Meander
Texas Roadtrip
July 21, 2026
My first trip to Austin was back in 2014. At the time, it was more of a gateway to Marfa than a destination of its own—a place to pass through rather than linger.
But I've found myself coming back again and again. To spend time with friends. To eat good barbecue. To wander through museums and galleries, hear live music, embrace its wonderfully left-of-center spirit, and this time, to hunt for vintage.
Along the way, my talented friend Faith Hinkson and I photographed our Spring/Summer story, A Day in the Life. I met up with friends and ate and drank a little too much, spent afternoons by the pool at the Austin Motel, and made my way through lots and lots of good vintage and thrift shops.
These are the places I fell in love with on this trip—the ones I'd happily return to again and again.
Pro Tip: don't plan your Barton Springs visit for a Thursday. It's the one day the pool is closed for cleaning. One of these trips, I'll finally make it there.
STAY:
Both are part of the Bunkhouse group so you know they're good.
EAT / IMBIBE:
Jo's on South Congress - go for the coffee stay for the iconic "i love you so much" sign
Two Hands - v good breakfast
Swedish Hills - very cute for breakfast or lunch and is attached to Heath Ceramics
Magnolia Café - classic Austin. it's dated and the food is meh but you kind of have to stop in? oh and they're open 24/7
Jenni's Ice Cream - my favorite chocolate ice cream of all time
La Holly - Fantastic tequila selection and food trucks out back
Josephine House - got out of south congress for a bit to have a civilized dinner with a friend
Joann's - i just love any menu that has queso front and center
Mama Dearest - My friend KC (who was in town at the same time!!) took me here and I felt right at home in that back garden
SHOPPING:
*This doesn't include vintage - that gets a whole list of it's own
Lovecraft - the buying is offbeat and cool. also has an excellently curated apothecary selection.
Kickpleat - just perfect. from it's designers to it's layout to every piece it carries.
Allen's Boots - cowboy boot HEAVEN. a must.
Maufrais Hats - select a hat and then customize it yourself. feathers, silks, leather bolos, silver & turq!
Daughters - Around the corner from Austin Motel and they carry Jungmaven so they're alright in my book
Antone's Records - if you play vinyl, this is a must
CULTURE:
Blanton Museum of Art - Ellsworth Kelly's Austin is a beautiful masterpiece of light and color as well as scale and space.
Continental Club - musica!
Barton Springs - see pro tip note above
VINTAGE SHOPPING:
Thriftland * do not sleep on Thriftland
Leopard Lounge - right next to Antone's Records (bonus!)
*there's also an Austin Vintage Around Town Guide which i've linked here
That's all for now! and If you have places you've found and loved along the way in Austin, please send them my way for next time!
xx,
Brooke