YOUR PERFECT DAY


South Congress MORNING


Allens Boots


8am: We wouldn’t blame you for snapping a photo at the I LOVE YOU SO MUCH mural at Jo’s Coffee (1300 S Congress Ave; 512-444-3800, joscoffee.com); it gives us all the feels too. Beat the crowds by getting there early, then sip on the café’s famous Turbo (a sweet chocolate, hazelnut, coffee blend served over crushed ice) while you people-watch. 9am: At Allens Boots (1522 S Congress Ave; 512-447-1413, allensboots.com), a Congress


SCORCHING HOT


á Austin Ice Cream Festival Brave the heat for the 11th annual Austin Ice Cream Festival, where some of the city’s top ice cream spots—Amy’s Ice Creams, Austin Scoops, GoodPops—dish out bowls and cones. And for the ultimate brain freeze, sign up for the half-gallon eating contest—lactose intolerance be damned! à Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E Segovia St (austinicecreamfestival.com). Aug 12 10am–7pm; $TBD.


Avenue institution since 1977, the smell of leather smacks you over the head as you walk through the door. Peruse the colorful aisles filled with custom-made boots that include bedazzled, low-heeled turquoise stunners. 10am: Brunch at June’s (1722 S Congress Ave; 512-416-1722, junesallday.com) means to-die-for pastries (hello, raspberry streusel cake), a killer fried-chicken sandwich and all the mimosas you can handle. It also means crowds, so make a reservation stat.


AFTERNOON


Noon: Duck into South Congress Books (1608 S Congress Ave; 512-916- 8882, southcongressbooks.com), a treasure trove of literary delights that houses books like a framed copy of Hallucinogenic Plants (A Golden Guide) for $1,750. Then wander the aisles at Uncommon Objects (1512 S Congress Ave; 512-442-4000, uncommonobjects.com), a wonderland of antiques where you’ll find everything from loose dominos ($1) to a hippopotamus skull ($2,400). 2pm: Fuel up with New York–style pizza at Home Slice (1415 S Congress Ave; 512-444-7437, homeslicepizza.com), either dining on pies, calzones or subs in the boisterous restaurant or grabbing a to-go slice (all hail the white pie with spinach, ricotta and mozzarella) from its window. 3pm: Here on a Saturday? Stop by the SOCO Outdoor Market (1610 S Congress Ave), where local artisans sell jewelry, furniture, soaps and everything in between.


TOASTY


á Keep Austin Weird Fest & 5K Don your funkiest outfit and your running shoes for a celebration of all that is bizarre, strange and straight-up weird about Austin. The annual festival includes music, food and a costume contest, but it’s the “slowest 5K on the planet”—complete with beer stops, shot stops and Slip ’N Slides—that makes this fest worth a sweaty visit. Though, you know, maybe don’t wear a heavy chicken suit. à Downtown Austin (512-524-2953, keepaustinweirdfest .com). June 24 at 4pm. $11–$25.


NIGHT


5pm: Enjoy a predinner cocktail at Central Standard (1603 S Congress Ave; 512-942-0823, centralstandardaustin.com), a sleek restaurant and bar at South Congress Hotel. We highly recommend the mescal sour. 7pm: Cross the street for dinner at Vespaio (1610 S Congress Ave; 512-441-6100, austinvespaio.com). Once a grocery store, the cozy restaurant now has a wood-fired oven, a wall of expertly curated wines and a standout pappardelle bolognese. 9pm: Post up at one of Austin’s best live-music venues, the Continental Club (1315 S Congress Ave; 512-441-2444, continentalclub.com), for the perfect way to end your day on South Congress. And if someone asks you to dance, you should probably say yes.


35


Central Standard May 11–August 16, 2017 Time Out Austin


PHOTOGRAPHS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): COURTESY CC/FLICKR/AUSTIN CHRONICLE; COURTESY CC/FLICKR/GINO; TRAVIS HALLMARK; COURTESY CC/FLICKR/MATTHEW WEDGEWOOD


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