Adventure Town: Austin – A Local’s Guide to SXSW
It’s true that Austin (pop. 782,967) is different in at least one way from the rest of Texas: It’s the lone blue outpost in an overwhelmingly red state. But in every way that counts, the state capital is pure Lone Star. Austinites, like all Texans, two-step to Willie, accessorize in cowboy boots, and know how to spell “y’all” (never “ya’ll”). Tacos filled with scrambled eggs are customary for breakfast, and salt-encrusted margaritas suffice for electrolyte drinks. I migrated here from Dallas a decade ago and then, like a lot of UT grads, figured out a way to stick around. Mid-March is the time I’m especially glad I did: Temps hover in the 70s, and the South By Southwest Festival brings 1,900 bands to town.
Festival passes start at a hefty $595, but that gives you access to five days full of music—and ensures entrance to the hottest shows. (Stadium stalwarts Metallica played a 2,000-person venue here last year.) Thrifty festival-goers, meanwhile, can freeload off an array of gratis entertainment, which ranges from guerrilla concerts by stars like Kanye West to previews of aspiring bands. In between acts, recharge in my favorite (up until now, secret) swimming hole, McKinney Falls, where water spills from a limestone plateau into a shaded pool.
YOUR LONG WEEKEND: Grab a rental from the extensive knobby-tired fleet at Bicycle Sport Shop. Valet-park your new wheels (yes, they’ll do this) at the historic Driskill Hotel, a dignified retreat on the Sixth Street strip. Next morning, pedal Barton Creek’s Dragon’s Tooth trail, named for the jagged rocks jutting up from the ground, then refuel with a Dirty Sanchez (scrambled eggs, fried poblano chilies, escabeche carrots, cheese, and spicy ranch sauce in a fresh tortilla) from Torchy’s Taco Trailer. Torchy’s is BYOB, so come armed with a tall boy of Lone Star. Then tour the lakeside Lance Armstrong Bikeway into downtown—home base for SXSW badge bearers. —Text by Ian Dille; Photograph by Denise Chambers
Vitals
DO: Bicycle Sport Shop ($32 a day; bicyclesportshop.com; Barton Creek Greenbelt (ci.austin.tx.us/parks/greenbelts.htm); SXSW (March 12–21; sxsw.com)
SLEEP: Driskill Hotel (doubles from $282; driskillhotel.com)
EAT: Torchy’s Tacos (torchystacos.com)
Check out our guide to 100 top American adventure towns, with an
interactive map, photo galleries, and travel tips from readers like you. See America's Best Adventure Towns >>
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains