Here at GSD&M, we know Austin. We live and breathe it every day smack in the heart of downtown, and naturally we’ve acquired a sense of what’s going down in all aspects of our fine city’s presence. So what can we supply you with amidst all the SXSW buzz? How about some great advice – Stuff we’ve learned from the sidelines of one of Austin’s marquee events, along with tips we wish we knew when we embarked on our first SXSW. So alas we ask ourselves: What is our Austin Trinity — where would we eat, where would we drink and what would we do if we only had one day? Whether its food, sights, or what to bring that’s on your mind, we’ve got you covered. After all – we live here.
Joel Parr: Eat at Contigo. Go to Rio Rita for cocktails and Hopfields for beer. Take a social group bike-ride. They tend to kickoff at Plaza Saltillo on Thursday evenings.
Sarah Noel: The perfect day in ATX starts with breakfast on South 1st at the Torchy’s truck, a pick-me-up at Mozarts on Lake Austin for a caffeine fix, lunch at Whole Foods for a thoroughly overwhelming experience (and always excellent people watching), and rounds out with dinner at Hopdoddy or Matts el Rancho—with a margarita in hand. Make time to visit SoCo (you can do that if you eat dinner at Hopdoddy), take a stroll around Town Lake and the dog park (by kayak is always best), and of course, aimlessly wander around 6th street at night (both Dirty and West 6th for a more “mature” crowd).
Tyler Crelia: Get a burger from P.Terry’s, do a little hike in the greenbelt, sushi from Uchi, Vietnamese sandwich from LuLu B’s, BBQ from Franklin or Lamberts.
Reagan Ward: The enchiladas at Curras are one of few things I wake up on Saturdays craving. For drinks, get the cucumber gimlet from Lambert’s. Super light and refreshing. Then go to Lamar Pedestrian Bridge at sunset – I can take or leave the bats, but when you need a break, it’s hard to beat grabbing a bench over the water while the sun says goodnight.
Will Jones: Polvos for food, East side for nightlife, Barton Springs to hang.
David Hughes: Go to Uchi – best sushi on the planet. See a music show – anywhere. Try to take a drive through the hill county (get the best of all the city has to offer). Walk around South Congress. Get queso – possibly from Matt’s El Rancho (plus margaritas). Try something new to you – Austin has a little surprise for all of us.
Jenn Kennedy: If you have the time, rent a car and go on a bbq tour.
Jefferson Burruss: Eat at La Condessa. Drink at Ginger Man (the right mix of locals, lots of beers, middle of it all, great meeting place, surprise music acts). Dive off diving board at Barton Springs.
Adele Hazan: The pearl edition: Eat – Perlas, Drink – Lustre Pearl, Go – Uncommon Objects in search of pearls.
Kelly Hope: Eat at Guero’s, drink at the Oasis, rent a canoe or kayak on Town Lake (Lady Bird Lake). Also, take a drive out to the hill country and the area lakes.
Our SXSurvival site is dedicated to providing every SXSW attendee with the best possible time in our beloved city. These SXSurvival posts share some more insider tips.
