24 Hours in Austin, Texas

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What to do when you have a free 24 hours in Austin, Texas? I had coffee with cats, visited some Longhorns, and enjoyed happy hour at a grocery store.

We travel a lot. Usually we are heading to a half marathon or a blogging conference, or Mr. Beet is working out of town and I am tagging along. It’s great. Last year we traveled to 22 states and logged so many stays at hotels we ended up with a weeks’ worth of free nights. One thing I always try to do is plan an extra day somewhere so we can spend a day exploring the area without the commitments of work or a race. Austin was no exception. We loved Austin – we hardly began to even scratch the surface of all the activities and amazing food Austin has to offer. But we tried. We had no agenda in Austin for an entire day. So here are our suggestions for how to spend 24 hours in Austin.

Stroll down Austin’s famous Sixth Street

Our first stop was to VooDoo Doughnut on 6th Street. The shop was started in Portland, Oregon and now has 8 locations – including one at both Universal City Walk in Orlando and Hollywood. What we loved was the huge selection of colorful and fun freshly baked doughnuts, many of which are Vegan. This was a great way to start the day on a huge sugar rush!!

Are you looking for an ATM? You’re in luck.

We spent some time walking around 6th Street. This is the main hub for Austin’s bars, trendy restaurants and live music. We found it amusing at the number of ATM machines that lined the main drag. There was an ATM sign every 20 feet. I am assuming back in the day the bars and restaurants along 6th Street did not accept credit cards. Today, most of those machines have been removed though the signs still remain. It’s like a walking museum tour of antique ATM machines. 

One thing I adored about Austin was the fact that there are many little shops that have shop cats. Yes, shop cats. I guess cats provide good security at night???

Austin is home to many historical theaters

We also admired many theaters and spaces that showcase the local music scene. The State Theater and the Paramount are two of the historical venues that are just gorgeous and stately throughout the downtown. (Fun fact: The Paramount was actually the site of the original Batman movie in 1966.) 

Visit the Texas State Capitol

We had also found our way over to the State Capitol Building. We always seem to end up at the State Capitol every state we visit. I definitely have a thing for these iconic buildings where so much history is made.

You can’t go to Austin without a trip to Whole Foods

Next we found our way over to the flagship and headquarters of Whole Foods Market. We spent a few hours there just walking around because this store is so different than other Whole Foods stores we have been to. I thought the entire market was more of a food court than an actual store, until we started walking up and down the aisles and realized this is a store first, a food court second. However, it’s a terrific place to grab some sushi and a glass of wine at happy hour. Then pick up the almond milk on your way home. 

Visit the University of Texas

Another thing we love to do is check out major university football stadiums and college campuses when we travel. Austin is home to the University of Texas Longhorns and the stadium is huge, as in everything is bigger in Texas. Sometimes the stadiums are open and visitors are able to go inside, but here in Austin it was locked up. We were still able to grab a few peeks at the field. Go Longhorns!

Try to go the cat cafe and not fall in love

I had read about this spot called Blue Cat Café, a place where you can have a cup of coffee, work on the computer and hang out with a clowder of cats. I ordered a Tuxedo Cat Coffee and we found a spot to settle in and work. Before long we had some feline assistants who were demanding attention.

Other people at the cafe found it very difficult to get work done but we were determined to get something accomplished. Ya, that didn’t work out so well for us. We were very very close to adopting our new friend Rosalie, as all the cats are available for adoption. Rosalie and Chad had some great conversations.

This place is a dream come true for me! In the end, we decided that it would be too stressful for Rosalie to take her from Texas to Florida so we bid our goodbyes and headed to dinner. We learned that Rosalie was adopted the next day!!

Austin is a Vegetarian Foodie’s dream city

Dinner was at a place called Counter Culture – a restaurant that was recommended by the agent at our car rental agency, which is amusing to me as I am a very loyal patron of Trip Advisor for all my travel finds. We were looking for a spot with some Vegan and Vegetarian food and this place came highly praised. And for good reason. This was my first taste of BBQ pulled jackfruit and it was amazing.

Mr. Beet loved his lentil meatloaf with quinoa salad and jalapeno cornbread. If we lived here, Counter Culture would be a restaurant we would visit often.

Do not miss the Vegan Pecan Nog Shake at Juiceland

We decided on milkshakes for dessert so we headed over to Juiceland, a staple sweets spot in Austin.  Mr. Beet had a Vegan Strawberry Shake while I enjoyed a Vegan Pecan Nog Shake. They had me at Vegan Nog.

There is so much to see and enjoy in Austin – one day is hardly enough to explore everything. I cannot wait to go back! What are your favorite restaurants and activities in Austin?

Editor’s note: 24 hours in Austin Texas was originally published on BeautyandthetheBeets.com in February of 2017. I am super saddened to learn that the Blue Cat Cafe closed a year later in November 2018. There is chatter of the cafe reopening. Stay tuned to the happenings and events in Austin by visiting Visit Austin.