Austin is a good place to live. It’s safe, the schools are exemplary, and your lungs won’t collapse when you step outside to take a deep breath. Great. But what else does it have to offer? Are there any places to party? And what about swimming and picnicking? Does the city have an art scene? These are all questions that you should ask before moving to any city, and luckily Austin offers all of this and more.
Restaurants
Nobody wants to live in an area where the restaurants serve the same types of cuisine. If you’re a foodie, you’ll die and go straight to heaven in Austin. Seriously. There’s just a barrage of eateries that cover everything from sultry sweets to smackin hot BBQ.
Hudson’s on the Bend
This restaurant has a lot going on in terms of food and fame. It was named one of the best eateries in Austin by Zagat, and is a favorite of Lance Armstrong. Checking out the menu is like flipping through a life science book full of animals. Vegans beware-this is not the place for you to dine out. Some of the more interesting menu items include Venison Sausage and Duck Gumbo, Coca Cola Baby Back Ribs, and the Hudson Swamp Platter with an interesting array of dishes: alligator tail and “chicken fried” frog legs. Yes, drooling is a normal reaction.
Huts Hamburgers
Huts has been in Austin since 1939. The swanky restaurant serves up over 30 different types of burgers and sandwiches, and most of them have some pretty interesting names. The “Richie Valens Burger” has a list of toppings that belong more in a Mexican eatery, including guacamole, grated cheese, onion and jalapenos. The entire menu of the 1950’s diner style eatery is full of comfort foods that most people look for in every city. The affordability makes it even more attractive to foodies and families. With the average item cost of $7, you could eat here several times a week.
Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill
This eatery looks more like a tri-level house tucked away in the shrubs, but serves up some really mean dishes. One of the dessert menu items include Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, served with bourbon sauce and vanilla ice cream. Another moment to drool. Really, this place is like southern comfort foods meet “stuffy” French fanciness. It’s a great place to try something different, and there’s plenty of seafood dishes.
There’s no shortage of places to eat in Austin. If you’re moving here, get ready to gain a few pounds, or at least break your strict diet a few times. There’s no way you can be surrounded by so much tantalizing foods and not indulge at least a dozen or so times.
Night Clubs
Don’t think the south doesn’t know how to party. The night clubs are always “off the hook”, and Austin has a pretty interesting mix of hot spots to choose from.
Suite 101
Suite 101 is a popular club among the urban hip hop crowd. From Thursday to Sunday, party goers can rock out to different genres of music including Hip Hop, and Dance music. VIP booths are scatted thorough out the club, and the overall décor screams modern and funky. This is definitely not your mom’s sock hop hangout.
Maggie Mae’s
If the whole urban hip hop scene is a bit much for you, you should check out Maggie Mae’s. Their club room is a popular spot for partiers looking to hear rock music and the blues. The place has seen its fair share of celebrities, and it even boasts a roof top deck that offers stunning views of the city. There’s an interesting history behind the name Maggie Mae as well. The club was named after the famous Austin prostitute of the 1800’s, Maggie May, who robbed the sailors after she finished her “services”. She would then sell the goods in a nearby bar.
Donns Depot
There’s a different mix of party goers every night at Donns Depot. This place is unique because it features a live band nightly, and they actually use real train cars in the seating areas. The crowd here is older and more laid back, totally opposite of that crowds you’d find at Suite 101. Donn’s in a place to unwind, cut a rug or two on the dance floor and try your hand at Blackjack.
Of course, there are plenty more night clubs in Austin, too many to cover in one article. You will surely find the place with an ambiance that suites your personal style, no matter how wild or conservative you are.
Parks and Recreation
From dog parks to nature trails, there’s loads of outdoor activities for families and singles in the River City.
Zilker Metropolitan Park
Zilker Metro Park is considered the most popular park in the city, and it hosts a variety of family friendly events every year. A few favorites are the holiday tree lighting ceremony during the Christmas holidays, and the summer concerts at the Hill Side Theater. The park also features a natural hot springs pool and canoeing. It’s the go-to place for residents throughout the year.
McKinney Falls State Park
People flock to McKinney State Park to get away from the urban atmosphere and just enjoy nature. It has an amazing view of the falls, and is an ideal spot for hiking, fishing and camping. Residents with younger children can take advantage of the Jr. Ranger Summer Camp programs, and there are rental facilities for families, or individuals that don’t own their own fishing equipment. Spending a day here could certainly relieve some stress, and give you a new appreciation for nature.
Barton Springs Pool
During the summer months, the heat in Austin can be brutal. The pools at Barton Springs welcome thousands of residents every day. The area does shut down for cleaning in March, but only for two weeks. That’s not too bad considering that the pools are natural springs that heat themselves. All of the real “maintenance” is done by nature. If you’re not the best swimmer, you won’t have to worry too much about drowning. Lifeguards are on hand during most hours of operation.
With a plethora of parks and recreation centers, you won’t have any trouble finding something to get into outside of the house.
Museums and Educational Facilities
Eating, clubbing and swimming are all fine and dandy. But what about culture and education? What does Austin have to offer in this area? Glad you asked.
Austin Nature and Science Center
There are tons of exhibits at the Austin Nature and Science Center (ANSC) to wow both children and adults. All sorts of wildlife including reptiles, fish, birds and mammals can be found here, and the park does a really great job of teaching about the natural habitats and why preserving them is important for educating future generations. There’s also a program that teaches residents how the paleontologist figures out where to fit dinosaur bones together to complete the animals skeleton. Interesting, right?
Austin History Center
If you’re considering moving to a city, you would definitely want to learn about its history. The Austin History center is where you can find out all about how the area was originally populated, and where the first settlers were from. Some of the exhibits include the old “Streets of Austin, “Austin at Work”, which details the various careers that residents were employed in, and “Austin Beginnings.” The beginnings exhibits includes some little known facts about the city. Did you know that the first golf club in Austin débuted in 1899?
Austin Art
Art is part of every culture, and there’s a fascinating display in Austin. The galleries include Mexican Art exhibits, as well as those from local artists. There’s something for everyone here, and not all of the pieces are hands off. In city hall, there’s a public display that residents can access any time of year, and it’s Ok to reach out and touch the sculptures. Because the art in this city is located in several different places, it’s easy to run across something that captures your attention while you’re out shopping or on your way to grab something tasty from Huts Hamburgers.
Your move to Austin won’t be in vain. There’s plenty to do, and more to do after you’re done doing that. No matter what your lifestyle is, you can be entertained, educated and well fed in the Heart of Texas.
