Guide to Austin, Texas

Welcome to South Austin: Eclectic and always "weird"!

This guide focuses on the neighborhoods south of the river in South Austin. While they have completely gentrified in the past 10-20 years, they have maintained their eclectic, "weird" vibe and are home to many of Austin's natural treasures as well as iconic one-of-a-kind shopping and eating experiences.

South Austin is also the home to most of the historic dance halls and honky-tonk still serving up that world famous Austin country sound! We have lived in this neighborhood for over 25 years, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

- Your Hosts, Jimmy & Shauna

Getting Around:

Scenic walk from Novel Retreat to South Congress

To walk from our neighborhood to the heart of South Congress (.5 mile walk from house) head north from the house by taking a right on East Side Dr. out of the driveway, cross Oltorf, and walk several blocks until you see a park on the right. Enter Stacy Park and continue north through taking in the sights of this local green space. Take a left on Monroe, walk several blocks up the hill and pop out on South Congress near Home Slice & across the street from Guero's Taco Bar, just up from Jo's Coffee Shop.

Direct access to the Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trail

Lady bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail (1 mile walk from house) is accessible from South Congress and points all around downtown, but also easily accessible from the Novel Retreat by walking down East side drive, through Little Stacy Park, left on Alameda, cross Riverside, note entrance to hike and bike trail - enter above water walkways out over Lady bird lake which goes 10+ miles in either direction to form the Hike and Bike Trail around downtown

Sites:

Congress Avenue Bridge - No trip to Austin during the summer is complete without watching the millions of bats fly out from under the Ann Richard Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk.

Lady Bird Lake and Butler Hike and Bike Trail - Lady bird Lake and the Butler Hike and Bike Trail is easily accessible from the Novel Retreat (1 mile walk from house) – accessible from South Congress and points all around downtown, but also easily accessible from the house by walking down East side drive, through Little Stacy Park, left on Alameda, cross Riverside, note entrance to hike and bike trail - enter above water walkways out over Lady bird lake which goes 10+ miles in either direction to form the Hike and Bike Trail around downtown.

South Congress (SoCo) - Austin's most eclectic scene combining iconic restaurants and live music venues with the best shopping in town ranging from the high end to vintage western wear pop-ups. Below is a sample itinerary for hitting the high points on South Congress: 1) stroll down South Congress Ave (south of river) for fun shopping including vintage clothing shops, 2) Coffee at Jo’s coffee (and or snack or cocktail in the court yard next door at Hotel San Jose, 3) try on boots at Allen Boots and hats next door Marusia, 4) if 21 or older take in an afternoon or evening live music show at Continental Club (across street, 5) ice cream at Amy’s Ice Cream (next door), 6) if 21, classic Austin music at C-boys Heart and Soul (blues) and/or at Sagebrush (old school country).

Travis Heights

Historic & eclectic adjacent neighborhood situated between the Novel Retreat and South Congress. Recommend causal walking tour through this hood on your way to Jo's Coffee and the South Congress, preferably down East Side Drive (our street) through the shady Stacy Park.

Big Stacy Neighborhood Park - Just 2 blocks from the Novel Retreat north on East Side Dr., it is a great place for a quick swim in a beautiful park.

Little Stacy Neighborhood Park -  Idyllic children's park and playscape, walking distance (approximately .5 miles from the Novel Retreat) with stroller through an amazing park and green space.

Zilker Park - Large city park on the south side of the river hosting kidscapes, lawn sports of all types and access to Barton Creek Pool and the greenbelt hiking trails.

Activities:

  • Live Music (Austin, Texas style – old and iconic)

Austin's Live Music and Texas Swing Dance Scene

Known as the "live" music capital of the world, Austin is famous for its Live Music Scene. But what you may not have known is that it is also famous for its Texas Swing dance scene made famous at the many historic dance halls throughout Austin and the Hill Country. A few of these spots are right in the heart of Austin. Here is a list of "must see" dancehalls and Honky Tonks, many of which date back to the 50s and 60s. Broken Spoke (Tuesdays), Sagebrush (Thursday and Sundays), White horse (Tuesday and Sunday), Little Long Horn Saloon (Sunday for Chicken Sh$t Bingo).

