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City Cast Austin

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

Kelsey Bradshaw

Texas has a really beautiful state cemetery. Whether you have a penchant for graveyard visits or you’re a Texas history buff, the cemetery makes for a nice afternoon.

 It’s located at 909 Navasota St. in East Austin and is free to the public. It is an active cemetery though and will close for funerals, so you can always give them a call to make sure it’s open at 512-463-0605.

The cemetery is pretty big at 18 acres, spanning from East Seventh Street to East 11th Street. Roughly 3,500 people are buried at the cemetery.

Street parking is available around the cemetery. Accessible parking can be found in front of the cemetery’s visitors center.

I know visiting a cemetery may seem like a weird recommendation. But walking along the graves of great Texans is really special. The site is also quite beautiful with grassy hills, a quiet pond, and shady trees.

It can also be really cool to visit a place that’s been around since 1851. The cemetery was originally created for lawmakers and public servants but has since been expanded to include Texans who have made significant contributions to history.

“The Texas State Cemetery has come to represent the best of Texas and what makes this great state a unique and special place,” 

 and memorials are also on site, including the 19th Century Black Legislators Monument and the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

You could spend weeks learning about every person buried at the Texas State Cemetery. For our purposes, I’ll just list off a few:

 before it became Austin, was the first person to be buried at the cemetery.

 who was one of three Black students to integrate O. Henry Middle School in the 1960s. He went on to play in three World Series with three different Major League Baseball teams.

What To Know About Visiting the Texas State Cemetery in Austin 

Everything to know about Austin neighborhoods: What to do, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Austin Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Austin’s Govalle neighborhood is one of the best parts of the city. It’s in East Austin and has enough to do and eat and drink that you could spend weeks getting through it all.

 is the best place in town to get fresh produce. The market is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and every time I’ve popped in, I’ve been greeted with bright and beautiful fruits and vegetables at nice prices.

 is a French restaurant that will have you feeling transported. It’s cozy and dark inside, has a nice outdoor area, and the food is delicious. I especially recommend getting to Justine’s during the winter months — the restaurant does up the decor in a new theme every year.

. It’s wonderful for a birthday party, a happy hour hang, or a first date. The restaurant does a $15 happy meal special on Wednesdays that includes a burger, fries, and mini cocktail. If burgers aren’t your jam, try whatever pasta is on the menu and thank me later.

Whether you need a place to work, swim, drink, or gather with a bunch of friends, 

 is the spot for you. The venue is perfect if you want to start your day with coffee and emails and end it in a pool with a cocktail.

 is such a treat. The truck is located on a lot that includes 

, making for a perfect one-two punch of great coffee and tasty tacos. Try to avoid Flitch on weekends if you can — it can get packed!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to a birthday party at 

! I assume every single one of you has your hand up! It’s a classic Austin birthday spot and for good reason: It’s huge, the pizzas are yummy, and lots of beer and frozen drinks are available.

Land of pink cups and dangerous margaritas, 

 serves up fried quesadillas and lots of colorful decor. This restaurant is a hot-button topic among Austinites, though. Some think it lives up to the hype and others don’t. Try it and let us know which side you land on!

Mochi donuts, soft serve, macarons, and taiyaki are all on the menu at 

, the cutest dessert shop around. New ice cream and mochi flavors come out every month, so keep your eyes peeled for their latest creations.

 always comes in handy when you’re trying to figure out where to go for a night out with friends. The restaurant has really good wings and lots of frozens, plus a patio with plenty of misters for these hot Austin nights.

, which is home to three art galleries, artist studios, and other creative offices. Stop in to Sa-Tén for a curry bowl or chicken katsu. Japanese cheesecake bread is also on the menu 👀

If you’ve been looking to try your hand at rock climbing without a rope, 

 is a really fantastic place to start. Day passes are $25 and shoes are available to rent. Go see what you’re made of!

Govalle is full of great food and fun things to do.

What To Do in Austin’s Govalle Neighborhood

Tarrytown shines in the summer time. Don’t get me wrong! It’s a nice neighborhood year-round, but when summer rolls around, it becomes a must-visit as some of the city’s best sights, sips, and swims.

I hope most of you already know what I’m about to say. But just in case you don’t, let me let you in on a perfect Austin itinerary. Start your day at Deep Eddy Pool, the 

 in Texas. Maybe you’re getting there after a walk on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike trail, or maybe you just rolled out of bed and went straight to the pool. Either way, you go back and forth between sunbathing and hopping into the pool’s cool water.

