldn’t.
This is Part 2 of a three-part series. Subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss a beat!
1. Burnet
Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas in Austin, Burnet (learn how to pronounce it like a native here) is maybe as locals-only as you can get. Sandwiched between West Anderson Lane & Koenig Lane to the north and south, Burnet is a small neighborhood packed with some of the most nostalgia in the city.
Pro tip: This area is not walkable and does not have great parking, so lean on rideshare apps.
Photo Credit: LostinAustin.org
Grab lunch at one of the most recognizable burger spots in the city: Top Notch. Be sure to eat in the dining room to get the full experience (the interior is pretty much unchanged since the place opened in 1971) and don’t miss the display case of Dazed & Confused props & cast photos. Continue the evening at LaLa’s Little Nugget, an Austin staple since 1972. It’s always Christmas, it’s always divey, and the drinks are always strong. If you’re visiting the area in November-December, be prepared to wait in a long line to get in. Finish the night at Aristocrat Lounge, a dark, retro dive bar with plenty of pool tables and great house drinks.
2. West Anderson
Sometimes, Austin creeps up on you in unexpected places and provides great experiences in unassuming strip malls and random shopping centers off the highway. West Anderson is one of those unlikely neighborhoods. Most people never visit unless they are brought by a local, but once they check it out, they always come back. This area has really come into its own in the last ten years and is peppered with quaint, independently-owned shops and restaurants. Take your time looking around.
Pro Tip: Enjoy the Hopdoddy location on West Anderson instead of waiting in a huge line at their flagship South Congress spot. There are lower crowds and more seats for the same great burgers.
Photo Credit: AustinTexas.org
Combine your Burnet & West Anderson trips into a single afternoon - bonus points if you venture 10 minutes north and catch an Austin FC game. Don’t sleep on the crazy good Thai food at Madam Mam’s, hop over to Slow North for homemade candles & true Austin hippie vibes, and browse the best toy store in Austin, Terra Toys. This is the closest you’ll get to an FAO Schwartz experience in the state, and it’s an Austin go-to for birthday party gifts. Be sure to sample their surprisingly good cafe on your way out!
3. South Congress
No Austin list is complete without mentioning South Congress. Unfortunately, most tourists visit “SoCo” and 6th Street and nothing else. There’s certainly plenty to do on this famed stretch of shops & restaurants between Lady Bird Lake & Oltorf, but be sure to venture off the beaten path and explore more of Austin than this one main thoroughfare. Now that most of the street has been taken over by nationwide brands, it’s not as exclusively Austin as it used to be.
Photo Credit: Conde Nast Traveler
Start your morning at Jo’s Coffee and snap a pic in front of the famed “i love you so much” sign while you wait for your Iced Turbo (be ready to wait in line for this photo op if you’re visiting on a weekend). Peek inside the lush grounds of the Hotel San José - and grab a “frose” if their bar is open - then mosey further south until you get to Allen’s Boots. Even if you aren’t in the market for a pair of two-steppers, go into Allen’s and take in the sights and, most importantly, the smells of true Texas attitude. Enjoy some prime shopping at several great vintage boutiques (Feather’s is my personal favorite) and grab a malt at Big Top Candy Shop. If you’re visiting in the evening, head into Ego’s and enjoy one of the best dive bars in the city - extra credit if you get up on stage and belt out a tune at this always-on karaoke bar.
That does it until next week! I’ll be finishing up this 3 part series, and then we’re moving on to some deep dives into some of the best hidden gems in Austin. We’ll also be gearing up for a special ACL Fest edition of our newsletter - be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a beat!