Better late than never, right? My mom and I went on a really fun trip to Austin for spring break and had a blast! We always do – my mom’s my favorite travel buddy! Here are some highlights from our trip.
We stayed in this cute apartment in Hyde Park. It even had a kitchen, so we got to cook when we wanted to! And the best part was a delicious apple pie, hot out of the oven and waiting for us on the table when we arrived!
Kitchen - note the apple pie!
The first night we decided to eat dinner at Kerbey Lane Cafe, which we both loved. We both got pancakes, apple whole wheat for me and blueberry for Mom. This may have been my favorite restaurant we visited!
My mom at Kerbey Lane - she was excited about her pear being cut all cute =)
On Tuesday, a friend’s mom who lives in Austin gave us a nice tour and we did some shopping on South Congress. I got to visit Hill Country Weavers and got a beautiful skein of Brooklyn Tweed’s new Shelter yarn. I was in yarn heaven – it was one of the most amazing yarn shops I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot)! We ate lunch at the Magnolia Cafe and dinner at Artz Rib House (I got a veggie burger, don’t worry). We also got some yummy Amy’s ice cream – dark chocolate and Mexican vanilla with Junior Mints for me! My mom and I also scouted out our plan for the rest of the week!
Yarn!
Wednesday morning we got up bright and early and headed downtown. I ran 6 miles around Lady Bird Lake while my mom visited the nearby Zilker Botanical Garden. I loved the dirt path with the beautiful views around the lake and my mom had fun looking around in the garden (although she said it can’t compare to our beloved Cheekwood in Nashville). Afterward, we met up for brunch at Flip Happy Crepes! We split two crepes: the awesome roasted vegetables with feta buttermilk sauce and the vanilla pastry cream with fresh berries and berry sauce. Yum! Wish we had one of these in Fayetteville!
Lady Bird Lake view from my run
Best Little Creperie in Austin
During the afternoon, we shopped till we dropped, hitting up Whole Foods (the original), Waterloo Records, Anthropologie, BookPeople, Lululemon(!), Free People, Roadhouse Relics, and Anderson’s Coffee. After all that, we somehow found the energy to go see Hot Club of Cowtown, a bluegrass band, at the Continental Club, and made it to Whip In for a late dinner. Whip In had live music, Indian food, and the best beer selection on tap I’ve ever seen in my life – no joke. I was in heaven. I drank a 512 IPA and a Wytchmaker Rye IPA at the suggestion of the bartender and loved them both. My mom split two rice bowls and some naan and enjoyed listening to the music.
Part of the beer list at Whip In. Namaste, y'all.
Organic Dark Sumatra from Anderson's - and don't be jealous, you can totally order this online (we already did!)
My big purchase of the trip - a running skirt and 2 running tops!
Thursday morning, we made a big breakfast because we knew we had a long day ahead of us: we were going north to Round Rock to go to Ikea! It was my second time to visit an Ikea and my mom’s first. We spent hours wandering and looking for ideas for my mom’s new house but didn’t go too crazy. I only bought 2 glass jars to make these someday soon. After we got back to Austin, we had a late lunch at Mother’s Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant in the neighborhood. We enjoyed our lunch and my mom brought home a bottle of their signature cashew tamari dressing. On the way back to the apartment to rest up for the evening we stopped in at the Hyde Park Market to pick out some local beers for Toby – they had an amazing beer selection! And they were super nice too, even helping me load the beer into the car. We finished our evening with an artist talk and tour of the New Art in Austin exhibit at the Austin Museum of Art and a late dinner at the Odd Duck Farm to Trailer. We split several small plates and enjoyed them on a picnic table outside.
Breakfast of Champions - shopping champions, that is
Friday morning, we started the trip back home, stopping in West, Texas to see what authentic kolaches are like. I had a cherry one and my mom had a traditional meat and cheese one. I thought it was good, but nothing super special. I was, however, blown away by all the different varieties and brought back some jalapeno cheese beer bread for Toby.
Kolaches from the Czech Stop in West, TX
We had SUCH a great time in Austin, and I can’t wait to go back! I still want to try the grilled cheese at the Blue Star Cafe (recommended by Jenna here), get a cupcake at Hey, Cupcake, and see the bats!
Have you been to Austin? What was your favorite part?
Ok. That’s it. I’m going on the next trip with y’all.
We invited you on this one! Wish you could’ve come.
When you two come up with a date, I’ll be ready!!! Lots of things we just didn’t have time for this trip that we have to go back for. Sarah, if you’re near the traveling companion Katie is we’d have a blast!
Mom’s criteria for a great traveling companion:
Doesn’t bring any music, on any format, such as CDs, iPod with FM transmitter, etc, forcing you to discuss things such as potential baby names for 2 hours in car despite fact that neither is planning to have baby in foreseeable future.
Can consume amount equal to own weight of apple pie, Mexican vanilla ice cream, and beer.
Laptop hog.
Excellent navigator!
=) Thanks again, Mom, it was a great trip!