Austin City Limits is officially here and while you were busy finalizing your band schedule, I put together a guide to experiencing Austin to its fullest. Both weekends – free pedicab rides, where to get festival ready, best eats at ACL, where to get away from the craziness, best brunches in Austin, shop & eat on South Congress, and best bars to grab a drink.
SEE ALSO: 5 Tips You Need To Know To Survive ACL 2016
7 THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN IF YOU’RE IN TOWN FOR ACL
Table of Contents
HITCH A PEDICAB RIDE TO ACL
Hey Austinites – SkinnyPop Popcorn is offering pedicab rides with SkinnyPop Popcorn for locals on Barton Springs Road to anywhere between Congress and Robert E. Lee from 9/30-10/2 and 10/7-10/9 from noon to 8PM!
GET FESTIVAL READY
You can’t go to ACL without some sparkle so drop by Psyche Jewelry To Go Airstream boutique on Barton Springs Rd on your walk into Zilker Park.
Southern Hippie is hosting an ACL pre-party with complementary henna from a local artist, cocktails, and shop their exclusive Cleobella merchandise.
ACL EATS
Chow down on the best eats in Austin conveniently at Austin City Limit’s ACL Eats food court. Look out for Chi’Lantro BBQ, Burro Cheese Kitchen, East Side King, Micklethwait Barbecue, Peached Tortilla, Torchy’s Tacos, Trudy’s, and Wholly Cow. Amy’s Ice Cream, Bananarchy, GoodPop Popsicles, Skull & Cakebones, and Tiff’s Treats are serving up the sweets. Keep hydrated with High Brew Coffee, Maine Root Beverages, and JuiceLand.
PADDLE BOARDING ON LADY BIRD LAKE
Wanna get away from the crowds? Go paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake with the best view of downtown Austin. My favorite spot is from the Texas Rowing Company.
SEE ALSO: 7 Best Swimming Holes in Austin
BRUNCH AT AUSTIN’S TOP RESTAURANTS
Fuel up on a hearty brunch before heading to ACL. Italic (pictured above), VOX Table, El Alma, Emmer & Rye, La Condesa, Cafe No Se, and Elizabeth St Cafe are great brunch spots!
SEE ALSO: Best Brunch in Austin
SHOP & EAT ON SOUTH CONGRESS
SoCo is the place to hang out during ACL weekend. Park your car, and walk up and down the strip.
Shop at local boutiques like By George, Cove, Maya Star, Limbo Jewelry, STAG Provisions, Urban Apparel Liquidators, Lucy’s in Disguise, Goorin Bros. Hat Shop, and try on a pair or two of cowboy boots at Allens Boots.
Hungry? Grab a slice of pizza from Homeslice Pizza’s walk up window, snacks at Snack Bar, burgers at Hopdoddy, or tacos at Güero´s Taco Bar.
Thirsty? Jo’s Coffee’s iced turbo or Austin City Lemon’s cold lemonade will keep you going.
Celeb sightings? Head to Jo’s Coffee or South Congress Hotel.
HANG OUT AT AUSTIN’S COOLEST BARS
We’re all about craft cocktails and local beers. Garage (hidden bar in a garage that’s a fav among celebs), The Townsend, Roosevelt Room, Greenlight Social, Red Room Lounge, and Midnight Cowboy (reservations required) are popular picks in downtown Austin. Headed to East Austin? Check out Whisler’s, Weather Up, Ah Sing Den, Stay Gold, and Craftsman.
SEE ALSO: 7 Best Bars In Austin For A Craft Cocktail
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