The perfect day in Austin would have to include some of the city’s staples. Austin would not be Austin if it were not for these places and the communities built around them.

No matter the time, you have to start with some caffeine to get the day going. Whether it is 5 a.m. before work, or 11p.m. while studying, Bennu Coffeeshop is a 24/HR establishment with lattes, teas and of course, Wi-Fi. Their signature drinks are named after literary titles, my personal favorite being The Scarlett Letter: a mocha with cayenne. I love my drinks with a kick.

A coffee often pairs well with thrifting. Austin offers two of my favorite thrifts: Pavement – Modern & Recycled Clothing and Monkies Vintage & Thrift. Pavement offers second-hand clothing that is stylish and a bit higher quality than a regular thrift, as well as offering newer finds at a reasonable price. They also create their own one-of-one pieces of clothing by taking parts of one donated piece of clothing and stitching it with another. It is creative and a great way to repurpose clothing into an original.

Monkies is the place to go if you are looking for vintage jackets, jeans, and t-shirts. Individual and unique, looking at clothing from decade’s past if fun enough. While you’re browsing, try on the old, glamorous fur coats or the suede jackets that might as well have been worn in Back to the Future.

After thrifting, you might be a little hungry. Austin is home to two of my favorite places to eat: Kerbey Lane and Vegan Nom Food Park. Kerbey Lane originated on Kerbey Lane in Austin, TX. There are now multiple locations and is a very popular brunch spot for Austinites. If you happen across the restaurant on a Sunday, be prepared to wait in line for an hour or more. The menu is home to their famous Queso which also has the option to be made vegan. No matter the day you go, the food is comforting and worth it.

Vegan Nom Food Park is a few food trucks parked together that all offer their own specialty in vegan junk food. From vegan tacos, burgers, pizzas, and milkshakes, this food park is a daydream for vegetarians, those who are lactose-intolerant and those looking for an allergy friendly way to treat yourself. Another perk? There is always enough parking available.

After you are replenished and ready to go, it’s time to hit the record stores. Perhaps the most notoriously known record store in Austin is Waterloo Records. They have CD’s, DVDs, and of course, vinyl records. They also have scheduled live acts that perform in store while you shop, or you may simply stop to enjoy the music. Opening in 1982, Waterloo Records has built itself a community of music lovers and if you visit Austin, you must take a step inside.

Another important record store to the Austin population is End of an Ear. The store opened its doors in 2005 and has made itself a home to music connoisseurs. First with a focus of selling records you could not get in most places, the store broadened its selection as the rise of vinyl made its way back into people’s lives. If you are looking for an extremely specific album or browsing for something you’ve never heard of before, End of an Ear has got you covered.

If you still have some momentum and want to support an independent bookstore, hit up First Light Books. With a café inside and a select curation of books and magazines, First Light Books provides a cozy atmosphere for you to shop or study in. The café offers everything from seasonal drinks like strawberry matcha, or perhaps you’d like to browse the shelves with a glass of wine in hand. It offers both outdoor and indoor seating while being nestled in a small neighborhood you can safely walk with coffee in hand.

The city of Austin, Texas offers a wide variety of places to go which in turn offers a wide variety of people to meet. If you’re wanting to see some cool places and just don’t know where to start, stop by any of these establishments and ask around. Everyone is sure help and would love to brag about their favorite spot.

Article by Seana Watson, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

The Perfect Day in Austin