Matthew McConaughey, a somehow flattering shade of burnt orange, bats, and ice cream that gets thrown at you. Before heading to Austin, this is the only knowledge I had of the city. That all changed on my magical weekend trip there, as my roommates and I flew down South for a hometown date with our Texas native, Lauren.
Before flying out of Kansas City, I swung the ladies by Front Range Coffee for a sip of hot cocoa to fuel us on a brief (20 minute) driving tour of the Country Club Plaza and the world renowned Prairie Village Shopping Center. Then, off we go!
Immediately after touching down in the Land of the Longhorn, we stopped at Texas Honey Ham Co. to line the stomachs of us weary travelers with breakfast tacos (an Austin invention). Apparently, this is also the after-school stomping grounds of Lauren’s alma mater, Westlake High, so I felt like a true Chaparral getting to dine here.
After a tour of the Blue abode (and a meet and greet with the Blue Family Band themselves), we went on a driving tour of the city in the bass player’s 4 runner. We cruised through the rolling hills, and then past endless clusters of al fresco restaurants adorned with neon signs, twinkle lights, and the other-worldly smell of Tex Mex. I might just have to pull a Grimes/Elon and become an Austin transplant.
Due to some long restaurant wait times a la the influx of bachelorette parties, we ended up at the perfect spot: Elizabeth Street Cafe. At this Vietnamese cafe and French bakery, we dined on a magical garden patio and warmed ourselves from the pleasant evening chill with pho and steamed rice rolls.
What would a Thanksgiving break trip be without ringing in holiday spirit? We went to Mozart’s Coffee Roasters (right on the water!) for their annual Christmas lights show, accompanied by some live piano music and immaculate people watching. While singing “Here Comes Santa Claus” in 60 degree weather felt somewhat sac-religious, I was living for the warmer winters experienced down south. I’m now a converted advocate against a white Christmas.
To top it off, we hit up Amy’s for a local scoop of ice cream. This was a highlight for me, as I had gotten a taste before in the Austin airport many high school journalism trips ago.
We hit the ground running the next day, going for a stroll around Lake Austin/Ladybird Lake. This gorgeous nature trail gave us scenic views of downtown and equally as eye-catching, the fit and fab Austin locals themselves (seriously, what are they putting in the water down here?). The cherry on top was brushing right past Elizabeth Olsen on our walk. For all you Wanda Vision fans, no, Deux Moi did not post my sighting DM.
Checking another Texas delicacy off the list, we drove past an Outdoor Voices event straight to Juiceland for some açaí bowls.
To scratch our itch for materialism, our troop took to South Congress for some shopping and bopping.
I was excited to experience both national stores I’ve only ever been able to visit via Instagram (LoveShackFancy, Aviator Nation, Reformation, Studs, etc.), but also some with more Texas flair to them, like Allens Boots, Howler Bros., and Stag. The flame of my inner Southern Belle was ignited while perusing rows of Lucchese kicks and customizable Stetson hats. If anyone wants to donate to an aspiring cowgirl, my Venmo is open.
Before heading out for a night of live country music and dancing on the famed sixth street, we enjoyed some queso and enchiladas that would have Las Margs of Columbia, MO rolling in their grave. Shoutout the cute busboy at El Alma for enhancing the experience.
The next sunrise greeted us with the gift of sleeping in + some bagel sandwiches next to Lauren’s pool. The squirt of egg yolk splattered across my whtie tennis skirt after taking a bite was quite the bespoke way to say good morning. Wanting to fully immerse ourselves in Hook ‘Em culture, we took a stroll around UT’s gorgeous, and also massive, campus.
By the end of the tour, I was throwing a “horns up” at just about every person who crossed my path. We grabbed ice cream and cookies at Tiny Boxwoods Milk & Cookies outpost, the perfect activity for me and my friends who will jump at the chance of any sweet treat we can find.
The day concluded by swapping our “howdys” for “bonjours,” as we headed to dinner at Justine’s French Brasserie.
Our full spread consisted of pommes frites, spaghetti bolognese, mussels, creme brûlée, and chocolate torte, so you could say the culinary scene here treated us well.
As we exchanged memories from the trip, our meal became a verbal scrapbook of our action-packed rendezvous in Austin. We concluded the night with some cards by the Blue’s outdoor fireplace. Texas: don’t forget about me, I’ll be back.
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