Keeping it Weird in Austin: Hipmunk City Love

The motto “Keep Austin Weird” speaks volumes about the city. This is a place where you can (figuratively) kick off your shoes and feel right at home. These are your tips for feeling like a local in no time.

You Have To Go To Hole in the Wall

Did you know Austin is known as the live music capital of the world? Expect to feel like you’re starring in your own movie as you’re serenaded walking down streets, at the grocery store, and at any coffeehouse worth its salt. However, one place that is a full-on music destination is the dive bar Hole in the Wall with two stages and a restaurant in the back.

Save yourself some money and hit the happy hour weekdays from 4 to 7pm when you can get a drink for a bargain price while listening to local musicians. And that restaurant in the back? They serve the best fried beets in the city, so you better snag some while they’re hot and belly up to the bar like a local.

Image courtesy of Katz’s Kaddy from Flickr

Eat At Food Trucks

If you’ve not eaten at a food truck yet, don’t worry, Austin is the perfect place to jump on this food trend which is undoubtedly here to stay. Having a confined kitchen space means each truck usually does only one or two things, and that they do them right. Try a favorite truck “Chi’lantro” that fuses Mexican and Korean flavors into dishes like tacos and their specialty: kimchi fries, which are covered in cheese and sriracha sauce. Yum.

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you know the closest to BBQ you have ever seen is corn on the cob, but get ready for BBQ Revolution to blow your mind. With smoked “meats” served alongside traditional favorites like coleslaw, mac and cheese, and the best potato salad ever, you’re guaranteed to leave blown away.

The Visitor’s Center is Like a Free Travel Agent

The Austin Visitor Center is thrilled to give you all the tips, tricks, and maps you need to get a feel for the city and jump into the fast track of what life is like in this weird city. In addition to being incredibly helpful and up-to-date with goings-on, they offer discounted parking, which comes at a premium in Austin. You can get three hours of parking for only $6 when you get the voucher from inside the visitor center office. If you’d like to see the city on foot and with a free guide, ask them about the free walking tours that they offer daily — they get rave reviews!

Image courtesy of Katie Haugland from Flickr

Sleep at Hotel Van Zandt, A Kimpton Hotel

Kimpton is the king of lavish living and always adapts its hotels to the style of the city. That’s true with the Hotel Van Zandt, too. It claims to be the perfect place whether you like to “crash hard or chill out” and its location on Davis Street is a perfect starting point for exploring all of Austin. The pool and surrounding cabanas offer a great place to retreat and escape the brutal blanket of Texas heat.

Whether you’re here to work or play, Austin is waiting to show you her quirky side.

Please note : This is part of a series for #HipmunkCityLove. Hipmunk.com is low-cost and budget travel service that I use while planning budget travel, and am thrilled to write for. I know you will find the articles as well as their services useful.

Remember, you are my first priority and I only work with or support companies whose products and services I believe in. For all the nitty gritty on this check out my disclaimer. It’s even got pictures of monkeys.