Broken Spoke - Don't miss out on Two Step Tuesdays with Weldon Henson's band rocking old school country tunes and the historical Broken Spoke, founded and continuously operated by Mr. White and family since the early 1960s.

Continental Club - Historic music venue on South Congress with world class live music every night of the week. Stop in to enjoy a bit of Austin's famous music scene while you take a break for your shopping spree on South Congress.

C-Boys Heart and Soul - Amazing Blues Music right on South Congress.

Ginny’s Little Long Horn Saloon - don't miss out on one-of-a-kind experience to play chicken sh$t bingo while dancing the afternoon away to old school country music venue. 

Sagebrush - Thursdays are usually a hit at the historical Sagebrush known to be the oldest dance floor in Austin with two stepping dance lessons to kick off the evening. 

Sam's Town Point - Saturday nights here are a site to  behold.....like taking a step bank in time with old school ‘70s vibe tunes by the owner of this honky-tonk and lots of Texas Two—Step and Swing dancing. Don’t forget to dress the part with your favorite pair of bell bottom jeans.  

The White Horse - an iconic Texas Two-Step and Swing dance scene has developed at the White Horse over the past 10 years, and it is now a must see.

  • Outdoor Fun

Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead - Right past the doors of Barton Creek Pool, is the trailhead for an amazing set of greenbelt trails winding dozens of miles connecting all points in the city and beyond.

Barton Springs Municipal Pool - A must do site during the summer in Austin. Ice cold and so refreshing, you won't want to miss a quick dip in the spring fed natural bottom pool running through the heart of Austin.

Peter Pan Mini Golf - The most fun you ever had playing mini golfing....right off Barton Springs.

Sculpture Falls - A several mile hike from Barton Creek Pool or drop in at Gaines Park for a much shorter hike into these falls.

  • Other Fun Activities

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar - The original Alamo Draft House, and still the most iconic of movie theatre in Austin. Great eats, cocktails and a classic movie!

Hotel San Jose Lounge - Perfect place to get out of the South Congress crowds and sip on a glass of rose in the beautiful gardens just steps off the busy street.

Shopping:

Allens Boots - The original Austin boot store....right in the heart of South Congress. “When in Texas.....

Maufrais - Giant hat store with a never ending supply of creative hat bands.....the talented staff will create your custom look while you wait.

Feather's Boutique - Fun vintage threads right off of South Congress.

Soco Makers Market - amazing vintage finds in pop ups up and down South Congress.

Food Scene:

Home Slice Pizza - Best Pizza in town right in the heart of South Congress.

Jo's Coffee - The Iconic Coffee shop like none other is the anchor for the famous South Congress scene.

JuiceLand - The original Austin juice bar! Grab a smoothie on your way to Barton Springs Pool.

Lucky Robot - Fun sushi and Asian food right on South Congress.

Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q - Gas Station BBQ. What could be better?

Odd Duck - Eclectic food in the heart of the South Lamar neighborhood walking distance to Zilker Park and Barton Creek Pool.

Sno Beach - Beat the heat with a refreshing snow cone served from a food trailer.

Soup Peddler Real Food & Juice Bar - juice and soups. What could be better?

Sugar Mama's Bakeshop - Best cupcakes ever! Winners of the "cupcake wars" many years ago and still searching us "sugar".

Thai Fresh - Authentic Thai and an amazing vegan ice cream bar in a quiet neighborhood off South Congress.

Terry Black's Barbecue - Iconic BBQ right on the main drag....Barton Springs Rd.

Uchi - Award winning Sushi.

Vespaio Restaurant - Classic Italian, best in town, right on South Congress.

Amys Ice Creams - Best ice cream experience right across from Jo's Coffee on South Congress.

Bouldin Creek Café - Vegan and Vegetarian Brunch spot. 

Casa de Luz - Old school macrobiotic vegan restaurant nested in the middle of zen gardens and now with a juice bar onsite...just off Barton Springs Dr.

Chuy's - The original Austin "Tex-Mex"....grab some cheese dip after working up an appetite swimming in Barton Springs Pool.

Franklin Barbecue - The one and only, world famous #1 rated BBQ in America.

Güero's Taco Bar - Authentic Tex-Mex in a historic setting and hands down the best margaritas in town. Don’t forget to check out the Oak garden next door to enjoy a margarita in the shade of a giant oak tree while listening to local live music.