Hi everyone!
I spent last weekend in Austin, Texas!
I mentioned Friday that the Hubs had a conference and I went along to explore. I'd heard such great things about Austin and how it was kind of a sister city to Asheville in terms of how quirky they both are. Asheville also uses the phrase... "Keep Asheville Weird!" I don't know who came up with it first. 🙂
Some of the highlights from the trip included the food. I found some seriously yummy stuff in Austin including this acai bowl. I wish someone would open an acai place in Asheville. I know it would be a hit by my business alone!
I also tried way too many tacos for just a few short days! I was on a quest to find the best. These from Torchy's Tacos were my favorite. They honestly might have been my favorite tacos EVER and I've had a lot of tacos in my life. 🙂
I also ate at the original Chuy's which was a super unique experience.
It was cheesy Tex Mex at it's best!
I was by myself for part of the time, so I explored by foot including running around the gorgeous lake in the middle of downtown.
I also walked and shopped the SoCo district, which reminded me of Asheville with a Mexican influence. It was kind of nice to take my time shopping for a change!
It was pretty warm and humid, so I was looking forward to cooling off in Lady Bird Lake. You can canoe and stand up paddle board right through town! Sadly the recent flooding rains meant the area was closed. The water was very high and moving quickly so it was not safe.
Barton Springs, which is a natural spring-fed swimming pool was also closed due to flooding. I walked to check it out anyway... because I wasn't sure when I'd have the opportunity to come back.
I also saw some historical stuff including where they film Austin City Limits.
And the Texas State Capitol building. I kind of thought this would be boring, but I secretly loved it. It is such a pretty building and I loved all the historical and political stuff inside. Did you know that the Texas capitol building is taller than the US one? I guess everything is BIGGER in Texas.
In the evening we saw a super cheesy and amazing 80's cover band. I never would have found this on my own, but some of the Hubs colleagues led the way. I'm so glad I played along!
The evening the Hubs and I were on our own we listened to some enchanting jazz at the Elephant Room. Austin is known for it's live music, so I was glad we had the time to hear some.
It seemed like there was much more to do in Austin after 10 PM, but I am just not a night owl these days. I know that makes me sound like an old lady, but that's just where I'm at in life. It comes from getting up so early for so long for work. I did make past 11PM, and that's super late for me. If you go and like/can stay up late, I'd plan to listen to live music at night.
Visiting Austin was a lot of fun! I honestly didn't think it was near as quicky or "weird" as Asheville though! I didn't see any nuns on bikes, crazy street performers or drum circles. It felt like a much bigger, newer city with pockets of uniqueness. Regardless it's a lovely city! I enjoyed the trip and loved the excuse to geek out on Mexican/ TexMex food all weekend.
Until next time, Austin!
Thank you so much for reading today! See you tomorrow for a delicious take on a summer kale salad.
I'm linking up with: Wanderlust Wednesday, Wanderful Wednesday, Happiness Linkup, Thinking Out Loud Thursday & City Trippin.
Your turn!
Have you been to Austin?
Favorite tacos ever.... GO!
Mary Beth Jackson says
Looks like a good time! I do love a great conference- the tagalong is the best gig ever! I am just catching up from New Orleans. I did ZOOMA Texas in Austin but did not get to go into the city- I definitely want to go back!
Andrea on Vacation says
A Texas taco trip sounds awesome! I can never decide if Tex Mex style or fish tacos are my favorite- it changes. Looks like a fun trip.
JulieWunder says
That would be like asking me to choose between my children. 🙂 j/k They are both so good though.
Isabel says
Yep, they look like amazing tacos! Loved your pictures, looks like you had so much fun! Thanks for linking up! #WanderfulWednesday
JulieWunder says
Thank you Isabel! Tacos make everything better.
Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld says
This really is some delicious looking food, mmm! I've heard great things about Austin, but didn't know much about it at all so thanks for sharing, it looks like a colourful and vibrant place! 😀
JulieWunder says
Hi Marcella! It's a great place! Loved the food there. Thanks for stopping by!
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) says
I really want to go to Austin! I've heard some really great things and your post has confirmed much of that. Sounds like you had a great time wandering around the city at a relaxed pace- i just love doing that! Oh, and I am so with you on staying up late...just can't seem to do it anymore! So glad to have found your blog - thanks for linking to #citytripping
JulieWunder says
It's the perfect place to wander! I hope you get to go someday!
Melissa says
So fun! I had just visited Austin not too long before we moved away from Texas. The only thing I regret was not getting to go to any live music because I had C with me. I also went to that same river/lake area in town. Such a lovely walk. And TACOS. mmmmm!
JulieWunder says
It was a really nice place! I wish they had some day live music like in Nashville!
