There’s never a dull moment in Downtown Austin, which is why Mayor Kirk Watson calls it “Austin’s living room.”
It wasn’t always the bustling city center that it is today — it’s been a goal of Watson’s to revitalize Downtown since he first took office in 1997. These days, Downtown is under constant development and ~139,000 people walk through Austin’s living room every day.
The nickname begs the question: If Downtown is Austin’s living room, what does that make the rest of the city? Here’s what we think.
Austin’s dining room: east Austin
What do Franklin Barbecue, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, Birdie’s, and la Barbecue have in common? They’re all located in east Austin, along with a host of lauded restaurants in town. Don’t get us wrong, there’s plenty of good eating all over the city, but it’s particularly easy to find when you cross over into Austin’s dining room.
MCM occupies a ~1,900 sqft space at the Domain. Photo by @christianremde / Palate Films
Austin’s closet: The Domain
Austinites looking to refresh their wardrobes often flock to The Domain — home to classic mall shops and luxury purveyors alike — where you can find clothing, jewelry, and self-care goods that every closet needs. The Domain is definitely a walk-in closet.
Austin’s entryway: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
When visitors from out of state come to town, chances are they pass through Austin’s airport. It is often the first and last impression visitors have of the city, so it’s a good thing it has so much local flair.
Austin’s balcony: Mount Bonnell
Once you make the short trek up to this time-honored lookout, you can survey the view of Lake Austin (and the homes along the river). You can even bring a picnic to really solidify Mount Bonnell as Austin’s balcony.
Many of Austin’s biggest festivals take place in Austin’s backyard. Photo by Roger Ho for ACL Fest
Austin’s backyard: Zilker Park
Austinites deserve none other than the crown jewel of Austin’s park system for a backyard. It’s the home to many of the city’s beloved gatherings, including ABC Kite Fest and the annual ACL Festival.
Austin’s garage: The Cathedral of Junk
Let’s be honest, the garage is usually where all of our junk is cast, making the Cathedral of Junk an apt comparison. Austin’s Cathedral of Junk has its fair share of treasures — just like the typical Austinite’s garage.
Section of Barton Springs on the paid access side. Photo via AustinTX.gov
Austin’s pool: Barton Springs Pool
Alright, this one is a little self-explanatory, but Barton Springs Pool has been keeping Austinites cool for over a century, and it’s right in the city’s proverbial backyard.