Eventually, you’ll get hungry. Walk up the tiny hill from the pool’s parking lot to 

. A cheeseburger will run you $11.50 and it’s worth every penny. Don’t forget an order of crinkle-cut fries!

Finally, walk up the stairs at Pool Burger into 

 to finish off your perfect summer day. The bar has been around since 1951 and with good reason. Play a round of pool while sipping on an ice cold beer.

After all of that, you’re sure to thank your lucky stars you live in Austin, Texas.

 feels like a secret oasis within the city. The art museum is located on Lake Austin off West 35th Street and includes sculptures throughout its outdoor grounds. If you’re looking for a peaceful morning, this is it. You’ll walk through tree-lined trails and along the water while discovering funky and thoughtful art.

The museum is also a great spot to get involved with your community. Events like movie nights, kid activities, artist walks and more are always on the calendar. The museum also 

Eat Your Weight in Pizza at Flo’s Wine Bar and Bottle Shop

Once you’re done at Laguna Gloria, head down the street to 

 and a great happy hour that includes $3 off all glasses between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Of course, you’re going to need some pizza with all that wine. 

 attached to the wine shop and the menu includes pies, salads, and desserts. I highly recommend the stracciatella pizza and a chocolate chip cookie.

How To Have the Best Summer in Austin’s Tarrytown Neighborhood

Red River Cultural District officials outlined a plan for the downtown street in the next five years, including a wish-list of safety improvements, new murals and signage, and greenery.

 comes just two weeks after the district 

 it contributed $2.3 billion to Austin’s economy over the last five years.

“This district has helped shape Austin’s cultural identity for decades, and protecting it will require real coordination, investment — both public and private — and a shared commitment to the venues, small businesses, artists, and community spaces that make it matter,” said Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director of Red River Cultural District.

Part of the plan calls for making Red River Street more walkable and visually cohesive, officials say. Some of the 

Solar-powered lighting from 10th to 15th streets

Adding directional signage and district banners

Traffic-calming measures like decreasing speed limits

Exterior upgrades to venues like The 13th Floor and Elysium

Next, the district will have to secure funding to finance the upgrades. District officials did not say how much the upgrades may cost.

“We’re excited to see where this road goes next as the Red River team plan for meetings with city council, city commissions, and city staff and in the coming months, although so far, public feedback from our community has been very positive and supportive,” a statement from the district says.

While the renderings the organization released are not set in stone, they give a good idea of what the road downtown may look like in the future:

Upgrades include solar-powered lighting and new trees. 

Austin’s Red River Street May Be Getting a Makeover. Here’s What You Need To Know.

Austin’s Garrison Park neighborhood in South Austin runs from South First Street to just west of West Gate Boulevard, between Stassney Lane and William Cannon Drive.

While small, the neighborhood is home to some of the city’s best eats and a really great park:

Don’t just take my word for it — LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue has a Michelin star. The barbecue joint, 5621 Emerald Forest Drive, is a must-visit on your Austin barbecue journey. Get the jalape

o cheese chorizo, beef fat potato chips, and the kale caesar slaw with your 

. The restaurant is also known for its burgers, which are perfectly salted if you ask me!

Remembering DK Sushi & Seoul Korean Restaurant exists when I’m craving sushi is a treat every time. The small restaurant, 6400 S. 1st St., has been around since 1993 and for good reason. The sushi is reliable — it’s delicious 

. Bonus: The restaurant has a section where you can sit on the floor!

Plush with rows and rows of trees, Garrison Park at 6001 Manchaca Road feels like a small oasis. It’s tucked away off the side of the road in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot. Beyond a pretty sizable playground is room for picnicking, courts for basketball, and a small trail. The park’s city-run pool 

The South Austin neighborhood is home to great restaurants.

Your Guide to Austin’s Garrison Park Neighborhood

, Austin’s Black Cultural District, is one of the best places to spend a day if you're looking for good food, good art, and a lesson in our city’s history.

 in Austin’s 1928 master plan, is made up of 

 extending from Interstate 35 to Airport Road and Seventh Street to Manor Road.

Here are some of our favorite spots to visit in the district:

Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, 1106 E. 11th St., is one of those places that’ll make you feel lucky to live in Austin. It’s a music venue, gathering space, and is full of art. Stop by on a Monday for the venue’s 

Victory East, 1104 E. 11th St., is a southern restaurant located in what was formerly known as Victory Grill. 

