definitely the latter

January 05 2011 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Vacation » 21 comments

Happy new year, friends. I’m a little late, I know—five days to be exact. My excuse is that I was ringing in 2011 with a long weekend in Austin. But I’m here now, ready for 2011—and ready, too, to tell you about Austin.

Vacations, I think, tend to fall into two camps. There are the trips to places where you could never imagine living, which makes you love the place all the more, for all the ways it’s different from where you do live, for how truly away you feel when you’re there. And then there are the trips to places where you feel instantly at home, where you’re sure you’d live a happy life, which allows you to relax and leads you to do the same kinds of things you’d do at home, like grocery shopping and neighborhood wandering and sofa lounging.

Austin, for me, was definitely the latter.

There’s a vibe to the city—cool, relaxed, offbeat, sure of itself—that is immediately apparent. There are so-called lakes that are really parts of a river. There is music wafting out of bars and restaurants, or from a guy with a guitar on a folding chair parked on the side of the street. There is graffiti and streamers. There are bumper stickers pleading to “Keep Austin Weird.”

There’s wonderful food, much of it locally-sourced and organically-grown, some of it served from the open window of an airstream trailer. There is an Amy’s Ice Cream seemingly around every corner, offering an ending to each meal. And there’s one local beer after another to wash it all down.

There’s the long stretch of South Congress Avenue, which fades from the fun neighborhood where we stayed to the tall buildings and stately capitol building.

There are rolling hills, dotted with cows and horses, just outside the city.

There is a healthy measure of Texas, too, which means boots and bulls and (best of all) barbecue.

Austin: I’m smitten.

Food, all of it good:

Amy’s Ice Cream
Black’s Barbecue (oh, the brisket)
Counter Cafe
Hey Cupcake
Home Slice (we stayed blocks away and couldn’t resist the aroma!)
Hopdoddy
La Condessa
Lamberts

If we’d had more time and stomach space, I would have loved to try Parkside. Franklin’s and Gourdough’s were closed for the holiday, so we missed those too. And South Congress Cafe was on the list as well, but the 90+ minute wait led us elsewhere.

Fun:

Drinks at Austin Motel
Drive through Hill Country (we took a long cut to Black’s, which is in Lockhart)
Glimpse of Sixth Street
Kimber Modern (lovely hotel)
Live music
Stroll down South Congress
Stag (a great men’s store)
Sunset over Lake Austin
Whole Foods (the flag ship store)

Photos: here.

21 comments so far. »
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Tracey says on January 05 2011 at 8:15 pm:

Happy New Year Kristin! Looks like Austin was a lot of fun I’ve never been to Texas, but it’s on my list….someday.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says on January 05 2011 at 8:36 pm:

I can’t wait to visit my sister in Austin soon and have Amy’s and Salt Lick! yum
Gale Reeves says on January 05 2011 at 9:50 pm:

I’m traveling to Austin in March. Thanks so much for this post!!!!
andrea says on January 05 2011 at 10:51 pm:

That plate of food looks like it could be on the cover of Bon Appite, just saying.
Megan Gordon says on January 06 2011 at 1:38 am:

I celebrated my 30th birthday in Austin and your post brought up some good memories! I wholeheartedly agree about the vibe: I felt right at home here. Did you by chance see that Whole Foods dessert bar? I know there were many other sites, but I was smitten by it. Happy New Year!
Jessica @ How Sweet says on January 06 2011 at 4:40 am:

Happy New Year! I would love to visit there. Never been that far south!
Andrea [bella eats] says on January 06 2011 at 6:05 am:

Happy New Year! Austin is on my “To Visit” list…for sure! Beautiful photos.
KVossler says on January 06 2011 at 7:30 am:

i’m sorry gourdough’s was closed–i’m quite picky about my doughnuts and theirs are the best! glad you enjoyed our town!
Derek says on January 06 2011 at 2:09 pm:

Great post on one of my most favorite places in the world… and great photos too. Glad you enjoyed your time in the ATX!

Keep Austin Weird.
Whitney says on January 06 2011 at 6:50 pm:

SO GLAD you made it to Black’s BBQ. It is the best.

If I moved back to Texas, it would SO be for ATX.
Elizabeth says on January 06 2011 at 10:14 pm:

I spent Fourth of July weekend last year in Austin and fell completely in love with the city and culture. My new life dream is to move there, buy an airstream, and sell ice cream sandwiches. Glad you enjoyed it too!
Half Assed Kitchen says on January 07 2011 at 11:22 am:

Oooh, I want to go.
Barrett Black says on January 07 2011 at 11:37 am:

Hey there,
So glad you could make it down to Black’s Barbecue! Thanks for mentioning us. If there is anything we can do for you, be sure to let us know.
Jessica says on January 07 2011 at 2:29 pm:

I love how you captured Austin in your pictures and words. Also, glad you enjoyed our wonderful city!
Janae says on January 07 2011 at 9:16 pm:

This was a nice post! I had a great time visiting Austin a couple years ago when my husband took me there to show me around (he’s from there & went to UT Austin). It’s such a fun, vibrant place. I like your photos!
Momma McCall says on January 07 2011 at 11:40 pm:

I lived there for two years and I miss it everyday! Love!!!
Barbara says on January 10 2011 at 8:55 am:

Sounds like fun! I’ve lived a couple places in Texas, but oddly enough, have never been ton Austin. Thanks for the intro!
Colleen says on January 11 2011 at 6:42 pm:

Yeah! I am so glad you liked Austin. I have lived here for 8 years and love that I get to call it home. Come back and visit anytime! So much to do that you will never do the same thing twice.
Jen Smith says on January 15 2011 at 10:27 am:

I *heart* Austin…I see your found Amy’s I love their ice cream!
melissa says on January 19 2011 at 3:30 pm:

Austin is fun. and OH, Amy’s. We have one in Houston and gahhhh I love it so.
Amanda S says on January 24 2011 at 9:20 am:

Yay I Live in Austin and Love it here! I’m glad you enjoyed your stay!