Spending The Day on Austin's South Congress
One of my absolute favorite areas of Austin, is South Congress.
My first reason why is the incredibly entrancing view you get when you are in the middle of the street and look north, straight to the State Capitol. What a beautiful sight! (I was also proposed to in the middle of the State Capitol building so I’m a bit biased! ;] )
Other reasons include the ones I have talked about in this post below: the eclectic shopping, boutiques, boot shops, restaurants, and accommodations off of this iconic strip!
** If you’re here for JUST THE WEEKEND, I would recommend spending the day on SoCo, get some food and drinks, shop our local shops, listen to some live music, head back to your hotel/AirBnB/living accommodation, take a nap or refresh, and then head downtown to the Warehouse District to enjoy drinks and nightlife! **
Updated May 5 2021
[ ACCOMMODATIONS ]
South Congress has several options when it comes to accommodations but I just adore South Congress Hotel.
The hotel has a modern, sleek, and beautiful look which fits perfectly in the SoCo area. Additionally, they have three restaurants attached to the hotel, including Cafe No Se, which I recently did a write-up about HERE. This hotel is small, but the largest of the ones on South Congress with about 80 rooms, starting at $190 a night.
Other staying accommodations include iconic Austin Motel [starting around $120/night], Hotel San Jose [starting around $190/night], and Hotel Saint Cecilia [starting around $500/night]. The best part about all of these establishments is that they’re all dog-friendly and have pools!
[ SHOPPING ]
- MARKET -
If it’s a Saturday, the SoCo Select Farmers & Makers Market will be set up from 11:00am to 5:00pm to give you the opportunity to check out local goods and foods and more importantly, meet the makers of these items!
- BOUTIQUES -
Photo cred: facebook.com/creaturesboutique
Photo Cred: goop.com
creatures boutique
Trendy boutique with handpicked local items
[ 1206 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.facebook.com/creaturesboutique
Goop MRKT Austin
Yes, the luxury lifestyle brand Goop from Gwenyth Paltrow has a pop-up retail store here in Austin. The store contains her wellness products, fashion products, home goods, and more.
[ 1204 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: goop.com
Triple Z Threadz
This store is known for their embroidered pearl snaps that are incredibly trendy and amazing. They also have other art pieces and decor that you’ll want to buy and put all over your home, I know I do.
[ 1606 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: triplezthreadz.com
Photo credit: https://triplezthreadz.com/pages/soco-store
Photo Credit: facebook.com/MayaStarAustinBoutique
Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/AviatorNation
Maya Star (Maya*)
This boutique is known to showcase independent, designers from all over with their clothing, gifts, jewelry, and more.
[ 1508 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.mayastar.com
Aviator Nation
Cali-style clothing, surf-wear, and accessories with a stage inside.
[ 1325 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.aviatornation.com
Photo Credit: facebook.com/KendraScott
Kendra Scott
The flagship store with internationally known, beautiful, and intricate jewelry of all stones and metals.
[ 1701 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
Website: kendrascott.com
Photo Credit: facebook.com/PartsAndLabourATX
Parts and Labour
One of my favorite spots in SoCo with so many incredible Austin t-shirts, local jewelry, and a gallery in the back, with local artists on display.
[ 1704 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: partsandlabourstore.myshopify.com
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds
“Enormous outpost offering costumes, vintage clothing, boas, masks, wigs, prop & other glitz.”
[ 1506 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.lucyindisguise.com
Photo Credit: facebook.com/lucyindisguisewithdiamonds
- BOOTS -
Allen’s Boots
“Landmark store with more than 4,000 boots on display, plus cowboy hats, clothing & accessories.”
[ 1522 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.allensboots.com
Heritage Boot Company
A long time, upscale, boot shop plus country belts and accessories.
[ 1200 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.heritageboot.com
Tecovas
A local boot brand that doesn’t have the typical price tag of mass produced boots. These boots are high quality, made in the boot making capital of the world, and backed by an incredible customer service team.
- I have purchased a pair of boots from them, I snagged the suede on them somehow and reaching out to their customer service, they asked for photos, and ended up sending me a replacement pair. Was so impressed!
[ 1333 S Congress Ave Suite 160, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.tecovas.com
Revival Cycles - Motorcycle Lifestyle Shop
Local shop that sells clothing, accessories, and more that supports the moto lifestyle.
[ 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: revivalcycles.com
[ ECCLECTIC ]
Tesoros Trading Company
“Funky mainstay with a big assortment of folk art, furniture, jewelry & curios from around the globe.”
[ 1500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.tesoros.com
[ TATTOO SHOP ]
Southside Tattoo
A long time tattoo shop next to an iconic Continental Gallery.