The grill was a music venue on the Chitlin’ Circuit

 when Austin was still legally segregated. Artists like B. B. King and Bobby Bland performed at the venue, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Downs Mabson Field, 2816 E. 12th St., is where the Austin Black Senators baseball team, which was part of the Negro Leagues, 

. In the 1940s and 1950s, football players at the city’s only high school for Black students, L.C. Anderson High School, played at the field.

Huston-Tillotson University baseball team

George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center

The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St., is well worth a visit. Spend an afternoon getting to know Austin’s and Texas’ Black history. The museum is free to attend. 

Make sure you keep up with the museum’s calendar

We’d never write you a neighborhood guide without recommending somewhere to eat! 

, 2002 Manor Road, serves delicious southern, Texas food like chicken fried steak, fried catfish, skillet corn bread, biscuits, and more.

, there’s still a 99% chance you’ve at least seen the restaurant’s mural that says: “You don’t need no teeth to eat my beef.” The barbecue joint, 2000 E. 12th St., has been around since 1957 and serves tender brisket, your classic sides like potato salad and mac and cheese, and pretty great ribs!

The district is full of Austin landmarks. 

Find History, Art, and Good Food in Austin’s Black Cultural District

Austin’s South Lamar neighborhood, which runs along South Lamar Boulevard from Oltorf Street to Ben White Boulevard, is home to iconic restaurants, fun shopping, and more. Here’s where you should go when visiting the area:

A piece of Austin history, Matt’s El Rancho has been serving up 

 and its current location on South Lamar Boulevard opened in 1986. Stop in for the iconic Bob Armstrong queso and a Matt’s Knockout Martini. Prepare yourself for a wait — the restaurant is often packed to the brim!

Visiting the neighborhood without snagging some tacos from Veracruz All Natural would be sacrilegious. There’s a reason why the taco shop is constantly lauded as one of the greatest in the city — they’re really delicious. The shop is off Menchaca Road outside 

 (which you should also visit). Grab me a migas taco, please!

Looking for arts and crafts supplies? USE2 Neighborhood Reuse Center is full of secondhand fabric, puzzles, games, costumes, books, and so, so much more.

The 04 Center is located inside a former United Methodist church and one of the coolest night spots in Austin. You can see a live music show 

! The venue also has church services on Sunday mornings and hosts AA meetings during the week.

The Broken Spoke is the place to go for a night of two-stepping or to impress your out-of-town visitors. The dance hall, which has been open since 1964, has a great live music scene, too!

If you’re just passing through the area and need a quick lunch, drive through Dan’s Hamburgers. The prices are cheap ($4.15 for 

) and you’ll be supporting another historic Austin restaurant.

I’m somehow always craving Bird Bird Biscuit. The restaurant puts your favorite breakfast combos on a biscuit and it’s the breakfast you need after a night out. We highly recommend getting the 

dill mayo or the bacon-infused chipotle mayo

Loro is the brainchild of chefs Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, so you know it’s going to be good. It’s perfect for a first date, a 100th date, a birthday party, a work happy hour, and whatever other events you have going on. You can order everything from ramen to a plate of smoked beef brisket.

The neighborhood is one of Austin's best!

What To Do and Where To Eat in Austin’s South Lamar Neighborhood

Old Enfield, a small neighborhood just east of MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1), is home to one of Austin’s best gems: Pease Park.

The park, located at 1100 Kingsbury St., is host to iconic Austin events, fun attractions, and a long history. Let’s get into it.

🌳 Pease Park Has Been Around for 150 Years

Pease Park became Austin’s first public park in 1875, when former Governor Elisha M. Pease and his wife Lucadia 

. The swath of land the couple donated was part of their 365-acre homestead, and their mansion can still be seen in Old Enfield today.

Although Gov. Pease supported the Union during the Civil War, he still had 37 enslaved people working for him, some of whom worked on the land that is now Pease Park. Black people likely used Shoal Creek, which runs through Pease Park, to play and fish after the Civil War ended and 

 were established. But Black people were not allowed into the park after the city implemented its “

📅 Some of Austin’s Most Iconic Events Happen at Pease Park

Pease Park, despite its idyllic lawns and trees, is home to some of the events that have helped Austin keep its status as a weird city. Yes, we’re talking about 

The event, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary in April, celebrates the city’s free spirit with drum circles, face painting, costumes, vendors, and more.

