Five Local Tips for Enjoying the Best of Austin in February

Editor’s note:  If you’re planning on flying to Austin  for Write in the Heart of Texas on Saturday, Feb. 3  now is the time to get your tickets! Delta Airlines is offering a discount: Just click the “Advanced Search” link on www.delta.com  and enter NMPN3 in the box that says “Meeting Event Code.” If your flight qualifies for a discount, it will automatically be applied to your search results. Click here to sign up for a great speaker and Client Connections lineup and this:

We have several endearing phrases in Texas, but one of my favorites is, “Y’all come!” Texans are every bit as warm-hearted and welcoming as you may have heard. And we are so excited to welcome you to Austin, that weird, wonderful Live Music Capital of the World with so many treasures for you to explore while you’re in town for ASJA’s Write in the Heart of Texas. And those of you in the dreary winter cold can enjoy some famous Texas sunshine and warmth.

I’ve enjoyed exploring Austin, the city I’ve called home for the past three and a half years along with about 950,000 other folks, and I’m happy to share with you my favorite tips for getting a good taste of what we’re serving up.

Explore our art — indoors and out. Austin’s vibrant diversity and creativity are on display throughout our art museums, which you can enjoy both indoors and out. Among my personal favorites: The Contemporary Austin, located right on Congress near the Capitol; the Mexic-Arte Museum, which showcases Mexican, Latino and Latin American art; Laguna Gloria, an outdoor sculpture garden with fascinating installations dotting the wooded areas; and the Blanton Museum of Art on the University of Texas campus. For some extra special Instagram-worthy art, visit the HOPE Outdoor Gallery, our graffiti park.

Take a hike. One of the advantages of central Texas in February is that you can usually enjoy a crisp, sunny day without having to bundle up in all your winter clothes. We have several hiking trails within a short distance of the city for you to explore. Lake Bird Lake’s Hike and Bike Trail offers three-, four- and five-mile loops starting right downtown. Climbing Mount Bonnell is another time-honored Austin tradition. If you climb the 100 steps to the top, you’ll be rewarded with great views of Lake Austin, one of six freshwater lakes in Central Texas called the Highland Lakes, which were formed with dams along the Colorado River.

Learn the story of Texas. If you’re interested in learning about Texas history while you’re here, I highly recommend the Bullock Museum, a three-level building that is chock-full of fascinating and immersive exhibits that reveal the exciting and tempestuous story of the Lone Star State, including the Battle of the Alamo and the state’s role in the space race. Not to be missed: the Texas Spirit Theater, which engages all of your senses while taking you on a journey through history.

Get you some food. Everyone has their favorite barbecue joint in town — enjoy the challenge of finding your own while you’re here. You’ll also want to grab a breakfast taco (a breakfast staple for any true Austinite), and why not venture into some of the fusion cuisine that is a hallmark of our food truck culture? My current personal favorite spots include Elizabeth Street Cafe and East Side King. If you’re staying overnight until Sunday, I recommend making reservations for Gospel Brunch at Stubb’s — it’s a transformative experience even for those who usually just sleep in on Sundays.

Enjoy a fine drink. I’ve previously written about Austin’s “secret bars,” which are always among my top recommendations for out of town guests looking for a unique evening experience that includes craft cocktails. If 6th Street (also known as “Dirty Sixth”) isn’t quite your scene, head over to Rainey Street for some even more off-beat nightlife.  Among the latter are the Container Bar, drinks and DJs in an industrial space built from actual shipyard containers, and Bar Ilegal, known for mezcal, a smoky, agave-based liquor.

Cynthia J. Drake is a travel writer who has lived in Austin since 2014, after growing up in Michigan. She serves as the Client Connections chair for ASJA’s 2018 Austin Conference. Cynthia loves writing about interesting people, places and food for Texas Highways Magazine, AAA’s Texas Journey and Family Vacation Critic, and would love to meet up for a drink at the Midnight Cowboy.

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