Cathy (MummyTravels) says
I've always heard such good things about Austin, definitely one of the places in Texas which tempts me most - and those tacos look fantastic. Although nuns on bikes means Asheville's shot onto my must-visit list as well! #citytripping
JulieWunder says
Oh yes, Asheville is definitely quirkier! If you come do the Purple Bus Tour. Really enjoyed Austin though too.
Ahila says
The jazz at the Elephant room sounds great. Thanks for sharing your lovely Austin weekend highlights at #CityTripping.
JulieWunder says
It was so nice! Thanks for stopping by!
Lauren says
I've heard such wonderful things about Austin! I've been dying to give the city a visit! That's so funny that people compare it to Asheville, I had no idea- but it also makes a lot of sense! They both seem to be such cool, laid back, artsy, quirky cities with so much to offer! You also just seriously made me hungry with all that food talk! Those tacos look delish! 😀 Thanks for sharing and linking up!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Lauren! Austin is a great place-- I enjoyed it. The tacos alone are worth the trip. Thanks for hosting!
Ruth says
Awesome, awesome, awesome! You photos make me nostalgic since I spend an entire summer in Austin while working an internship. A lot has changed in the city since then but other things seem to be the same (delicious food).
JulieWunder says
I bet it would be a great place to live! Loved the trial around the lake.
sara says
I'm a little biased but I think the Texas capitol is the most beautiful building ever!! Best tacos... hmmm... for street tacos it definitely has to be the rusty taco in Dallas. 🙂
JulieWunder says
Out of the ones I've seen, it definitely was the most beautiful!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I love Austin. It's such a fun city and the music is top notch 🙂
JulieWunder says
It is! I was really impressed with what I saw.
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
I heard Austin was really cool but I've never been there. Your food looked amazing!
My favorite taco I've never had was fried avocado. Delicious, but not something to eat everyday!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Mary Ellen! It was sooo good. One of the those tacos was fried avocado and holy moly... so good! I normally don't eat much fried food either, but decided to go for it too. Totally worth it!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
You sure do get around!! I love tacos and have never been to Austin. Looks like a fun time was had for sure
JulieWunder says
I do! This summer is kind of crazy. Hope you get to go one day.
carrie says
I am dying to get to Austin! I've heard such good things about the city. I'm not a huge taco person, but it sounds like that place has the power to turn me into one 🙂
JulieWunder says
Oh yes! They are so good... they just might suck you in!
Van @ Snow in Tromso says
Totally get what you mean - I'm an old lady myself, haha! Austin seems gorgeous though and all that food looks awesome!
JulieWunder says
I know! All live music should start at 7 🙂
Jasmin Charlotte says
Sounds like an awesome trip, I'd love to go to Texas, one of the only US states which I've not managed to get too. I bet the Mexican food there is amazing, cannot beat some tacos!
JulieWunder says
Oh yeah! Totally worth it going just for the tacos.
Michelle @ Mishfish13 says
Ah, this makes me nostalgic for when I lived there! It's a shame that you weren't able to take advantage of some outdoor water activities on Lady Bird Lake. I can't believe Barton was also flooded!
Happy you enjoyed it!
JulieWunder says
I know! It seemed like local were just staring at the rushing water in disbelief. I think there were even some deaths on the water while we were there, so it was pretty serious. So sad!
Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders says
I'm so glad that you enjoyed your trip to Austin! There really is so much fun things to do and see and eat in Austin, and even though it's not that weird, it's definitely weirder than the rest of the state. I totally agree with you that Torchy's is my favorite tacos too! My favorite is the trailer park and I always make it trashy. I hope that you have the chance to visit again so you can enjoy a lot of the outdoor activities that Austin has to offer!
JulieWunder says
I hope so too! The outdoor activities are much more up my alley!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Austin is pretty much the only place in Texas that I want to go. And you better believe I want to eat me some BBQ while I am there 😀 I'll eat the taco filling though!
JulieWunder says
Oh yes! The Hubs had some and he liked it!
Nano B. says
You had me at great tacos! Definitely hope to make it to Texas one day, it seems so different and unique in many ways. So many great memories, thanks for sharing! xoxo, nano
JulieWunder says
It's such a fun place! I hope to explore more of the state one day.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
My sister and I are going to Austin in September so this is very timely! I can't wait!
JulieWunder says
Oh fun! I hope you have a blast!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I only got to spend 2 days in Austin on my U.S trip, but I loved it! It's such a quirky place and Chuy's is not to be missed. I had the biggest burrito there.
JulieWunder says
It's soooo good! Loved all the Mexican food.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Sounds like a fun city. I have never been to Austin. I bet the food there is amazing. I love Mexican! I'm with you though w not being a night owl. I guess I'd miss alot if you had to stay up for all the excitement.
JulieWunder says
It's a fun place! It's so hard to stay up! We'd just have to make our fun at 7 PM 🙂
Blane Sherer says
Glad you enjoyed your Austin trip.
Nice shots. Thanks for sharing.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Blane! It was a great time!