Things to Do in Austin
The main reason we went to America was for a conference in Austin. Of course, we couldn’t resist exploring New York beforehand, but I have to say that Austin has a very different vibe. The first things that came to mind were students and jazz; however, that doesn’t fully describe Austin. It’s a city of students, jazz, art, nature, and even shopping!
We flew from New York to Austin with Delta Airlines, and it was a very comfortable and pleasant journey.
Austin welcomed us with its detached houses and large buildings in the center. We stayed in one of those detached houses through Airbnb.
After freezing in New York’s icy weather in February, we loved being greeted by Austin’s mild weather and affordable markets! And the fact that it’s a student city — yes, some places were crowded, but it definitely boosted the city’s energy.
The only downside is that almost everyone has a car, so buses aren’t very frequent, and it can be hard to understand what the drivers are saying.
Zilker Metropolitan Park and Botanical Garden: I can’t say anything too special about the Botanical Garden, but we really liked the park. It’s quite large and a pleasant area for walking or picnicking. It’s also a good choice if you want to meet people. If you visit in the spring or summer, you can swim in Barton Springs Pool, which is fed by natural spring waters and runs through the park. The only downside is that it’s a bit far from the city center, and traffic is heavy in the evenings. Plus, there aren’t many buses, and hitchhiking isn’t really welcomed.
Jazz Bars: For evening outings, you’ll have plenty of options among the jazz bars downtown. Most of them have live music, but they get quite crowded; it can be hard to find a seat in the front. You can enjoy the music with a margarita.
Street Art: Austin is really advanced in this area; some sections of the city are entirely dedicated to street art and have become tourist attractions. Even if you’re not particularly interested, you can still have a great time.
Listening to the sounds from the streets: You might wonder what this means, but Austin is full of surprises. One moment you might find people gathering, and the next, you’re dancing to various music — and it’s free! So, if you see people gathering somewhere, don’t hesitate to join in.
Shopping in Austin
If you’re looking for unique clothes and gifts, head to the SoCo (South Congress) area, where small boutiques line the streets. Along the avenue, you’ll find plenty of places to eat and shop. For outlets, I think we went to Tanger Outlet Center, which is accessible by buses from the center. There were significant discounts on Nine West bags, and for men, it was possible to find discounted products from many more brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Pierre Cardin. Plus, the food spots there felt like outlets themselves!
Of course, these aren’t the only things you can do in Austin; these are just what we managed to do. There are many more options ahead of you, so let Austin surprise you.
