Part 2 of 3
Austin
This is the second section of our trip through Eastern Texas. Read part one where we visited Dallas and Fort Worth to see the complete trip. We spent several days in Austin for my husband’s work conference so I got to explore here mostly on my own. We were here in mid to late September which turned out to be perfect for weather. Check out what I did in the capital of the Lone Star State.
History
The Texas State Capitol building is one of the most beautiful buildings. Even if you’re not interested in architecture you can appreciate this building. Stop by the visitors center first to get information and check out a few exhibits, especially upstairs where you will learn what it was like to be a cowboy driving a herd. Everything a cowboy wears has an important purpose, and they used the biggest skillets I’ve ever seen.
Then head over to the capitol where tours are every half hour and last about an hour. You will have to go through a metal detector. It is worth it to just go into the building, which is lavishly adorned with ornate carvings, and magnificent paintings. Learn about how Texas became the state we know it as today, and how the state legislature works. You’ll go into the Senate and House of Representatives rooms (as long as they’re not in session). These rooms hold a lot of history and I’m glad I got to see it all.
The Bullock Texas History Museum is a short walk from the Capitol but plan to spend some real time here. I walked through this museum for over 3 hours taking in the rich history of Texas. Who knew the amount of history would match the size of the state! This museum has so much to offer about the formation of Texas; those who lived there, visited, and made roots in the vast land we now know as the state of Texas. There are four floors that will take you through history from beginning to present day. One of the first things you’ll see is the ship La Belle which voyaged over three hundred years ago in 1686 under the French King Louis XIV. You can see how the diverse cultures of all the explorers and travelers culminated in the area and merged into the Texas culture we’ve grown to know. There were many Native American tribes that called Texas home, settlers from Spain, France, and Mexico all laying claim to the land, and they are all represented in the history and culture.
Experiences
If you’re tired of history and want to see something that doesn’t last for hours with tons of reading, I recommend the Congress Street Bridge bats. This is one of the most popular attractions in Austin. If you’re unfamiliar with it, thousands of bats fly out from the bridge which they call home around sunset. The best time to see this magnificent display is from March to early fall. We were there in September, and we did see bats, but not as glorious as I’ve seen in pictures. Get there a little early to secure a spot and be prepared to wait; bats do not own watches. I would also recommend doing a boat ride for this if that is something you are interested in. They will put you right under the bridge and they have red lights (red lights do not bother bats while white lights do) which make it easier to see them.
Some other fun activities are walking down the boardwalk along the lake that will give you great views of the city. You can also rent a kayak, paddle boards, or take a boat ride. Check out 6th street, after all it is the live music capital of the U.S. When I was there I walked around alone, and didn’t feel comfortable with the aggressive homeless population, especially in this area, so maybe don’t go alone or at least be prepared and cautious.
The Toy Museum was a very unique stop. While it does say museum in the title, I would say it’s more of a display than a museum. There were about ten cases crammed with toys, everything from Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Barbie, My Little Pony, and comic book characters to the most elaborate G.I. Joe display I’ve ever seen. The best part was the price of your ticket includes unlimited access to the vintage arcade games: Pac man, Galactica, and star wars themed pinball were my favorites. You can play as long as you want, no quarters necessary!
Nature
I also enjoyed exploring the Austin Zoo which was not your typical zoo. It started as someone’s backyard but became an official zoo in 1999. The walkway is not paved, and they definitely put all the money earned into the care of the animals. All the animals seemed happy and healthy. I watched several of them play, and eat. Since I got there as soon as they opened it just happened to be feeding time. They were all very playful at that time which was nice seeing them so active. Again, this is not your typical zoo, but don’t let looks deceive you – many of these animals I have never seen at other zoos. I loved that each enclosure told not only the information about the species, but it also told the name, birth date, and the individual animals’ story of how they became part of the zoo. Most of the animals are rescued or relocated due to unforeseen circumstances, and I enjoyed getting to know, and spend time with each animal.
I also explored Zilker Botanical Gardens where the Japanese gardens transported me to a fairy tale land with all of the enchanting water features. I would only recommend this particular stop to those who enjoy plants or just want to walk around a nice garden. While I did enjoy getting to see what this garden had to offer, it was not my cup of tea. Most of the gardens looked like weeds, hardly anything was blooming in September (my fault for not coming during the prime bloom season). I enjoyed it but it’s not for everyone. There were several pieces of history throughout which made the experience better. The little village included a historical school house, a replica of a home and blacksmith shop along with part of the first schoolhouse in Austin.
Eats + Treats
Biscuits + Groovy is a local food truck that serves up a fantastic breakfast. I got the Johnny, which is three biscuits loaded with potatoes, sausage, bacon, and cheese, which sounds like a lot, but it is so delicious and all works perfectly together. The three biscuit options are shareable if you don’t have a big appetite. The guys that work the truck are super nice and they have picnic tables for you to enjoy your breakfast.
Forthright is a cute little café with great food. I got the breakfast sandwich which was very tasty. Service was great and I loved the cozy feel inside even though we decided to sit outside and enjoy the cool morning breeze.
Veracruz All Natural is owned and operated by two sisters from Mexico making it authentic. This cute little place is conveniently located by the Congress Street Bridge and boardwalk. It’s family friendly and casual, great for a quick snack or meal. The tacos are small but packed with flavor. The guacamole and chips were great! If you do not like onions or cilantro (which I do not) you might actually like how they’re used here. I’m a believer in not altering the dish because that’s how the chef intended it, and any changes will change the flavor. I would typically not want onions or cilantro in my food but it came that way and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it. You will find a lot of Mexican cuisine in Austin, each with it’s own take on traditional dishes.
We spent several days in Austin which was perfect for the middle portion of our road trip. It was a chance to slow the pace and really get to know the city. We continued on to some of the best experiences I’ve ever had. To continue our road trip read East Texas Road Trip: End of the Road.
