By Kristin Luna
A native of the American South, travel writer Kristin Luna got
back to her roots during a recent trip to Austin, Texas. Some
highlights:
STAY: Simply name drop that you’re staying at the sumptuous Driskill Hotel,
and heads will turn. It is, without a doubt, the city’s most famed
establishment and rightfully so. Located smack in the center of
downtown, within walking distance to the State Capitol, it’s steeped in
history and boasts the fanciest digs around. Rooms exude an
old-fashioned charm with their oil paintings, antique furniture and
delicate drapery, mixed with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, DVD
players, iPod docks, wireless Internet and Molton Brown bath products.
Around the corner from the Driskill, the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin
is another popular option with business travelers; like the rest of the
brand, it affords the utmost comfort in beds and amenities, and also
houses a chic second-floor bar with incomparable views of the Capitol.
If you prefer a stay-and-play vacation, Barton Springs Resort & Spa
can fulfill all of those needs. With four golf courses, 11 lit tennis
courts, a state-of-the-art gym and running track and plush grounds that
span 4,000 acres, Barton Creek deserves its own zip code. Be sure and
pamper yourself at the remarkable spa, which features unique treatments
like a Mexican Chocolate Cayenne Scrub or a Hill Country Harvest
Souffle, a full-body massage using warmed avocado pits and various
other parts of the fruit for nourishment. Barton Creek is also perfect
for families, with a great pool and deck and even 18 holes of mini-golf
on site. A hotel that offers a more typical Austin feel is the quirky San Jose Hotel
on South Congress; with a central courtyard, pool and bar, it attracts
a younger clientele and those ready to mingle. Its bungalow-style rooms
are also quite interesting with stucco walls, concrete floors and
geometric windows that occupy an entire wall.
EAT: After splitting time between New York and San
Francisco over the past few years—two cities known for their culinary
assets—I’ve become quite the food snob. Prior to my trip, I had heard
that Austin didn’t have much of a dining reputation, but was pleased to
find that was far from the truth. Happy hour at Ranch 616
is a good introduction to the city: The restaurant and bar is now home
to the “official drink of Austin”—the Fire in the Hole—as recently
voted on by a panel of local judges. Appetizers like fried asparagus,
frogs legs and crispy oysters with chipotle tartar are the perfect
complement to a shot of Paula’s Orange Liquor, lime juice, cayenne and
chili powder with a Lone Star beer for a chaser. From there, move on to
Guero’s Taco Bar,
which frequently draws the likes of Matthew McConaughey, pal Lance
Armstrong and tennis superstar Andy Roddick, and is a favorite joint of
the Clintons. South Congress Café
serves a mean brunch with dishes like Southwestern-style eggs benedict
and carrot cake French toast, and Sandra Bullock’s eatery, Bess Bistro, is popular for its yummy comfort food. For some tried-and-true Texas BBQ, opt for Stubb’s or Salt Lick. If you want fine dining, you’ll find your fanciest fare at Hudson’s on the Bend
with its menu of quality game, including elk, Cornish hen, hare, wild
boar, buffalo and quail. Those with a sweet tooth should grab a baked
good at the Airstream trailer housing Hey Cupcake! or a cone at Texas chain Amy’s Ice Creams after dinner.
SHOP: Second Avenue’s row of boutiques will warm up your
plastic, while South Congress Avenue can continue the credit card
calisthenics at kitschy one-off finds, antique stores and vintage
shops. If you care to be cliché, hit up Allen’s or Heritage
for some authentic cowboy boots. Outlet aficionados won’t want to miss
nearby San Marcos’ Prime Outlets, which make all other factory outlets
pale in comparison, located just 30 miles south of the city on I-35.
Not only does it house all the outlet regulars (J. Crew, Banana
Republic, Coach, Nine West, Gap), but loads of designers (Michael Kors,
Escada, Kate Spade, Catherine Malandrino, Gucci, Marc Jacobs) and home
stores (Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel), too. It will
take you hours–if not days–to cover the whole area.
VISIT: The Texas State Capitol sits front row and center
in Austin’s downtown at the end of Congress Avenue. The tallest capitol
building in the United States, it is, dare I say, more impressive than
even the National Capitol. With one of the nation’s biggest university
populations, the University of Texas’ campus is worth a leisurely
stroll, if for no other reason than to gawk at all the burnt orange
“hook ‘em horns” paraphernalia. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
may not initially sound intriguing, but the building is massive and
beautifully designed and it’s chock-full of more history than you
probably knew the state contained. Alamo Drafthouse
– where you can grab a bite to eat while catching a flick – is a
popular hangout for Austinites and now owns four locations around town.
And a trip out to two city staples, BookPeople
and the 80,000-square-foot Whole Foods flagship store (complete with 14
restaurants and cooking classes on-site), which are
across-the-street-neighbors, isn’t to be missed.
