South Congress Avenue, Austin

Right next to our great little hotel the San Jose we found a great little artist market. I got some really unique jewelry and my husband found a picture. Then we had lunch from a 2 trailers 1 that had morrocan food and one had native american fry tacos both very good. afterward we had coffee outdoors at a coffee shop and listened to live music. Hot outside but worth it.

I am a native Austinite and this is by far my favorite part of town. Yeah yeah so we have great Tex Mex, out of this world music scene, and a large bar district. The best part is this eccentric, vintage, and wonderful side of town with excellent food (vespaio), clothing, furniture, and you name it randomness (Lucy in Disguise, Monkey Store). I completely disagree with a previous reviewer who claims false "keep austin weird" commercialization. Some of these shops have been here since the beginnging. These stores sell designed clothing from local artists and differ from the mainstream. Austin Motel is amazing in the fact that you can choose what feel you want for a room. First Thursday is the best for live music, local artists, and the most wonderful people. It is the epitome of Austin and let's keep it that way. Austin is a blue dot in a large sea of red.

Okay, it is unique, so you should go. But it is trying REALLY hard to be unique and "different" and thus loses some of its appeal. Newly arrived Austinites will like it, as will travelers, but this is more of the manufactured "weirdness" of Austin. The one place that has been there before the excessive commercialization is Electric Ladyland.

Every First Thirsday of the month around 8 pm, Austinites flock to South Congress. This is an event that can't be missed if you happen to be in Austin at the time. But South Congress is worthwhile any time.