Need to take a Fest break? Food court lines too long and wanna sit while you eat? Time for a chillout? Try these Quick Breaks from the ACL Music fest grounds within easy walking distance:
[See bottom for pedestrian map to north of the river for crowd-avoidance.]
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Flipnotics (1601 Barton Springs Rd.): One of Austin’s veteran indie java houses has those shots of caffeine you need plus pastries and sandwiches and a rustic porch where you can sit and rest your weary dogs. (Pictured at night at right.)
- Juiceland (1825 Barton Springs Rd. & 2307 Lake Austin Boulevard): A short stroll from either festival gate you’ll find thirst quenching and healthy fresh fruit and veggies juice and aguas frescas.
- Flip Happy Crepes (400 Jessie St.): One of Austin’s first and still best food trailers serves up scrumptiously savory crepes from morning to early afternoon and at dinnertime on Saturday.
- Deep Eddy Cabaret (2315 Lake Austin Blvd.): Funky, friendly old-school Austin-style neighborhood beer bar where the dark room and cold brews on top or bottled provide a relaxing respite from the Fest. (See map at bottom for pedestrian bridge across the river.)
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Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Rd.): Out the gate and over the rise to the south lies Austin’s crown jewel. This over 1/8-mile long spring-fed slice of swimming heaven remains a brisk and refreshing 68 degrees year-round. Changing rooms to slip on your swimsuit and get cool. (Pictured at left; See Related Articles for info as well on nearby Deep Eddy Pool.)
- Casa de la Luz (1710 Toomey Rd.): Organic vegan meals so tasty even carnivores and junk food junkies will swoon.
- P. Terry’s Burger Stand (404 S. Lamar Blvd.): All natural beef and chicken burgers, delectable french fries and thick hearty milkshakes with all the speedy service of fast food and none of its sins.
- Chuy’s (1728 Barton Springs Rd.): This longtime local Mexican food fave serves up big and hearty plates that will sate any appetite within a delightfully kitschy decor. Known for their tangy margaritas and yummy queso. Historical footnote: Where First Twins Jenna and Barbara Bush were popped for underage drinking in 2001.
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Shady Grove (1624 Barton Springs Rd.): Great burgers, salads, sandwiches, fries with or sans a variety of toppings and dinner plates and a patio where you can chow down and watch the parade of people heading to and from the fest.
- Peter Pan Mini-Golf (1207 Barton Springs Rd.): Austinites have been playfully putting since 1946 at this recently restored little wonderland with not one but two 18-hole courses. Open until 1 a.m. Saturday for after-Fest fun.
- Bonus: Magnolia Cafe (2401 Lake Austin Blvd.): Magnolia is Austin's go-to 24-hour cafe, and there's a Magnolia just across the pedestrian bridge over the river. If there's a wait, pop over to the Deep Eddy Cabaret across the street for a Lone Star to kill a few minutes.
Getting North of the River
If you're new to Austin (or maybe you don't spend much time in Zilker Park), there's a quick way to get north of the river on the pedestrian bridge underneath MoPac. Just follow the path by Town Lake west 'til you get to the big bridge and trot across. Head left on the north side of the river up around Deep Eddy Pool and you'll find a commercial zone with restaurants that may be less mobbed than those around the fest itself.
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