20 Austin Things All Y'all Should Be Thankful For
As we leave Thanksgiving weekend behind, it’s a good time to think for a moment about what really matters.
So here are 25 amazing Austin people/things (in no particular order!) that are truly special and that you should regularly give thanks for. NOTE: Someone or something not being on this list doesn’t mean that they’re/it’s not special. But I’m a highway not a supercomputer, so 20 slots it is.
20. The Pennybacker Bridge: 1,150 feet long but still blending seamlessly into the rugged hills above/rippling waters below, this is a true beauty! The fact that it’s so often hosting a traffic jam is simply gravy.
19. Fred Cantu: Like a comfy couch you can curl up on, Uncle Fred and his homespun journalistic stylings are every bit as Austin as Barton Springs. The fact that he’s also a good human being only makes this pick easier. Bonus: he’s an above-average driver, which is just gravy.
18. The Moody Center: While its food/drink prices would make my toll lane blush, a world class city like Austin badly needed a world-class arena. Enter The Moody Center, which is as easy on the eyes as McConaughey while offering incredible sight lines for whatever you’re watching. It has also immediately given UT hoops a monster home court advantage that it badly lacked in the cavernous Drum.
17. BBQ: While Franklin and a few other higher-end haunts snag much of the press in the Austin BBQ scene, the reality is that our city is home to dozens of amazing BBQ places across a wide range of price points. Even the ones that are shamed by purists as being too basic bitch (e.g. Rudy’s) are still solid. It’s hard to go wrong here.
16. Austin FC: While the 2023 season was, in many ways, disastrous for the third year franchise, it will head into 2024 with a loyal and voracious fan base, one of the best stadiums in MLS, a well-respected Sporting Director, and superstar Sebastian Driussi. This season was rough but the future appears bright.
15. Barton Springs: While there are some aspects of this civic jewel that could be better (having an operating food vendor and keeping prices lower, to name but two), it’s still hard to match the simple joys of this place on a sweltering summer day. The fact that its look and feel have remained largely unchanged since the 70s is a bonus.
14. Zilker Botanical Garden: This gem provides a shaded respite from the tyrannical Austin heat, yet still flies somewhat under the radar relative to some of the other things on this list. While increasingly popular for IG/wedding photo shoots, it rarely feels overcrowded or rushed. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes that don’t slip easily or you’ll find those shoes (and, perhaps, your ass) drenched in one of the picturesque streams that run through the gardens.
13. The Longhorns: Although there have been some rough, lean years recently for some of the marquee programs (see: Football, Basketball), Bevo appears to be in a renaissance for those big dollar sports, with hoops coming off of an Elite Eight appearance and football in the thick of things for a CFB Playoff slot. And Texas routinely challenges for the title of best overall athletic department based on the success of Volleyball, Swimming, Baseball, and many other sports. AD Chris Del Conte’s job approval ratings have never been higher.
12. The Texas State Capitol: If y’all can separate the building and its amazing history from the terrible shit that often goes down inside its majestic walls, then you’ll be able to enjoy the majesty of this incredible structure. Trivia: The Texas Capitol is almost 15 feet taller than the one in D.C.
11. The Blanton: While Austin boasts loads of physical beauty, its arts and culture scene has long been scorned for falling short of Texas’ larger cities like Houston and Dallas. But The Blanton Museum of Art (with 21,000+ pieces) is world-class, and a must see for Austinites and tourists alike.
10. Quita Culpepper: It’s all too easy to poke fun at local media personalities, but the reality is that Austin has a uniquely high number of cool, relatable journalists that feel more like members of your family than talking heads. And at the top of that list along with Uncle Fred is Quita Culpepper of KVUE, who routinely wins Best of Austin awards from a pretty cynical public as far as TV news goes. When she says something, you believe her.
9. Crown & Anchor: With so many iconic Austin bars and restaurants getting shuttered over the last decade to make room for labradoodle day spas, it’s comforting to see one as genuinely beloved as Crown & Anchor still thriving. A comfortable, understated interior with darts/pool, along with ample patio space and a venerable, lovingly caustic bartender named Derven ready to hilariously put you in your place with a well-timed quip, the still reasonably-priced C&A is a can’t miss destination.
8. LBJ Presidential Library: If you’re looking to get drunk, listen to music, or hook up, this isn’t going to be your place. But if you carry an appreciation of history and have a curious soul, this library is a perfect way to spend a couple of hours. It’s hard not to be a bit awestruck when gazing upon the actual desk where LBJ sat as so many important historical moments unfurled, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
7. Mt. Bonnell: Yeah, everybody knows about this iconic location, but this list would be no list at all without it. Stay on the trails and if you’ve been drinking, keep the fuck away from the ledges—this place has not been idiot-proofed yet. Otherwise, enjoy the simple majesty of the gorgeous views, even if you’re the Millionth person to take this exact photo.
6. The Austin Central Library: With over a half-million books (you may need to explain to your teenager what those are), an incredible selection of magazines, and architecture that would make MC Escher smile, this repository of ideas is a perfect way to spend time for old and young alike. There is an adjacent garage, but it can fill up at times so be prepared to pay to park like you were in the MoPac toll lane in rush hour.
5. Zilker Park: Although its (sometimes) green fields have become somewhat politicized over the last decade or so, Zilker Park is a truly glorious gem of a public space and Austin would be forever diminished if it ever materially changed or started charging admission. But it needs its Zilker Zephyr back and operating proudly as it once did.
4. Breakfast Tacos: Although folks in other cities like San Antonio make derisive claims about the quality and authenticity of Austin’s breakfast taco scene, the reality is that, if you can’t readily find one of these delicious morning treats to your liking in Austin, then you’re not trying even a little bit and should probably shut the fuck up. The end.
3. ACL Live Tapings: Whether it’s a big time, popular act or an under the radar indie performer on the rise, there’s something uniquely special about going in person for one of these iconic shows. Now in its 49th season, Austin City Limits may feel a bit slicker than it did in the 80s, but it remains every bit as real. This is a true bucket list Austin thing.
2. Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail: Where else can you see sweaty, shirtless, 4% body fat Adonises jogging past plodding 60-somethings talking about the Austin land code as all of them dodge people doing 25 MPH on $10,000 mountain bikes? This is a truly special, eclectic place, with some of the best views in the city. Y’all can even catch live music there on Saturday mornings.
1. MoPac Traffic: Look, I never said that I didn’t have a massive ego. While many of y’all regard this as hateful and atrocious, I happen to think it’s the perfect place to collect your thoughts about the important things in life. And, bright side, you could be on I-35, right?
That brings us to the end of my list, so please put your favorites that I missed in the comments, below.
+1 for Crown & Anchor. Absolutely absurd and hilarious naval ambiance but everything you would want in a hang out bar. Great beer. Great food. Colorful service.
I love your toll lane, Evil One. You are truly entertaining.