QUESTION FROM A GREEK TRAGEDY READER: I’m currently visiting my boyfriend who lives in Austin. This is my second extended visit, and when I come I typically stay for a couple of weeks. I still feel like I haven’t gotten a taste of what Austin has to offer. We went to First Thursday, and I love Trudy’s. Per one of your older blog entries, we visited Mozart’s last night, and I really enjoyed it. Are there any other places you can recommend? They can be things done during the day alone while he’s at work or things we can do together.

Here’s what I can offer as someone who’s lived in Austin for the past SIX years (am I the only one who’s just realizing it’s been that long?): a sense of miss. I know what I miss about Austin already, just a few weeks out. Aside from missing my friends, I can say this: the people in Austin are all smart or interesting. I’ve never (aside from NY transplants) met anyone living in Austin who isn’t really interesting. Yes, huge sweeping generalization, but huge truth. So, I say, go meet some people!

The shops on South Congress are a great way to spend a day alone. Aside from American Apparel, the stores are unique and have that special Austin flavor. Austin, above other cities I’ve frequented, is whatever you want it to be. It’s granola, old school country, lots of ink, live music black jeans – anything goes, old Dallas gone Austin Country Club, fundraisers up the waz. So, I’ve asked this very question of one and all in Austin, and here is what was shared with me:

Blues on the green in Zilker park
Mana Culture on South First (add feather or sparkle hair extension, etc. to your hair)
Texacana Café on 360
The Drag – Guadeloupe (I have personally never understood the draw)
Toy Joy
East Side Café
Ride the Train at Zilker Park
Kayaking on Ladybird Lake (Lake Austin)
Barton Springs
Amy’s Ice Cream (local version of Cold Stone Creamery/ Steve’s Ice Cream)
Trudy’s
Chevy’s for Creamy Jalapeno Dip
* Alamo Drafthouse – ABSOLUTELY, and you must order fried pickles
Salt Lick
Sandy’s for fries and frozen custard
Hyde Park Grill – people rave about the fries, but this place (and its fries) do nothing for me
Perla’s – yes and yes. Holy fcuk, go now. Frozen drink special each day is almost always fantastic. Get the lobster roll and split it as an appetizer.
Mayfield Park – special place in my heart from my time with the Girl Scouts. It’s a park with koi and peacocks.
Capitol
Lake Travis, skip Oasis and head to Iguana Grill

GOT QUESTIONS? NEED ADVICE?
If you have questions or need advice on anything from where to eat to how to get over the bastard, just email your question to my advice email address.