Greetings From Austin mural (Credit: Yulia Dyukova)
Guest article by Caitlin Johnson
Let’s not forget how lucky we are to live in this weird city. Breakfast tacos, city-maintained trails, high-quality street art and endless BBQ are just some of the wonderful things we never lack in Austin, Texas. But not everyone is lucky enough to live in a city as beautiful as ours.
Below is a selection of fine Austin spots that always makes visitors and friends from out of town jealous they’re not living here–yet. Check it out and make sure to save for the next time you want to brag about our cool city!
1/ Lick Honest Ice Creams
Inside Lick Honest Ice Creams
When summer lasts several months, cool treats like ice cream are taken very seriously. Lick Honest Ice Creams creates artisan flavors–with no artificial colors or flavors, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup–using dairy from a family-owned farm in Central Texas. With flavor combinations like Goat Cheese, Thyme & Honey, Dark Chocolate, Olive Oil & Sea Salt, and Hill Country Honey & Vanilla Bean, Lick takes you where no other ice cream shop has taken you before!
Lucky for Austinites needing a fix, we can now pick up pints of our favorite flavors at grocery stores throughout the city. Out-of-towners, don’t worry, Lick is more than happy to send some pints your way too.
1100 S. Lamar Blvd and 6555 Burnet Road #200 – Website
2/ Stunt Ranch
There are plenty of ranches in Texas, but the one right outside of Austin is where adventure junkies, young and old, can have the best afternoon of their lives. If you’re not brave enough to Action Hero Training, you can take part in some of the milder activities like Zorb ball racing, helicopter detonation or ziplining.
The coolest part about Stunt Ranch is the opportunity to hold your birthday, wedding or company event there. And for the pyromaniacs, there’s a pyro and explosion test bed on-site that’s part of their Pyro School.
13317 Fitzhugh Road – Website
3/ Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Austin’s Boardwalk (Credit: Holp Photography)
Wandering along the edges of Austin’s Lady Bird Lake, this 10-mile trail is for the city’s bikers, walkers and runners, acting as the perfect representation of what makes this place great. There are many great spots on the trail to show off to outsiders, but the mile-long boardwalk partially over water is the one spot you shouldn’t skip. It’s a unique stretch where looking to one side gives you skyline views of Austin, while the other side offers the natural beauty of Texas.
4/ Roadhouse Relics
Browse neon art at Roadhouse Relics
Roadhouse Relics is the spot to grab a picture and show off that you were in one of the coolest cities in the country. Down on South 1st Street, on the side of Todd Sanders’ art gallery of colorful, neon pieces, you’ll find one of the most recognizable pieces of street art in Austin. After your photo op, explore the gallery and the rest of the exterior to see what other funky, fun things you can spot.
1720 S. 1st St. – Website
5/ Lammes Candies
Treats for every type of sweet tooth at Lammes Candies
In 1878, William Wirt Lamme, a Texan confectioner and chocolatier, founded this Austin candy store. Originally located on Congress Avenue, the main location is now up north in a bright red building with a large candy cane out front that you’ll see before you arrive.
In the beginning, Lamme spent seven years testing his Texas Chewie Pecan Praline recipe, and it’s been a huge favorite ever since. Where else can you find the kind of dedication that’s still paying off over a hundred years later?
Besides the signature pralines, pick up some of the other decadent treats such as truffles, candy slices, fudge or almond toffee. If you’re in a rush, Lammes has plenty of gifts boxed and ready to go. And for you outsiders, Lammes has you covered with online ordering!
Multiple locations – Website
6/ Freedmen’s
Holy Trinity Plate at Freedmen’s with brisket, pork ribs and sausage (Credit: Freedmen’s)
Editor’s Note: Freedmen’s is closing Aug. 31, 2018, at its West Campus location.
Here’s another Austin classic with a rich history. Freedmen’s Bar in West Campus serves outstanding BBQ and cocktails in a historic building with a rustic-chic interior. Besides BBQ, there’s an extensive whiskey wall and beer garden to cover your boozy needs. However, it’s the meaty and juicy Texas BBQ that keeps outsiders craving a return visit.
The inside of Freedmen’s is beautiful and intimate, but the large outdoor patio is the perfect place to bring the dog and socialize on a weekend evening. Come Sundays for brunch and get a Bloody Mary that will make everyone jealous. It features a tall stack of red meat for the garnish!
2402 San Gabriel St. – Website
7/ Lucy in Disguise
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (Credit: Jim Nix/Nomadic Pursuits
You never knew you needed 8,000-square-feet of costumes and accessories until you visited Lucy in Disguise on South Congress for the first time. Outsiders might think you only need a costume shop in October, but in Austin we like to dress up more often than that. Any costume you can dream off, Lucy in Disguise has covered. All the way down to the props, masks, wigs and boas, this is the only shop you’ll need for your costume and theme parties throughout the year.
1506 S. Congress Ave. – Website
All of these funky and unique places are only a small part of what makes Austin so awesome. As Austinites, we might take them for granted, but let’s stop. These spots make outsiders jealous their city isn’t this cool!
@theAustinot wants to you:
What would you add to this list?
Caitlin is an Austin-based craft beer blogger and writer. When she’s not taking advantage of all the great drinks and eats in this city, you can usually catch her out exploring the Greenbelt or doing some vintage shopping.
