If you’re heading to Austin for Austin City Limits this year, you might be curious to explore the area where the festival is held. ACL takes place at Zilker Park, known for its year long music events and the place to take your pup on the weekends. The neighborhood is celebrated for its local businesses and outdoor amenities. Here is your definitive guide to exploring the best of Zilker over the festival weekend.
Day 1
Start your day with an ice cold splash at the popular Barton Springs pool, a spring-fed swimming hole known for its year-round 60º temps. (You will need tickets.) Next, grab a to-go smoothie at Austin’s original, Juiceland, before renting a paddle board to sightsee Downtown and Bouldin Creek from Lady Bird Lake. Finish the day off with a meal in the garden at the unique Carpenter’s Hall – an elementary school turned boutique hotel/restaurant.
Day 2
Grab a friend or loved one and head to Zilker Botanical Garden. Take a zenful stroll past the Koi pond and under the Japanese Maple. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a table in the garden at Juliet Kitchen for a gourmet pizza. Finish your day off at House Wine’s intimate wine garden featuring live performances from local musicians.
Day 3
Venture down South Lamar for a matinee at Austin’s own Alamo Drafthouse and you’ll soon see why Austininties love this movie watching experience. When you’re ready to move on from popcorn, stop in for some Barbecue x Asian fusion at the famed Paul Qui x Aaron Franklin mashup, LORO. Finish the day off with happy hour at American sushi master Tyson Cole’s restaurant, Uchi.
If you love Zilker as much as I do, you might find yourself exploring homes in this area. Zilker hosts condos starting in the low-$300’s to private luxury estates with guest accommodations and downtown views. On the lower end of the market it’s hard to know which condos are studs versus duds if you’re not an area expert. In the luxury market, most of the best finds are off-market and not visible on Zillow or Redfin. For Zilker real estate expertise and a deep bench of off-market homes, give us a call! We’ve lived in Austin since 2001 and we’re here to help.
