One Fine Day is a series inspired by my favorite now-defunct Chicago Tribune column of the same title. The posts in this series are short, sweet, sometimes themed, and always a charming snapshot of a city.
If you’ve got a limited amount of time to enjoy Austin, Texas, there are a few things I recommend you do. Start your morning off with breakfast at the 24-hour Magnolia Cafe with a cozy vinyl booth and a steaming mug of coffee. We visited the morning after the city’s historic spring flooding and when I called to make sure they still had power, the sassy hostess who answered told me: “Oh honey, we never close.”
Continue toward Lamar Boulevard to take in some of Austin’s infamous street art at the Hope Outdoor Gallery. Bring your own can of spray paint and add to the graffiti if you’re feeling inspired.
Head up the street to the iconic Waterloo Records to sort through some vintage vinyl for your collection or pick up a “Keep Austin Weird” souvenir.
Then grab a quick lunch at Torchy’s Tacos (I recommend the Democrat and the Fried Avocado) before finding the nearest available pool or body of water to bask in some Texas sunshine. In a perfect world, that body of water would be Hamilton Pool Preserve.
If you’re a pop culture nerd, your next stop is to Panther’s Field, home of the fictional football team in Friday Night Lights. While the site is now abandoned and gated, you can still walk around the exterior and snap a few photos. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.
Grab some authentic Austin barbecue at Salt Lick for dinner before heading to Ego’s for some late-night karaoke and a cheap, stiff drink.
