You might not know this, but there’s a travel gear company called Hudson Sutler that just put out a weekend bag made specifically for Austinites. How’s that, you ask? We don’t know! (It just came out.) But it sure looks nice, and seems like a reasonable solution for carry-on or something to take camping in the Hill Country. But that’s not what this is about.
The company got their inspiration for this Austin-themed duffel bag from a nice extended stay in ATX, soaking up some of the best we have to offer. Now that the bag is on sales racks, they’ve also done our fair awesome city the kindness of producing an all-encompassing traveler’s guide to Austin, originally published here.
It’s pretty legit, especially if you’re in from out of town. We hope you find it useful!
–The Editor
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THE HUDSON SUTLER GUIDE TO AUSTIN, TEXAS
Welcome to the definitive guide to our favorite Lone Star City.
Austin is a city on fire and we’re not just talking about the temperature. In the last decade, it’s become one of the country’s biggest hotbeds for innovation and disruption in music, food, and tech.
Sure the tempo is a little different (slower) than we’re used to here in New York, but the spirit is the same. And that’s why we love it.
In fact, we love it so much we named our newest duffle after it: Check out The Austin Duffel.
To give the bag the launch it deserved, we decided to ditch the sticky summer heat of the Big Apple and scoot down the ATX for a quick 72 hours. With bags, brews, and cameras in tow, we called up some of our buddies compiled possibly our best lookbook yet… A Long Weekend ATX Lookbook.
What’s left is this. A bucket list of a travel guide for anyone hoping to doing the city right.
No matter how much time you have to spend in this fine city, pick a place of this list and you’ll be telling your boys about it for years.
Here’s to #TheNextEscape,
Hudson Sutler
PUT ‘EM BACK
Blind Pig Pub
317 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
The Blind Pig plays to the UT college crowd, meaning there are big bars, cheap beers, and live music… on both floors. That’s right, don’t miss the massive rooftop bar before you head down the rest of E 6th Street.
Swifts Attic
315 Congress Ave. Suite 200
Austin, TX 78701
A quaint spot in historic downtown Austin located above the legendary Elephant Room. Regardless of your mood, you’ll find something.
Feeling fruity – $1 mimosas. Ice ball cocktails. Bloody Mary bar.
Feeling thirsty – Local selection of a dozen + draft beers.
Still hungry – order the popcorn and a movie…its butter popcorn gelato
Easy Tiger
709 E. 6th St.
Austin, TX 78702
More beer garden than bake shop; Easy Tiger sports 33 draft beers, a handful of bombers, and a refreshing supply of bourbon. With pretzels the size of babies and thick cuts of pastrami it’s difficult to pass up on this spot. Grab a drink and some fresh air down by the river on their patio. Oh, and they have Ping-Pong.
Lamberts
401 W. 2nd St.
Austin, TX 78701
Kick back in style. Housed in a historically restored building downtown with an upstairs lounge for live music and an outdoor patio, happy hour will never be the same. Slow smoked BBQ, uniquely spiced deviled eggs, and of course, local brews, Lamberts quickly becomes a no brainer to start your night.
Whisler’s
1816 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78702
A gem in East Austin. Whisler’s has fantastic craft cocktails, plenty of outside seating, and some of the best food trucks in town right in it’s back yard.
SHHH IT’S SECRET
Firehouse Lounge & Hostel
605 Brazos St
Austin, TX 78701
You’ll probably walk right by it at first. Then you’ll think you’re in the wrong place. You’re not. If you’re in the lobby of a hostel, you’ve found it. Around eye level on the far left of the bookshelf is a handle. Use the handle to slide the bookshelf and enter the promised land.
Garage
503 Colorado St
Austin, TX 78701
We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but you’ll never see a parking garage the same way again. If you like handcrafted cocktails and lounge vibes, consider Garage a can’t miss when you’re in town next.
GRAB SOME GRUB
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
801 Red River
Austin, TX 78701
A must visit. Rich in its history as it is in flavor, Stubb’s humbly flaunts its storied list of performers as much as its BBQ sauces. Advice – don’t be shy.
John Mueller Meat Co.
2500 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78702
With 3 generations of meat merchants under their belt, it’s safe to say they know their meat. Be prepared to fall off the bone straight into a #meatcoma.
Gourdough’s
1503 S. 1st St.
Austin, TX 78704
BIG. FAT. DONUTS. You will never come across a line-up of donuts quite like these. Don’t believe me: the fly pig (bacon w/ maple icing) the dirty berry (fudge chocolate w/ grilled strawberries) the sailor jerry (thick rum cake) the list goes on. Served out of a vintage airstream trailer, you’ll feel like you landed on another planet.
