With its legendary music and art, hometown guitar heroes, and barbecue messiahs, the spirit that runs through Austin is something that stays alive no matter what. And even when things feel a little “weirder” than usual around the ATX, you can still experience the best of our town without ever having to leave your car. You just have to know where to drive.
1. Go On a Curbside Taco Tour
Nothing stops us Austinities from fulfilling our taco cravings. After all, Austin is home to arguably some of the best tacos on the planet. Today many of our city’s most beloved Tex-Mex joints are dishing out mouthwatering tacos daily via curbside pickup, so here’s a challenge for you: get in the car and hit up all your favorite taco spots in one weekend! All you have to do is place some online orders, set your in-dash nav system to Flavor Town, and enjoy tortilla-wrapped goodness as you support your local restaurants.
2. Take an After-Dark Cruise Down Congress
A drive down the iconic South Congress Avenue is one of the most popular ways to take in Austin vibes for locals and tourists alike. So if you’re wanting to get out on the town and feel connected with and inspired by your city, Congress is calling. Roll the windows down, blast some Willie on that 12-speaker stereo, and fall under Austin’s neon spell while you cruise by famous music venues, funky food trucks, and locally born boutiques. Who knows, you may even spot a celebrity in one of your blindspot cameras.
3. Do Drive-in Dinner and a Show
If you’re missing live music at downtown venues and movies at the theater, consider doing date night old school in your new ride. Over the last several months, Austin has seen a strong resurgence in drive-in movie experiences, most of which have their own refreshment services and allow outside food (you know what that means: tacos and a show!). You can even catch the occasional drive-in concert these days — just keep an eye on local event calendars and soon you’ll be honking for encores.
4. Embark on a Mural Scavenger Hunt
It’s no secret that Austin is the backdrop for many famous murals designed by talented local artists, making our city a mecca for postcard-worthy snapshots and social media photo ops year round. If you’re craving some local culture, you can safely and comfortably admire Austin’s open air art museum from your air-conditioned seats as you cruise through town on a mural scavenger hunt. Start your local street art tour with a warm, welcoming “Greetings From Austin” on South 1st Street, then make your way through downtown and the east side. Filling your afternoon with vibrant colors and feel-good slogans is a sure way to brighten up your day.
5. Head for the Hill Country
As an Austinite, you have a world of natural beauty right in your own backyard, just begging to be explored. So next time the family needs some entertainment, hop in the driver’s seat, open that panoramic moonroof, and coast through the Hill Country. Make your escape close to the city with a 45-minute ranch road ride through Wimberly. Let your adaptive cruise control take you on a tour of the Highland Lakes. Or feel thousands of miles away with a day trip to Fredericksburg, a charming and historic Central Texas oasis. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for roadside peaches.
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