Happy St. Patty’s Day! I can’t believe I forgot to pack anything green — such a rookie move. Here’s a clear, edited recap of last night and today in Austin: what I ate, what I heard, and what I loved about this city.
Last Night
Austin’s downtown nightlife is electric. The energy reminded me a little of big-city neighborhoods like Chicago: lively streets, music spilling from bars, and a crowd that keeps the city moving late into the night. People-watching here is its own form of entertainment — everyone seems to have their own unique vibe.
Food in Austin is incredible. I’m a huge fan of small, independent restaurants, and there are tons of mom-and-pop places here serving amazing Tex-Mex and other local favorites. We stopped for dinner at The Short Bus, and it was delicious — homemade, freshly toasted bread and great sandwiches. I ordered the Teacher’s Pet and it hit the spot.
On our walk to see Brett Dennen and Matt Nathanson, we happened upon two frozen yogurt shops on the same street — and of course I had to try both. One was self-serve, and I may have overloaded my cup (11.1 ounces — don’t judge). I tasted several flavors and loved the mint and peanut butter the most. A little sweet treat before the show was perfect.
Brett Dennen and Matt Nathanson performed at The W Hotel — a modern, elegant venue right in the heart of downtown. The hotel’s vibe was fresh and stylish, and we even had a mini photo shoot on one of the balconies before the sets started. Each performer had a short, energetic set, and I was struck by how down-to-earth Matt Nathanson was on stage.
Because many venues are 21+, I was turned away from a few places and my night wrapped up around midnight. If only I’d been born a month earlier — it would have been a different story!
Today
I started the day with a short, efficient workout to keep up energy during the trip — a 30-minute treadmill run plus lunges and squats. Fitting in exercise while traveling can be tough, but it sets a positive tone and helps me feel energized for long days of walking and exploring.
By 11 a.m. we were back downtown and ready to explore SXSW. I met up with Claire and we headed to the official SXSW Trade Show. There were so many interesting booths and a ton of free samples — it’s amazing what you can discover at a trade show. The Blogger booth was there, and I picked up some useful tips from the team. One of the tech folks named Brett helped me implement social media buttons for my blog, and he even featured Fit Foodie Finds on Blog of Note as the blog of the day, which was a fun surprise.
After the trade show I was starving. Fortunately, being a badge holder had perks: we found a fajita bar and a fresh fruit salad that satisfied both my savory and sweet cravings. Free food + convenient sampling are definite travel perks at events like this.
We attended sessions on branding and hip-hop identity at the convention center — great speakers and thoughtful discussion. I’ll share more details about those sessions soon, but they offered smart insights into how artists and brands shape their public image.
Tonight we’re heading back downtown for dinner and then hoping to catch The Strokes perform. The city is packed with people and energy, so fingers crossed we can get in!
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Do you find time to work out on vacation?
What is your favorite U.S. city?