Three Things to Do in Austin If You’re Only Here for A Day
1) Start Your Day with El Primo
In a city where five new restaurants open every week, it’s easy to get caught up in the next big thing. El Primo brings you back to the basics and reminds you that, at the end of the day, simple foods cooked consistently well outmatch hip, unpronounceable entrees any day of the week.
Located on the ever-trendy S 1st Street, this little trailer offers all the classics—al pastor, asada, barbacoa, carnitas—in a variety of ways, be it a taco, quesadilla, burrito or torta. (FYI—they’re all good.) My personal favorite is two chorizo, bean, egg and cheese tacos on corn tortillas, Christmas style (meaning with both red and green sauce). Fair warning, depending on the week, their red sauce can light you up. It’s worth it. Trust me.
Pro Tip: Tacos go best with a cold Coca-Cola.
2) Take a Walk Down South Congress Avenue
SoCo, as the kids call it, combines two of my greatest loves—shopping and food. Not necessarily home to the usual my-mom-went-to-Austin-and-all-I-got-was-this-lousy-t-shirt tourist shops, this street offers some fun, wacky souvenirs with true Austin vibes.
Keep it weird and dress up at Lucy In Disguise With Diamonds, get nostalgic with Big Top Candy Shop (Nik-L-Nips, anyone?!) or simply explore the boho-chic fashion of Austin.
Pro tip: If you need a little fuel, stop by June’s All Day for their charbroiled burger.
3) Get Your Groove on at The Continental Club
Conveniently located on South Congress, The Continental Club has been a part of the Austin music scene since 1955. Step foot into this dive, grab yourself a drink, and move onto the dance floor any night of the week—there’s always somebody playing.
If you happen to stumble in on a Sunday night, consider yourself lucky. Heybale!, the Club’s Sunday night band for the last 18 years, includes lead guitarist Redd Volkaert (from Merle Haggard’s band), pianist Earl Poole Ball (from Johnny Cash’s band), bassist Kevin Smith (from Willie Nelson’s band) and rhythm guitarist Dallas Wayne (host of “Willie’s Roadhouse” and “Outlaw Country” on SiriusXM Radio).
Pro tip: Belly up!