War In Pease: 3-on-3 basketball tournament

📍 Other Attractions Make Pease Park Worth a Visit

If its history or cool events don't get you to Pease Park, maybe its other attractions will.

, an 18-foot-tall troll made of mostly recycled, found, or repurposed items. The giant sculpture was created by artist Thomas Dambo and 

Once you’re done visiting Malin, make sure to stop by the 

. The spherical treehouse is two stories high, has a hammock-like bottom, and makes you feel like you’re part of the trees.

The springfed Shoal Creek is a delightful place to dip your feet after a walk through the park, too.

Finally, keep an eye out for the park’s 

The park is located in Austin's Old Enfield neighborhood.

A Guide to Austin’s Pease Park

 here at City Cast Austin. But Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood is so stacked with great things to do, we’re going to have to do this guide in parts. First up is our favorite places to eat:

Some of the best Thai food in Austin is in Bouldin Creek at Thai Fresh, 909 W. Mary St. The no-frills restaurant serves up the best tom kha soup and every curry is a must-try. You won’t need a reservation and you’re guaranteed to have a great time.

Sandy’s Hamburgers, 603 Barton Springs Rd., is worth fighting the traffic on Barton Springs Road. The burger joint opened in 1946 and has all the classics on its menu: cheeseburgers, hot dogs, BLTs, french fries, shakes, and malts. Stopping by after a swim at Barton Springs Pool and getting a chocolate ice cream cone is one of the joys of living in Austin!

Austin has exploded with new pizza restaurants to try in recent years but Dovetail Pizza will be long-lasting. Pies range from pepperoni or cheese to innovative bites like the chicken artichoke or prime rib pizzas.

Here’s an itinerary for a perfect evening in Austin: After dinner at Thai Fresh or Dovetail, head to Dolce Neve Gelato, 1713 S. 1st St., to finish off the night with a cup of creamy gelato. Dolce Neve always has pistachio, chocolate, and salted caramel gelatos available in addition to rotating flavors like tiramisu, chocolate with candied orange peels, and almond custard. Yum!

We know, we know. Fresa’s, 1703 S. 1st St., isn’t anything new. But the restaurant has stood the test of time and for good reason — you can always count on Fresa’s for a great meal! We recommend any of the tacos but especially the La Mari which is made with shrimp. Make sure you order a side of street corn!

The latest iteration of Swedish Hill is in Bouldin Creek, located at 1804 S. 1st St. The coffee shop has ample seating and all your Swedish Hill favorites like chocolate croissants, cortados, and nutella morning buns.

The neighborhood is full of great spots! 

Where To Eat in Austin’s Bouldin Creek Neighborhood

Austin’s Zilker neighborhood, which reaches south from Lady Bird Lake, all the way down to Menchaca Road, is one of the best entertainment districts in the city even if it’s not recognized as such. The area has great venues, things to see, and queso to try.

The neighborhood is named after Andrew Jackson Zilker, who gave the city 

35 acres surrounding Barton Springs in 1918

. Homes started to sprout up in the area shortly after.

Zach Theater, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., is home to some of the best performances of plays and musicals in the city. Casts often include Austinites and the season lineups are always great. We can’t wait to see “Zapata” and “Dear Evan Hansen” this spring!

Stop in to the UMLAUF, 605 Azie Morton Road, to be whisked away from all the Austin noise. The museum was the house of Charles and Angeline Umlauf from 1944 to 1985, when the pair gave the city their home, property, Charles’ art studio, and 168 sculptures. The grounds are beautiful and so are the works.

, the Alamo Drafthouse theater on South Lamar Boulevard feels like a piece of Austin history. The theater is truly the best in the city. It’s got South by Southwest screenings every year, movie parties, Weird Wednesdays, fun food, and more.

Want a new spot to see some live music and grab a beer? Try Saxon Pub at 1320 S. Lamar Blvd. The pub has been around since 1990, has live music every single day, and it’s got a great vibe!

Maudie’s, 1212 S. Lamar Blvd., is a perfect neighborhood spot, whether you live in the area or not. Pop in after a swim at Barton Springs Pool for cheap breakfast tacos, or for a dinner of yummy queso and enchiladas. Everything on the menu is delicious and easy on your wallet.