[ 1313 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: southsidetattoos.com
[ FOOD ]
Home Slice + More Home Slice
An iconic New York style pizza spot that offers dining or take out and some of the most friendly customer service.
( More Home Slice is the Take Away Window that is open until 3am on weekends! )
ATX FYI Tip: Order a cold sub sandwich (turkey or italian) and an Italian Salad (that comes with the most amazing garlic knots) and prepared to be AMAZED.
[ 1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: homeslicepizza.com
Photo Credit: facebook.com/hopdoddy
Photo Credit: @photosbymollykate
Photo Credit: facebook.com/Perlassouthcongress
Hopdoddy
An iconic, modern, Austin burger joint with innovative burgers and cocktails.
[ 1400 S Congress Ave Ste A190, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.hopdoddy.com
The Magnolia Cafe
This long-time “24 hours a day, 8 days a week” restaurant serves breakfast all day, plus snacks, salads, burgers, tacos, and more!
[ 1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ] website: www.magnoliacafeaustin.com
Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
“Fish, oysters & surf 'n' turf are dished at this laid-back spot with an open kitchen & shaded patio.”
[ 1400 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ] website: perlasaustin.com
Photo Credit: facebook.com/enotecavespaio/
Photo Credit: https://www.burrocheesekitchen.com/
Vespaio - Italian Fine Dining
Enoteca - Lower speed, Counter Service, Rustic
Attached to Vaspaio as the lower speed and counter service, Italian restaurant.
[ 1610 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: austinvespaio.com
Neighborhood Sushi
My favorite sushi spot in Austin, with a back entrance off SoCo and a great happy hour from 4:30 - 6:00 PM every Monday - Friday
[ 1716 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: neighborhoodsushi.com
Güero's Taco Bar
A large menu, salsa bar & hand-shaken margaritas in a landmark building (one of the earliest structures in south Austin and used to be home to Central Feed & Seed store) with a patio that offers a stage for live music.
Fun Fact:
Gueros was featured in the movie, Chef, with Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., and Scarlett Johansson
[ 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ] // website: gueros.com
Photo credit: daguileragarzaphotography
[- South Congress Hotel Restaurants -]
Café No Sé
A modern, New American restaurant attached to South Congress Hotel
[ 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: cafenoseaustin.com
Central Standard
“New American dishes, a raw bar, wine & drinks are served in modern digs in the South Congress Hotel.”
[ 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ] website: centralstandardaustin.com
Mañana
[ inside of South Congress Hotel ]
all you need to know is that you need to order a kouign amann [4.5] and get them to warm it up!
[ 1603 south congress ave, atx 78704 ]
website: mananaaustin.com
Otoko
Modern omakase tasting menus plus craft cocktails in an intimate space within the South Congress Hotel
[ 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ] website: facebook.com/otokoaustin
Photo Credit: facebook.com/amysicecreams
Amy’s Ice Cream
Our local, iconic ice cream shop with fun, bubbly customer service and delicious ice cream and toppings.
[ 1301 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: amysicecreams.com
Jo’s Coffee
Stumptown coffee, baked goods & more from a colorful kiosk with outdoor seating & iconic ‘I love you so much’ moral on its north end exterior wall.
[ 1300 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ]
website: www.joscoffee.com
Photo Credit: https://www.joscoffee.com/
Joann’s Fine Foods
“Mod patio bar serving beer, wine, cocktails & punches along with burgers from adjacent food trailer.”
[ 1224 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 ] // website: joannsaustin.com
“Love from Austin”
North exterior side of Prima Dora
1912 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Artist: Unknown
“Willie for President”
South side of STAG - Provisions for Men
1423 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Artists:
Jacqui Oakley
+ Website: http://jacquioakley.com/
+ Instagram: @jacquioakley
Erick Montes
+ Website: https://heyok.studio/
Joe Swec
+ Instagram: @jswec
“I love you so much” -
North exterior side of Jo’s Coffee
1300 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Artist: Amy Cook - The backstory of this mural was a genuine, grandiose exclamation of love! The story is that Amy Cook, an Austin musician and artist, spray painted this phrase originally on her partner, Liz Lambert’s coffee shop, Jo’s Coffee. Cook was inspired by the same phrase her and Liz saw spray painted in New York on an alley wall years before that moment. (Story credit to Amy Cook) Now unintentionally, love is captured in front of this wall every single day.
Other honorable mentions in the area:
Torchy’s Tacos, Madewell, Warby Parker, Big Top Candy Shop, South Congress Books, Monkey See, Monkey Do!, Yard Dog Art Gallery.
( Click their names for their websites! )
So, I hope you can enjoy South Congress as much as I do!
I’ve put together all of the places here on this Google map list to help you wander through SoCo!
Let me know your favorite places on SoCo and if you’ve spent any time on this wonderful strip!
Cheers!
