“Surprise!” he said. “We’re going to Austin!”
And go to Austin we did. It was beautiful and refreshing. We ate tacos, ducked into bizarre-o gift shops, drank margaritas, swam in the river in our clothes, and then ate a few more tacos. So it was a glorified taco tour. So what.
I had never been to Austin, so Bjork drew on his knowledge of Austin from the guys’ trip he took there a year or two ago in terms of fun things to do and see, and I found food inspiration from my friends Ali and Kathryne who spent a month living in Austin. I don’t know, when it comes to food, sometimes those things need to be taken into one’s own hands.
Here’s what I loved most from our time in Austin:
- La Condesa – the chiles rellenos, guys. SO GOOD. I am not exaggerating when I say I was as close to licking my plate in public as humanly possible.
- El Primo – classic Austin taco truck. Terrible roadside ambiance and two grungy picnic tables, so in other words: very perfect. We got breakfast tacos all-around (including the spicy, delicious, grease-bomb of a chorizo taco!) and they did not disappoint.
- Elizabeth Street Cafe – it’s just so cute! Also, eating a huge, fresh, salad-like tofu/veggie bún after 48-plus-hours of taco bingeing felt really, really good. The jumbo shrimp and avocado spring rolls were also a very happy experience.
- Juice Austin – just another truck, but we visited this place MULTIPLE TIMES because it feels really good to drink something that is loaded with kale and other healthy things that, in fact, tastes like a milkshake.
- Jo’s Coffee – amazing people-watching on South Congress, especially next to the Instagram-magnet that is the I Love You mural wall. Only nerds like me could so enjoy watching people ‘gram it up.
- South Congress Cafe – when we got to Austin, I told Bjork that I had three goals: a good margarita, a good breakfast taco, and MIGAS. Real-deal migas. South Congress Cafe was my real-deal migas stop, and I loved every bite.
- Texas State Capital – obviously I couldn’t stop yawning, but Bjork really liked it, and then I kinda got into it when everyone showed up to take pictures for the spring formal and I had something to creep for a while.
- Zilker Park and Lady Bird Trail – just hike around the river, okay? We saw so many lovable dogs, a legit game of Quidditch, and a biker with a cat riding on his shoulders. And it’s super fun to watch people paddle boarding with their lifejacketed dogs and get jealous of their lives.
- Bats on the bridge – I did not know this was a thing, but it is a thing. People start coming out around sunset time and waiting for the largest urban bat colony in North America (you read that right) to come flying out from under the bridge. Somewhere around, oh, I dunno, ONE MILLION bats make their way into the sky in a non-stop parade and it is both horrifying and totally incredible.
- Barton Creek Greenway – hiking, swimming, biking, rock climbing… all of it. I did not know that there was so much GREEN in Texas. But my favorite was the swimming. There was a rope swing, and tons of people just hanging out in the water with their dogs, and this is where we decided we probably should go swimming even though we didn’t have suits and so we proceeded to swim in our clothes. 31, don’t care. We floated out into the clear greenish-blue water, and Bjork found a leech on his foot, and I couldn’t stop laughing. We sputtered back over to the shore and perched high up on the bank to dry off. It was basic, but it was a really happy life moment for me.
- Archer Hotel – this was a bit of a hike (er, drive) from Austin proper, but no problem for us since we had a rental car. It’s in a lovely newly developed area called The Domain. There were awesome restaurants, great shopping, and most importantly – calm and quiet. I want to be really adaptable and NBD about it, but true story is that I am kind of panicky and weird when it comes to sleeping on trips. Being away from the bustle of the city at night was a really good thing for me. And no, my love of this hotel obviously has nothing to do with the ON POINT tiny artisan treats (mini donut, cookie bar, coconut bite) that they leave every night at turn-down service. Nope. Nothing at all.
Okay, so I have a few takeaways for you. First: please go on a fun weekend getaway with someone you love. Surprise them, even. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just get out there and spend time together eating tacos away from your regular life.
Second: …May I recommend Austin?
Third: When you go to Austin, just be aware that you must plan to wear yoga pants for many days upon your return because your jeans will feel like leg prison. But no regrets. Life is worth living.
Here are some pics (iPhone! technology is amazing) of our 4 days in Austin. Have a great weekend, guys! ♡
Want to see more travel adventures? Check them out here!
Ok, unbelievable that this is my first comment on your blog (because this a dumb question unrelated to food)–but will you please tell me what phone you use for your pictures? They’re beautiful and I’m in the market for a new phone.
So glad you had a good time in our city! When you live in a place for decades, you can forget how fun it is to discover it. It’s nice to be part of your healing process.
I live in Austin and love it, I’m so glad you had a great time! I was out on the greenbelt trail last weekend too 🙂 A lot of the year, there’s no water there, but when it’s rained and the creek bed fills up, swimming there is SO fun!
Looks like such a great trip, so glad you had a happy get away. I should not have looked at this post before eating breakfast. Also, jeans = leg prison, truer words have ever been spoken. #leggings4lyfe
Looks like an awesome weekend getaway! Nice job on the surprise Bjork.
So fun! And I want those tacos. 🙂
We just went with friends for a long weekend in March. I spent lots of time researching food, and then we just ended up eating near wherever we were. 🙁 Clearly I need to go back and insist on good eating!
Question: How is it possible that you don’t weigh 200 pounds?!!!!
Love the pictures. I think I am going to take your advice and surprise my guy with a trip to Austin!
Thanks!
This is so inspiring! It makes me want to hop on a plane with my bf stat and don’t even care where we go!
Looks like you two had a lot of fun! I’ve found that our spur of the moment trips have been the best ones. Have a great weekend.
To see you two smile makes me smile! Happy birthday Linsday!!
What a fun surprise!! I need to take a weekend trip to Austin – flights from Denver are usually super cheap.
im so glad you had a little time away and of course, anything tacos <3. i havent been back in a while but jo's coffee + taco trucks are a MUST. hopefully you will be back 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed your time in my city, Lindsay! Your trip looked fun. We can’t tacos either. 🙂
This looks like the best kind of weekend!!
Love, love, love this post. So great the way you listed all the must-do’s then followed up with amazing photos. Makes me want to go to Austin. Now.
your trip looked incredible! I LOVE barton springs & gordough’s will forever be my favorite donut place. i haven’t been to austin in years, but have meaning to go back!!
We moved from the Austin area to the St. Louis area in December and miss the food scene tremendously! We were back down there last weekend and our whole trip revolved around what friends we were meeting at which of our favorite restaurants. 😄 Glad you had a great trip and glad to see you able to start smiling. It doesn’t lesson the hurt, but finding some joy in life helps the healing.
Great pics! Are these all taken with your iPhone again? Austin is on my bucket list, looks beautiful 🙂
-Nikki
http://www.nikkisplate.com
It sounds like a great weekend! I’ve spent two weekends away with my hubs, and they were both glorious! Austin looks like a lot of fun! Also, I want that Belgian Bomber drink, whatever it is!
Beautiful pics, thanks for sharing… And now I stumbled on that shrimp in garlic bread sauce… Cant wait to make it ! Cheers
haha i can’t stop laughing over the “leg prisons” comment that’s hysterical!
How wonderful to be out in the sunshine and it was joyous to see you both with smiles….
So happy you two got away to Austin! I’ve lived here 20 years and haven’t been to most of the places ya’ll visited (we out in the ‘burbs!!). I’m thinking of booking a weekend trip downtown with my hubby and visiting some of the places you did! Great pictures and also love ‘leg prison’ – I’m there right now!!!
Looks like you had a lot of fun, thanks for sharing your pictures!