TEX-MEX – AUSTIN’S KNOWN FOR IT
Torchy’s Tacos
1311 S. 1st St.
Austin, TX 78704
Possibly the best taco ever and they have the hardware to prove it. Between the trashy trailer park and the dirty Sánchez (yes we’re talking tacos) its tough to place a bad order. Add a firewater cocktail or some fried avocado to any dish, and make sure to thank me later.
Juan In A Million
2300 East Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78702
Looking to save a buck and make a friend? Talk to Juan yourself. If his handshake doesn’t convince you, his breakfast taco will. Excellently priced rustic Mexican cuisine, Juan In A Million lives up to its cheesy name.
#WORKFROMANYWHERE
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78702
We’re certain that you’ll love this spot. What’s not to love? With strong coffee & wifi, plenty of outlets, good food, beers on tap and indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a remote office from heaven. The only thing were not sure of, is how to say it… C-Note? C-No-Tay? Oh well.
Austin Java
1206 Parkway
Austin, TX 78703
Just outside of Downtown, the low frills, high function of Austin Java will be your new favorite office in town. A couple bucks buys you a bottomless cup of coffee and with strong wifi, honestly what else do you need? Keep this insider’s secret between us, there’s a sleepy back room with way more space that almost no one realizes in there, set up shop back there.
GUARANTEED GOOD TIME
Butler Park Pitch & Putt
201 Lee Barton Dr
Austin, TX 78704
This pitch and put is perfect. It’s just the right about of decrepit, the maintenance crew could have their own TV show snd no one is counting you swings or your swigs. Cut from work early and swing/swig away.
Rainey St.
Austin, TX 78701
A ¼ miles strip with close to 30 bars, you can trip over a good time. During SXSW or Austin’s Beer Week, there is no place better. Their food truck food court will have you thinking you died and went to heaven when those late night cravings hit. Favorite spots include: Bungalow, Javeline, Craft Pride, Ice Hauer’s.
Pete’s Piano Bar
421 E. 6th St.
Austin, TX 78701
With two baby grand pianos and song lists from Elvis to Eminem, you won’t have to worry about hearing strictly 80’s Joel. Requests are encouraged (and so are the drinks).
OFF THE GRID
Barton Springs Pool
2201 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78746
They call it a pool, but it’s so much more. Think of the Sandlot pool on steroids. While we can’t guarantee Wendy Peffercorn will be there, we can tell you what we said when we heard day-pass price for out of towners was only 4 bucks #SUATMM.
Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd
Dipping Springs, TX 78620
For earlybird-adventure type only. About a 45-minute drive from downtown, this natural limestone pool hosts a small sand bar, a waterfall, and some breathtaking views. Be prepared for a 7am departure if you want parking, and a ¼ mile hike to the spot, so if you can’t carry it, fugetaboutit.
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
Hear us out. Every night at dusk during March-November 1.5 million Mexican free tailed bats take flight from underneath Congress Ave Bridge. Watch it from a riverboat, or a nearby patio bar. All you have to do is crack a brew and keep your eyes open.
SWIPE SOME PLASTIC
Criquet Clubhouse
1603 S. 1st St.
Austin, TX 78704
Shop. Have a beer. Hit some golf balls. These vintage infused button downs and player’s shirts are designed to last and are perfect for the links, or a casual summer fling…so you got that going for ya, which is nice.
Uncommon Objects
1512 S. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
American Pickers on steroids, this is the antique mecca of Austin. Positioned in the South Congress Business District, anything and everything imaginable is here. Learn some history and treat your eyes. In an endearing way, this place is a true reflection of the melting pot that is American experience.
Stag: Provisions for Men
1423 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
Revamp your closet, or just take notes. This modern day store is for the every man. Inspired by the likes of Steve McQueen, James Dean, and Willie Nelson, that authentic red-blooded style was born here. Not to mention their online store and tumblr are killer.
REST. RELAX. REPEAT
Heywood Hotel
1609 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78702
The 7-room Heywood Hotel is a homerun. E Cesar is a stones throw from the best East Austin spots, Rainey and Downtown are minutes away and you can easily shoot south of the river in no time. We loved it’s super clean design and cruising over to Cenote on our complementary bikes.
Hotel San Jose
1316 S. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
Clean. Calm. Concrete. A healthy mix of minimalistic architecture and local south Austin culture. Adjacent to Jo’s Coffee, Hotel San Jose lends itself to be the early morning inspiration you’ve been waiting for.
The Driskill
604 Brazos St.
Austin, TX 78701
Constructed in 1886, this luxurious landmark is authentically Texan. High vaulted ceilings, columns on columns, marble, stained glass, and live music everyday. In the heart of downtown Austin, The Driskill is the definition of southern hospitality.
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Featured photo: Flickr user Davidlohr Bueso, creative commons licensed.
