🍸 Dirty Sixth Is Dirty.
Sixth Street in the heart of Downtown Austin is fun to go once or twice, but otherwise it's best to avoid. The street is full of tourists, students with fake IDs, and best for an annual visit, if that.
🌶️ When a Menu Says Something Is Spicy, They Mean It!
This is Texas, y’all. We’re serious about our spice. When you’re out and about, be careful when dining. The spice is no joke.
⛔ Account for Traffic in Your Travel Time.
Close your eyes and pick a highway on a map of Austin. Whichever you land on, it’s going to be a hellish time. This city is packed to the brim with residents, visitors, and bats. You’re going to want to give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Leave early, give each other lots of space, and pass on the left!
🥵 Staying Cool Is Key.
It’s hot, y’all. And it’s hot nearly all the time, but especially in the summer. Pack a hand fan, a bottle of water, and a sense of “I’m going to get through this.” On the other side of the heat are very cold restaurants and bars. If you get cold easily, you may want to pack a little jacket for establishments where the air conditioning is blaring!
🏈 Fall Is for Football.
Regardless of how you feel about football, the whole city morphs into football mode come fall. Watch for traffic related to tailgates, game days, and maybe just avoid areas near the University of Texas campus on Saturdays. Longhorn football season starts at the end of August, so plan accordingly!
🛣️ Study Street Names.
We’ve talked a lot about giving yourself time to get around, but equally important is knowing where you’re going. Learn the different names for streets. For example, “MoPac” and “Loop 1” both refer to MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) on the west side of town. Enfield Road can often be referred to as 15th Street. Interstate 35 is also known as the worst place on earth, etc.
🚶 Don’t Be a Jerk on Hiking Trails.
Hiking trails are the precious gems of Austin. So, don’t be rude on ‘em. That means please use your headphones and leave no trace.
😀 Smile Back, Please!
This is a tip you can carry with you to any Texas town: Greet people with a smile. We know, we know. It sounds cheesy. But as you walk through downtown or drive around, you’ll notice people smiling at you as you pass or giving you a wave for letting them merge. It’s just a nice little thing we do!
🛍️ Keep a Reusable Bag Handy.
Plastic bags were once banned in Austin, but that was overturned by the Texas Supreme Court. With all the back and forth, some spots still don’t have bags available or make you pay for one. So it’s best just to keep some sort of reusable bag or tote in your car or near your front door!
