On the road again…Austin
For Spring Break 2022 we headed down to Austin, Texas for a week of fun in the sun- visiting with family and making the most of our five days in the Lone Star State. There is so much to see and do in the capitol of Texas- from the food & craft beer scene, to outdoor adventures, shopping, and live music. We were too early in the season to see the bats under the bridge, but the Southern hospitality and “Keep Austin Weird” vibe made us want to stay forever…
I cannot give the Four Seasons enough stars! The downtown location is ideal- you can walk to bustling South Congress, or choose to relax on their gorgeous property, located on Lady Bird Lake. We spent every morning at the peaceful saltwater pool, which was never crowded (bonus- room service delivers to the pool, I highly suggest the spicy margarita.) Their “backyard” offers several lush lounging areas and cozy fire pits for taking in the spectacular sunsets. While there be sure to play some baggo, outdoor ping-pong, or just read a book on the hammock. The service and amenities are top notch- from the welcome chocolates, to arranging for a car service, securing tee times, and delivering flowers. They even put the Oscars on for us in the bar (alas, with no sound, so were extra confused by THAT slap!) YES, it is expensive but they make it worth every penny. It was a splurge for a much deserved and delayed Spring Break.
On our second evening in Austin we headed to the Texas Hill Country. Jester King is “an authentic farmhouse brewery committed to mixed culture and spontaneous fermentation. Our beer incorporates our natural surroundings and local agriculture, to make beer uniquely tied to a time, place and people. Our tasting room provides a beautiful, relaxed setting to enjoy the Texas Hill Country with friends and family.” Beer, wine, BBQ, and goats? I’m in! The endless nature trails wind around the ranch- we only made it as far as the goat farm because we ended up spending so much time with the newborn babies (cocktails in hand, of course.) I would put this excursion on your must do list if you are planning a trip to Austin- check out their calendar for live music, movie nights, goat yoga, and more!
Of course y’all need to head to South Congress when in Austin! Start at one end and wander your way back and forth. Here is a map of the most famous and “instagramable” murals you will come across. Be sure to check out the designer boutiques and local shops- offering everything from custom hats to frilly dresses and vintage candy. Save time to stop along the way at the many food trucks, coffee shops, and open-air restaurants and bars- many with live music.
While we are on the subject of food… there are so many delicious options to choose from! Obvious must-haves are BBQ and the many food trucks. But there is so much more to choose from in this foodie city. Our first day we ate lunch AND dinner at Ciclo in our hotel, the Four Seasons. We all loved the sweet corn empanadas so much at lunch that we had them again as an appetizer at dinner. A highlight was the House Signature Experience- a Flambéed Texas Wagyu Tomahawk cooked to perfection table side.
We had several recommendations to try Uchi, and it did not disappoint! We appreciated the creative preparations of sushi and cooked dishes including the Hot Rock, a Wagyu beef you cook yourself on a hot rock (do you see a theme here…) Last but not least for dessert was Coffee and Earl Grey Sorbet OMG so good- I tried to find a recipe to make at home but ended up with more of a sugary shaved ice!
The wait for food at Jester King Brewery was 2 hours (if you go order BEFORE you head to the goat farm!) so we went back to town and had pizza at my cousin’s favorite spot Home Slice. The self proclaimed “Queen of Pies” on South Congress is iconic for a reason and worth a visit for sure, especially if you like New York style pizza. While we didn’t hit up Franklin’s BBQ this time, we did have our last dinner in Austin at Loro- where Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole (Uchi) merged their two loves of Asian and Texas cuisine together. We sat outside on picnic benches and devoured our food so fast I didn’t get any photos! Brunch before heading to the airport was at Josephine House- which is as adorable as it is yummy.
Side note… if you see someone roadside serving fresh juice in coconuts- pull over for a special treat!
The location of our hotel right on Lady Bird Lake was ideal for getting outside and enjoying the perfect weather. There are walking trails, retro electric boat and bike rentals, also you can fish right along the shore (and even from the bridge.) A short ride away offers some of the BEST BASS FISHING in Texas, and endless opportunities to spend a day on the golf course.
Y’all know I love a themed travel wardrobe as much as Meghan and Kate- you can shop my looks HERE on my LTK site. The velvet dress is Double D Ranch from Wildfire Mercantile- purchased on our trip in February to California. Now I realize I never shared that trip- so… another blog post coming soon! (The flag sweater and turquoise necklace are vintage.)
