{"id":8823,"date":"2019-04-05T17:46:26","date_gmt":"2019-04-05T22:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anniee.net\/?page_id=8823"},"modified":"2025-06-21T07:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T12:48:12","slug":"travelogue-austin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.anniee.net\/?page_id=8823","title":{"rendered":"Travelogue: Austin"},"content":{"rendered":"

March 2019<\/em><\/strong>
\nWhere I Stayed:\u00a0 The Archer\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I spent a long weekend in Austin, TX and I LOVED IT.\u00a0 I traveled there to visit my friend Stefanie.\u00a0 Me and Stef go\u00a0way<\/em> back — all the way to 2nd grade.\u00a0 There aren’t many memories of elementary school or summers on the lake that don’t involve Stef.\u00a0 We don’t get to see each other often, but when we do, it’s like no time has passed.\u00a0 And this time — we got to chat and catch up over tacos and BBQ and cookies!<\/p>\n

I arrived late-afternoon on a Friday.\u00a0 Stef picked me up and we headed to Kerbey Lane<\/a> for dinner.\u00a0 Kerbey Lane is a famous Austin diner-type restaurant — they have locations all over the city.\u00a0 I immediately ordered chips and queso because….when in Rome.\u00a0 For my meal I had chicken + pancakes (a slight twist on the classic chicken + waffles combo).\u00a0 So good!\u00a0 After dinner, Stef dropped me off at my hotel and I crashed.\u00a0 Why are travel days\/airports so tiring?!<\/p>\n

The next day I had bacon and a Texas-shaped waffle for breakfast, then we headed down to Congress Ave.\u00a0 Congress is one of the more well-known streets — filled with shops, restaurants, nightlife, etc.\u00a0 Our first stop was Jo’s<\/a> for coffee (though I had iced tea) and to see the famous “i love you so much” wall.\u00a0 Then we spent the rest of the morning walking around, shopping, taking photos of cute things, etc.\u00a0 Lunch was at Torchy’s<\/a> for tacos — so good!\u00a0 Before heading back to Stef’s neighborhood, we stopped at Hayley Cakes and Cookies<\/a>.\u00a0 I’ve been following the bakery on Instagram for YEARS, so it was a trip to finally be able to visit the store in person.\u00a0 And the cookies were\u00a0really<\/em> good (thank you, almond extract!) — I love it when cute cookies actually taste great.<\/p>\n

I took a little break mid-afternoon to take a nap (because I am an old lady and I was still tired from the day before, I think).\u00a0 We reconvened on Saturday night to go to Stiles Switch BBQ<\/a> for dinner.\u00a0 OH MA GODDDD, so good!\u00a0 Stef had ribs, I had brisket, and between the two of us, we had mac + cheese, potato salad, french fries, and corn casserole as sides.\u00a0 We did not leave hungry and everything was so delicious.\u00a0 But perhaps my highlight was the fact that they had\u00a0Diet Dr. Pepper on fountain AND crushed ice<\/em>. All my dreams came true that night in Austin!\u00a0 After dinner we stopped at Sprinkles for a cupcake because… why not?<\/p>\n

The next day, Sunday, was another busy day! We had brunch at Punch Bowl Social<\/a> (eating nachos at 9am is dreamy).\u00a0 We visited fancy Target (because I always visit Target wherever I go; stop judging!).\u00a0 We went to a ton of shops at the Domain.\u00a0 Then in the afternoon, we headed downtown to see Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin<\/a>, which was spectacular.\u00a0 It’s not shock that I love Ellsworth Kelly — but the building and its colored class was so beautiful!\u00a0 The rest of the Blanton Museum<\/a> was really enjoyable — make sure to visit if you ever get the chance!<\/p>\n

After our time at the museum, we headed to Casey’s<\/a> for a snowball.\u00a0 To be 100% honest, I saw the mural on the side of the building when we were driving around on Friday — and because of the mural, I knew I had to stop.\u00a0 I’m drawn to all things rainbow like a moth to a flame!\u00a0 And hey, I really like snowballs, snow cones, and the like.<\/p>\n

We went to Velvet Taco<\/a> for dinner, which was my favorite taco experience of the trip.\u00a0 So delicious and everything tasted so fresh and semi-healthy.\u00a0 Loved it!\u00a0 I had a super early flight the next day, so it was an early night for me.\u00a0 I loved my time in Austin and I can’t wait to return someday!\u00a0 Thank you to Stef for showing me around your new city!<\/p>\n

Other stray observations:<\/p>\n