South Congress Avenue
Thrift shops, bootmakers and neon signs on an avenue aimed straight at the Capitol.
Duration
1 hr 30 min – 3 hrs
Best time
Late afternoon
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
South Congress Avenue points straight at the Texas Capitol: from the pavement, the dome is framed at the end of the street, and it is the most photographed view in the city.
The avenue was a rough district into the 1990s before becoming Austin's shop window: vintage stores, Texan bootmakers, record shops and original neon signs. The 'Greetings from Austin' mural and the South Congress motel sign are the two obligatory stops — and the street has gentrified sharply since.
Getting there
South of Lady Bird Lake, continuing Congress Avenue. Twenty minutes on foot from downtown across the bridge.
What to bring
- Dry bag
Rules on site
Parking is scarce and paid: walk down from downtown, which is the same route as the bats. On the first Thursday of the month the shops stay open late and the street fills up.