11 Things No One Tells You About... Austin, Texas
It’s hard to believe that Austin was just a sleepy college town a generation ago. These days, the capital of Texas is one of the top destinations in the Southwest. It’s not just the live music capital of the world — the city has become a boomtown home to incredible barbecue, Tex-Mex food and so much more. Here are 11 things to know before you go.
1. Paradise Is Just Southwest of Downtown
A 30-minute walk — or five-minute cab ride — from Sixth and Congress is where you'll find Barton Springs, which is absolute nirvana, especially when the mercury is about to hit triple digits. Zilker Park’s outdoor swimming pool is filled with 68° water year-round from nearby natural springs and is particularly refreshing after a night of partying on Sixth Street.
2. It’s All About the Barbecue
Don’t go to the most celebrated joint in town, Franklin Barbecue — sure, it’s good, but the very long wait isn’t worth it. Stubbs, Freedmen’s and Kerlin barbecue score plenty of press, but Iron Works BBQ, due to its combination of delicious food and reasonable lines, is the spot for those in the know. The tangy beef ribs and tasty brisket are simply sublime.
3. Where to Find the Best Breakfast
Almost 10 years ago, Las Manitas Avenue Café was the place in town to go for breakfast. Nowadays, a new champ has emerged after the legendary hotspot closed its doors in 2008. The aptly named Juan in a Million has emerged among locals who love massive breakfast tacos and lots of chorizo.
4. The One Music Venue You Can't Miss
Austin is the live music capital of the world. There are a ton of clubs along Sixth Street, which is often about as gridlocked as nearby I-35, particularly during South by Southwest. Bypass Sixth Street for South Congress and visit the venerable Continental Club, which sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. However, hipsters are aware of it, and the same can be said for local musicians of note. When Robert Plant moved to Austin with then-girlfriend Patty Griffin, the biggest rock star to ever live in the capital of Texas played the cozy Continental.
5. Where to Find a Slice of Old Austin
Austin has arguably changed more than any other American city over the last 20 years. The skyline has morphed dramatically and the one-time one-horse town has major traffic jams. If you want to go back in time, visit the Broken Spoke, an old-school dance hall relic of Austin's past. There was a great deal of elbow room during a visit last year during SXSW — much of the music industry was partying downtown, while locals swilled Lone Stars, chowed down on chicken fried steak and were captivated by the two-steppers tearing it up on the dance floor.
6. You Can Order Sushi in Texas
The conventional way of thinking was to always order steak in the Lone Star State, not fish. But that was before Uchi opened, and while this sushi spot is incredible, everyone knows about it — during a recent visit on a Sunday night, the wait was 90 minutes and the rolls were pricey. Just a few blocks over, you'll find Otoko, an under-the-radar spot offering reasonably priced sushi. Visit soon before everyone is entranced by chef Yoshi Okai, who serves it up Tokyo-style.
7. Go for the Tex-Mex
It’s easy to miss this little hidden gem on South 1st Street, but the folks at the El Primo Taco Trailer serve up the best breakfast tacos in Austin. Just be careful when you pour the red sauce over your migas — it’s potent. The food is excellent across the board and the location is perfect since it’s next door to the Once Over Coffee Bar, where you can score a quality cup of José.
8. The Best Way to Kill Some Calories
It’s so obvious that Lady Bird Lake — aka. Town Lake, for longtime locals — is often overlooked. It’s in the center of downtown and a perfect place to bike or jog, which isn’t a bad idea since you can count on bulking up a bit during a visit to Austin. There are even hammocks near The Four Seasons if you want to relax and catch some rays.
9. Head to the Secret Bar on 6th Street
Midnight Cowboy is almost like a speakeasy since it’s a local, in-the-know type of watering hole. A red light leads the way to this reservations-only cocktail bar, which gets its name from the once-secret brothel in the same location. Be warned — the cocktails here are potent.
10. Rooftop Bars Are All the Rage
Backbeat, which recently opened, is one of the latest rooftop bars to hit the Austin scene. Down tequila sours as you gaze out from a super-chill environment onto gridlocked South Lamar. This rooftop hotspot boasts an eclectic drink menu and a good vibe.
11. Know Where to Unwind
When you’ve had enough of the bustle and those trying to keep Austin weird, take a break at UMLAUF Sculpture Garden, a museum/garden filled with Charles Umlauf’s dramatic sculptures. His work ranges from haunting expressionism to lyrical abstraction. The late Umlauf, who donated his home for exhibition, used a variety of materials, from terra-cotta to cast stone to bronze, so there's something for everyone.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Austin, Texas? Tell us about them, below.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.