An Austin Weekend Getaway: Compass Style

An Austin Weekend Getaway: Compass Style

December 14, 2021 | #travelwithcompass | By: The Goodhart Group

Austin, Texas is quickly becoming one of the top trending travel destinations in the country, plus we love the city so much we knew we needed to do a #travelwithcompass series on this cool city. We re-connected with Compass agent Austin Stowell and his team to get the low-down on all things from Austin. With their help, we’ve mapped out a handy guide on where you should stay, eat, and what local items you should be sure to check off of your bucket list for your next visit to Austin. 

Where would you recommend people stay for a visit to Austin? (hotels, resorts, Airbnb options?)

We love Hotel Saint Cecilia! It is an oasis located on South Congress Street. The hotel is named in honor of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music and poetry. Hotel Saint Cecilia takes inspiration from the great era of the late 1960s and early 1970’s when a revolution of rock and roll and beat poetry overran the hallowed halls of established convention. They pay tribute to the great creative legacy of our revolutionary idols and to the spirit of the artist that lies within everyone. If you stay at the Hotel Saint Cecilia, you won’t want to miss their 50-foot heated lap pool which is open to guests 24 hours a day. 

What are the can’t miss restaurants or dining experiences in and around Austin?

We love Dai Due, Uchi, Launderette, and Suerte.

Dai Due was created in 2006 to reconsider what “our” food is and will be. They use local ingredients to serve fresher food as well as food that is produced in a fair and equitable way that represents local culinary traditions and support farmers and ranchers who are striving to improve the quality of our food. If you want to truly eat and drink locally, this is the place for you! They offer lunch, dinner, and brunch. Be sure to try the sourdough pancake. 

Uchi is a Japanese steakhouse offering a variety of sushi options and other Japanese culinary options. Translated from the Japanese word “house,” the original Uchi is located in a refurbished South Austin bungalow. Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole’s signature non-traditional take on Japanese food has delighted Austin’s dining crowd as well as visitors from across the country and around the world since 2003.

Launderette is a cafe located in East Austin tucked away in the Holly neighborhood. Their menu features vibrant and global flavors. They offer a variety of traditional grilled options like pork ribs and a NY Strip but also out-of-the-box items like a charred octopus. You can also try the plancha burger that has American cheese, special sauce, pickles on challah bread.

For authentic Mexican fare, check out Suerte. Located in the heart of East Austin, Suerte is an award-winning restaurant driven by a passion for masa, an ingredient at the heart of Mexican cooking. Chef Fermin and his team curate a seasonally driven menu with an emphasis on bringing together traditional Mexican cooking techniques with local Texas ingredients to create a unique and exciting dining experience. Their bar offers some of the most unique agave and succulent spirits state-side as well a rotating selecting of wines and craft cocktails. 

Where should people head to in and around Austin to get the true Austin experience

Any show at the Paramount Theatre. The Paramount Theatre is a historic theater on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin with views of the state capital. The Paramount Theater is a live theatre venue and movie theatre. The classical revival style structure was built in 1915. The theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

What are some other fun or interesting things to do in Austin people may not think of?

For local coffee, we love Houndstooth coffee. They have several locations throughout Austin as well as Dallas. They serve tea, coffee, and delicious pastries as well as beer. Their baristas are ready to get you a shot, alcoholic, caffeinated, or one of each – whatever you need! 

For classic cocktails, try Small Victory, a bar located in the hotel district of downtown Austin. Small Victory is an intimate classic cocktail bar that’s so small it feels like an old-school speakeasy. For fun, craft cocktails, this is the place to be! Be sure to try the charcuterie boards and marinated olives.

Lazarus Brewing Company, offering beer, tacos, and coffee, truly offers the best of Austin. They have a huge outdoor patio with fans and misters to help keep you cool in the hot summer heat. They also have seating inside their taproom. They offer a variety of beers including pilsners, lagers, hefeweizens, golden ales, and more. For food, you can try tacos, rice bowls, and delicious tortas. For the non-beer drinkers, Lazarus also has red and white wine and rose.

Thank you so much for your time!  We know you are the go-to Realtor in Austin, so to give everyone a little local listing flair, do you have any fun Austin listings you can tell us about?

4515 Avenue D, Austin, TX

This architecturally significant 4 bed, 3.5 bath Scandinavian home is located in Hyde Park and is currently the only new 1-story build in Central Austin!  This 3,300 square feet pier-and-beam home rests securely on 24” wide, 8’ deep concrete columns and is prepared to stand for ages & unforeseen climate conditions. Interior & exterior selections were made with robust attention to detail, favoring a clean and crisp aesthetic. Listed for $2,500,000.

2815 Goldbridge Drive, Austin, TX

Newly remodeled with high-end finishes throughout, this 3 bed 2 bath home with its 1,410 square feet is the perfect layout and location in South Austin. The exterior features custom stucco, new steel planters, and updated light fixtures that give it curb appeal for days! The interior has new white oak floors, new windows, and features gorgeous Fireclay tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. Listed for $750,000.

If you’re headed to Austin, please don’t hesitate to let us know if we can help in any way. Or, if you need any real estate help in Austin, we would be happy to connect you with Austin and his team as well!